RECIPE FOR A VERSATILE GOLDEN RETRIEVER 

Life is good here at Everlore.   I am on cloud nine and pleased to announce that Cooper, CH Sundown Legends of the Sand, recently qualified for the VCX (Versatility Excellent) award.  The Golden Retriever Club of America awards this certificate to “those golden retrievers who reflect both the conformation and working attributes of the breed, as exemplified through a combination of accomplishments in each the following areas : Conformation, Field and Performance.”   How sweet those words sound to me!!!  I am bursting with pride and couldn’t be more thrilled! 

The journey has been shared by so many wonderful friends.  Without their support, this recognition wouldn’t be possible.   Although I am still active in Cooper’s training, Dana Oaks has run Cooper in the field frequently since last spring.  Cooper adores Dana and would stand on his head if Dana asked it of him!  Now that my back prevents me from running agility courses, a good friend (a Shih Tzu owner), Barb Cunningham, now partners Cooper in the agility ring even though I still do some of his training.  How fortunate and blessed can one be?

As I think back on the journey with Cooper, so much comes to mind about the process

involved.  Catch had finished his OTCH and I was ready to add another golden to our family.  (Catch, U-CH U-UD Aero-Jett’s Wide Retriever UDX JH WC ODHF and GRCA’s first Triathlon award recipient, is also what I consider another truly versatile retriever.)

I did not set out to work towards a VCX.  My original intent was to find a nice looking obedience dog.  However, because Catch introduced me to the joy you can feel as you watch a dog work in the field, I hoped to also do a bit of field training with my next puppy.  I even considered learning more about tracking.  (That activity remains one that I haven’t tried with my dogs, but possibly one day I will manage to find the time.)   Because Cooper came from conformation lines, I agreed to give the breed ring a try.  (Little did I know that I would become so addicted!) 

As I have indicated in previous articles, this journey wasn’t always easy.  When we hit major roadblocks, I sat down and regrouped.  I didn’t rush things, but tried to allow our involvement in various venues take form as I learned just what things were enjoyable for Cooper. Although the following most certainly does not encompass everything necessary to encourage versatility in a Golden Retriever, I have come up with the following “recipe” that does list some things to consider.

Versatile

    Earnest

         Realistic

              Stamina

                  Attention

                      Tenacity

                           Identify

                               Love

                                    Evaluate

V –VERSATILE   

 If you want a golden retriever with innate qualities that molded properly can provide you with a dog that has the potential to participate in multiple venues, the first step in the process is to select the “right” puppy.  The March/April 2007 issue of the Golden Retriever News has an excellent article written by Ann Strathern that discusses how to select the perfect hunting/field puppy.  Much of what Ann writes about choosing a puppy for the hunting venues applies to selecting a puppy capable of participating in multiple venues as well. 

Pedigrees can provide an invaluable tool for selecting that perfect puppy.  Seeing various titles earned by previous generations most definitely can help provide information about working potential in addition to proper structure.  Look not only at the individual dogs in a specific pedigree, but also research the lines contained in that pedigree.

Not always is an impressive list of working titles within a pedigree necessary to find a pup with working potential.  Rather, study the pedigree as a whole.  Meet the sire and dam in person, if possible.  Watch how these dogs react in various situations.  In this day of video cameras, it is often possible to request a video tape of a dog performing in obedience or agility, or running marks.  Much insight can be gained.   When considering a litter and meeting the sire and/or dam, I look for an alert dog that has interest in interacting with you and is willing to try a new game when one is offered.  Does the dog meander from place to place, or does it move with a perk in its step?  Do you see the ears perked and a slight quivering of anticipation when you do provide a new game? If provided with a stimulating activity, does the dog focus on you?   

Puppy testing, discussed in some detail by Ann in her article, can also provide a invaluable tool when selecting the puppy that is right for you.  In addition to paying close attention to the Puppy Aptitude Test results, I tend to be drawn to that puppy that is very balanced, since solid structure will help the dog withstand the rigors of the physical stamina required for working in multiple venues.  I will also look closely at that pup that seeks me out and seems to focus on me.  

E -  EARNEST 

Look to that pup that has an earnest and alert expression, one that shows you the pup is eager to experience life.  While it will be your job to educate the pup with the proper tools as you provide a variety of training activities, you want a dog that is willing to please you and thus work for you.  

