Here's an anecdote.
My first Springer, Fred, who was 18 months old when I got him when I lived in LA, was from show stock. (they all were) I trained him in a lot near where I was living. No live birds, just scent and dummies. He was fine when I moved back to Iowa. He was a great dog, very biddable, and a reliable retriever who always was able to find a bird I knocked down. He was also very smart. Back in those days I was still playing Rugby, and I always took him to the matches. He stayed on the sidelines with no problems and was always friendly and well behaved. His speciality was finding someone with food. He'd then go over and sit a couple of feet away, never looking at the food, with his eyes kind'a half closed, seemingly ignoring the people. After a few moments he'd get a pet and a sample of the food, his well-behaved technique was irresistible to people. He was one smart dog.
