Archive from Daisy's Journal - the early months (April - 2006) 
    
April 1  ran three "stand alone" honoring singles with all three dogs at the Square Pond DTA, then
                 finished with some heeling OB & holding blind exercises = all three did very well on the marks &
                 honoring (easy stuff for tomorrow's Sanctioned FT)
                          note: Daisy had to wait for the other two to run = nice!

     April 2  Daisy ran Puppy Stake - Wisconsin Am, Retriever Club at Horicon, WI, after taking off
                 the leash in front of a crowd of people (many wearing white coats) it was quickly discovered
                 Daisy was not ready -  she lost it = didn't look "out" and was looking all over, she was positive
                 the guy in the white coat five yards behind us was going to toss the mark, first mark she nailed,
                 but the second she over ran it by a bunch and went on a big, wild hunt = let the gunner help her
                 and then picked her up (didn't run second series) she didn't need to remember today
                         note: lessons learned  1) Daisy needs more "atmosphere"/people around her in training
                                  plus more OB, 2) she needs to be aired more before something like this, she got "glassy
                                  eyed" and had no idea who I was and 3) if you are running short marks in easy cover in
                                  a puppy stake, don't run a 200 yard mark in cut corn the day before   
                         note: had fun and got the info needed on each dog's training, start group work next week
                         note: Kooly's 1st in the AT&H division was the highlight of the day 
     April 3  day off, except Daisy went no where without a leash on
                         note: Interceptor
     April 4  OB on leash, short remote sit and quick hear/heel with collar pressure (two sessions - morning
                 and evening, on drill of force to pile review
                         note: simplified the retrieve issues to make sure the here/heel is crisp and automatic
                         note: did some OB with a bumper in her mouth
     April 5 (morning) remote sits and here/heel drills with collar pressure, five backs to pile from the side
                and at the apex (at the Soccer Complex)
                (evening) repeated morning session, plus worked on letting her run free and whistle sitting
                occasionally with a crisp here/heel/sit routine using low level collar pressure, ran short pile
                with right and left backs plus two stops "on the way" with perfect facing sits and correct back
                casts
                         note: responding nicely to higher OB standards = need to look for distractions next week
    April 6  worked two holding blinds at the Square Pond, pushed on OB standards heavy, then ran two
                singles in the corn field with Daisy staked at the line, neither were marked very well and she
                broke down way too early to start huge wild hunts, ran four single in short cover afterwards to
                get back into the straight line mode, need to simplify marking factors to weed out the hunting
                "stuff" for now, her marking decrease is a function of the demanding OB pressure (expected
                marking to fall off some)
                        note: since the decision to hammer on OB her behavior around the house has improved
                        note: she is a lot like Taffey & therefore, it won't be an issue later on with Daisy because
                                 this  latent "wildness" will be taken care of now 
                        note: her heel/sit/delivery is much more crisp and she had temporarily  lost her hearing on
                                 recall commands = reached an understanding on that and the message is getting
                                 home   
                        note: new improved "Kwick" Bumper is made and called..............see picture, this is easy
                                 to see in the air at any distance, makes "looking" for bumpers on the ground more
                                 likely, is water proof and cheap to make & maintain
                                        note: a black plastic bag can be added to the white with a 3"x2" black rubber
                                                 plumber's reducer fitted to a 2" white bumper               

    April 7    (evening) worked on backs =  small pile of six bumpers at the Square Pond & did a few
                  walking singles with Kooly (using the new flagged bumper)
    April 8    (evening) ran six "poorman" marks in tandem with Kooly at the Sand Ponds (new bumper)
                                 note: found they had dug a huge new pond
                                 note: both dogs marked very well, Daisy was creeping ahead some & they
                                          loved the water   

    April 9    (evening) ran walking "poorman" remote line singles with at the Square Ponds
                                 note: very sharp
    April 10  (morning) ran a six bumper back pile in the first day of single T at Macktown, ran hard on all
                  six bumpers
                                  note: excellent start on single T
                  worked with a group (three more handlers & about 14 dog total, Daisy was first off the van & was
                  not focused, marking not good, big hunts, didn't really see first mark (glanced to another gunner 
                  at the wrong time), got hot and dropped a bumper on the way back from the second mark and
                  had to pinch to pick it up, nailed the next mark (flying hard), blew past the last long one by at
                  least 75 yards and went on a huge wild hunt - Whew! It was an ugly session.
