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I talk about how to stop mouthing or rolling of the dummy (it's the clicker retrieve again, this time the part of it called 'proofing the hold against food').

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In this episode I answer a few listener questions and then waffle about why we need to keep shot unattached to a retrieve for as long as possible. Shot means 'sit'. Like the sit whistle means 'sit'.

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In this episode, I answer listener questions about in-a-row blinds, dealing with frustration in blinds and the use of aversives.

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In this episode, I chat with force-free gundog trainer, Jules Morgan.  Jules is a full APDT (UK) member and an accredited trainer and assessor for the Gundog Club. 

Jules' training organisation is called Dog Training Naturally and she's been a professional dog trainer for about 25 years.  She is entirely force-free and she is also a crossover trainer, so she really understands the journey that is made when people move from using aversives to being force-free. 

Along with Helen Phillips, Jules has set up the Gundog Trainers' Academy - to train trainers(!) how to work with gundogs in a force-free way. 

Jules herself owns and works both cockers and labradors and has experience working on many different types of shoots.  She has judged gundog working tests and organised KC Working Gundog Certificate days and she is a co-founder of the Leconfield Working Spaniel Club.

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In this episode, I cover Phase 1 of the clicker retrieve.  There are eight phases and I'll be covering these at various points in upcoming podcasts.

The clicker retrieve is the force-free equivalent to force-fetch.  If you have any problems following these steps or you have any questions, feel free to email me for help and I will cover the issue on a future podcast!

If you'd like more detail on the clicker retrieve, I offer a 5 week online clicker retrieve course.  You are emailed videos, information and a handout sheet each week of the course and you also have access to a Facebook group where you can post videos of your training and get feedback from me (and others!).  

Email me at jo@dogworks.org.uk for more information.

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After a question from a listener, I talk about the clicker retrieve and how to get things set up to begin a clicker retrieve session.  The plan is to continue, in future episodes, to talk listeners through how to train the clicker retrieve(!).  There are eight 'phases' to the clicker retrieve process I use.  This episode is the first in the series on the clicker retrieve.

I do offer an online clicker retrieve course, which you can take - wherever you are, in the world.  You will receive videos, handout sheets and emailed info each week for 5 weeks.  You will have access to a Facebook group where you can post videos and get my feedback.  The course is £35.  If you'd like to enrol, email me at jo@dogworks.org.uk or galody@mac.com

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In this episode, I interview Leanne Smith.  Leanne is a force-free gundog trainer and handler, based in Devon UK.  She is a full member of the APDT (UK), holds a diploma from COAPE, and is a Gundog Club trainer and instructor.  Leanne owns and works three cocker spaniels.  Leanne's training organisation is called Dogs R Dogs and, via Dogs R Dogs, she also organises the biannual Positive Gundog Training Conference.  

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I talk about the Really Bad Thing that just happened with the book I've written and the manner in which what's happened reflects the conflict between mainstream training and force-free training.

Then I talk about 'arousal levels' and frustration-based behaviours - and what we can do, to help gundogs with these.

For more information on the 'Superman pose' research, check out that link.  And, to find out more about Control Unleashed, take a look at Leslie McDevitt's website.

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I talk about harnesses:  Back-fastening harnesses and front-fastening harnesses.  Harnesses which have a Y-front, versus those which barricade the chest.  Fit.  And gape-age (I made that word up!) at the shoulder, as something to avoid.

I discuss the recent history of harnesses - and how the force-free dog training scene has been transformed by the appearance of the front-attachment point.

I talk especially about using a harness when it comes to gundog training and some of the conflict (internal and external) there - including when to use a harness and when to use a slip-lead.

And then I review the new super-duper DOGCopenhagen Comfort Walk Air harness, which is my current fav harness.

During the episode, I mention Emily Larlham's great article 'Is it harmful to attach a leash to your dog's neck?'.  

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In this episode, I talk with Dr Claire Brand.  Claire works springer spaniels and is a trustee of the Gundog Club.  The Gundog Club is a UK-based organisation which offers a graded testing scheme for gundogs.  It is a force-free organisation, with all Gundog Club instructors and assessors being committed to force-free gundog training.  You can find out more about the Gundog Club from the website:  www.thegundogclub.co.uk

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In this episode, I talk about how to train the Sit (or Stand) to Flush, using force-free methods.  (You may also want to listen to Episode 2 - my interview with Elsa and Lena - for more on this subject.)

At the end of the podcast, I talk about how to get started with training the Back casts - Back-Left and Back-Right.

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In this episode, I talk to UK retriever trainer, Collette May.  We talked in some depth about UK retriever working tests, in a bid to encourage more people to dip their toes into mainstream competition. 

Collette competes with her three black labs in UK tests and trials, as well as picking up on shoots.  She is a full member of the IMDT and an accredited Gundog Club instructor and assessor.  Her training organisation is called 'Lead and Listen' and you can check out what she offers, here:  www.leadandlisten.co.uk

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In this episode, I talk about marking.  What is good marking and why do we need it?  How can we establish good marking habits?  Why should the dog not look away from the location of fall unless cued to?  And a few other bits and pieces.

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Check out episodes 16, 17

And take a look at my online course, Heel.

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In this episode, I interview Swedish force-free gundog trainers Elsa Blomster and Lena Gunnarsson.  They are the authors of the book 'Retrieving for All Occasions' - which is available from their website retrievingforalloccasions.com They also offer online gundog training courses, which we discuss in the podcast.  Their organisation is called Klickerförlaget Göteborg AB.  Which I cannot pronounce.  But I can write it(!).

