Training The Pointing Labrador

In today's episode, we break down the difference between "making noise" and useful and clear communication with your dog.  To effectively teach a dog anything, you must first establish a relationship in which the dog respects you and actually wants to be taught some new things.  This is most easily accomplished when you communicate in a way natural to a dog, and often sabotaged by implementing our human way of communicating.  Many training problems originate from our thinking we're teaching one thing, and the dog learning something quite different.  Interesting topic...

In this episode, we discuss the approach to training a dog that is fearful of things it encounters in training and daily life, and the same for the dog that has a mild interest in the work for which you got it.  It can often be accomplished, but it isn't a quick fix and takes an understanding and commitment on our part in training them.

In this episode, which is continued discussion of the important elements in puppy upbringing, we breakdown how to teach a dog to be its own best problem solver.  After clearly teaching them a concept, it is important to know how to transfer accountability for response from you to your dog.  Doing this effectively makes all advanced training far easier for both you and your dog.  Also, regular life!

Today's episode is about dealing with the best training habits for you and your young pupil to develop.  Not creating any bad habits is almost as important as the things you are teaching the little one. We talk about bird introduction, retrieving and puppy obedience.  These are the keys to the bright future you can build with your dog.

In today's episode, a topic I dearly love.  I was asked if it was possible to have a dog that came when called, walked well on a leash and off, and could be trusted while loose - without using an electric collar.  The answer is yes, but it takes some understanding.  We'll talk through this subject  in detail.   Batesworks.net

As with any of us in pursuit of something we are doing, a dog should enjoy what they are working on, look forward to it and share in the feeling of mastery of what they do.  There are a number of ideas and approaches in training dogs, some very harsh and demanding, some very passive, and then there is the way that actually reaches the heart and soul of the dog.  That's the one that is going to work best for the long term. Olympic athletes have to really want what they are working so hard to achieve.  They cannot be 'corrected' or punished into it; it comes from a genuine love.  Equally true for our canine counterparts.  At least something to consider in performance training or the family pet.

In this episode, I answer the question from a listener on the topic of daily training.  How do you know how much is enough, too often, too hard, too easy?  It's a great question, one I have encountered in my years of training dogs.  Listen in as we break down the components of a well-designed training program.

Based on a good question received on running blinds, we break down what happens when you call a dog back on a blind, and further discussion about requiring the dog do the work instead of you having to do it for them.  Join in on an interesting topic...   Julie www.Batesworks.net

In this episode, we break down the ways to raise a pup which is based more on never creating problems to be fixed later on.  Noise, destruction, jumping, not returning on retrieves, not listening, "stubbornness" can all be prevented by a well thought out and caring approach to upbringing.  Additionally, stimulating different parts of the developing canine brain that involve the aggressive retrieving and the passive pointing is paramount in the training of the upland retriever.  It isn't a hard thing to do, but it takes some well understood timing.

In today's Troubleshooting episode, we discuss the problem of a young dog that doesn't always return or doesn't directly return on a retrieve.  As with many problems, this is a symptom of a larger problem, and often as simple as the dog was never taught the expectation.  This will show up in different places, but is solved in the same manner.. Julie www.Batesworks.net  

In this episode, I take a question about "How do I get my dog to quit pulling on the leash?" and break down addressing what appears to be a single problem.  Most of the time, these behaviors are symptoms of a more systemic problem, and in correctly diagnosing the problem, the problem can be addressed, in all the places it occurs.  Join in on the discussion....   Happy 2024!   Julie www.batesworks.net

In the first episode of 2024, we talk about how much you and your dog can advance when you quit directing their every move and turn responsibility for the work - over to them.  Constant commands, cues, reminders are often more nagging than instructing.  And constant instructing teaches your animal to tune you out more than listen.  Here's some food for thought to simply and optimize your work with your dog.  And Happy New Year!   Julie www.Batesworks.net        

As a continuation of episode 284, starting to run blind retrieves, this describes how much actual teaching needs to be done before a dog is good at running blinds.  There is much more to it in the dogs' mind, than we are often aware.

In today's episode, we breakdown the approach to teaching a dog with the appropriate fundamentals of going when sent and stopping when whistled - how to confidently learn to run any cold blind.  It is less drill and trick-oriented, but more just time and work intensive.  Join in....

In response to a number of trouble-shooting questions, I compile an answer to many by discussing how to keep from creating training problems and how to address some before they become big problems in your program.

In this holiday season trouble shooting series, we talk about things to think about when you bring your trained dog home for the hunting season, holiday season or because they've completed their work.   If you've spent money on dog training, you certainly do not want to undo it when they come home and relax...

2nd in the series of questions and problems, I address the question of developing confidence in a canine, performance or pet.  It's a pretty straightforward recipe, but it requires understanding your dog's fundamental programming and providing opportunities for the two of you to work on the project together.

In this second in the Problem Series, we talk about what to do when the young PL hasn't shown point.  The upbringing of these little guys is important, birds are important, and maybe most of all, keeping the right balance between the control part of the brain and the 'Do the work yourself" part of the brain.  What you do in training should be determined by what the dog is telling you, not necessarily by what someone tells you to do.

This episode's question is about choosing the best video, book, YouTube channel, to acquire your dog training information.  Heaven knows there is a ton of 'stuff' out there.  Which is best?  How do you choose? It's a good question, but before getting the how-to's from someone, make sure you have the best teacher and a very prepared student before starting your training process.  Listen in for some ideas.

In today's episode, I ask for input on topics and material for the new book I'm doing on Pointing Labs, and also need help on a new "Problem Solving" set of podcasts I'd like to do.  Meanwhile, today's topic is about getting a dog that has shown point to be able to point at a reasonable distance, with confidence and style, and do the right thing without having to be told .... interesting topic.   Email for good suggestions:  juliannebates2021@gmail.com