Well, I personally hate the thought of sending my dog away for someone else to train (and treat how I might disagree with) and since I’m not competing for high stakes money and just out for the pleasure of seeing my dogs do what they were bred for I would take the chance of having a dog that doesn’t retrieve to hand. But George agreed that with my male GSP that he didn’t think I’d need to do a force retrieve with him since he’s a natural retriever. My two other girls, not so much, but I can live with that. :)
I do think you’d be pleased with what you’d learn from George though. Good luck!
I’m sure he’s a fine trainer. It’s a combination of me and the dog that worries me. A Brittany is a “combination” breed and tends to be very “biddable” (trainable) but sensitive and high strung. It doesn’t range as far as a GSD or retrieve as naturally as a Labrador. Instead it does well at both and needs training to do all of it right. If they are trained incorrectly, it hurts the dog as they become unsure of themselves as they can tell from the owner “that they aren’t doing it quite right”. They are so attentive to training that they react to small mistakes and keep that reaction for a while.
“Forced Retrieve” is hardcore training, especially for a dog that is sensitive. http://www.gundogsonline.com/Article/the-forced-retrieve-gun-dog-Page1.htm Again, I’d rather have someone more experienced do it.