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dhondt
Housebroken
Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 85
Location: Phoenix, AZ
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 Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:04 pm Post subject: |
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| versatilek9s wrote: | | I think FF is a great thing, but not for the weak-hearted. |
I don't think it's a matter of being weak-hearted as much as the fear to screw up a perfectly good dog. FF is very stressful on a dog and if done wrong can really set you back. I've seen plenty of so called professionals screw up dogs even.
Don't get me wrong I'm not against FF if done right. But, I do throw further caution out there to those who believe they can pick up a book and have at it.  |
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LunaBrown
Wise Old Weim
Joined: 21 Jul 2007
Posts: 2240
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Fur Kids: Luna, Weimaraner
Murphy, Kittycat
Paige, Kittycat |
| Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2008 5:24 pm Post subject: |
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Let me just say, that in our case we're on the fence. We have a very eager and willing retriever on our hands and I want nothing to do with compromising that! HOWEVER, I do want to work with getting her to retrieve to hand... which for the little amount of work we've done seems to be going well, like she just came that way. I'm also concerned with water retrieves, not that she won't do it - but I've been watching and am infatuated with some other dogs who will sit, wait and retrieve as directed no matter how far out the item was thrown - even if it was already out there (ie: coming to the water to retrieve a dummy someone else's dog wouldn't get)
If we make the decision to move forward with FF we have a good grasp, have had a couple lessons by old-timers and know to take it extremely slowly... micro-steps. We've also decided that we will not make any decision of the sort until we're through this hunting season... it would be a winter project.
This dog training thing can be overwhelming - with one question you can get SO many different answers... we're trying our best to piece them together and figure out what works for THIS dog.... who knows what we'll end up doing with the next one.
I just want you all to know that I appreciate each and every bit of wisdom you're so kind to share with us!  |
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DanniGirl
Champion Weim
Joined: 01 Mar 2007
Posts: 872
Location: Flagstaff, AZ
Fur Kids: FM Blue Weim- "Danni" |
| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: |
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| LunaBrown wrote: | | I'm also concerned with water retrieves, not that she won't do it - but I've been watching and am infatuated with some other dogs who will sit, wait and retrieve as directed no matter how far out the item was thrown - even if it was already out there (ie: coming to the water to retrieve a dummy someone else's dog wouldn't get) |
It's funny you said that! A year ago I had the same experience with a NAVHDA member and his Pudelpointer. We threw a dummy in the water for Danni to retrieve and the pointer (Lady) drug the log she was tied up too...in the water. It was a race but in the end, Danni prevailed. 
Just keep at it, she'll get there. Then you'll have the dog who impresses everyone.  Remember 'KISS'- Keep It Simple Stupid. I'm not implying you're stupid...it's just the meaning of the acronym!  (Uhh...I should to listen to my own advise sometimes...  )
| LunaBrown wrote: | | This dog training thing can be overwhelming - with one question you can get SO many different answers... we're trying our best to piece them together and figure out what works for THIS dog.... who knows what we'll end up doing with the next one. |
That's the trick...and I still don't have it all figured out! LOL! It'll come though! |
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h20fwlkillr
Champion Weim
Joined: 19 Dec 2006
Posts: 515
Location: Holden, Mo.
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| Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:16 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | I don't think it's a matter of being weak-hearted as much as the fear to screw up a perfectly good dog. FF is very stressful on a dog and if done wrong can really set you back. I've seen plenty of so called professionals screw up dogs even.
Don't get me wrong I'm not against FF if done right. But, I do throw further caution out there to those who believe they can pick up a book and have at it. |
Even when done correctly, FF can and does ruin some dogs. It is a very small percentage, but IMO not worth the risk in a dog that is already retrieving 99% of the time. Even soft mouths and hard mouthing can be corrected by less invasive measures than FF. There are very few dogs that really need to be FF.
I agree 100% that a book and a video will not get one thru FF. FF is better left to those who do it on a regular basis and only after seeing several of the dogs put thru their program.
| Quote: | This dog training thing can be overwhelming - with one question you can get SO many different answers... we're trying our best to piece them together and figure out what works for THIS dog.... who knows what we'll end up doing with the next one.
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You get so many answers because there are so many different ways to get to the desired end results. Some are shorter easier routes than others. Pick a method that you are comfortable with and stick with it. Only change after proving that method will not work with your particular dog. |
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