big air dogs

[Randy Clark]

does anyone know how they train those dogs to jump that far. god my lab will jump maybe ten feet but 24 heck thats out their. not that its any use hunting ducks though. just wondering.

[RutnNStrutn]

Steroids???? :D

Seriously though, I'm betting it's just training. Most people's dogs are also family pets, especially labs. They spend the day hanging around with the family, maybe do some training, and then do their best come hunting season.
The Big Air dogs are athletes, and train all the time. If I had to guess, that would be the difference. They are awesome to watch though. Man, those dogs have enthusiasm!!

[Randy Clark]

yeah, i think the longest jump this last show was 24 feet 8inch yes i would say that dog is an athelete.

[novaalex]

Dogs do not learn like we do. 75% of their minds work on pure instinct the other 25% is fueled by memory that ties in to their instincts. Labs are natural jumpers. You will never see a lab nonchalantly walk into a body of water. They dive right in. Even when they are outside in their own backyard, that's just their nature. At one point I had 19 pitbulls, I consider them to be super intelligent, but they don't like water. Breeding and instincts are the main thing. Pain and food are the punishment and reward. Their instincts tell them what to do for food and what not to do to avoid pain. This is coming from someone who has trained and who's best friend field trains dogs for every Federal Agency in Miami. Rhodesian Ridgebacks Rule!!!!!!!!

[Randy Clark]

my son has a blue mearle pit that my lab was rasied with so a soft mouth maybe a slight problem as for pits and water this one will only fetcha dead duck and will do it in the water for ever. but any thing else you through forget it. I had a black and white with diablo markings a stafordshire american that loved the water and hogs.

[3Car]

Nova's right, Lab's naturally want to spring in the water...however, most field trial folks don't like their dogs to do it...for a number of reasons. These same reasons apply to hunting of course:

1. They can lose track or get off line when bounding into the water.
2. It can be dangerous for them unless its off a ramp where you know it's nothing but deep water. A good example is a dog trying to hurtle a ditch and not knowing it's depth...I've been told it's an easy way to hurt your dog.

As for getting a dog to stop doing it, I didn't get that far with the field trial folks who helped me with my dog...but I know for sure they weren't fond of it.

[RutnNStrutn]

I'm sure you guys are right, but I still think the dogs are well practiced, highly trained athletes as well though.

[Randy Clark]

you got to admit with a nice cold one in your hand it still is fun to watch. but thanks for the input on the danger cause i'd sure hate to see my dog impale himself on something. i guess there is something to be said about slow and methodical.