Retriever Hall of Famer offers tips and explains his move to pointing breeds

He's trained over 100 field champion retrievers and is a Retriever Hall of Fame inductee ... and now in retirement he's running a wirehair and a pointer. Of course we'll talk about why! But we'll also get Mike Lardy's take on all things retrieving, from how to introduce it to how to refine it.  Mike shares his early exposure to dogs and hunting, highlighting his journey as a professional retriever trainer since 1981. He reflects on the highlights of his career, including training exceptional dogs and the joy of seeing them succeed in the field. The conversation delves into the intricacies of dog training, particularly focusing on retrieving techniques and the importance of positive reinforcement. Mike emphasizes the need for patience and understanding in training, especially when working with young dogs. He also discusses his recent experiences with pointing dogs, sharing insights on the differences between training retrievers and pointers. The episode concludes with Mike offering valuable advice on maintaining a mentor-mentee relationship with dogs, underscoring the significance of setting them up for success rather than relying solely on coercion. And why does he hunt now, for fun, with pointing breeds? Well, we'll find out. "Fix It" helps motivate you to a New Year's resolution, and listeners tell us what time of day they start a hunting and why. And it's all brought to you by: HiVizSights.com, Mid Valley Clays and Shooting School, CableGangz, TrulockChokes, Pointer shotguns, Purina Pro Plan Sport and FindBirdHuntingSpots.com.