Scott Linden Outdoors

I think Vince Lombardi said it: “Perfection is unattainable, but in pursuit of perfection, we can achieve excellence.” And I think that’s how he said it. (But if not, let it go, quote nerds.)

But in the world of puppy training perfection is a matter of opinion. We adjust our expectations every day – heck, every hour – and help our protege’ to reach that goal-of-the-day. We adjust expectations every few minutes, based on the pup’s maturity, mood, distractions and our patience.

So today it was retrieving. Lots of preparation: checkcord attached, long narrow fence-way to guide him, and a bumper devoted only to retrieving, not play.

The first few were um, less than stellar in some people’s eyes. But for his first tries, he did a lot right: went straight out, picked up the bumper upon arrival and made an immediate turn toward me. No tug on the checkcord required, he powered his way right back … and then some. Four-for-five is pursuing perfection in my book.