Post by rosamburg on Feb 1, 2012 3:29:16 GMT -5
I would agree 100% Steve. Regardless of which ever technique the club uses, the TD should be teaching the handler the proper techniques and following the progression. The only other thing to do would be to let the TD handle your dog(or use another technique). While some people do that also, it's not something I personally like. I want my dog to know I'm handling him. He must work for me on the training field, just like he must work for me on the trial field. Having someone else handle your dog, especially as a newbie is not helping you progress as a handler either. But again, that's just the way I prefer it. I've found most dogs do the work(pulling) on their own once introduced to the prong. I think most will try to pull on the sleeve just so they can relieve the pressure. But yes you also must have a good helper who knows how to read each dog and understand how much pressure to apply and make sure they win as long as they are pulling.
Scott
Yeah, every club member at our club handles their own dog. My daughter who was 11 got a little help because her dog is bigger than her but even then that was just for a little bit.
Actually I think many dogs need to be taught to pull and many people do not actually really do this. You can see it on the helper in trials. Many dogs are just hanging on for dear life and not trying to stop the helper. This is often promoted in the training environment with helpers who overpower the dogs when they should be letting the dog win.