If you want to watch the video clips of Lena training her spaniel to Sit to Flush, you can see these here:  

• https://www.retrievingforalloccasions.com/quling-goes-to-flush-school-part-1/
• https://www.retrievingforalloccasions.com/quling-goes-to-flush-school-part-2/ 

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Hello to you all!  This is just a quick intro to let you know what the podcast is about and what you can look forward to hearing, in future.

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Episodes to check out are:

• 30, 33, 34, 36, 41, 47, 48, 62, 64, 66, 85, 88

Online courses covering blind retrieves are:

• Blind Retrieves
• Remote Stop
• First Steps in 3HC
• Training the T Drill

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For more help on this one, check out episodes:

• 82, 87
• See the Reliable Recall course, on my website forcefreegundog.com
• Or check out the chapter on the Reliable Recall in my book, Force-Free Gundog Training: The Fundamentals for Success, available from Amazons everywhere

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Check out podcast episodes:

• 57, 58, 78

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For more help on this subject, see podcast episodes:

• 8, 33, 78

And online courses:

• Marking 
• Focus and Attention

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For more help on this subject, see podcast episodes:

• 10, 11, 13, 14, 19, 23, 26
• For an online course, see the Clicker Retrieve course

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For more help on this subject, see podcast episodes:

• 5, 23, 49, 51, 57, 58, 62, 76, 87, 89

And check out my online courses:

• Remote Stop
• Steady

In brief:

• Build an alternative reinforcer
• Teach the dog to recall off game before stopping/sitting
• Teach the dog to stop/sit to flush
• Teach the dog that access to the game is contingent on their response to you (if they respond, they may get it)
• Implement prevention (by itself this won't work without also teaching the dog what to do)

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For more help on this subject, see podcast episodes:

• 61, 85, 86 and 88
• For food motivation help, see episodes 54 and 72

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In this episode I talk about Marking, as my new Marking course is now available! 

I also talk about some differences with blind retrieves when it comes to working vs competing with a dog.

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In this episode, I focus on how to weave yourself and the environment together - rather than thinking about yourself as being in 'opposition' to the environment. 

All those juicy reinforcers out there are not a threat to your ongoing control of your dog. They are simply more reinforcers you can use to train your dog, with the caveat that they are in the environment instead of on your person.

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In this episode I talk about:

• the future of gundog training and breeding in today's world
• hard mouth - what causes it, what to do about it, whether you can assess for it
• switching from the use of aversives
• daily routines

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Answering many super-interesting listener questions :) 

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I cover a few bits and pieces related not to training itself (how to train a specific behaviour) but how to conceive of various training-related issues in a broader way. Does that sound vague? Well, you'll just have to give it a go. PS I also cover water deliveries.

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In this episode I waffle. About random questions I've been sent. Have a listen!

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I talk about whether we should allow dogs free access to the environment or not and also chat about marking problems and lining skills.

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I talk freely (extremely freely), about training a recall to flush before a sit to flush behaviour.

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In this episode, I talk about how to get your dog to offer you focus and attention in distracting environments. 

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I chat about the T-Drill and a few tricky corners to consider when training this drill. I also answer listener questions about accessing birds and what to do if your dog is distracted at a working test.

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Listener questions about how to encourage a dog to hunt wider/more confidently; how to increase food motivation in a puppy; and how much retrieving is too much (physically).

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Probs with cold game retrieves and a couple of questions about aversives

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I talk here about my experience with immunotherapy for Ren's extreme allergies. Whilst there seem to be so many people around with itchy dogs, it seems that not many have explored immunotherapy and there isn't much information about it out there.... 

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In this highly unusual episode(!), I waffle (because usually I don't, right?) about the clicker retrieve and recalls and long-lines.

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In this episode, I recommend my favourite wellies, boots, coats, training vests, dummies, leashes, treat pouches and more.

I also answer listener questions about pointing, marker cues and the 'Go Sniff' exercise in my book.

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In this episode, I waffle freely (extremely freely) about training the HPR sequence - with an attempt to give something of an overview, instead of getting lost in how to train any one behaviour in detail. 

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This episode takes a look at the issue of over-population and the increasing amount of restrictions that dogs face as a result. 

I offer some solutions. I'm not very hopeful anything will be implemented in time to avoid the blanket 'all dogs must be on leash everywhere' outcome.

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In this episode, I talk about 18 month old Roche - our weimaraner. Who is bonkers-crazy, when it comes to hunting. I give you seven tips, for training high drive gundogs.

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People listening to this episode might and want to check out:

• Episode 61 - Adolescence and what to do about it
• Episode 56 - what does 'not walking the dog' look like?
• Episode 54 - some thoughts about food motivation
• Episode 38 - developing food motivation

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In this episode, I talk about chasing - and how to turn something your dog wants to chase, into a cue to stop.

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In this episode, I talk about the bizarre vagaries of laws local to where I live when it comes to shooting. I answer listener questions about hardmouth, raising a puppy and how to enthuse the unenthusiastic dog.

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Here are a few things to consider when choosing which type of gundog to own.

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Loads of great listener questions this week! If you have a question, email jo@forcefreegundog.com 

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I last spoke with Collette back in 2019, pre-Covid. Her life has changed in so many ways over the last 5 years, I wanted to catch up with her again and hear about her new ventures. If you want to connect with Collette, check out her websites midwalesholidays.com and completelygundogs.co.uk - and, if you're looking for a pup, her affix is Windlemoor.

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You only really get to know the dogs you own in the deepest detail, and Ren (our GSP) is an interesting one!

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I talk about how to introduce water to your young dog or puppy. 

And I waffle a bit about what different dogs bring to the table and the importance of understanding that there are limitations determined by what they bring.

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How do we achieve reliable split retrieves whilst maintaining confidence?