                                  note: too excited, too many things going on, not focused = that's why we need to work
                                           with groups more often  
                  (evening) ran six marks at the Square Pond with Noah throwing bumpers, all tough marks,
                  but she was all over each one
                                  note: trained alone and very focused
                                  note: applied Frontline Plus                    
    April 11  ran single T second day back pile again six bumpers (popped on third one, otherwise ran hard)
                  moved to BT's and chained out all dogs, Daisy watched the other two run first, five stickmen in
                  a terrain change area from matted grass to alfalfa, shot five Retrieve-R-Trainer singles with
                  two short in the cover & three long into the alfalfa, afterwards chained out to come back later
                  and run a true wide angle triple = hand thrown Dokken - left, canvass R-R-T right and a long
                  foam R-R-T up the middle
                                 note: marked much better today, two hunts much tighter with some thinking going on
                                 note: remembered all three marks in the triple (nice job!)
   April 12 (morning) ran single T third day again six bumpers and stopped once half-way = she turned, sat
                and took a back = nice and fast session, mouth very good & attitude great (at Macktown DTA)
                (afternoon) went to Mounds to buy some Pro Plan Sensitive Skin for Kooly and weighed all dogs,
                Daisy weighs 59 pounds, trained at BT's on the levee, staked all three out, Daisy worked on
                sitting on a place "mat" fetching and then replaced on "mat", short 10 yard bumper and teaching
                to cast back to the "mat", finished with six Retrieve-R-Trainer marks and working on steady, if
                she breaks or moves Taffey picks it up, I picked one up and she was beginning to get the picture,
                no one holding on to the short tab was tempting, nice marking and lots of speed
                               note: hot & in the sun it was 70+° so they all drank plenty of water (way better than
                                        waiting their turn in a crate)

    April 13 (morning) ran single T again at Macktown DTA. six back pile bumpers at 100 yards, stopped twice
                 to take back casts, ran right over pile from the apex after identifying it (first time) & cast right over
                 once from the apex, then staked out while Taffey & Kooly trained
                 five "standalone" check-down singles with a primer pistol & stickmen, Daisy was walked back to
                 the line, marks ranged from 190 down to 50 yards with the two longest angled across a gravel
                 road and the last three not
                           note: single T work sharp, marking was good. she hooked the longest mark because it
                                    was the first time she had seen the factor requiring an angled road crossing & the
                                    second mark same concept (but about 45 yards shorter) she nailed
                           note: solid at the remote line after correction on first mark (as I walked away)
                           note: same marks as Taffey & Kooly = nice job, excellent lines (except for hook) and fast 
                 (evening) trained at Eagle with Badger State HRC, ran three singles - first big hunt needed help,
                 second faded with the wind again with another ugly hunt, picked up the short one
                           note: went for the atmosphere - got some  
   April 14 (morning) single T at Macktown six bumpers at the back pile and ran two right overs, improving
                           note: she sees everything and too much 
                (late morning) trained with Brian and Chris at BT's, three singles all running in cover with two exiting
                to finish in the alfalfa field (almost same area as R-R-Trainer marks a few days ago, picked up short
                one, need help on the mark to the right and sucked to the 1st gunner on long one up the middle, not
                at all understanding a gunner trying to help and still making wild, huge hunts when not stepping on
                the mark (used ducks), finished with a short inverted W walking singles marking drill, she did much
                better (temperature was in the low 80's when we finished), still had a couple of wild hunts
                           note: not running to a spot, but depending more on running straight which she can't do
                                    because factors like hills and wind push her off line, she loves to run and her mind
