A Year Ago

[Dogzeye]

I lost my boy to a vehicle, not sure I'm over it yet. Not really sure I ever will be.

He could work a blind better than most dogs in the field, but had better spacial marking than most ever achieve. One of the drills we used may be out there and may have a name, but I thought I would share it because I got so much from this board in the early years.

The drill is based on forced triagulation. It is a walking drill with bumpers very similar to the standard walking drill used in most programs with several twists. Begin in thin cover with three to four bumpers. Walk the dog at heal and never stop moving. Pitch with 'mark' command or whatever you are accustomed too, after throwing the second rotate the heal to the first bumper thrown and release. As the dog returns throw the third mark (like a diversion bird), always keep a bumper in hand to release as they return, don't forget you have 360 degrees to work with on this drill. Remember, you never stop moving, the dog returns to a moving heal. Once you have the basic concept in play, then add more bumpers. I worked up to eight and nine covering a ten acre field and then began introducing fewer marks with more difficult cover, and rolling terain only to build up again. Also, you do not have to release the pick ups in the order thrown.... ie there may be a downed bird that just lays for a while, always be aware of stretching the dogs memory - to hold the mark - to reposition in the field. Force them to pick up from competely different vantage points, never stop walking. This drill eventually got so difficult I couldn't remember where all the marks where, but he could, and that was the point.


God Bless and good hunting

[quackheadbp]

I lost my boy to a vehicle, not sure I'm over it yet. Not really sure I ever will be.

He could work a blind better than most dogs in the field, but had better spacial marking than most ever achieve. One of the drills we used may be out there and may have a name, but I thought I would share it because I got so much from this board in the early years.

The drill is based on forced triagulation. It is a walking drill with bumpers very similar to the standard walking drill used in most programs with several twists. Begin in thin cover with three to four bumpers. Walk the dog at heal and never stop moving. Pitch with 'mark' command or whatever you are accustomed too, after throwing the second rotate the heal to the first bumper thrown and release. As the dog returns throw the third mark (like a diversion bird), always keep a bumper in hand to release as they return, don't forget you have 360 degrees to work with on this drill. Remember, you never stop moving, the dog returns to a moving heal. Once you have the basic concept in play, then add more bumpers. I worked up to eight and nine covering a ten acre field and then began introducing fewer marks with more difficult cover, and rolling terain only to build up again. Also, you do not have to release the pick ups in the order thrown.... ie there may be a downed bird that just lays for a while, always be aware of stretching the dogs memory - to hold the mark - to reposition in the field. Force them to pick up from competely different vantage points, never stop walking. This drill eventually got so difficult I couldn't remember where all the marks where, but he could, and that was the point.


God Bless and good hunting

you too man. sorry for the loss. Its like losing a family member.