"jeff miller" wrote




at $1500 a puppy, what do you think that investment yields?


not sure I understand that question .... I have always told MY clients, and
believed myself, that unless the activity itself, the training, the time
spent outside, etc was enough .. don't even consider the sport fwiw,
there is no money to be made in trials, no prize money, .... the reason
some dogs sell for big bucks is simply dogs with that quality ( qualities
NOT obvious to casual observation ) are very rare ... as is talent that can
make the big leagues ( see below )




...always with electric
shock and shotgun salt. it was repulsive to me.

I can understand that. Let me say only this .. in the hands of skilled
trainers an e-collar is a wonderful tool that limits, yes limits, stress on
the dog. I worked a gun dog today, with it's owner issuing the commands.
At the end of the session that owner commented nellie had done well and that
I hadn't "used the collar" at all ... but I had, just so lightly the dog
showed no sign except changed behavior. BUT, there are a lot of pretty
crappy trainers in the world, and, frankly, "pro dog trainer" means zilch, I
know many I wouldn't let touch my dog, period. As for "shotgun training,"
repulses me too .. and fwiw, I've only met east coast trainers that use it,
never seen or heard of it out here

My favorite dog training quote is from Delmar Smith, " A man can learn to
control any animal, if he first learns to control himself."

i know folks that have
spent large dollars to acquire field trial and hunting dogs. each of them
has also owned a dog that was of the ordinary 150 to 300 dollar akc
variety. frankly, i saw nothing unique or more worthy in the more
expensive dog....


I don't think $$ is the key here ... I've seen 'ordinary' dogs achieve
greatness ... and therefore become valuable ... it is a myth that much value
comes with the pedigree, per se Field trials are like big league
baseball, hunt tests like playing on the company softball team, gundogs like
tossing a ball in the backyard with the family ... culture, and each of us,
values those 'ball players' differently, but only a fool would think the big
league guy is probably having the best life ... as in dog sports, the costs
of winning can often be higher than the value of that win.


FWIW, although I made a living for 30 years training trial dogs I do not and
never have suggest trials to anyone ... and I actively advise against most
field trial 'blood' for gun dog/pet owners