                                    is going a mile a minute and she sees everything = Taffey did not mark well until
                                    she got it together, she's fun to run, but need to keep her marks short and successful,
                                    a steady diet of Y drills seems called for, she is very visual like Taffey & because of
                                    her speed it doesn't take but a second to be way off (alfalfa fields and cut corn do not
                                    enhance spot marking)
    April 15 Daisy took a walk to the Sand Ponds - six land and two water singles (walking "stand alones)
                            note: casual fun session and Daisy did well (home at 6:45 pm)
    April 17 rained all day - no work
    April 18 ran the single T at Macktown DTA with both side piles (first time), needed attrition at the apex to
                 keep her from heading to the side piles on "back" casts = whims and brain not in sync, today I
                 would have to say Daisy has impulse control issues   attrition and working slowly are producing
                 better results, took a break while the other two dogs ran & then worked the remote winger X-box
                 drill, mark two singles well & the other two had her breaking down early because of some strong
                 scent at about fifty yards out (Taffey & Kooly were not bothered by it)
    April 19 (morning) trained at Stoughton FT grounds with a group (white coats), ran four singles in an X-box
                 drill and she did well on all but one mark (which she figured out), ran as singles the triple the older
                 dogs were doing, did drive to the first one at all & needed a lot of help, second better and short one
                 no issues (her marking is off right now = the single T and OB is affecting it some, switching to birds
                 should help and the OB is become more natural as of late
                 (evening) quick run over to the single T area and ran 6 backs and 4 overs with all piles out and
                 still had to hover around the apex = seeing improvement, finished with four walking "poorman"
                 singles across the path in cover (good job.......and a long day)
                           note: this was about the same age that Taffey's marking went sour for awhile, the pressure
                                    of handling in T & clamping down on OB is not an outward sign to read because they
                                    both have such a high level of energy for retrieving, I was very concerned for this
                                    phase with Taffey, but knowing what happened with her we'll just keep the same
                                    attitude with Daisy = is will get much better over the next three months as she
                                    gets more experience, matures and adjusts - no testing is planned and that should
                                    avoid some of the conflicts Taffey encountered 
    April 20 trained at Stoughton with Brian's group (pro day - four in the group) and about 15 dogs - first set-up
                 was three singles with two "cheaty" water marks (technical pond) and the second set-up was four
                 land singles with a cross wind two short then two long (Daisy ran only one of the long marks)
                           note: marking better, still not always picking up the right gunner (lack of experience), needed
                                    help on a few marks, very "cheaty" on one of the water marks (my fault didn't move over
                                    enough), getting better at understanding what a "helping" gunner is doing, all in all not
                                    a bad day, water aggressiveness was excellent, training tab is working great with her at
                                    the line (more control and guidance as to what is expected)
                           note: got to get an ATV     
    April 21 (morning) ran single T at Macktown, did six back bumpers from behind the apex, she wanted to go
                  to the side piles, but with attrition she finally figured out she had to go where I directed her, did
                  not run any over piles today, her vision and active mind makes it harder to focus (big improvement
                  today though) came back out to run the four singles in a X-Box drill (four remote wingers)
                           note; picked up three marks nicely and had a hunt on one (tighter than usual)
                  (evening) ran five, short "stand alone", remote line walking singles (100 - 125 yards) in a large, rolling
                  alfalfa field, pinned first four and had a very small hunt on the last one = very sharp!   
