My dog was picked up from the pound, I did a little work with him but for the most part he just likes to hunt and its in his blood. Maybe he came from good blood who knows but I couldn't ask for a better dog all around. First time I brought him to the marsh he decided he would make his own blind...never even seen a duck before. I've heard plenty of bad about ribbon dogs and rock dogs...glad I've got a natural...and they all got bad habits just depends on how the owner reacts..