Have fun with your dogs however you chose.
Best advice on here.
Yep.
Here's another great quote from Major Charles Askins, the father of the more widely-known Colonel Charles Askins. They were both gun writers, but apparently the major was a much gentler and less ambitious guy than his son, though Askins Sr. was heavily involved in top-notch bird-dog training and trialing or some years. This is from Askins Sr.'s GAME BIRD SHOOTING, published in 1931:
“My dogs are now about the least trained bird dogs that ever went afield. I let them do what pleases them best, they do best what they know they how, and we have a grand time together; but it is a scandalous handling in the eyes of a stranger.”
First read that at least a dozen years ago, when I was just getting to be old enough to fully appreciate it.