In the text book descriptions you always read that "the Chesapeake matures at a slower rate than the Labrador etc..." In what ways is this true? Learning ability, ability to withstand pressure, focus on the task etc? A trainer with a GMHR, HRCH, MH whom I respect has a philosophy that "the foundation for everything you want to train a Ches should be in place by age two!" Thoughts, theories, examples?
Dave B.

"To a Chesapeake retrieving is life the rest is just details!"

Dave -- It's in the genes. If the dog has prey drive and a lot of it, the dog will do anything for a chance to retrieve! I feel prey drive is related to desire to retrieve. Desire is 95% of the work and learning task. This is true of most warm blooded animals. Lover Boy [Mike C's hot derby dog] has alot of prey drive. Blaze [Kurt's dog] has alot of prey drive. This is an example of excellent dogs out of Decks and Rudy who have great prey drive. Another example is Decks produced Tiger and Tiger produced Hummer [Decks and Rudy line]. Hummer has excellent prey drive.

It's in the genes.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave B.:
In the text book descriptions you always read that "the Chesapeake matures at a slower rate than the Labrador etc..." In what ways is this true? Learning ability, ability to withstand pressure, focus on the task etc? A trainer with a GMHR, HRCH, MH whom I respect has a philosophy that "the foundation for everything you want to train a Ches should be in place by age two!" Thoughts, theories, examples?
Dave B.

IMHO CBRs mature the same but learn differently. Many of today's training programs are "force based". CBRs like to be taught more than forced and this requires more time and attention to individual dog details. This is one reason why few pro's have success our breed.
All breeds need the same early foundation to play the games. That is why you don't train young dogs to run a Junior or Derby. You train for the Nationals and run whatever level along the way.

Tim

Kent, way to find this post!! These old posts were short and to the point and helped me get it straight. Even though Teal is just a great grand of Decks, I at least know where he might have obatained his INCREDIBLE drive to retreive.

I love it when folks advertise, "great prey drive". Then you find out they have came to this conclusion of prey drive because they have tossed a 6 week old puppy a pigeon wing....

I agree wholeheartedly that the great retrievers have exceptional prey drive. What I think gets missed sometimes in the conversation is that they also must have significant trainability. My now-deceased Colima was an example of an animal with all the prey drive the FT folks could ask for but not the "work with you".

Claire