MEET THE TEAMS ... PART II
Time to meet two of the members from Team "Cooper". Milly Martin and Stephen McGuire.
MILLY & BREN
LABRADOR RETRIEVER, BITCH, 08/12/09
Having watched the competition last year I knew it was a challenging experience with top quality dogs, so when I was picked for the team this year I was excited and proud but also nervous. This far exceeds anything Bren and I have done before. I have a mature dog so I felt this was the year I needed to push us both and step outside our comfort zone. Training has been a huge learning curve for me and Bren, covering from back to basic handling to advanced exercises. I found problem solving and what to do when things go wrong has helped to enhanced my handler skills and build my confidence. We've also supported each other as a team, meeting up to train in small groups on different ground and putting into practice what the trainers have shown us. Team training has been a challenging but positive and confidence building experience. I know there will be fierce competition but I think we've earned our place in the competition and will give it 100%.
STEPHEN & FIZZ
SPRINGER SPANIEL, BITCH, 26/10/14
As a newcomer to the group I really put myself into the deep end from the off as my first experience with the Kirkbourne family was the first stage of the selection process , so I wasn't too optimistic that I would be selected as me and my young ESS bitch were pretty green and from a first impression there was plenty of capable handlers all looking for selection .
This year so far has been one massive learning curve , both for me and the dog as it was all an unknown . The other team members and trainers have been great . This has helped my confidence in knowing that what I'm doing is right . I'm definitely starting to understand why we train certain ways .
The sessions that we have been having as a team have been great and good confidence builders , without these I wouldn't have thought it possible to work at such distances with a spaniel . The team selection looks very even and I'm chuffed to bits to be considered on par with the other team members .
I don't envy anyone that has to make the sort of decisions Darren has throughout this process . All the other team members have been top draw and it would be great to bring a trophy back as both teams are very capable .
Why Won't My Puppy Come Back? The Truth About Retrieve Training for New Handlers
You threw the dummy. Your pup flew out there, picked it up, and then... ran the other way. Or sat down with it. Or dropped it halfway back and started sniffing. Sound familiar?
A New Beginning - Meet Jam and Evie
: Darren Kirk introduces Jam and Evie, two English Springer Spaniel pups with FTCH pedigrees, joining the Kirkbourne pack as future working and demo dogs.
The Dummy Launcher Workshop: This Is Where It Gets Serious
There's a moment at the shooting field - or the working test, or even just a training session with other handlers watching - where you realise the retrieve isn't the problem. It's everything before the retrieve. The dog that breaks on the shot. The one that's already running before you've even lifted a finger. The one you've asked to sit three times and it's sat twice and the third time you just gave up because everyone's watching. You know the one. It might be yours. That's not a retrieve...