RyanGSP
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Posts:446
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| 02/13/2013 10:07 AM |
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Posted By smatulewicz on 02/13/2013 5:00 AM
Based upon the contents of his truck and our garage I think the check cord is the last go to rope for the hubbs  " border="0" /> Come to think of it, I think he may even told me buying the check cord was unnecessary due to the options we already had at home. Engineers...always prefer making something existing, useful and better " border="0" />
Really? You didnt get the analogy there? Here I will spell it out for you.
A person spends about $800 on the dog, toys, kennel, etc. then you cheap out on the most important dog training tool you would buy. I just dont understand the mentality.
i guesss when your replacing a CC every couple years and your hands are full of |
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RyanGSP
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Posts:446
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| 02/13/2013 10:09 AM |
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Thorns the check cord picks up people will realize just how valuable a good one is.
The "pro" use good cords for a reason. If the "cheap" ones worked so well everyone would be using them. But there is a reason a good checkcord is a little more money. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7922
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| 02/13/2013 10:34 AM |
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| I do train multiple dogs. I have 4 now and also work with a fifth, but they are pretty much past using the check cord although I will still use a check cord once in a while and I always have them in my box of dog training tools in both my vehicles and my RV. Like RyanGSP I have been known to use the check cord on other things besides the dogs. The thing that got me to change, and it only took one time and one dog, was rope burns on my hands. I was working with one of my girls (she at the time was my smallest shorthair too) and I had forgotten my gloves (I don't like wearing them anyway when it is likely the gloves will get wet or it is hot). Anyway, I had my girl on the check cord and looked away for a split second and in that moment she decided to lunge for some nearby ducks that had landed on the lake. She pulled me down and I ended up with some good rope burns too. Some of that was because the rope was a bit wet, but it also was a cord made of rope (I think it was a cotton rope too, but honestly can't remember). And yes I did let go, but before I could react the damage to my hands was done. That was when I went out and spent the money on the permatak. It makes a huge difference in the hands in the type of situation I just described. Just something to think about when you make a decision on training tools, in this instance all it took was one dog. This is the same dog that later did the same thing to me trying to go after a jack rabbit. That time my hands were fine (I was using the permatak check cords), but I ended up with bruised and separated ribs. I think I would have to switch dogs to cure the separated ribs problem. And for those that are familiar with my dogs, it was Halo. Appearances and her name can be deceiving, and even at 8 years old I still have to watch her as her prey drive still will get the better of her from time to time. LOL |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
   
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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smatulewicz
Michigan
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Posts:1216
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| 02/13/2013 11:45 AM |
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| Lol RyanGSP, I think this may come down to a matter of opinion. To each his own. My most important training tool was my time, patience, and consistency. All priceless. A rope a rope I use to reinforce commands for a matter of maybe weeks only...not so priceless to me. OP has what they need, and made their choice based upon what best met their needs after considering all of the responders opinions. It's the purpose of a great forum like this. I don't think it's necessary to think those of us who find a particular check cord unnecessary for our needs are less than adequate at working with our dogs or making sound purchase decisions my girl is pretty phenomenal for leaning on a cheap cord guess I was lucky |
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RyanGSP
MH
Posts:446
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| 02/13/2013 12:34 PM |
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Posted By smatulewicz on 02/13/2013 11:45 AM
Lol RyanGSP, I think this may come down to a matter of opinion. To each his own. My most important training tool was my time, patience, and consistency. All priceless. A rope a rope I use to reinforce commands for a matter of maybe weeks only...not so priceless to me. OP has what they need, and made their choice based upon what best met their needs after considering all of the responders opinions. It's the purpose of a great forum like this. I don't think it's necessary to think those of us who find a particular check cord unnecessary for our needs are less than adequate at working with our dogs or making sound purchase decisions " border="0" /> my girl is pretty phenomenal for leaning on a cheap cord " border="0" /> guess I was lucky " border="0" />
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smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1216
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| 02/13/2013 1:02 PM |
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Hope you're not losing sleep buddy. Relax, it will all be OK |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4474
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| 02/13/2013 2:31 PM |
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What I think is being missed here is that gun dog trainers use a rope more than pet owners.
I take a cc almost everywhere I go when out with the dogs,even if I don't think I'll need it.
Hubby made both ours. I prefer a 30 footer b/c anything longer just gets in the way.
When I'm working with inexperienced dogs a cc is a blessing,even if they are somewhat obedience trained, a cc around their neck comes in handy,especially if you tie knots every 5 feet.