    April 22 (morning) ran single T at Macktown all the way back with the side piles out, ran to back pile six times
                  needed some "no'ing" off the side piles, but is beginning to see what I want, decided to not run any
                  side piles until she is clean to the back (back pile is not white bumpers which can't be seen from the
                  line = she is going anyway with good "mo" & picks up speed if I give a "back"), went over to Rock Cut
                  State Park DTA & ran Kooly's & Taffey's double as singles = ran to the winger on short mark which
                  turned into a small hunt (scent from the winger pouch "sucked" her in & pinned the long mark
                          note: getting a bit "grabby" for both bumpers & ducks when asked to drop = short tab helping,
                                   but need to slow down on delivery process (be more deliberate)
                          note: she is even more manic about training than Taffey was at this age, twice a day training
                                   sessions are working out really well
                  (evening) a quick trip to BT's alfalfa field had all three dogs doing a remote line "stand together"
                  singles, using a Dokken and ,22 NEF each dog was released for his/her mark, five singles for each
                  dog (50 -200 yards), Daisy had always been last in this routing until today, she was at first wanting
                  to retrieve the toss for the other dogs, the session went smoothly with each dog getting to honor or
                  get a no-retrieve twenty times
                          note: Daisy's marking was excellent, but she continues to be maybe too excited, her OB allows
                                   to reel her in and clamp down, the group training sessions are helping
    April 23 (morning) drove to Eagle DTA and ran about 8 Retrieve-R- Trainer singles with each dog, all four us
                  walked back to the training area and there were always two dogs honoring the retrieve of the third,
                  Daisy marked very well and was steady (most of the time = she's is really catching on to the team
                  routine), bought seasonal WI Park Forest window sticker at Eagle DNR, visited the old Orin Benson
                  training property with other Badger State HRC members to get ideas about restoring it as a public
                  dog training with the WI DNR's support, it can be turned into quite an outstanding DTA
    April 24  ran single T at Macktown - full back pile with both side piles, Daisy could not have run it any better
                  than she did, the plan was to run two back pile bumpers, on the third whistle sit at the apec & take
                  a left back cast, then do another full run to the back pile, next was a whistle sit at the apex & a left
                  over cast and finish with a full run to the back pile = not only did she do all that without needing any
                  attrition, but her sit whistles were slam-dunk whirl and square sits, her back cast was a snappy wheel,
                  there was no hesitation at the apex anticipating a potential sit and everything was done at full speed   
                           note: Wow......it was awesome!  
                           note: the tab is really having a positive effect on how she is giving up the bumper now, almost no
                                    grabbing for it & she is more composed, continuing to do this delivery "stuff" very slowly
                                    and under physical control is paying off
                           note: repeat single T now for effect with more "overs" and next week introduce double T 
                           note: the timing of her T work could not have been any better, the weather remains nice and
                                    cool in the morning and the ponds will be just right for swim-by in May 
    April 25 day off
    April 26 (morning) ran single T at Macktown DTA, eight back bumpers & two bumpers at each over, ran backs
                 first then, two back casts from the apex and four over casts & finishes with two full runs to the pile
                            note: only two short pops at the apex, first right over was not taken, but she worked
                                     the attrition and casts to do it, nice job and she understands more about "us"
                            note: run three more times & into double T by setting out the second set of bumpers
                 (evening) run two R-R-T triples at BT's dry bed area & run a four spoke wagon wheel at the Square
                  Pond DTA
    April 27 trained at Stoughton FT grounds with Anne W. & Steve D. ran a straight forward triple with ducks
                 using remote wingers with a gunner station up the middle, picked the go bird and the other short
                 duck & needed some time focus on the memory bird, seemed to know about where it was, but
                 needed some help (not bad) fan a water double with the go bird over a point and the long bird had
                 a good swims, had gunners at both stations not very good the first time, so repeated it = much
                 better & likes the water, avoided cheating with a no here and some anxious moments
                            note: extra bird floating low in the water (she couldn't see it), lined her up using "dead
                                     bird/back" & she fired off the line, swerved to the left a bit, took a whistle sit
                                      and with some attrition took a few over casts until she finally saw the duck
                                      she was paying attention to me and trying, huge training bonus! 