  It will be your job to educate yourself so you can provide the best training possible. Establishing a firm foundation is key.  No matter what venue you are working on, be sure to break each finished product down into component parts.  Only when the dog understands each necessary element should you put the final product together.

R – REALISTIC

Be realistic in setting goals.  Not all dogs are capable of becoming a CH-OTCH- MACH- MH, nor are all trainers capable of molding such a dog.  Introduce a variety of foundation skills during the first few months.   Observe the pup’s response closely to see how and where he shows promise. 

Since I have multiple dogs and only so many hours in a day, I find that after the introductory period of teaching basics, it works best for me to focus on just one or two venues.  That is one reality that I have come to accept.  I may hope to one day compete in multiple venues, but when training more than one dog, particularly when those venues differ between the dogs, it isn’t possible for me to “do it all”.  Rather, I try to establish a sound foundation in the venues I choose to concentrate on for the next months.  For example, during the cold Midwest winter months, I focused more on obedience with Stoney.  Now that the spring has arrived, we will take advantage of the warmer weather to work on the skills needed for field work.    

S – STAMINA

Stamina is a necessary ingredient for both you and the dog.  You must have grit and perseverance.   If you have chosen well, your pup will have heart, always striving to please.  Take the time to prepare your dog.  It is not realistic to take your retriever off the couch once a week and expect him to have the physical fortitude to train for any length of time.  Rather, if you expect your dog to have drive and stamina, provide daily activities that keep him in good working condition. 

A – ATTENTION

Pay attention to detail in your training.  Be sure each element is presented in such a manner that you develop understanding for your dog.  Also be sure that you develop a solid working relationship with your dog.  While you should strive to be a benevolent leader that shows kindness, patience and consistency, a leader you must be!  Your dog must want to work for you and pay attention to you if hope to create understanding for him as well as consistency and reliability in his work. 

T – TENACITY

Training requires a commitment.  You can’t hope to have your dog perform successfully if you don’t provide adequate training sessions.  Dogs learn through repetition.  Granted, many times a dog will have inborn instincts that can signal potential for one venue or another.  But, unless you take the time to mold the behaviors you want and provide enough practice to encourage confidence, consistency and reliability of response, you are not being realistic or fair to your dog.  Persistence on your part is essential.

Sometimes during training a dog will become confused or not seem to understand what is expected.  A Golden Retriever who wants to please you will not just “blow you off”.  If he does not perform up to your expectations, most often something in the teaching process is lacking.  You need to be willing to constantly evaluate your training methods to be certain you are making expectations clear for the dog.  You need to have the grit and tenacity to not give up, but to adapt your training methods to promote better understanding for the dog.

I – IDENTIFY

Solidify in your mind that standard of perfection you hope to achieve.   Is your objective to just qualify or do you hope obtain a certain level of competence in a particular venue (for example, scores of 190+ in obedience). Do you plan to focus on just one area of training, or do you hope to participate in multiple venues?  Once again, providing a solid foundation is essential, particularly since these basics frequently cross over among the various working venues.  (A dog cannot honor for a working dog in the field if he does not understand that he is to remain in position until released by you.  A dog running agility must pay attention to your body cues if he is to follow the correct path on that course.  A dog working obedience cannot maintain heel position if he doesn’t pay attention to you.)   Closely examine your training methods so you can identify areas of weakness.  Go back and work to promote understanding for the dog where necessary.

Work a skill until you have reliability and consistency of response before adding more difficulty or putting an exercise together.  This solid foundation is essential if you hope to participate beyond entry level requirements. 

L – LOVE

You need to enjoy what you do and should strive to create that same enjoyment for your dog.  Creating a confident dog that is happy while working requires respect, kindness and patience.  A little love and respect in training goes a long way. 

E- EVALUATE

Training constantly requires us to carefully examine and assess progress.  Only when the dog can perform a task successfully and consistently should you add difficulty.  Unless you objectively scrutinize specific elements of performance to determine where

Improvement is required, you cannot and will not continue to encourage or strengthen learning for your dog. 

Take the time to develop your own recipe for success.  Follow that recipe closely in day to day training.  Versatile retrievers may be born with the innate qualities that can provide for success, but it us up to us as trainers to mold those behaviors properly.

The time and effort you put into the equation can provide you with the joy of satisfaction, of feeling you have accomplished your personal goals for and WITH your dog!

Until next time!

Pat Quinn 

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