Gundog Training Forum

LucyLab wrote:Would Sussex/Surrey be ok? My Geography of driving times is shocking! If so, then try Dan Higgs http://www.higgscroft.co.uk

He certainly didn't hold back when critiquing me and my Lab a couple of years ago...but in our lesson he completely changed how we worked together. I think he would give you a very honest opinion.

Lucy

Dan will give a truthfull answer
and he was also at crufts with Pippa Williams i believe in the demostration.....

You have been to some very good experienced trainers already, who I assume have already given you their honest opinions, is the reason that you are looking for another opinion because you didn't like what they said? are you actually looking for a trainer who is going to agree with what you already think? Sometimes the truth hurts, sometimes we are so emotionally involved with the dog that we don't see the truth we see what we want to see.

I haven't posed this question to any of them but know them all well personally as well as a trainer. Want an impartial assessment and I'm prepared to listen and accept any critique / summary. Also I think all have seen the dog for routine stuff and I truly believe a fresh pair of eyes is invaluable. Especially as this is more an assessment of our relationship rather ban her or my ability.
Don't get me wrong I value all of their methods and opinions but wanted to get an impartial view. I'm not a regular attendee of training classes but try and see one of them just before the wheels fall off or if I'm unsure of the next step and usually with success or at least with homework and a new goal. Nothing against any of them and will continue to use them

I don't know them all, but the one I know would give you a very honest opinion even though you may not like it, and I'm not sure that I would rate 'a fresh pair of eyes' above someone who has known you and the dog for a while and the new person may see the dog on a unusually good or bad day, and the new person may hope to be earning money from a new client.

Lez graham at http://www.trainedforlife.co.uk/about.aspx

Well yesterday I made the not so long journey as it turned out to go and see Mr Ricky Ross Moloney with Mika.

He immediately tapped into me being quite uptight and afraid of upsetting her so helped me to relax. She/I/We "thankfully" did everything wrong so that he was able to assess her issues and help provide me with some simple but new ideas on how to get her going again. By the end we had some good work from her and I was much more relaxed. Going to see how we go for 6-8 weeks and then go back and see how we're progressing. Ultimately he described as a very honest bitch who sadly it would seem I have bored the drive out of for now. But he is confident that I can get it back. I have been guilty it would seem of training her as I have trained other Labradors including her mother. This I see now as naive and I am forever going othave imprinted in my mind "train the dog in front of you". Thanks for all the suggestions of trainers and thanks to Judy and Miff in particular.