UPLAND KENNEL

11463 Hwy 16

Savage, MT 59262

(406) 798-3457

upland@midrivers.com

LISTEN, DON'T TALK

It seems that every article you read on selecting the proper trainer for your gun dog concentrates on references and kennel conditions.  While these are indeed important, another consideration should be taken into account:  the trainer's ability to listen.

A friend used to have a sweatshirt emblazoned with this question: "Can we talk about my dog now?"  While this is humorous on the surface, its significance goes much deeper.  We all know people who can do nothing but talk about their dogs.  I'm sure most of us have been guilty of this at one time or another.  However, a trainer must be able to get past this temptation and learn how to listen.  As long as you are talking, you can only espouse what you already know.  When you are listening you learn.

Very few trainers are average conversationalists.  They come in two groups usually;  talkers or listeners.  It takes about 10 seconds to find out which they are.  The best approach when first addressing a trainer, whether it be in person or on the phone, is to introduce yourself, give a very brief history of your dog, what training you are interested in, and then stop talking.  The trainer's response will invariably be a 40 minute dissertation on everything he or she knows about training-whether it has anything to do with your particular situation or not-or you will experience a few seconds of silence.  The trainer who remains silent is gauging you.  There is nothing wrong with that.

Many, many customers are talkers as well.  If you launch into your own dissertation, you tell the trainer everything you know and, more importantly, everything you don't know.  This puts the trainer at a distinct advantage.  If you respect this moment of silence, it will always be followed by a series of questions from the trainer.  Answer to the best of your ability and answer only the questions asked.  The trainer needs certain information to give you an accurate appraisal.

He should be asking you about your dog's experiences, especially regarding your training.  He should ask about the dog's lifestyle, that is, is the dog a house dog or a kennel dog?  Do you have a family and how is the family involved with the dog?  He will ask under what circumstances you acquired the dog.  He will want to know how you intend to use the dog and your goals for him.  The trainer should be interested in the dog's background and ask to see a pedigree, if possible.  Just leave the questions in his hands until he says, "OK, here's what I think about your situation."

Now it is your turn to ask any questions you may have.  The questions you need to ask include:  How much experience do you have with my dog's breed and can you include in your references someone that has this breed?  How long have you been in business at your present location?  Do you concentrate on trialing or hunting training?  How many assistants do you have?  What percentage of my dog's training will they do?

In the world of dog training, there are no stupid questions.  Don't be afraid to ask anything that is on your mind.  It's your dog.

The best trainer I ever met was a German Shorthaired Pointer field trial trainer named John Merrell out of Bakersfield, California.  I met him at my first field trial.  I had a young pup that had never been to a trial before.  John had a rig with 35 dogs and two horses.  I was across the camp in a tent.  He came over, introduced himself, then let me talk.  I was so flattered that he would take time out from his routine to come over and talk with me I could hardly believe it.  As it happened, we were braced together in that trial.  When we came to the line, I realized he knew everything about me and my dog, but I knew nothing about him.  I took that lesson to heart and have never forgotten it.