DuckSouth.com

Since Mr. Sandifer has placed himself on the bench after being whooped by a 30 pound puppy, depending on the kind of training you are looking for I would either call Steve Vires who trains for HT's and duck hunting (who trained HRCH Spud MH) or Tom Hamilton at http://www.brackenfen.com if you are not interested in the American hunt test circuit but want good hunting dogs. Tom is one of the few legitimate "British style" trainers in the United States. He is in Northwest Gulfport, MS.

GC you have done a GREAT job wif EM ,,,,dont cha want to do it again


Steve and Ronnie are not that far from you and both do GREAT work with their dogs ,,,i would not pass either one to go else where ,,,,,they are both close enough to you ,,,,where you could afford gas to go see your dogs .


If your close to memphis maybe you could get the goose to help you out .

Thanks so much for the referrals. Our family is new to this sport since our 18 year old son started duck hunting 2 years ago AND LOVES IT by the way!! One thing I forgot to mention is that we prefer to use a trainer who doesn't use shock collars. (forgot to mention that--sorry!)

Oh....you forgot to mention that huh? Just a little thing....... Not many "good" trainers to pick from that don't use a collar, but a few do exist. Good luck with that.

huntermom wrote:Thanks so much for the referrals. Our family is new to this sport since our 18 year old son started duck hunting 2 years ago AND LOVES IT by the way!! One thing I forgot to mention is that we prefer to use a trainer who doesn't use shock collars. (forgot to mention that--sorry!)

Tom Hamilton is pretty much your only option if you want totally "non collar."

Tom Hamilton is your man .

Or Wildrose???

No offense to Chief Stewart, but no "British" trainer in the US has better credentials than Tom. Not even close. If I were going to do the British style "no collar" program, I would use someone who lived in the UK, trained daily in the UK, competed in the UK, has titled multiple dogs in both UK open field trials, and titled Finished dogs in HRC over here, sans collar. That leaves........Mr. Hamilton. YMMV.

Yes, Tom Hamilton is my friend, and yes he bred my dog. However, anyone who knows me knows that won't stop me from calling a spade a spade. He does an excellent job within the constraints and limitations of that system of training. I am sure there are some very good "amish" as opposed to "British" trainers someplace, I just dunno who they are or where they are located. I am checking out of this thread now. Y'all be cool.

Huntermom...what have you got against the e-collar? Maybe some discussions here could help you understand a little more about how...why...when they are used. Something to consider if you are new to the sport...you just might find that it is totally different than what you think.

Not trying to convince one way or the other just sayin'....

~CF'S 2 cents on the topic...now I am going back up under the porch~

There is a trainer out there for you...keep up the search and you will find one...

Good point--I am certainly opened minded about collar training/non-collar training but we were advised by the breeder to seek a trainer who did not use shock collars. I don't have any knowledge about either choice. I certainly don't have anything against a trainer who might use them. I e-mailed Tom Hamilton & look forward to hearing from him. Again, thanks to everyone who has responded--like I said, I'm learning as I go and certainly appreciate any advise you have.

I would give Steve Vires at Online Labs a call. ( http://www.onlinelabradors.com ) Steve has trained several British labs and now a couple of show X field crosses. He is a very capable trainer and knows when to apply pressure and when not to.
The first couple of dogs of mine that he trained felt the collar quite a bit. The one in training with him now has very rarely felt it.
Steve can talk to you about how he uses the collar and then maybe you'll feel more comfortable about it.
sherri

huntermom wrote:Good point--I am certainly opened minded about collar training/non-collar training but we were advised by the breeder to seek a trainer who did not use shock collars.

You were wrongly advised. According to probably 90% of the folks who train labs.

my only advice would be if your going to a trainer that doesn't use a collar then said trainer better not be overweight or out of shape.......if said trainer is overweight or out of shape then they aren't training properly without the use of a collar

wesley hamm wrote:my only advice would be if your going to a trainer that doesn't use a collar then said trainer better not be overweight or out of shape.......if said trainer is overweight or out of shape then they aren't training properly without the use of a collar

You better believe it! All that running out into the field to correct on the spot "up close and personal." That's still what's most effective with Ellie Mae Dogg . . .
SME

Nothing wrong with going non collar. You can train to a high standard without it.

Bill