I'm glad that in all reality - I have already shot enough stuff - because working with a dog will certainly mean letting go on some opportunities ... but, YES, there are few things in life as rewarding as working with a good (DIY) trained dog. (Though I must admit - watching two birds fold at once (one shot) is also very rewarding.)

But, before I sign off - I must admit: training a dog was much easier when I was a bachelor and all I did was went to school and hunted and trained my dog. Now that I am married, have my own business, am helping raise five children, blah, blah, ... it's much HARDER. ,)

I just wish that training children was as easy as training dogs. At least the dogs listen to me! ,)

,)

Put a shock collar on them.

I don't think the shock collar will work. They are too much like their mom.

I've never found anything as rewarding as hunting over a well trained dog that you've trained yourself. I'd rather have one bird that way than a limit otherwise. This is even more true if he (or she) is also a buddy. I've seen too many dogs that were trained to the point that the relationship was changed. Those dogs were capable of amazing feats but I never felt that the dog and the owner had a comraderie.

It is shear pleasure to watch a dog swimming back in after a successful retrieve. We had a triple with our last dog while we were training and one landed in marsh grass. The dog retrieved the two floaters with ease and nailed the other without hesitation. I was never so proud.

Yes, working with a good dog, DIY trained, is wonderful. Man's best friend.

I watch my brother working with his lab and you can see the pride in his eyes as he watches him. Funny, now that his kids are grown he and his wife carry around a photo album of Cala.
Here's Cala on her first boat ride, Heres Cala the first time she met Mike, Heres Cala the first time, ect.....