The object is to have a dog with all the spirit and style and pace that they had in the first place, when we're done. Look at this as putting brakes on the dog. The first half of the training program was designed to bring out the natural ability of the dog. The things that have been selectively bred for, for a 100 years or more, training with the grain so to speak. When training against the grain, the only thing in the dog we have working for us is that particular animal's cooperativeness and the skill of the trainer.
Finish work can be quite complex.
Click on Photo Click on Photo STEP 5 For spaniels and retrievers, to start the finish work I begin with no more chasing the canvas buck. This is very gently done in a controlled situation with a short rope on to prevent the youngster from chasing, as he's always done up to now. When he waits until the command to fetch is given, the dog is allowed to retrieve the buck. I remain at this stage until the dog thoroughly understands the concept of steadiness. Once this is accomplished, on to a more tempting item, a cold dead pigeon.