05/01/2024
HELLFINGER BRITTANYS TRAINING BLOG - May 2024:
Governor Kristy Noem (SD) writes about shooting (requiring more than one shot) and killing her 14-month-old German Wirehaired Pointer puppy, "[I] took Cricket on a bird hunting trip with older dogs in hopes of calming down the wild puppy. Instead, Cricket chased the pheasants, attacked a family’s chickens during a stop on the way home and then “whipped around to bite me,” she wrote." As we know, 14-month-old bird dogs are most often not "broke" and the best will chase birds like crazy and when worked up in a birdy fervor, frustration biting is not all that uncommon. Just a dog who needed proper management and training, not a dog needing to be shot to death.
I have a 14-month-old Brittany puppy, Bix, who would love the opportunity to ruin a pheasant hunt and would most likely happily retrieve any and all chickens had me thinking about how we all train and how we navigate setbacks. We are currently working on increasing her independence and run and as a result she now forgoes pointing for full on chasing... which at some point soon we will begin the process of managing her so she cannot run willy-nilly and have opportunities to bust and setting her up for success as we begin to teach her the finer points of being a trained pointing dog.
Last Saturday, I made a serious training gaff... I had my ailing 9-year-old Field Champion, Zephyrus, out for a morning of training to get him back in shape for an upcoming field trial as I slowly keep chasing his AFC. I made sure I had all the equipment I needed and all was charged, loaded, etc... I even tested my E-Collar to ensure it was working properly, it was. But when I put the collar on Zephyrus, I thought I turned it on, but never verified. This resulted in delayed chase, rabbit chasing full bore, difficulty catching, break on shot... before I figured out the collar wasn't malfunctioning, it just wasn't on! Duh! He quickly towed the line, once it was back on.
This along with Bix's crazy antics had me thinking about training setbacks and I thought the topic would make an excellent BLOG, especially since it's over a year since my last one.
In our realm of pointing dog training, success is a challenging pursuit, it requires dedication, humility, and a growth mindset. Here's how you can navigate common setbacks and unlock the full potential of both you and your hunting companion:
Setback Traits:
1) Fear of Failure: Putting off or avoiding a particular aspect of training, such as backing, only makes the process longer. Ask others if unsure.
2) Perfectionism: Remember that perfection is the enemy of progress. Strive for improvement rather than flawless ex*****on.
3) Focusing on Results: Emphasize the PROCESS of training over the end results. Progress is made through consistent effort and dedication.
4) Expectations: Find a balance between setting ambitious goals and being realistic about what you and your dog can achieve.
5) Lack of Self-Awareness: Know what you know and know what you don't know. Being self-critical is not being self-aware.
6) Not Being Prepared: Ensure you're fully equipped and mentally prepared for each training session.
Overcoming these setback traits requires humility, self-awareness, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
Tips to Unlock Full Potential and Improve Your Partnership:
1) Train and Practice Consistently and with Intention: Clearly define the objectives of each training session and focus on specific skills. Consistent practice builds confidence and strengthens your bond with your dog.
2) Set Goals: Make your goals specific and measurable, and limit them to three at a time to maintain focus and clarity.
3) Seek Feedback: Gather input from trainers and experienced handlers to identify areas for improvement and to stay motivated.
4) Master Fundamentals: Focus on mastering the foundational skills of pointing dog training, as they lay the groundwork for more advanced techniques.
5) Watch and Learn: Record your training sessions and whenever possible, have others record runs in trials to objectively evaluate your performance. Study techniques from winning handlers and always be open to learning.
6) Preparation is Key: Ensure you're fully prepared for each training session by having all necessary equipment ready, charged, tested, having birds to work with, setting up a suitable training environment, having training partners, human and dog alike ready, and mentally preparing yourself and your dog for the work ahead.
7) Believe in the Process: Trust in yourself and your dog, and believe in the journey of training. Success is not defined by a single outcome but by the progress you make together.
8) Have Fun: If you and your dog are not enjoying it; stop, play, come back and train another day.
Photo is from Pheasant's Forever, picture credit to Caroline Fenton Photography.
