Founded and Owned by Mike and Emmy Perry, Mc Connery. Family operated since 1973.

What is the measure of a Working Dog?

In today's world there is a wide spread misconception on how to judge or measure a working dog.

There was a time when a dog worked beside his master. Shepherds made well use of their dogs in the field and at home.

The training was the work. The reward was the work being done. No bribes, no toys, just the work.

For this to be done correctly, the handler and dog needed to communicate very well. The handler had to encourage positive movement and discourage negative movement. During this training the actual work was being performed. Mistakes were made but so were correct moves being reinforced.
There was no competition but the actual task at hand.

The mentality of the handler was to teach and to show by his actions and interactions. The man and the dog became a team genuinely supported and needed by one another.
The dog could achieve whatever the handler could communicate and share. The better the communication, the better the dog would show in the work. Like a shadow, the dog followed the mans lead.

So what is the measure of a Working Dog? The capability of his handler to communicate.
This is why if a very good dog is put with a poor handler he shows poorly and a poorly handled dog will show better with a good handler.

We cannot guide that which cannot understand; therefore we must understand how to guide.
This is the measure of a working dog; his handler.

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