     April 28 (morning) trained with Brian M., Anne W. & Bill R. at BT's, first set-up HRC triple with a breaking
                  bird, diversion diversion and a blind Daisy just ran the go bird and memory bird as singles
                            note: she was loose going to the line, used ducks & a bit mouthy
                  second set-up was a four station stickmen marking drill, prime pistol and ducks
                            note: Daisy marked two really well & hunted a bit on the other two, good experience with
                                     the group "stuff" 
                  (evening) ran double T (first time) worked on getting back with no "pops" did casting to al four
                  piles and moved up for the second line, Daisy is beginning to realize I'm getting to bumpers & it
                  is fun ( very good session) 
     April 29 ran double T at Macktown, eight bumpers at the back pile and a single Kwick Bumper (one end)
                  at the over positions  = good job! (beat the rain)
     April 30 slipped over to Macktown after rain let up and ran double T - Daisy was sharp and confident, ran
                  seven back bumpers with one left & one right back cast and mixed in one over at each of the four
                  over piles ending up with a solid back run
                            note: sharp! & especially liked her quick, square, focused sits with no pre-casting    
                            note: having a steady pup well schooled on whistle sits before doing T work is super                     

     May  1 ran double T at Macktown (10 bumpers at the back pile) - work on whistle sits en route, right & left
                back casts, one "here"/fetch cast, one "over" with a bumper in her mouth and with ten bumpers =
                "going when tired" was presented
                           note: all went well, three attrition stops for over and then she took it, tired on last two, but
                                    responded quickly to "back" commands and never was given a chance to stop, very
                                    good session with a positive attitude throughout and at the end
     May 2 (morning) beat the rain & ran double T again - focused today on doing more "overs" at all four piles,
                mixed in orange bumpers today & no more white Kwick Bumpers on end
                           note: confused a couple of times, moved up & used attrition, excellent attitude & worked hard
                           note: continue double T until she will take non-verbal "overs" 
               (evening) six long singles - remote line "poorman"/honoring with Kooly & Taffey in the thick alfalfa
                           note: Daisy marked extremely well (one mark was only 50 yards, but the rest were 150 -
                                    225+ yards)  Interceptor
    May 3 ran double T more orange bumpers and mostly backs, took a break while Taffey & Kooly trained. did
              X-box marking drill with remote wingers (did well on this) = two left across angled road and two
              right into the shorter grass
    May 4 (morning) ran double T, moved up and worked again on expectations, some confusion without white
              bumpers and recalled this issue with her Mom, simplified and re-identified the side piles
              (evening) ran six long singles with very difficult terrain changes at the Sand Ponds and she was all
              over each mark - very neat session with her looking at me and saying, "Is that all ya' got?"
    May 5 (morning) ran double T again working on "overs", improvement today, reacted to "where" better,
              saw bumper tossed into bucket and for some reason on the "back" command she wheeled and
              "bolted" to the bucket in kind of a weird "no-go", corrected with "no/here" & did same thing,
              collar correction on "no/here" same thing, sat her in front and gave back cast, followed with
              en route collar force, repeated back pile and gave en route "back" command (no collar) with
              good reaction the the pressure got some more depth out of this session
                           note: yesterday Daisy's body language was "This is turning into work. I'll do it, but  not as
                                    fast." Today it was "This is work. What happens if I don't do it?"  She learned today
                                    that it is work and there are no choices. The temperature was in the upper "fifties"
                                    and she was upbeat & fresh at the end
                           note: The idea that the proper response to pressure makes things more clear to the dog
                                    which in turn makes the whole process easier in the long run. I do it (dog does) because
                                    that is what is expected and I am comfortable with letting you make the decisions rather
                                    than using my energy to avoid, resent and fight. This clear message makes for a more
                                    focused dog looking for what is next and enjoying "whatever" so instead of worrying
                                    about the unknown the dog works with you and strives to please.......in theory.   
