Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘huntsmith’

Ronnie Smith endorses my Real Bird Bumper!

Posted in Bird hunting, dog training, hunting dog, News, tagged , , , , , on May 11, 2012| 2 Comments »

Looks good right there, doesn’t it?

Great news! My the Real Bird Bumper® has been endorsed by well-known dog trainer and seminar leader Ronnie Smith. I’ve become a convert to Ronnie and his cousin Rick’s training philosophy after a seminar at Pheasant Fest. Maybe you are too?  Known for the “Silent Command System” of training seminars and DVDs developed with his cousin Rick, Ronnie said this about my Bumper:

“Realistic training aids help all dogs to be better prepared and more successful in the field. Because of the realistic feel and nature of the Real Bird Bumper®, we incorporate it into our training program at Ronnie Smith Kennels.”

I developed the Real Bird Bumper® to solve his own training problems but soon myself making and giving copies to friends. When a local company opened the door to a design-distribution deal I jumped on it.

It is manufactured in Bend, Ore. of all U.S.-sourced, non-toxic materials. Available in pheasant and quail sizes, it is the same weight, shape, and size as a real bird. The body is limp and floppy like a shot bird with a loose “skin” to simulate a bird’s. It has an articulated wing to familiarize dogs with the challenges of navigation while “blindfolded,” has no extraneous hard plastic parts to poke a dog’s eye or encourage head grabbing, and it floats.

Smith’s endorsement joins that of pro trainer/author George Hickox, “Hunting with Hank’s” Dez Young, NAVHDA founder Ed Bailey, and hundreds of satisfied pro and amateur trainers nationwide. Take a look at it here.

The Smith family has been training fine bird dogs for over 60 years. Ronnie and Rick Smith’s training videos, seminar schedule and other information is available here.

Smith added: “We train for top performance, whether working with field trial prospects, personal hunting, or commercial guide dogs.  “Realistic training aids help all dogs to be better prepared and more successful in the field. Because of the realistic feel and nature of the Real Bird Bumper, we incorporate it into our training program at Ronnie Smith Kennels.”

Read Full Post »

Road to Utility Test – we are all students

Posted in News, tagged , , , , , , , on February 20, 2012| 4 Comments »

I once took a music lesson from cello legend Pablo Casals. I asked when he evolved from “student” to “teacher.” He spoke slowly and deliberately in his heavily accented English: “I’ve never stopped being a student of the cello.”

And we shouldn’t either.

One of the best reasons to attend events like Pheasant Fest is the seminars. Watching experts, absorbing their expertise, finally “getting it” is worth the price of admission. And that’s before the exhibits, friends new and old, and generally positive vibe you get hanging out in a room with 22,000 people who love what you love.

Long ago I decided that even one nugget, a scintilla of useful information made sitting for an hour worthwhile. But Ronnie Smith’s overview of dog training and behavior was a headful of invaluable insights. I vow to use his techniques and tools this spring and summer to prepare Manny for a Utility Test.

Sometimes, it’s brand-new information that re-sets your preconceived notions. Other times, it is as simple as a crystal-clear interpretation of a muddy word that unlocks a cascade of training revelations.

The desired end result

In Ronnie’s case, it was using the half-hitch on a dog’s flank to reinforce “whoa.” His rationale (and method) for stopping dogs via flank-based commands resonated in the room of avid dog owners and hunters, many vexed by the lack of success with collar-based direction-correction (including me).

I’ve already ordered the DVD. As we take our baby steps down the path toward Utility Test, I’ll keep you posted.

Read Full Post »

%d bloggers like this: