Place board Training

[Cass]

LOL that hair gets me every time.

[Stacia]

Love it

[GATimberdoodle]

Checking-in late on this thread. It has been a year since I last visited this forum. Bad me.

However, we are preparing to embark on place board training two started dogs - four year old American Cockers. They have AKC hunting titles and American Spaniel Club hunting certificates. A way away from an Amateur Field Trial Ch, but we ACS are still bringing our breed back up to speed in the field.

I first saw the concept displayed by Jim Dobbs in Wisconsin with young Spaniels, via use of a e-collar, around 2002-3 (IIRC). Take the use of the collar as you will. JD has an extensive treatment of same on his website. Regardless of using an e-collar or not, the concept of his timing displayed there, and for what behavior one is looking, the cite is high value.

[Cass]

I've never seen a field bred American cocker, just the show ones which wouldn't stand a chance in the field. I'd love to hear more about your dogs

[welsh]

I have seen a couple of nice working American Cockers. Very eager little dogs and lots of fun to watch. It would be nice to see that breed come back to popularity for hunting.

[alpha]

I have just got a lovely Pup for my son and at the age of 10 and being a very gentle lad I cant see that off the conventional ways would work for either of them.

I think if it became a battle of wills that the dog will win everytime.

So we are off for a lesson on "target training" as I think that this is going to be the best way forward for both if them.

If it teaches the sit stay and direction in a way that works for both if them then we will all be happy

[da.drew]

Does place board training have to be done as a pup or can any dog be taught it at any age?

[Cass]

Any age.

[Blackjaw]

Trish Jackson had an American Cocker that earned an FC in American Field trials ~10 yrs ago (Maybe 15 as time does fly) I remember watching that dog run and it may have been a little slower than a Field Bred English Cocker, but was always in control, had a great nose and took direction well.

[crackerd]

Blackjaw, if I'm not mistaken, Keith Erlandson put Trish's Madison up for the blue ribbon in the only trial he judged in the US - and there was a great hue and cry about it from the fbcocker crowd.

First - and one of the only American cockers - I ever saw run in N. America. Very hard goer and with panache.

Interestingly, the former grandmaster of this forum from Scotland now has one in for training, and it's a cracker at retrieving. (Wouldn't expect anything less of a gundog that goes through "the Polmaise programme.")

MG