Mentors

[BONEDADDY]

I hear a lot of dogmen complain about the youngsters in the game. How many of you have tried to teach them what to do without trying to sell them something. I hate it when a young knuckle head tells me that they bought a dog from some so-called dogman and I get to their yard and the dog is living in HELL!!! I suggest that we teach them how to take care of a mutt before we even consider letting them get a good bulldog. It's a shame that we complain about the media focusing on us and we let some young nobody get a bulldog because they got the $ to pay an expensive ticket. I hear dogmen say cull them, but I say teach them and if they are not willing to learn, then cull them. What are your takes on this?
Bonedaddy

[Officially Retired]

I hear a lot of dogmen complain about the youngsters in the game. How many of you have tried to teach them what to do without trying to sell them something. I hate it when a young knuckle head tells me that they bought a dog from some so-called dogman and I get to their yard and the dog is living in HELL!!! I suggest that we teach them how to take care of a mutt before we even consider letting them get a good bulldog. It's a shame that we complain about the media focusing on us and we let some young nobody get a bulldog because they got the $ to pay an expensive ticket. I hear dogmen say cull them, but I say teach them and if they are not willing to learn, then cull them. What are your takes on this?
Bonedaddy

I have done everything humanly possible to provide "mentorship" on a lot of different subjects ... from internet posts dating back to the mid-90s ... to magazine articles I've sent to various mags ... to publishing books ... to publishing DVDs ... to (now) creating a massive Online APBT Database chronicling step-by-step, EVERY step, a person can take to do his best in the sport of dogs.

Eventually, I got to the point where I no longer published my phone number, just because of all the phone calls I would get from complete strangers wanting me to help them in an infinite number of ways, but before I shut my phone off, I have had no telling how many different discussions with no telling how many people over the years.

Invariably, what I have noticed is that people who try hard, try hard ... while half-asses continue to be half-asses
It has been my perpetual hope and goal to have folks take heed and really do try their best to emulate the time-proven methods we use.

Unfortunately, and ultimately, I believe those who have it in their genes to do their best, WILL ... and those who don't have it in their genes to try their best won't.

This database will be here for anyone who's interested for as long as there's a breath of life in me, and I truly feel it is the best I (or anyone) can do to provide a blueprint as to how to do things right for their dogs.
On the side, I will always be willing to help folks, as I am sure you are, if I get the feeling that they're really the type of person to do their best.

Jack

[EWO]

As I thought about the last paragraph, I will admit there is so much information out there (this site being an excellent example) there is really no reason for a dog not to be well cared for, well fed, well wormed/great parasite control, well housed and brought to maturity being fit, happy and healthy. It is just so much out there with the 'right click'. It is so much easier to know how to care for dogs than it was years ago. Maybe that is the disconnect. Still thinking on it. EWO

[EWO]

Mentors are great. I was lucky enough coming along. My best friend's Pops was hard in the dogs in the 60's and 70's. I sort of grew up in and around the dogs. Later a close friend of his helped me a ton when I was "young with my own dogs". I will admit they prevented me from making a lot of mistakes (normal/typical mistakes) a lot of new guys make. I did not waste a lot of good money and good dogs in getting to a good place. I started off a few notches ahead of the average first time guy. I am much appreciative of that, but, with that said.....

A mentor is only as good as the person being mentored. People seeking knowledge and understanding find it more times than not. People looking for magic pills, quick fixes and fast money seldom find what they are looking for. I think that is where the disconnect occurs. The percentage of people willing to shovel the shit from a good dog for two years is very low. The percentages of guys willing to shovel another man's dog shit in exchange for knowledge and experience is even lower. That is just an example. I think when the 'mentor' sees the desire and willingness to work at the craft from the mentored there is a better flow of information. The new guy that comes running with a handful of money, a big mouth and has already "done it all", I doubt there will be a lot of information/experience passed along.

I believe it goes both ways. And when one is in need of something sometimes he has to be willing to give a little more than he gets in the beginning and let time even things out. Too many people gotta' have it right now. It is a 'right click and got it' world we live in now but learning dogs is far from just a right click away. EWO

[FrostyPaws]

EWO, I got into dogs in a similar fashion as you, minus the friend's dad who was in dogs. I fell in with active people who prevented me from making all the typical mistakes, and much like you, the dogs and experiences I received were steps above most people starting off.

