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Was selected to be a handler during a 3-1/2 day dog training seminar. Primarily geared toward Field Trial/Hunt Test training. The seminar was hosted by a gentlemen (Mike Lardy) most hunting/field trial folks consider to be the authority on dog training. This guy was unbelievable in his approach to training field dogs. Could tell what broke down with a dog being disobedient during obedience drills at 10 yards, or on a complicated field test with the dog at 300 yards. Worked through the rain and sun. Had a great time.....learned a ton and saw some very nice dog work.

Ringo at line ready to run a 200-yard (approximate) mark on a pheasant....FOCUSED!



Ringo HAULING AZZ on a mark



Ringo returning with pheasant.



Ringo on the line ready to mark a shot mallard flyer. Not sure if you can tell, but he's jacked and about to come out of his skin



Ringo HAULING AZZ to pick up the shot mallard flyer



Ringo returning with the shot flyer. I like the tail up and fast return. He likes what he's doing.



Trying to hand the duck off while trying to steady him for the next shot/mallard. He's a young dog and not fully steady yet, so keeping high standards on control at the line during the "chaos" (read guns going off and birds falling) is critical for future advance work.



Lastly, Ringo and I doing basic obedience/yard work with Mike evaluating. Ringo is on a remote sit...waiting for next command.

Great report Ron. Thanks for posting that up for us.

Good looking pup. I've got a yellow I gave my son. He loves it too, but my boy ain't been working him like he should.

I would love to watch and talk to someone with half the knowledge that you guys have. I have smart Lab but an untrained master.

Mike Lardy has been considered "The Authority" for many years. He's the best in the business.

Where was the seminar held, Ron?

snatch-n-reel wrote:I would love to watch and talk to someone with half the knowledge that you guys have. I have smart Lab but an untrained master.

SnR: Don't consider myself having much knowledge at all......that's why I was there, to learn from Mike and some of the other, more experienced handlers. I was very lucky to be selected as a handler. Most folks at the seminar were observers. They came from all over the country to attend.

tin can wrote:Mike Lardy has been considered "The Authority" for many years. He's the best in the business.

Where was the seminar held, Ron?

Concur TC. When you've won more national opens than anyone in the history of field trials (7), trained over 70 Field Champions and trained dogs that the owners have titled or won the Nationals with, that's pretty much putting you at the top of the game. He's like the Bill Belicheck of dog training....some very successful trainers now on their own started under Mike. I believe BD knows one that that started with Mike who is considered one of the better young dog trainers in the country.

The seminar was held in Boston, Ga at Mike's "winter" training home. The last 10 years or so, he's held a winter seminar in Ga and a summer seminar at his home in Wisconsin.

Very nice dog work Ron Now I hope you have booked a trip to Saskatchewan next October!

I shot at a field trial two years ago- I was amazed at the discipline of the dogs.
It set my expectations for a lab very high!

Without question Mike Lardy is one of the best if not the best white coat trainer in the country. I have a lot of his tapes and books.
Great looking pup.
Chuck Wheeler
Atlanta Retriever Club

That is a great looking dog and looks like he's having a good time working.
Congrats on the seminar.

Thanks for sharing Ron. Looks like a good time and some quality education for all parties.

Thanks for the comments guys. He is a nice dog...wished he belonged to me.

Reel Slow wrote:Very nice dog work Ron Now I hope you have booked a trip to Saskatchewan next October!

No Saskatchewan trip booked (though I'd love to go), but he will be "booked" for some time to come hunting pheasants. Ringo belongs to a buddy of mine, who owns a Pheasant Lodge in S. Dakota. He's getting ready to retire from the Marine Corps and has a lot going on. He asked me to finish his basics and transition work, then to the Lodge he goes (this Sept). Of course, I may have to escort him to ensure I've done the proper hand off (read: shoot some birds over).

Chuck: I'll look for you at the ARC HT. I'll be there with Ringo and possibly a young "Ranger" pup.