Let me rephrase that, a cc hooked up to their collar comes in handy. |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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smatulewicz
Michigan
MH
Posts:1216
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| 02/13/2013 7:05 PM |
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| Tactfully put, Pixie. Thank you. Exactly why I mentioned if I trained dogs regularly, I could definitely see the case of something as a better option. I also chose the cord I did (cheap yes, that's always pleasant) because it was the most similar to what I grew up lunging horses with. For me, it was what I could best handle and was most comfortable using due to years of using something very similar only greater in length. If the material could hold up to a my sassy nearly 1000 pound Impressive Bloodline Quarter Horse...I figured it could handle the wear and tear of a GSP puppy in the field or the woods, and that it did |
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Ajbrown
Michigan
JH
Posts:21
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| 02/13/2013 7:31 PM |
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I love how everyone has different opinions. I'm the type of person that doesn't need the latest and greatest. I have one dog and im not a pro dog handler at all by any means.I tried out one of leads I made today on a walk. It was 35 degrees outside and didn't have gloves on and the rope didn't hurt my hands at all, so I'm pretty happy with the results. I'm a 24 yr old guy who rather pay off his student loans, so if I can save money any way possible I'm going to do so.
Ultimately, what I have will get the job done. Thanks for the replies and opinions.
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pixie bee
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Posts:4474
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| 02/14/2013 4:48 AM |
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If the cc gets hooked on a dog my gloves go on,no matter the material. Gloves give a better feel ,grip and protect the hand from being squeezed,if you give a wrap or 2 around your hand. Picking up a cc when a dog is "on the fly" really does require gloves,IMO. OUCH!
When I blood track definitely gloves are on.
Just personal preference. |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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RyanGSP
MH
Posts:446
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| 02/14/2013 10:15 AM |
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Your just asking for a dislocated shoulder by wrapping a cc around your hand.
Stick your hand out like your going to shake somones hand.
Take the dog end and come upwards from the bottom across the inside of your palm.
Do a U turn around your thumb and back down through your hand.
Now when you make a fist the thumb wil act as your block and you can control the corn by your hand tightness.
If the dog decides to bolt the CC will be ripped from your hand causing very little to no damage vs a dislocated shoulder or being drug to the ground. |
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RyanGSP
MH
Posts:446
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| 02/14/2013 10:18 AM |
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Another way is to just go straight up the middle of the hand. This will offer more friction with 2 90 degree turns in the CC and will offer alot more control of the CC with your other hand rather than the first method.
Both ways will cause very little damage to you if the dog bolts. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
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Posts:7922
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| 02/14/2013 10:42 AM |
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And even a small GSP can bolt. I have had Halo do that to me twice. I lost my balance and was pulled down the first time and I was using a rope check cord so I ended up with some rope burns. Normally I wear gloves when training, but had forgotten them that day. The next time I had the new permatak check cord and I was still pulled down and landed on my ribs on my side, but no rope burns (I had her out on a check cord to potty at an RV park in Midland, TX, but was dressed to show her as we were headed to a conformation show. Who knew they had rabbits all over at 8 AM in the morning at the RV park.) I showed her that day with separated ribs and green grass stains on my cloths, and I was not wearing gloves again because we were leaving for the show site.) Also, in both cases I was able to release the rope because I was holding it similar to Ryan's second suggestion or I would have also had more damage and would definitely have been dragged. You wouldn't think a 50 lb GSP could pull so hard, but I have heard per pound they are the strongest dogs. Thankfully my big male does not bolt like his older half sister. They both have a high prey drive, but he is much more discriminating in what he decides to go after. The only thing that makes him really go nuts are cats. Funny thing is I have cats and he ignores them, but strange cats drive him crazy. I now not only watch for critters when training, but also when just taking them out to potty in places where you normally not see critters.
When I really want to control my dogs I run the check cord behind me use my whole body to hold them. I hold the end of the cord in my left hand with the cord running behind me and then use my right hand for control. I can still let go the cord, but I have much more leverage when the dog is pulling. Since I am not a big person this really helps me keep them controlled. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:4474
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| 02/14/2013 11:22 AM |
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I do not wrap the cc around my hand if I know the dog is capable of damage, I'm talking puppies and dogs who know the "routine".
When I teach not to "shop" I use a cc wrapped around my hand and this requires a secure hold and no mistakes on my behalf.
My hand does get squeezed b/c I am stopping them.
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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High5Hanna
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Posts:116
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RyanGSP
MH
Posts:446
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| 03/18/2013 5:30 PM |
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| Wouldnt it be easier to just let the CC drag behind you? |
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DuckFever
Central Oregon
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Posts:330
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| 03/24/2013 9:21 AM |
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Interesting about the roll for the rope, but I agree with Ryan on this one. For me it is much more convenient to have the rope dragging behind me. |
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The worst day of hunting is better than the best day at work. |
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