Training philosophy


 Training Philosophy

At Beereegan we train using positive reinforcement. Our goal is to produce high-performance, biddable dogs that perform out of a desire to please, not to avoid pain.

 
We do not force fetch dogs, and pride ourselves in not using electric collars to train at any stage in the process. Our position doesn’t have to do with the common sentiment that electric collars are inherently inhumane. Abuse is where you find it and it’s not limited to collar users.
At Beereegan we have proven over 30 years of  improving our training methods, using less pressure and very considered training routines, we continually produce dogs that love to work and as a consequence are a joy to work.   It is a wonderful experience.

A dog responding to whistle and voice with no fear or apprehension, only demonstrating complete trust in it’s handler, part of a team. Is the true definition of a well trained dog. 

You achieve this by teaching the dog in the same manner you might a child, with patience, care and respect. 

Electric collar training ie – Pain-avoidance is a powerful training technique and genetic deficiencies in a dog’s make-up can be too easily overcome. We believe this can mask the true nature and natural ability of the dog. While the dog may perform admirably in the field or at a trial, the inherent genetic make-up remains unknown!
Breeding these dogs then becomes the issue. Given that most serious owners want a pup from champion bloodlines, they will have little or no idea what the true nature of a dog will be when they buy a pup out of collar-trained champions. As well, the genetic deficiencies as they exist, are passed along to another generation.

 

Reading the breed history you gain an understanding about Labradors, the ancestors of the breed were not forced to perform. They performed their duties because it is part of their DNA – WELL BREED LABRADORS LOVE TO WORK.

 

If breeding is meant to improve the breed and promote it’s best attributes, then the question becomes should we breed a dog that succeeds because it’s been conditioned by a collar?  We think not. And we are not the only ones there are many successful trainers and breeders around the world who have a similar philosophy. 

There is nothing contrived with our dogs! what you see is what you get! 

 
 

As breeders it’s our responsibility to try to produce dogs with superior natural abilities along with other genetic qualities like a soft mouth and soundness while being highly biddable. In this way we better the breed and in the long term provide dogs that are a pleasure to be with on every count.

 

We all love our dogs, and yes, we should want the best from them, and at the same time we should want the best for them and for the breed.

 

At Beereegan we believe this means positive reinforcement.

 

 If you are considering a pup from other breeders make sure you ask ‘do you use electric collars to train your dogs’ Wendy often tells people  : If you have to Force Fetch or use an Electric Collar on a Labrador, you have no understanding of the breed or it’s not a true Labrador!

 

Footnote: In the sport of retrieving trials in Australia. Electric collars are banned from use in training, by our Governing body Australian National Kennel Council.