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So, I am watching the Dave Rorem DVD on "The Art and Science of Handling Retreivers" and he spends a great deal of time talking about "the mat" and has what looks like a mechanics floor mat from Lowes that he is handling his dogs from in the DVD.

Now, I will admit I can count the hunt tests I have attended on one hand. But I have NEVER seen a "mat." Am I missing something here? Do I need to add a big booty "mat" to my ever increasing truck full of dog training props and doo-dads???

And I thought I had done so well teaching the remote "load up" to a dog stand...... only took a case of slim jims broke into little peices

Most, not ALL, Field Trials use a "Mat" at the line for the dog leave from. Most judges that I know that use them will tell you upfront that the Dog must leave from the mat, period.

Robert

I bought a rubber door mat from dollar general for $4.00 works like a charm. Most of the time I don't use it, but at least my dogs aren't freaked out when we do use it.

You will not see the mat used in a hunt test. It's purpose is to teach the dog where he is supposed to be in relation to the handler. Dobbs teaches "place" to a mat. It can be used after that to teach handling.
Most trainers that I know do not use a mat.

sub bucket for mat and you're training for a hunt test.....

either way, given the game you play, i wouldn't walk to the line w/out one or the other there waiting on me....................and, the dog.

i can tell you w/out blinking and eye, the bucket is one of the biggest obstacles my older dog faced in truly being a great hunt test player -- he sees a bucket and his eyes roll in the back of his head....camo "hidden guns" cause the same.

ain't his fault, i just didn't know how important that little stuff was in training....

the young one has rarely stepped to the line w/out a mat of some sort waiting on him. as such, the mat and the white in the field is not this great stimulus the bucket is for gauge -- live and learn.

anyhow, i'm just pokin around after a rather long week and i'll leave you w/ this --- make the little stuff such as exiting the kennel and the holding blinds, the "guns up" "dog number" and "dog to the line" cadences, and the bucket (or mat, whatever) as much a part of your everyday training as running 3 marks and a blind is..................you'll thank yourself for it later, trust me

gator

in a dogs mind, a mat is real similar to a platform. And Ive run a buttload of water tests off platforms. And funny, rarely can you square the platform to line up on a key bird or the blind... weird how they land at angles like that.

a mat is also real similar to a pit box. and a dog trained to place and a mat, a mat in the floor of a boat is a pretty good way to get a dog to ride.

the first 2 dogs I ever taught to handle, where taught by casting to a box (i.e. a mat). a platform is easier for a dog to see as a boundry, then move it to a flat mat. And I still work on creeping with a platform. travis

gator wrote:
i can tell you w/out blinking and eye, the bucket is one of the biggest obstacles my older dog faced in truly being a great hunt test player -- he sees a bucket and his eyes roll in the back of his head....camo "hidden guns" cause the same.

gator

I feel your pain my brotha!!!!! Know EXACTLY what you mean and feel!!!!

How big of a mat do they use? I use plastic tubs and plastic patio side tables in training and hunting to place my dog. Would not be a big deal to use a mat too if that is what they use in the fiedl trial game. I also sit on a bucket and my dog knows to sit next to the bucket if I send him there.

Would like to know what kind and size of mat Rorem is talking about that he uses in training.

Thanks,

Denlan

Looks like a mechanics mat from Lowes that they stand on to keep thier feet from hurting and slipping. The one that I have in the garage is 36" x 36". The one on the video might be cut down a little smaller.

Thanks, Gulf Coast.

Anybody have an opinion as to whether the Dave Rorem DVD is worth buying? I have intentions of getting into the field trial game with my current young lab, who seems exceptionally talented.

Thanks,

Denlan

It is really painfully dry, but there is a lot of good information on it. Gator did a review of it here:

http://www.holdingblind.com/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=2110

I would like to get another dvd on the handling aspect of it. What ones do yall suggest. It seems that my dog will take a while to learn this. Some days she does great others not so. I would like to attack this problem from another angle so (DIB if your out there) I would like to get another dvd to look at.

been toting around the bottom half of a dog house for 2 weeks for the char char. she was quiet and still yesterday afternoon... maybe its been worth it. aint letting up on the creep or the squeel. But a box (or mat) is the clearest way to get the point across to her. started with it upside down, and her up on top of it... now its sitting right. couple weeks from now i'll go to just a mat mat, to transition sitting still and quiet. travis

Did you say the char char was QUIET and STILL????

You are a miracle worker if so!!! That dog is as jacked up as I've ever seen!

She sat, and watched, and didnt talk back yesterday afternoon. she aint ready for a trial by fire of her new found good behavior, but shes defiently showing progress. hop eit sticks. travis