Would you send your dog to boot camp?

[DaneMama]

There are several inaccuracies in your statements, not the least of which is that we would "want their dog to bond, respect and obey a trainer in any way before themselves".

Please re-read my narrative.

I re read your post and I still see the part where you said you left your dog with the trainer for several weeks (on several different occasions) so that it could bond WITH the trainer, not you. If you wanted your dog and if the trainer wanted your dog to bond the strongest to you then it wouldn't have been left there with the trainer and NOT you. During this bonding time the dog learns to respect and obey the trainer, not you because the trainer is the one working with your dog, not you. At least until the time when you are allowed to come visit and then are filled in on the training techniques. This is my take on your exact statements, I see it no other way. I'm not saying that your dog loses all respect an bond for you during this time, but there is a reason why you are NOT included in the majority of the training. Why is that?

What other inacurracies?

[SubMariner]

I re read your post and I still see the part where you said you left your dog with the trainer for several weeks (on several different occasions) so that it could bond WITH the trainer, not you. If you wanted your dog and if the trainer wanted your dog to bond the strongest to you then it wouldn't have been left there with the trainer and NOT you. During this bonding time the dog learns to respect and obey the trainer, not you because the trainer is the one working with your dog, not you. At least until the time when you are allowed to come visit and then are filled in on the training techniques. This is my take on your exact statements, I see it no other way. I'm not saying that your dog loses all respect an bond for you during this time, but there is a reason why you are NOT included in the majority of the training. Why is that?

What other inacurracies?

The first 2 weeks Zio was up there we were told not to come up so he could bond with the trainer.

The above section is the only place I indicated that we were discouraged from going up to see the dog so that the dog would bond with the trainer to make the learning process easier. Training can only take place if there is trust between the handler & dog. Our dog did not know this person well enough to have established the rapport necessary for the two of them to be a good training team. Hence the necessity of there being some exclusive "bonding time".

The trainer is located on a farm approx 4 hrs n/w of us in here in Tampa; no one is available in our local area. Thus logistics prohibited us from going up any other time but weekends to train with the dog. In the meantime he benefited from training during the week with the trainer & his own dogs.

As I mentioned in my first post in this thread, we trained the dog in trialing/hunt tests as much as we could. However, it eventually reaches a point where you need more equipment, time, and experience than we had to be able to progress to the next level in his hunt trial training. It's not like obedience where we simply built jumps & bought retrieval articles. You need birds, other dogs, horses or quad wheelers, test grounds, etc., to properly train a gundog. Occasionally we can get birds, but the rest? No way!

At no time did our dog "lose respect" or "disobey" us when he's gone to "hunting camp". He is a happy, intelligent dog who is able to do what he loves best: hunt. But only proper training can enable him to do it safely & effectively. He had a great start to his amateur gun dog championship at the beginning of this year because of that training. But again, there are things he needs to learn that we cannot teach him.

Meanwhile, it also happens that he is one of the few field bred GSPs we know of who is at the CDX level in obedience before his 3rd birthday. Obedience is frequently an afterthought for them; but we made sure it was a priority. It's better all 'round.

I trust this clears things up?

[DaneMama]

It sure does, but it still just further proves my point, I guess we will agree to disagree. I guess a dog like yours and a person in exactly your predicament is the only kind of situation I would recommend this type of boot camp to. Regular dog boot camp is *completely* different than this type of field training so it's not really relavent to this topic. Most every day boot camp programs for dogs are strictly obedience training. I think we can agree on that.

[SubMariner]

It sure does, but it still just further proves my point, I guess we will agree to disagree. I guess a dog like yours and a person in exactly your predicament is the only kind of situation I would recommend this type of boot camp to. Regular dog boot camp is *completely* different than this type of field training so it's not really relavent to this topic. Most every day boot camp programs for dogs are strictly obedience training. I think we can agree on that.

Yup, looks like communication has been established!

Frankly, I don't see Zio's training as "boot camp". It's more like sending a gifted young violinist to a rustic music camp in the country. Yes, he has to stay in "a cabin" instead of a "4 start resort", but he gets to do something he loves under the tutelage of an award-winning instructor. All while surrounded by his peers.

Just so happens these "gifted young students" have 4 paws.

So it's not really "boot camp" afterall...

[harrkim120]

What's the name of this boot camp?

[LabbieMama]

What's the name of this boot camp?

I'm the OP but I'm not sure whether you are asking me or Submariner. I'm guessing it's the latter. So I'll let Submariner answer this question for ya.

[LabbieMama]

I've decided NOT to send my Golden to boot camp after all. I've given it some thought and decided it's not the right thing for him. Classes start Wednesday and I'm very excited! I have struck gold with this pup, he is sooooo good and training him will be a breeeeeze.

[harrkim120]

I'm the OP but I'm not sure whether you are asking me or Submariner. I'm guessing it's the latter. So I'll let Submariner answer this question for ya.

Haha...yes it's for Submariner. We live in the same area and I was just curious what school it was.

[SubMariner]

Haha...yes it's for Submariner. We live in the same area and I was just curious what school it was.

Our dog doesn't go to a boot camp or a school. He spends time with a private trainer who works with just a few clients as he has his own kennel of gun dogs.

[UnleashDogTraining]

don't send your dogs to boot camps of any sort.