Wildrose Principles

Name Recognition

Practice name recognition skills in group work with other dogs.  Perfect name recognition to the point that no dog in the group moves other than name, as each is called out of line to their handler.

Place Training

Anytime your dog is traveling in your vehicle or sitting with you in the home, he should be on his mat.

No one should bother the pup when he is on place.  The dog can do what he wants on place within reason, but he cannot violate the boundaries.

Own the Eyes

Each command should be preceded by the pup's name and 3-second eye contact. 

Give the dog time to process the command  If you don't give him adequate time to think, interpret, and respond, he's really just emulating your body language and not responding to the verbal command.

The Turnoff

A cue that means be quiet, still and settled.

Steady in Group

If the dog doesn't hear his name, he should remain absolutely steady and quiet

The Three Ds of Steadiness

Denials:  simply denying the retrieve

Delays:  the amount of time between the fall of the bird or placement of the bumper and the release of the dog for the retrieve

Diversions: distractions; the dog should remain focused on the retrieve at hand, not the diversions