Duck Dog Maintenance

[Jim Boyer]

With the recent hot week, my four dogs still needed exercise. We were up early and arrived at the pond around 5:30 am. The temperature was already in the upper 70's and very humid.

Gunny ran first and did a water lining drill. He is preparing for another AKC Senior hunt test. His individual "Final Breeze" fan was blowing full blast afterwards. Taffey, Daisy and Kooly need to keep in shape for the fall hunting season. Therefore, they did four water retrieves and we quickly headed home for the comfort of air-conditioning.

Just recently, I've been placing multiple dogs at the line in certain "solo" setups. This video is an example of how much a "group of dogs" (that know each other well) will react when they understand "training alone" expectations. They are very good at being team players..waiting their turn, paying attention (most of the time) and having fun. Duck hunting season is not far off.....Sept 4th. This "Summer Maintenance Session" went well.

By 11 o'clock, it was in the 90's. Whew!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U88riJ_mQkw

note: 13+ minutes
--------

 

[Al Hansen]

Jim, thanks for taking the time to set this video up so that I could see it. Nicely done. I learned a lot from this.
Al

 

[charles reina]

Jim,
That is incredible! I have a lab and two goldens, we do a lot of water work, I certainly respect what you have achieved.
Charlie

 

[Bob B]

Jim,
nice video of the dogs. Did you always use the bucket to act as a hold point? I see you line the dogs for it and send them from the location you throw the bumpers. I am guessing this was a drill standing alone and then built on with the complexity?

Hot weather makes for a good day of swimming.

Bob

 

[Jim Boyer]

I train alone often. Therefore, it is necessary for me to be in the field as the gunner/thrower (moving from station to station) as the dog works from the remote line. They mark (at the line), retrieve, deliver to me in the field and then return via a "place" command (cast) back to the line.

There is always something at the line as a marker. I generally use a bucket and/or stickman. When the distance increases, I will use a remote radio at the line to release the dog. That way I don't have to shout their name (as a release) from afar.

"water marking drill"


"checkdown singles"


"Y-drill with remote radio release"

 

[Anthony A]

I will use a remote radio at the line to release the dog. That way I don't have to shout their name (as a release) from afar.

Wow, you can do that? How often do you alternate between radio release and local voice release? Isn't it confusing to the dog at first?

Anthony

 

[Jim Boyer]

Isn't it confusing to the dog at first?

Yes, it usually is. Teaching clears up confusion. I spent quite a bit of time working on just that issue. The "exposue" sessions started close in where the dog could easily hear my verbal release and the radio voice at the same time.

The process was based on the "chaining technique". For example, when teaching a pup the "back" command in early pile work, I start with the familiar "fectch" command. Soon I release them by saying "fetch/back" close together. They will eventually associate leaving the line by anticipation "back" with "fetch". The progression continues when I reverse the order and say "fetch/back". The final goal (going on only "back") is achieved by eliminating the use of "fetch" altogether.

Therefore, using a "radio" verbal at the line vs. my voice from the field, I can phase out "me" and make "The Voice" at the line in charge.

The bonus of this training is that I can have more control via the radio voice. For example, I have one dog that would creep when I was in the field. At long distances it was difficult to see that he had moved forward a few feet.....and he was sneaky about it.

First, I built a slightly raised platform to make it easier for me to visualize the infraction. Then I could quietly cause him to return to the board/line by having "The Voice" command "place". If a dog breaks, "The Voice" can say "sit"/"no here"/"place" and I don't have to "mutter other words to myself" for a dog out of control at a distance.

The neat thing about this is that they learn to respect and obey "The Voice". They adjust to the expectations with repeated, successful exposure. A dog learns to be responsive when you expect it on a daily basis.

------------