It's been too quiet in this section of the forum lately so I thought I'd get a post going about what everyone is currently training and any issues you are currently training through?
Currently, I'm in the middle of force fetch with Rio (7 months old), currently have the bumper on the floor and am now generalizing the fetch command to other objects than the paint roller.
I'm actually doing Dynamic Retrievers DIY program. So Tim sends me videos of what I should work on, I train, and then video my progress and send back for feedback. If Tim thinks it looks good he sends me the next step, if not he tells me what I need to do differently.
The reason I decided to try out their program is because when I went through force fetch with Fisher I made it through to pile work and got stuck. Not having a professional to guide me through the process really hindered things. And since I still want to do the training (instead of sending the dog to a pro), this program seemed like a great fit.
I've actually started over with Fisher on some of these things and I'm getting so much momentum from him I can't even believe it! During pile work, he sprints to the pile whereas when I tried doing this last year I got such a half-hearted response. I was almost resigned to quitting with him after getting our started title, but I just had poor timing, poor foundations, and was not utilizing pressure the correct way at all.
So what are you all working on? What are some of your goals for 2020?
I got to spend some time a couple of years ago with Tim and Lauren Springer. They are very nice people. Lauren took a truck load of dogs to Master National last year by herself. I'm pretty sure she qualified all but one dog. Which is pretty amazing for her first time. Dynamic is a good choice. Are you thinking about heading down to their place in Texas this winter?
Lucy is 7 now. We've done some upland hunting this fall. Now it's winter and I'm not sure if I want to do any more hunting. We're working on Open & Utility obedience. We've really been working on tracking, she has a lovely nose. I keep working on blinds with her. She gets better as she gets older. It's the honor and walk ups she has the most difficulty with, she is very impatient. Now that she's older and mellower, we might give senior retriever tests another try next year. I'd like to find a good junior that wants to learn spaniel hunt tests with her.
Riot is 4 now. Same hunting schedule as Lucy. Riot's weakness has always been not using his nose enough when he can't find a bird. Seems like sometimes it takes forever for him to come up with the bird. So now we're training for tracking. The goal is to improve his nose. He's improved already, but we have a long way to go. We're also work on Open & Utility obedience. His nose again is his problem in with utility articles. His strengths are honoring and walk ups for hunt tests and field trials. He's very solid and patient. He doesn't creep or wiggle and no head swinging. But his marking sometimes is a bit rough on shorter marks. I'd like to get back to field trials next year if I have time. We are no longer going to be able to run master spaniel hunt tests since he's begun pointing. Which is a bummer since I'm a judge. But he's such a fine pointer and flusher, it's a sin that he can't run spaniel tests anymore.
I would love to, but I already am planning on a trip to the retriever academy in April with some club members. Not sure I'll be able to swing two trips. I'm a Controller at my company so no taking vacation during January or February! I'm hoping that when they come back up to MN I can go train with them there, we will see.
Are you planning on making any trips to the lower 48 this year?
just training transitional work with my 2.5 year old and trying to learn to be a better handler on blinds. Learning more and more about all age work. Hopefully by spring or next fall I'll be back at running amateurs!
I was finally able to watch a field trial this fall (marshaled our clubs AM) and man is that fun to watch. I don't think I'll be able to get into field trials for a while due to my work schedule but eventually I'm going to do it! Those dogs are so impressive.
Sips is currently working on articles and directed jumping. She is such a good student.. I love the effort she shows trying to figure out the problem. She never gives up on a task. So fun to watch the little mind working and watching her offer behaviors until she figures it out.
Puppy is now 16 months and working on dumbbell training. If we could work with a bumper she would be a rock star! But she is trying and there is progress with each attempt. She is a very different type of student, softer personality but loves to be right She has the ability to make eye contact when walking so her heel is going to be really lovely!! Both girls have the position discrimination down and they both love the jumps.
Both girls have rock solid and fast recalls... both have beautiful fronts and Sips has a happy bounce to her return... great positioning.
All in all they are both doing great.
Geez, this is a great topic but it causes me to think about all the stuff that I need to do to get my two 2 1/2 year olds ready for Qual/Am/Open.
A detailed list would be extensive, so I'll summarize ... Marks & Blinds.
FTGoldens
Goals by April:
Miah: 2 1/2 yr old:
Blinds: Blinds, Blinds and more Blinds: We always get through the first series of a Q but go out on the blinds: Initial line is great for 100 plus yrds or so but after that it is auto cast and Stevie Wonder eyes. We are stretching out to 300 plus yrds with 3 blinds a day with me following behind but its tough because she runs blinds so fast. Also, sitting quicker on the whistle and more wagon wheel drills, through obstacles are ok.
Marks: Single and double retired guns are ok, working on picking up the short bird last. I never know what bird she will select first in a trial, it could be the flyer, long bird retired or not or the the short bird retired or not. She also primary selects in a trial. So its an adventure, But she always gets her bird.
Just got a puppy so we will be having fun this winter. Hopefully ready for the Golden Specialty next year.
Having fun and loving the game!
I am gearing up for the hunting season. Need to do some boat work. I think I will be taking Thor out to the salt marsh. I have to be careful, plenty of oyster, mussel, and clam shells that can give a nasty cut.
I have already guided a father and son on a preserve pheasant hunt. I must say that Thor is doing an excellent job of quartering
You should do it! You have a great dog and will make a great team. It would be so much fun to run a dog there.
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