Who's still in? What did you notice in your dog this week, good or bad? Drop it below. I read every one of these. Also: free live Q&A this Wednesday July 15 at 7pm MT. Bring your questions. Drop them below if you can't make it live.

Deke (5 month GSP) has a 30 acre dog park less than 3 minutes from the house where we often go to burn that energy and have free play with other dogs/new people. One of his favorite games is “chase the swallows”. He NEVER points these small birds, it’s just a game of “I’ll catch you someday”. (Never going to happen btw) Question for the group: What are your thoughts on this “free chase”? Are there times when you shouldn’t be worried about scent cones, pointing, standing tall, etc…..and just let the pup be a pup? **Consider: He gets plenty of obedience and field work on almost a daily basis, this is just the energy burn

Have you introduced it yet with your puppy? If yes, at at what age, and how did that process go? No judgment either way. Diving into tools and timing this week and want to know where everyone's at. Drop it below! 👇

After watching nearly 100% of Jerod’s course, I haven’t seen him touch on this subject. (Not sure what to call it) Working on teaching “woah” with the “stand command” with live birds by layering check cord and leather training collar, then layering e-collar, then letting him drag the check cord…..then flushing birds and letting him chase and retrieve after a good stand and “point”. I’m noticing that there isn’t this “SHOCK” and freeze when coming across the scent cone. Deke will barely break stride and would rather catch the bird immediately. He really likes that game. If I give him “woah”, he’ll honor that….but I have the advantage of knowing right where that bird is located. In a real scenario, I have no idea where the live bird is sitting. Should I think about bird launchers to try and teach him to stop as soon as he catches scent? The video I’ve attached gives a glimpse of what I’m trying to describe. (Basically zero wind yesterday in Kansas, so conditions were tough)

Not the e-collar. Not the check cord. It's your leash. A puppy on a leash is a puppy you can actually teach something. The second they're loose and doing their own thing, you've lost the classroom entirely. If you can't control the environment, you can't control what they're learning. Long line or house leash for the first few months. I know it feels restrictive, but but when the obedience comes together easily at 6 months, you'll know exactly why. What breed are you working with? Drop it below! 👇