              (evening) ran three R-R-T triples focusing on counting to three & line manners
                           note: counting to three OK, line manners suggest going back to daily sessions which
                                    have not been happening for a couple of weeks (it shows)
     May 6 spent the day in the van working Amateur FT, went to Stoughton afterwards to air and run a few
               fun marks in the swim-by pond
     May 7 ran double T at Macktown, all orange bumpers, did three backs and each of the four "overs" no
               mistakes and slick, weighed in at 58 pounds
               Frontline Plus
     May 8 ran double T at Macktown, all orange = 5 backs and repeats at each of the four "overs", rainy day
                          note: she is looking for the casts, waiting and taking them = we're finished with double T,
                                   very sharp again and the cool "temps" made 13 bumpers easy for her, ready for pattern
                                   blinds and diversions, continue the casting routine and deepen with walking baseball
                          note: water force in a couple of days at the Square Pond and then start swim-by next week
                          note: need to do more marks with ducks
     May 9 (morning) trained at Macktown DTA using the back pile of double T four stickmen were placed down
               the right side of the line to the pile and the "no no" jump was placed on the line, worked on running to
               the back pile over the jump with the stickmen diversions in place, ran the two short "overs", Daisy
               was determined to flare around the jump & had to move up, do a few marks to the other side and
               finally put it all together, this will be the intro to the Four Phase Drill 
               (late morning) Daisy got four ducks in a stickmen field at BT's, marking not all that great = heavy
               cover, hunting short and very busy eyes, her handling of the ducks was exceptionally good today,
               came to heel fairly well, sat quietly, dropped on command and did not reach for the duck as it
               "disappeared", very calm about it and the short tab control on all deliveries continues to pay off
                           note: need to really make her wait more at the line and extend focus on marks, may be
                                    some penalties here from the "poorman" marks, but it will get better as we are not
                                    in any hurry - maybe a test in September at 15 months (if at all) 
                           note: move to lighter cover for awhile
   May 10 day off = cold, rain & wind (nasty weather - great for the low ponds)
   May 11 not much better, but only slight drizzle (25 mph NW wind, 39° and drizzle) swim-by is set back at least
               two weeks with cold weather = work on the Four Phase Drill using the back pile of Double T up diversions
               today with a holding which "guards" a nursery hole (Daisy luckily jumped over it at the last moment on
               the 9th) plus we moved the line back across the road, past a slight ditch and into cover
                           note: after a quick review with sit/here from both sides of the jump, she ran the whole drill
                                    perfectly (straight, over jump out & back, took two "over" casts by stickmen and holding
                                    blind, teaching and learning two days ago - ran it clean today = neat!)           

   May 12 rainy day, went to Rockton DTA with a small break in the radar for some quick walking "stand alones"
               more for exercise than anything else, she was close (short marks) and after a toss she swing back to
               look at me = each time she did this resulted in a hunt on that mark, started walking shorter and
               throwing long flat marks, then waited for her to look back at the mark = she stepped on those when
               she looked back at the mark and hunted every time when released looking at me
                            note: need to stamp out this bad habit = release only when looking at mark & reduce
                                     frequency of "stand alones"
    May 13 more rain - another day off, refurbished wingers with new rubber bands and redesigned the primer
                report device, very reliable now and easy to load
    May 14 ran Four Phase Drill with remote wingers = phase A went smoothly
    May 15 trained at RockCut State Park DTA with Ann W, = steadying drill with focus on no motion at the
                line, after all dogs = did walking singles concentrating on looking out and line manners
                            note: solid session & sitting tall, first throw for other dog seemed to be another bird for
                                     Daisy, after it was picked up and her mark was thrown she darted over to pick up
                                     the mark I threw (somehow the fact that another dog had picked It up never seemed
                                     to register, after three or four she understood) 
   May 16 trained alone at RockCut, used four wingers and a primer pistol with OB to the line = duck call &
               shoot at the line, winger launch of duck with primer report, all dogs staked out ahead of time in
               full view around the line = Daisy went last and got two ducks (repeating routine) then staked back
               to watch again, second time around got two more retrieves
                            note: took lots of time with each dog & to reload wingers, OB high standards and dogs'
                                     manners at staked positions enforced, Daisy did things well, short tab with choker
                                     used for control (wearing collar, but not used), heeling stick used for stake OB
   May 17 (morning) trained at Gallagher with Brian and Anne W. ran two singles = over a point and the
               other a long entry and swim = nice job
               (afternoon) Noah threw four marks for the phase A drill & it was more of a diversion than using
               four wingers, however, she figured it out  and ran the last ones clean  
   May 18 (morning) ran at BT's, early running free in the alfalfa Daisy sniffed out two roosters, ran three
               thirty yard cold blinds & did well, trained with group & Daisy got three singles = marked well,
               (afternoon) ran first day of swim-by & did all three  "piles" (three bumpers each) slick and easy,
               afterwards ran a session of walking baseball perfectly = great session!
