American Cocker retrieving

[Cass]

Don't worry about the "not bad for the breed" comments pam. You're bound to get lots of those! I get it constantly with my working english cocker - simply because he's the only one around here and when you tell people he's an English cocker all they hear is "cocker" which here means an american foo-foo cocker (no disrespect meant lol). Most people don't believe that he's pure bred and assume (because he's black and usually retrieving something) that he's some kind of lab mix LOL. The first thing I get when anyone sees him is "What kind of a mix is that? Looks like he has some lab in him!". So yes, Gumbo is good "considering the breed" but thats a good thing! You're striving to make something out of a nice breed that has been ruined for years and years. Take those comments with pride and get that pup to the level where he's blowing people's minds so much that they don't even think about what breed he is. Hie-on!

[crackerd]

No this thread wasnt about hunting, but it was your first post and thread so I simply asked to see it hunt for 2 reasons. The first is that I have never seen a working American cocker ever so was interested to see its own style and hunting ability, and the second reason was to see if the little dog could actualy put it all together to become a gundog from such a different start in life.
I make no excuses for always putting hunting and drive before anything else when talking about spaniels as its the key part and always should...

'Cept when it shouldn't, James - fair cop on your comments, but need I remind you there are not only exceptions in breeds,



but exceptions as to working gundog circumstances and thus their modus operandus. Sounds to me as if Pam's got something good going on a number of fronts - an exceptional little dog, an exceptional training situation, and an exceptionally thick skin over some of the couched criticism sent her (or her trainer's) way.

MG

[jeffD]

I don't think I will post any videos of Teal after reading some of these posts, although many posts have offered praise and enjoyed the video the whole thread just seems to me a bit negative and hyper critical towards a first time post by a relatively inexperienced trainer who was justly proud of a cracking retrieve.

If Pam had asked for criticism fair enough, but there was no such request from Pam, come on guys give us real armatures a break and only shoot us down when we ask for it.

[Strathcraig]

I don't think there was criticism, except maybe for one person. Everyone else was justly pleased with the retrieve and asked questions regarding it and hunting ability so they could improve their knowledge.

[Wendy M]

Pam – Don’t lose heart! I have followed “Wee Gumbo’s” progress from the video’s Robert has posted elsewhere and think you’re doing a great job!!

Unfortunately it seems to be human nature to criticise and or cynicise the new or different.

Forums can be tricky places!!

Enjoy training, enjoy Gumbo and remember you don’t have to ‘prove’ anything to anyone!

Wendy

[pam]

Cant wait till Thursday our first day on the Partridge ... Guided by my super mentor we will learn loads I will keep you all posted

[pam]

No this thread wasnt about hunting, but it was your first post and thread so I simply asked to see it hunt for 2 reasons. The first is that I have never seen a working American cocker ever so was interested to see its own style and hunting ability, and the second reason was to see if the little dog could actualy put it all together to become a gundog from such a different start in life.
I make no excuses for always putting hunting and drive before anything else when talking about spaniels as its the key part and always should...

'Cept when it shouldn't, James - fair cop on your comments, but need I remind you there are not only exceptions in breeds,



but exceptions as to working gundog circumstances and thus their modus operandus. Sounds to me as if Pam's got something good going on a number of fronts - an exceptional little dog, an exceptional training situation, and an exceptionally thick skin over some of the couched criticism sent her (or her trainer's) way.

MG

Is this your dog Crackered? A beautiful dog and a cracking pic hope gumbo can retreive a goose some day ... hahah I have big expectations lol

[buddon ness]

Cant wait till Thursday our first day on the Partridge ... Guided by my super mentor we will learn loads I will keep you all posted

Good luck Pam and enjoy Keep us posted..

[crackerd]

hope gumbo can retreive a goose some day ... hahah I have big expectations lol

To tell the truth, Pam, the American cocker's the only gundog breed I've ever been dubious about at picking a goose - a tall order for a breed with a short, compact muzzle and not a lot of size as spaniels go. Never seen it before, but that means nothing - especially with your mentor behind you, inciting Gumbo to "get 'er done." That's why I'm partial to Robt., in spite of his cordial cussedness - he's always leaning toward whatever it takes, trying a new approach, getting an underdog of one kind or other up to the task. And if he can't find a greylag or a pinkfoot for Gumbo to practice on, I'd probably ship a snow goose over



in exchange for a few drams of the local single-malt hooch.

MG

[Megsdad]

in exchange for a few drams of the local single-malt hooch.

MG

[/quote]

I was treated by the Dr John(stone) in question with a sampling of a secret supply of 70 yr old malt but only on condition that I didn't let on to Wullie which I never did. But I suspect Gumbo has been trained using psychadelic voodoo techniques appropriate to his origins?

http://youtu.be/b4J8VrprrGE

Gris Gris gumbo ya ya!

Publish and be damned... I put up some daft videos of my puppy playing with a squeaky toy and got lots of sniffy crap about encouraging hard mouth etc. same dog has since put live partridge into my hand like it was her own puppy ( and yes I know they're not supposed to peg but it's kind of inevitable when someone's just released hundreds of partridge onto a Scottish hillside). I got a lot of argybargy for suggesting that It might be ok to train for health and fitness not just for performance in trials ( we walked up Ben Nevis when she was 7 months)! Train for what you want Pam and keep us intrigued with lots of vids and pics girl! Terry