Man's Best Friend...

I brought Hank home to become a part of our family in late February of 2003. Little did I know that the journey I was undertaking would have such a dramatic impact on my life? Not only did Hank represent a much needed project for me, he was also a much needed friend and partner. Nine months of training almost each and every day was perhaps the most therapeutic activity I could have possibly chosen. Hank gave me a reason to pursue my passion for hunting on a year round basis.

At the beginning of my journey with Hank I was consumed with acquiring as much information concerning retriever training as I could lay my hands on. I bought books, most of which were written by Richard Wolters. I bought videos on DVD. I sought the advice of professional trainers and other amateur retriever trainers in and around Murfreesboro. In the end, the process of training Hank rested squarely upon my shoulders. Do or die, good or bad, the retriever that Hank ends up being will be entirely my fault.

I have no idea how many bumpers I threw for him during the first nine months, nor do I have an idea of exactly how much time I spent on obedience training. I do know that I came close to giving it all up on a couple of occasions because I didn’t think that I had the skill or mental fortitude required to accomplish the task of producing a quality retriever. I completely understand why Richard Wolters didn’t encourage the process of force fetching or the use of electronic training collars. These two instruments were without a doubt the most difficult to employ, and by the same token the most effective for producing a quality retriever. Anyone who lacks the stomach or insight to employ these tools is cheating himself and his dog, this I am sure of.

I guess the one truth that I have figured out by training my first retriever is this:

“The retrieving should be built into the dogs. The goal of retriever training is two fold, make them completely obedient while they are retrieving and to help them enhance the skills they were born with.”

Basically, the trainer needs to learn when to stay out of the way and when to step in and be the master. Spend 90% of training time on obedience during the first five months as it will pay off in spades during the rest of the first year. Help the dog learn how to improve their marking skills and be creative in the process. Other than that, make sure it is fun for the dog. It is pretty simple really, even though that is not evident at the outset.

My purpose for writing this journal is to document my ongoing journey with Hank, my partner and buddy. I am sure that with each hunt I will learn lessons that point to the deficiencies and strong suits of my training regiment. I am hoping that I will be diligent with transcribing the events that highlight the time I spend with Hank in the field. Perhaps it can one day serve to help me, or someone else, sometime in the future.