My dog, Jack, is an English-bred Labrador retriever. Like many dogs from this breeding he is intelligent and has a sensitive temperament. The training methods used by most American trainers and those found in books and videos on the subject employ a harsh regimen of control and are long on shock therapy. These domination techniques proved to be completely ineffective with Jack, who was an indifferent retriever at 19 months old and not real obedient.
Martin took Jack into his care for a little less than three months and the results are remarkable. Jack is obedient to whistle, voice and hand signals; is at an intermediate level in memory and blind retrieves; has a good soft-mouthed delivery; handles well by whistle and hand signals at a distance; developed good marking skills; is comfortable retrieving live or dead birds; is proficient at water retrieving; quarters suitably for upland hunting; and drops at the sound of a shot. All this and Jack retained his joyful temperament. Jack obviously enjoyed his time with Martin and all the dogs in Martin's care are happy, enthusiastic workers.
I am extremely pleased with the results Martin achieved and am looking forward to a refresher course at an upcoming Autumn Orvis dog-training seminar to be given by Martin. I'm the one who needs the refresher course, not Jack.
Martin himself is an intelligent, articulate man and is a delightful conversationalist and host. His wife, Pat Trichter-Deeley, is an accomplished dog handler who specializes in animal behavior problems and is an equally enjoyable person.
REPORT 2 ON JACK
We had a marvelous hunt in Maine for puddle ducks and sea ducks. Somehow I
found my shooter's eye and hit everything I shot at. Well, almost everything.
Jack retrieved puddle ducks on the inland marshes and sea ducks out on the
big water in the Atlantic. He marked well and showed persistence in the falls
he lost track of. A total of 15 ducks was the bag. Thanks again for making it
My dog, Jack, is an English-bred Labrador retriever. Like many dogs from this breeding he is intelligent and has a sensitive temperament. The training methods used by most American trainers and those found in books and videos on the subject employ a harsh regimen of control and are long on shock therapy. These domination techniques proved to be completely ineffective with Jack, who was an indifferent retriever at 19 months old and not real obedient.