Episode 137 - the value of picking up and some thoughts about docking

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃I talk here about the advantages of picking up, especially for HPR breeds (spaniels would also benefit for similar reasons) - and also offer some thoughts about docking after our experiences with our recent litter of Weim pups.

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃Yes, finally, it's here. The long-awaited sequel to *The Fundamentals*, the new book is called *Force-Free Gundog Training: Precision and Progression" and it's available in Amazons everywhere. Whoop whoop!

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃Amazingly, my new book (Force-Free Gundog Training: Precision and Progression) is nearly ready. WHOOP!! It should be out in a few weeks.... 

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃This is a ramble of an episode (both subject-wise and literally) covering ticks, the come-in whistle on retrieves and early canine pregnancy.

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃In this episode, I recount our incredibly stressful race against the clock to get the right stuff, in the right place, at the right time. Phew.

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃What are the pros and cons of working tests?

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃This episode is an outdoor ramble (verbally and physically!).... 

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃Here are some useful tips for moving onto marks and then blinds across water.

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃This is a slight bonanza of a wandering episode, where I waffle about prepping for our upcoming litter, woes around tick products, why it's a useful training opportunity to have a dog which is highly aroused... in your yard and how to train many dogs at once. It's a bit all over the place and it's got something for everyone. Sort of.

🙃 Text me (Jo) at Hold the Line 🙃I talk about prioritising your enjoyment of the actual activity of working your dog in the field, separate to any achievements, goals or objectives. It's not about the destination, it's about the journey. I also talk about the importance of splitting your training and structuring your work with blinds. Be a lumper and not a splitter. Finally, we've moved our breeding from Roche (Weim) forwards and everything is a leetle beet manic, chez nous....