I've mentored 2 people and feel as if I'm helping a third at this point. I don't know if I could do it without having hands on with them and seeing them do things to point out the good and the bad. Some people catch on quicker than others due to their natural aptitude. Some people are more intellectual in WHAT they're doing, but it takes them a little longer in the actual experience to see what needs to be seen, etc. They all have their faults and positive points. The biggest thing I've noticed is that they all want it RIGHT now, much like EWO said. That's not really a bad or a good thing, it's just natural enthusiasm. I'd rather see/have that, and harness it for good use, than someone scared to learn or do it.

I believe what Jack said is right also. "I believe those who have it in their genes to do their best, WILL ... and those who don't have it in their genes to try their best won't."

[EWO]

Well said, I agree. There is nothing wrong with wanting it right now and having the willingness to put that want into motion with work and learning is pretty hard to beat. The opposite would be wanting it right now and using the magic pills and potions (or a big handful of money) in an attempt to make it happen. The latter does not last very long. Good posts. EWO

[SteelyDan]

Finding a good mentor is just as hard as someone looking for a good protege.

As a young dogger looking to jump in neck deep and set the world on fire (ya i know i want it now!!!! lol patience is a bitch) it was hard and still is hard to find the right people to provide the avenue for success. When i started in dogs i was surrounded by those who were not successful. It took me quitting a good paying career and moving across country to surround myself with the doggers i needed. That sacrifice spoke a lot for my dedication i feel. I think most folks just getting into these dogs dont realize the lifestyle change and cant handle it. Living in the middle of nowhere because of the privacy that is needed, realizing that the balance between life and bulldogs is LIFE IS BULLDOGS is hard to grasp. Although people think they want to be a dogman, they dont realize that it can be a lonely isolating lifestyle. It runs a lot of wannabes off. On top of that the responsibilities of a protege can encompass all of their work in addition to their mentors work. Double duty on a large yard is a ton of work and a ton of money. It comes with a lot of education though.

The point im getting at is... If the process of mentoring a protege is done correctly the weak will cull themselves.... and if you are serious about learning these dogs you will cull many people off your list that are potential mentors and will most likely end up learning from a handful of successful dogmen and learning what not to do from many more unsuccessful doggers.

[H.C.B.A.Kennel]

great read and yes its so hard to find a soild person to teach you the right and wrong ive been thru it ive shoveld and raised hounds for others thinking that if I help him he will bless me with the hounds that I needed to take over the world Lmao.but I was fooled I raised this mans dogs telling me this telling that I raised seven of his hounds for two years and spending my hard earn money than the I let the fat f---k stay @ my house thinking I got this great dogman in my house he was a fat Cur and this fool him and mr pope lied to me you can breed to him or her those fools took all the dogs and one of the dogs became a 1x for real kennel joe reed im sorry about that for me I do a lot of readind I taught myself a lot my REal Mentor is THE GREAT ARELLANO he gave me my first hound plus its very hard to find some one to help you and to keep 100 with you their is a lot of hate in this game But please remember their are still Soild Azz dogman and woman that are will to show you proper way on handleing your hounds

[Nut]

I think its great if someone is willing to teach a dedicated person what he knows. But you don't necessarily need a "mentor". I've had quiet some people who were willing to help me on different subjects. You got the people that you bought a dog from, you got friends who are in the same sport and you could simply read on google or a board like this and soak up all the info there is, open a topic and or send a PM to a member who you think that knows something about the subject that you have a question about. No you have, yes you can get.

If you put 5 dogman together who all separately had 20+ years in the game, they still going to disagree on a whole lot of subjects. So imo its always good to be a little skeptical and also ask another person what he thinks about someones opinion. I think its important, just like when you're searching for trustworthy/reliable information on the internet about lets say a car or some holiday, is to be able to fish out the right info from the right people and try to understand why something is done. If some says for example, supplement your dog iron. Try to find out why and what it exactly does for the dog. Don't be afraid. to ask ask questions, and don't be lazy to google something yourself.

[wrknapbt]

I know this is a old subject but I was thinking about it after talking to a member of this forum via PMs. I have a friend who still to this day makes stupid rookie mistakes. He will ask for information all the time and never look anything up. I myself don't sell dogs but have placed a few out to good yards/homes and I have been blessed because I ended up with owners who work their dogs in many different areas. I think many of the old timers are just tired of dealing with the guys who think they know it all and are not willing to learn anything. The day that I can say I know everything about these dogs is the day I should quit keeping dogs and find something else to do. Great subject and needs to be talked about more