I have been in a lot of conversations lately about started dogs. I think started dogs are one of the most misunderstood concepts of working stockdogs.
What is a started dog? I really think the better question would be, "how started is the dog?".
Recently there was someone that wanted a dog I had. As we conversed I began to realize it was not a started dog they actually wanted or needed. They needed a dog that was closer to finished.
There is a whole variation in started dogs. I find the best way to understand it is to equate it to the construction of a house. Concept, Plans, Footings and Foundation, Framing, Roofing, Lockup, Interior framing, Wiring, Plumbing, Drywall (or choice of walls), flooring. Cabinetry, Finishing touches, Final Inspection, Finished.
1) Concept: The type of dog you are looking for, or specifically which breed you are after.
2) Plans: Choosing the mating, the parents of the pup.
3) Footings and Foundation: Setting up your means of communication and balance work.
4) Framing: Teaching commands.
5) Roofing: Understanding how commands and instincts work together.
6) Lockup: Knows commands.
7) Interior framing: Responding to commands in varied situations or on varied stock.
8) Wiring: Distance work.
9) Plumbing: Pressure work.
10) Walls finishing: Learning how commands set tasks.
11) Flooring: Understanding Tasks. ie. holding drive lines.
12) Cabinetry: Accomplishing difficult tasks. ie. shedding.
13) Finishing Touches: Refining.
14) Final inspection: Testing in any situation.
To most people a started dog will be a dog situated anywhere between step 3 and 10. I have seen dogs sold as started that are just in a roundpen working on balance work. I have also seen people sell a fairly handy using dog as started.
Just like with stockdogs, people are comfortable moving into a home at different stages in the construction process. Some people can and are willing to do the work right from the start. Some are willing to move in at lock up, others are only okay with everything finished but the closets. Others will only consider moving in when everything is absolutely finished. When you take on a started dog you need to decide just how much work you are able and willing to put in to finish it.
With stockdogs the problem is, people buy or get a dog started but what they think they are getting a finished dog. It's not getting a started dog that's a problem, it's knowing HOW started and that you are willing and able to put in the work to continue its progress.
When I put out a started dog my goal is to have it somewhere between step 7 and 10. If the instincts are good, this can often be done in a couple months. At this stage the dog can be useful or even trialed, but the handler still needs to learn to work it and/or maintain it at that level of work. They are still a work in progress.
At the stages 11 through 13, I consider the dog beyond started but I do not consider it finished. When I can just focus on testing a dog is when I consider it finished. A finished dog is not a short-term project. A finished dog is the result of years of effort, training and experiences.
Know your capabilities, desires, and needs in a working stockdogs. All of us need to go through stage 1. Not all of us need to go through stage 2. There are people out there that love breeding and pedigrees, those are the people that often live in stage 2 so those of us not as interested, don't have to. It is alright to get a dog at the stage (or have someone progress your pup to the stage) you are willing or capable of taking over the training, whatever stage that might be. Beyond stage 1 all other stages are optional. There are resources out there that will allow you to pick up the training at you desired comfort level.
If you are buying a dog to learn from, make sure it is a finished dog. A finished dog will allow you to learn to handle and learn what is expected from the dog. A started dog will require you to learn to train as much as it will teach you what to expect from a dog. It is two different experiences; know the experience you are after.
A little long winded but I think it is important to understand the differences between a started dog and a finished dog. When considering a started dog, it is important to understand that not all started dogs are at the same stage of started. Too often I see people confused or frustrated by expectations of this too broadly defined term.
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