Other Options for Training Your Bird Dog

POINTING DOG POINTERS 

By Bob and Jody Iler

Last month we talked about the pros and cons of training your pointing dog on your own versus enlisting the services of a professional trainer. You might still wonder what the best option is for you and your dog. You may feel conflicted about the idea of leaving your dog somewhere for weeks or months at a time—yet the idea of training your dog on your own might make you feel a bit unsure about meeting the challenge. Are these two options your only choices?

Not at all!

Classes and seminars offer many benefits in training your dog. If you’re willing to do a little research in seeking out qualified trainers and kennels that offer these services, you’ll find that they can prove beneficial to your personal training program. You will find excellent seminars advertised in Pointing Dog Journal and other venues, but don”t be afraid to research training kennels that offer regular seminars and classes as well. Ask for the names and contact information of previous participants as references, too.

Both seminars and classes may include topics such as puppy programs, student and dog evaluation on yard work (obedience) and field work, demonstrations, bird planting techniques, started dog programs, retrieving, advanced training like steadying to wing and shot and honoring (backing), and question and answer sessions.

Time frames for each will vary. Seminars can last for a day, a weekend, or more. Training classes last longer, often for four to eight weeks, usually meeting once a week. Let’s look at some pros and cons of both seminars and training classes:

Pros on Seminars

• Seminars will generally take up less of your time.
• Seminars offer the expertise of experienced, reputable and often well-known trainers skilled in the challenges of developing great bird dogs.
• Seminars give you the opportunity to network with other participants, sharing experiences, hopes (and frustrations!) in training.
• Seminars offer hands-on sessions with advice from the professionals on particular problems.
• Seminars offer a font of valuable information condensed into a shorter period of time, giving you a program of action to take home with you.
• Some trainers/kennels may offer individual day or weekend seminars geared to you and your dog’s needs. If references check out, this may be the best option for you if your time is limited, distance is an issue and regular classes just won’t work. These types of seminars offer the benefits of a one-on-one class, but without a long time commitment.

 

Cons of Seminars

• Seminars can be costly when factoring in travel and lodging costs (for multiple day seminars).
• If there are many participants, hands-on training and individual attention may be limited.
• Because of the volume of participants, specific follow-up offered to seminar participants is not always feasible.
• Make sure the seminar offers a level of training appropriate for your dog. Going to a seminar which offers more advanced training when your dog isn’t ready is not practical and can be harmful to your dog.
• Check out the training methods of the trainer(s) offering the seminar. You want to make sure that you spend your hard-earned money learning the ropes from someone whose training philosophy is one you want to mirror in your own program.

 

Pros of Training Classes

• Individual classes offer the advantage of one-on-one training sessions with you, your dog and the trainer. Because of logistics, group classes are not as common and usually take the form of a seminar instead.
• Individual classes will feature detailed follow-up advice from a trainer who has gotten to know you and your dog well over the course of the training sessions.
• Individual classes will be tailored specifically to your dog’s needs and level of ability.
• You’ll be able to ask questions and resolve issues as you go along in your training program.

 

Cons of Training Classes

• Classes need to be relatively near to where you live so that you can make the weekly drive for lessons.
• Classes will require more time and commitment from you.
• Once you’ve begun classes, it’s important to continue the training and be as consistent as possible. Things can come up, but skipping a week or two won’t help your dog’s development. You’ve invested in a training program and should be committed to following through.

You might enlist the help of an experienced friend or amateur trainer who has done well with his dogs in competition and knows what he or she is doing when it comes to training pointing dogs. That person may be willing to offer advice and work with you. In addition to classes and seminars, are there any other options you can check out?

Local bird dog clubs may offer some sort of group training program, which is likely informal, but a good way to work with your dog and birds. Make sure, however, that your dog has been properly introduced to birds and is also developed to the gun before you take your dog around other bird dog owners and their dogs in group settings. Unfortunately, you can also get bad advice from “would-be trainers,” so it may be best to use club venues mainly for the available grounds and birds offered, once your pup has been developed.

We’ve all heard the phrase “knowledge is power.” It’s important to learn as much as you can about bird dog training, but knowing what to winnow out and what to use for your particular dog is often learned best from a trainer who has years of experience and can help you determine the proper way to train your best buddy.

We are big fans of both going to seminars and offering them on occasion as well. We’ve also made one-on-one classes available to clients for years. Seminars and classes will help the average pointing dog owner find the answers to his questions and realize that there are plenty of others just like him who want to do the best for their dogs but aren’t exactly sure how to begin.  

Dog training is a journey! With research, time spent with qualified trainers at a seminar or class, and love and patience in training—it will be one of the most rewarding “trips” you’ll ever take.

 

Pointing Dog Pointers features monthly training tips by Bob and Jody Iler, who own Green Valley Kennels in Dubuque, Iowa. Bob and Jody have trained pointing dogs for over 35 years and have written many articles for The Pointing Dog Journal.