Advertise on podcast: Training the Pointing Labrador

Julie Bates discusses the destructive habit of nagging in dog training and competition, explaining how clear, consistent cues and building trust produce better focus and performance than repeated corrections or shouting. She also previews the upcoming tests and videos, and introduces Faith’s arrival and the start of her training journey, emphasizing simplicity and reliability in every interaction.

Julie Bates outlines practical steps for training a pointing Labrador, starting with early puppy stimulation and the importance of watching foundational videos on her YouTube channel. She covers progressing marks and memory birds, introducing doubles and blinds carefully, and maintaining a balance between upland and water work. Key tips include teaching swim-by fundamentals before water blinds, practicing straightforward casts and channels, reinforcing recall and here behavior, and using the dog’s attitude as a guide for training pace. Batesworks Dog Training - YouTube  

In this episode Julie Bates shifts focus from training dogs to training their handlers: how to clear your mind, build consistent muscle memory, and stay fully connected with your dog during training and tests. She covers practical advice—watch your dog, send when they indicate readiness, reward effort, avoid negativity and over-talking, and stick to the methods your dog knows—so you can perform calmly and confidently in competition.

Julie Bates reviews a group puppy ENS video and highlights practical early training: leash familiarization, live-bird exposure, vaccination considerations, and teaching focus without judgment. She emphasizes observation over quick conclusions, consistency in handler expectations, and building a thoughtful, disciplined dog through gentle, structured learning. YouTube Video https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaYuZIPuV1GWgUVCYPPexRET4Y6LNYx-C&si=h7H7ffQ3viO_Qg_T

Episode 393 with Julie Bates reviews a video of 6-week-old puppies learning scenting, retrieving, crate training and quiet waiting, and explains how early neural and behavioral foundations make later training easier. Julie emphasizes being mentally 'in the dog's head'—responding in real time, timing corrections and cues, and avoiding passive observatory handling. She gives handling examples (water marks, line sitting), contrasts passive vs. engaged methods, and encourages breeders and owners to build consistent standards from the start. https://youtu.be/qZf7n_CmsPE  

Julie Bates reviews a powerful ENS puppy video and shares how early stimulation, clear cues, and consistent handling build the neural pathways that shape focus and teamwork in pointing Labradors. She explains practical steps—teaching recall, heel and sit, managing energy, using rewards wisely, and resting puppies after training—so owners can develop reliable, well‑behaved dogs from the start. https://youtu.be/UvmS2EgBl64

Julie Bates breaks down practical, easy-to-follow tips for training young pups. She covers making retrieving fun, fixing noise and recall issues, and teaching travel/crate toilet habits. The episode also previews adorable 4–6 week puppy videos and emphasizes early stimulation to build lasting behaviors.

In this episode Julie Bates breaks down blind retrieves, focusing on the idea that running blinds is a conversation between handler and dog. She explains why trust, clear communication, and mastering the "go" and "stop" are more effective than mechanical, frantic handling. Julie shares practical tips for training young and experienced dogs: avoid over-tweaking at the line, build momentum with long blinds, practice stopping and casting clearly, and steadily develop a conversational bond so your dog understands and trusts your direction.   https://youtu.be/yBHJzQCG1XY https://youtu.be/5TdUWX91FuM    

In today's late winter episode, I describe exactly what the plans are for the YouTube channel.  It should be open for viewing in the very near future.  It is the story of Faith, from birth to her life of competition and hunting.  How does the early neural stimulation work on performance pups work, what is it and why do it?  It will continue to all the critical early training steps; the walk, early retrieving, early relationship building, bird introduction and its continued development.  I have literally spent my life trying to learn this aspect of the dog world, and Faith, her owner and I will take you on the journey with her, seeing and experiencing it all yourself.   This audio podcast will remain, so for my noncomputer folks, you will be included, you just won't be on the walk or in the upland field with us.  This is going to be the most fun project I have ever undertaken.  Hope you join us!

An introduction to the latest podcast/YouTube combined project, showcasing from the very beginning the steps of raising a pup, including the early mental stimulation of a tiny pup.  From roughly 8 weeks on you'll get to watch the approach to creating a "good dog", how to adjust what you do to fit the animal, and the importance of the right kind of time and effort into your new family member.  Should be an absolute blast. 

In this Groundhog's Day episode, I have a personal note to a few folks, and a list of Spring Tests in the APLA.  We also welcome Texas to the venues holding tests, as they have one planned for 28 February this spring in Inez Texas.  At that event there will be a seminar for any new or interested folks, to learn more about what this is and how to do it right.  More tests this spring than ever - going to be a great season! Texas contact info: Chris Wray  [email protected] Tigh Leibel Seminar info:  [email protected] Test Entry information:  www.huntsecretary.com 

In this final section of being as prepared as possible for the highest level of dog competition, we talk a lot about marks and blinds.  How do you prepare for the setups you will encounter, the ones you didn't set up?  How do you optimize the chances of passing? There is a little science to this.

How do you get your dog to do very hard things without knowing they were hard?  There is a way to do that.  Listen in.....

In this year's preparation for your Big Game, this episode breaks down ways to prepare for the unexpected in a weekend test or the big one.  How to prepare yourself and your dog for dragback, unexpected sights or sounds, weird setups and other mishaps.  It's all about your basics and your preparation (as always).  Here are some ideas to help you get ready for the unexpected.

Today's January episode is aimed at the serious folks who plan on running their National this year, whether that be the Grand, the Master National or the Triple Crown.  Success at this level is not so much based on how many triples you can run this year; it is more on how much you and your dog are prepared for whatever comes your way, expected or unexpected.  How do you get out of your own way, and your dog's, when in the high stakes competition?  It might be different than you think...