In this final series about raising puppies, we discuss the importance of maintaining the right balance between control and focus, retrieving and upland work.  Upland dogs can run blinds without hunting, do hard marks, and still be confident and accomplished in the upland field.  It takes time and experience to learn the nuances of bird hunting, scent, feel, etc.  Allowed the opportunity to acquire the skill of bird location, the well-balanced dog can run the Triple Crown and Master National in the same time period - with complete success. But it's all about the balance....

4th in the puppy series, the upland part.  This is often an unpredictable phase, where dogs do what they do, and not always what we expect or want.  With a good balance between the control of retriever work and the independence of the upland hunt, a youngster can learn to be an adept and confident partner in both.  It is a process, and it takes time; entirely defined by the way your pup's little head works.  It is one of the most fun aspects of dog training I have ever experienced.

In today's episode on developing the retrieving skills of a puppy, we break down the small but very important details to create a confident, accomplished partner in the games you and your dog will play together.

In this 3rd podcast in the series, we break down the importance of the simple but powerful requirements of respecting your personal boundaries, not using noise to express their emotions and how not to become an Iditarod champion.

In Part 2 of Puppy Raising, we talk about the importance of seeing the traits of your pup honestly and using those to design your approach to teaching your pup.  Letting them just "be a puppy" is avoiding the responsibility of bringing your pup up in a manner that is in the long-term interests of you both.  There are a few simple things, which when undertaken thoughtfully, make the rest of your lives together much better.  Promise.

In today's episode, we breakdown the importance of puppy raising.  It has been found that the earliest years of a human infant carry extreme significance to the ultimate well-being of that person.  It is also very true with our canines, and all of them, not just the performance dogs.  This is the first in a series of puppy raising aspects all too often ignored.

In this 2-part podcast, most of the RMPLC members who make up the Triple Crown attendees talk about their experiences, and how it impacts their lives, families and dogs.  Each one has at least one or more TC2 dogs, some APLA HOF dogs and one of the only 3 TC3 dogs in the galaxy.  Turns out it's not just a great dog, or a gifted handler.  It's hard, hard work, dedication, surviving failure and just loving these animals enough to keep going.  Hope you enjoy it!

Going into the more personal side of the dog training and competing experience, the TC group tells about the  ups and the downs, the victories and the hard to take defeats.  And, the meaning of the dogs in their lives.

In today's post season episode, we break down the causes of most failures on the line at events.  News flash:  It isn't the dog.

Finishing off last week's episode on taking a dog fresh with the tools, through beginning handling on land, we discuss doing this on water.  The journey from "knucklehead" to "Big Leaguer" is a giant teaching process, and a very fun one at that.

In today's episode, aimed at my clients for whom I put the dog through the T and swim by, we discuss how to take the dog from developing the tools to handle on land and water - to learning how to run good blinds.  There are lots of ideas and approaches out there, best way to is develop a strong partnership with your dog, based on consistency, clarity and trust.

In today's post TC episode, I discuss the nuts and bolts of upland training for the retriever.  There is lots of discussion about how to upgrade our testing criteria.  The talk is only about the marks and blinds.  But what about the upland.....

This was recorded at the APLA National, known as the Triple Crown.  Troy Benson, APLA President, Justin VanDeHey, board member, Blake Haddock and Ryan Pasman, trainers all and 2 Triple Crown judges, sit down after a day of competition, and talk about this part of the retriever world.  Sit down and join in! 

As the title states, we talk about dogs doing things they "never did before" or changing in their normal response to you in training or worst of all -a test.  If you are mystified as to why your dog is doing something, you might quit looking just at the dog.  Just sayin... TC 2025 YouTube link:   https://youtube.com/@lilyllo?si=C4SQdymOt_1wlwer

In today's episode, we breakdown how your dog learns, understands, thinks and executes is exactly what you are seeing in your training.  The more you understand that the more you can train them without correction or frustration.  At least give that important aspect of your relationship some thought...

One month out from this year's Triple Crown we talk about some good ideas to get yourself and your dog ready....

In today's episode, we break down the mental benefit of teaching sit thoroughly and as early as you can without detracting from the desire to retrieve.  Including pointing retrievers.  It is a taught response that will be highly valuable in more advanced training, but we rarely look at it that way.

Join my discussion with Troy Benson, trainer, breeder, hunting guide and APLA President.  We talk about why he does what he does and how he sees the organization now and going forward.  Definitely a good listen for serious pointing Lab folks!

In today's very delayed podcast, we discuss the oft ignored aspect of a dog - it's mental health and well-being.  This is tied directly to physical health as well, and is usually diagnosed as "stubborn", "stupid", "crazy",etc.  Developing a well-balanced dog begins when you bring them home, and for the breeder, in the first 8 weeks. Mental health for humans is often overlooked or undervalued, and this is certainly true for our canine buddies.

Sit down with us as Tigh explains his view of dog training, competition and what the most important thing in all of this is.  He discusses his training philosophy, the why behind the how, and what is actually important in this dog game.  Great conversation with a very good guy.   Tigh can be reached at DiamondbackKennels.com and on facebook at that name as well.  He has educational information and is starting a blog of the same sort.  Be sure and check him out.