- May 16, 2012
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Thanks for the thoughtful and helpful response. At this point in time, I am encouraged that I will be successful in training my dogs that the birds are mine and not to be messed with. I take them out with me to tend to the birds in the morning, while I work in the gardens around the birds, and also in the evening when I put the birds to bed. They have become noticably calmer, but the lab is still way too interested.
I am confident that we will convert these dogs into maybe even guardian dogs for the birds. They do not chase sparrows or even doves, which they have been taken to hunt elsewhere. I am thinking that we will not hunt them on our own property -- ever -- to reinforce that birds on the property are not game for them. Actually, they get most excited if my husband is seen with shotgun in hand so I suppose they associate that, as well as some other preparation for hunting activities, with the activity.
We did all our own training as we did not want to send the dogs away without us for a number of reasons. Having said that, both the dogs and we received a lot of professional training around the country. I have really mixed feelings about the e-collar. Ultimately, our feelings on this subject were what halted field trial competition for the lab, in particular. He, like most of his line, are known for being obsessive and vocal. Some pro trainers have dealt with this issue by excessive use of the e-collar, in my opinion. Some have even removed vocal cords, which is utterly disgusting. We now do hunt tests as they are more fun for the dogs and more realistic hunting scenarios anyway. The field trials have become too far fetched and ridiculous for me to endorse any more -- all in an effort to select a single winner, I guess. It's also extremely difficult for a completely amateur trained dog to be successful, and going out in the first round after driving 10 hours to a trial is no fun for the owner or the dog.
Sounds like you have wonderful dogs. I am encouraged!
I am confident that we will convert these dogs into maybe even guardian dogs for the birds. They do not chase sparrows or even doves, which they have been taken to hunt elsewhere. I am thinking that we will not hunt them on our own property -- ever -- to reinforce that birds on the property are not game for them. Actually, they get most excited if my husband is seen with shotgun in hand so I suppose they associate that, as well as some other preparation for hunting activities, with the activity.
We did all our own training as we did not want to send the dogs away without us for a number of reasons. Having said that, both the dogs and we received a lot of professional training around the country. I have really mixed feelings about the e-collar. Ultimately, our feelings on this subject were what halted field trial competition for the lab, in particular. He, like most of his line, are known for being obsessive and vocal. Some pro trainers have dealt with this issue by excessive use of the e-collar, in my opinion. Some have even removed vocal cords, which is utterly disgusting. We now do hunt tests as they are more fun for the dogs and more realistic hunting scenarios anyway. The field trials have become too far fetched and ridiculous for me to endorse any more -- all in an effort to select a single winner, I guess. It's also extremely difficult for a completely amateur trained dog to be successful, and going out in the first round after driving 10 hours to a trial is no fun for the owner or the dog.
Sounds like you have wonderful dogs. I am encouraged!
