Gameness is either there or not, you can add wind....how about ability?

[Wise]

Can it be molded and nurtured to an advantage in any way?
Just a thought.

[LEFTLANE]

Ability can improve threw school.

[Officially Retired]

Any asset an animal has can be enhanced, or diminished, by the human element.

This is what separates good dogmen from lousy dogmen ... namely, the ability to bring out the best in a dog, versus the worst in a dog.

Jack

[FrostyPaws]

Any asset an animal has can be enhanced, or diminished, by the human element.

Jack

I completely agree with this statement.

To me, enhanced, is the key word here. I don't think you can ADD anything, such as wind or ability. The ability to enhance some things is there, no doubt. For example, you're not going to take a dog with zilch for natural air and have it breath like a smooth running machine. You're still going to have dog with zilch for natural air, it just may be a step or two above the bottom rung of the Zilch ladder.

[Officially Retired]

Exactly.

You can enhance, or diminish, any natural ability an animal has ... up to the point of its genetic limitation.

Can a great dogman make a dead game dog out of a poodle? No.

But a great dogman can make an average dog stronger, give it better air, and make it want it more and work harder ... while a lousy dogman will minimize any or all of these things.

Jack

[EWO]

Agree. Tons of dogs have won based on who brought them vs. what they would have been with the next guy.

Many angles here. Some condition better than others. Some school better than others. Some handle better than others. The dogs benefit from being with these types of dog men. EWO

[gotap_d]

Any asset an animal has can be enhanced, or diminished, by the human element.

This is what separates good dogmen from lousy dogmen ... namely, the ability to bring out the best in a dog, versus the worst in a dog.

Jack

I disagree. I dont think that all assets can be enhanced. If a dog isnt a natural finisher i dont think the human element can make him such. As well as with ability, if the dog has low ability and cant wrestle i dont think the human element can change this. I believe it can be changed through schooling but i consider that the opponent teaching the prospect. Jmo. I would like to hear some ways that a human can enhance a dogs ability though.

[skipper]

I would take it one step further. A majority of shows are won by the better conditioner/handler.

[Black Hand]

I disagree. I dont think that all assets can be enhanced. If a dog isnt a natural finisher i dont think the human element can make him such. As well as with ability, if the dog has low ability and cant wrestle i dont think the human element can change this. I believe it can be changed through schooling but i consider that the opponent teaching the prospect. Jmo. I would like to hear some ways that a human can enhance a dogs ability though.

It is a human that chooses when where and with whom it is schooled with so it is definitely influenced by man. That's like saying, I didn't wreck my dog... his much bigger stronger and more experienced opponent wrecked him!

[skipper]

I would like to hear some ways that a human can enhance a dogs ability though.

A dog in poor shape wont be able to use his ability to the fullest, not even close.