NAVHDA green book- "correction"

[GBoyd]

Hey guys,

I've got a wirehaired pointing griffon at six months. I'm gearing up to get started with some more formal training, and I'm thinking of mostly working of "the Training and Care of the Versatile Hunting Dog" by Winterhelt and Bailey. Seems that everybody calls it the green book.

My question is about the corrections. The book will often say that you should correct the dog. For example,  when working on whoa when the dog breaks early, it'll say you should correct the dog and return him to the spot he was in. But they never explain how to correct him, just that it should be harsh enough to make an impression. The only specifics in the whole book are that a rolled up newspaper is a waste of time and that e-collars are too dangerous for beginners.

So when the dog breaks early from whoa, what do I do?

[addicted2hunting]

Hey guys,

I've got a wirehaired pointing griffon at six months. I'm gearing up to get started with some more formal training, and I'm thinking of mostly working of "the Training and Care of the Versatile Hunting Dog" by Winterhelt and Bailey. Seems that everybody calls it the green book.

My question is about the corrections. The book will often say that you should correct the dog. For example,  when working on whoa when the dog breaks early, it'll say you should correct the dog and return him to the spot he was in. But they never explain how to correct him, just that it should be harsh enough to make an impression. The only specifics in the whole book are that a rolled up newspaper is a waste of time and that e-collars are too dangerous for beginners.

So when the dog breaks early from whoa, what do I do?

I will say that the green book is a good resource, you should by no means ONLY use that book. The book is outdated and there are tons of ways to train your dog. It is not a one size fits all type deal. I am very active in the PNW chapter of NAVHDA and we train very regularly especially jan - sept. We would love to have you!

[GBoyd]

Hmm. Don't see any information about training days on the PNW NAVHDA website. Possibly in the members only section?

On the green book, do you not recommend the procedure outlined in the chapter on whoa? I've found several different methods while reading, but landed on that one just because it seemed fairly sensible. I haven't started anything though.

[Happy Gilmore]

Breaking a sit, hold, stay or honor no matter how you call it should and can be more significant a correction than others which come while working in the field. Rule breaking on the "line" or upon immediate bird interaction can and should be harsher than when the dog is working independently. From what I've seen, this is true with any breed and/or venue. How you correct and how you chose a method needs to be congruent with how you have chosen to set a standard of rules. If your rules are loose, expect loose work. Jf your corrections are slight, expect the dog response to be slight. If you correct strongly and fairly within established rules, expect a reasonable result

[addicted2hunting]

Hmm. Don't see any information about training days on the PNW NAVHDA website. Possibly in the members only section?

On the green book, do you not recommend the procedure outlined in the chapter on whoa? I've found several different methods while reading, but landed on that one just because it seemed fairly sensible. I haven't started anything though.

It's not on the webpage as we have done it informally. But starting Jan we will have it advertised on the website. We didn't want to post anything yet as it's getting to be hunting season and we all are hunting. It started with just a few of us getting together to train from the chapter but now it's gotten to about 10 guys. We train together or sometimes a few of us together when others can't make it ETC... I prefer to train whoa together as I'm training heel. Then move to whoa away from you at a distance once the command is learned. The perfect start DVD is great at showing the similar concept.

[addicted2hunting]

Breaking a sit, hold, stay or honor no matter how you call it should and can be more significant a correction than others which come while working in the field. Rule breaking on the "line" or upon immediate bird interaction can and should be harsher than when the dog is working independently. From what I've seen, this is true with any breed and/or venue. How you correct and how you chose a method needs to be congruent with how you have chosen to set a standard of rules. If your rules are loose, expect loose work. Jf your corrections are slight, expect the dog response to be slight. If you correct strongly and fairly within established rules, expect a reasonable result

Well said.... just make sure the dog KNOWS what it is supposed to do before giving any harsh correction.

[GBoyd]

Thanks for the responses guys, but I'm still not understanding.

I get that the severity of the correction should vary depending on the situation. What exactly are you doing though? Are you pulling up on a choke chain, bopping him on the nose, just saying no? What kind of correction would you consider slight and what would you consider severe?

I'll definitely check out the training sessions this winter. There's a lot I need to learn about working with dogs.

[Happy Gilmore]

For a so month old you might even be using some treats to get compliance and a correction might be a gentle "no" then reward for correctly performing with lots of praise and happy time. Timing is a skill and its what makes good pros good. Maybe you should meet up with someone for some coaching a few days a month?

[addicted2hunting]

To start just a simple no and pick him up and set him back. until you get the e collar intro done then a low level nick and setback. starting out its more about showing him what your asking rather than correction.