  May 19 (morning) trained at Cherry Valley DTA with Brian, Anne W. and Bill R. - ran three singles with last
              one too "cheaty" = shouldn't have run, Daisy "picked up" the extra bird as a short cold blind
                           note: this is a difficult pond to train because it is loaded with factors
              (evening) ran second session of swim-by = two backs with all piles out, ran right  over with a return
              to the left, then did a left over with a return to the right followed by one more back = flawlessly!
                            note: did this with a lot of drive and yet very relaxed in looking for directions including
                                     waiting for the cast  
              Daisy was staked out and watch Kooly to a tune-up drill and walking baseball before she got to do
              her turn with walking baseball = another impressive session (making 100% of all casts and sharp)

  May 20 ran swim-by again this afternoon = two full backs, one stop en route with left back, followed the third a
              right back, did two right "overs" out with a "no/here" return to the right, repeated same procedure with
              two rights and each after the "no/here" returned back to the left, finished with two full backs,after
              staking out with Kooly and Taffey, did a short session of walking baseball to dry off and have some fun
                         note: each whistle "sit" was nice with a total stare never looking at anything but me, she is very
                                  responsive to the drill and willing to to take the casts given, she's an "us" pup! which makes
                                  her very easy to teach, however, pleasing and having to do something are different as has
                                  been confirmed in some earlier lessons (however, although somewhat vocal she responds
                                  quite well to pressure when it is necessary to get a change 
                         note: plan to move side piles closer to the front of the pond to make the swim-by closer to shore
                         note: Daisy is a strong swimmer, so I have to hustle to make it to the opposite side (for the return)
                         note: Daisy yo-yo'd on her bark collar again today = lower setting to 4 
  May 21 trained at Gallagher with Tim & Anne W. - land triple run as singles - three factors threw each dog to
              left - wind, slope and stickmen, but scent from the right created more problems - Daisy did fairly well
              and need some help on the long bird up the middle, water triple as singles = did well on these marks
                         note: all dogs staked out in the beautiful, cool and sunny weather
  May 22 ran swim-by in the morning - beautiful day. repeated the nine bumper routine (five backs and four
              "overs") never any hesitation at the apex, tried to cheat one back pile, but stopped on whistle and
              immediately entered the water. last over bumper asked her to re-enter and return, but worked on this
              moving = some confusion, she stayed in the water to complete the "pass", afterwards started establishing
              a 150+ pattern (not sure how long it will be - only "laddered" eight bumpers out to about a 125 yards ),
              this will be one leg of her first KRD (finish it tomorrow and range find the distance)
                         note: super momentum from the line in both lessons
                         note: establishing three pattern blinds for the KRD after each session of swim-by will accomplish
                                  several things 1) she get dried off, 2) the big runs will relieve some of the pressure of the
                                  swim-by sessions (what little there appears to be), 3) get her into the running straight mode
                                  and 4) the KRD field will be ready to use right after swim-by is over  
                         note: spunky and fill of energy even after the two sessions, just like her Mom (Taffey), Daisy is
                                  "manic" for bumpers  
                         note: method for establishing a pattern blind works great (already taught), bumpers every fifteen
                                  yards back to about 60 yards = run each one and handler backs up as pup picks up each
                                  one, but the pup has got to have "mo" off the line and strong "desire" to retrieve, there
                                  was no bucket or white pole, just my orange pole stuck in some tall grass beyond to let
                                  me see the line, however, she has to run by a small pine tree, over a grassy bridge and
                                  toward a corner wedge of un-cut grass, so there are natural visuals or targets in her
                                  "picture" (past, over and to - perceptions),  add some orange bumpers tomorrow and
                                  ladder from the back corner of the property (not sure how far it is yet)
   May 23 (morning) trained at Brian's = four ATV duck singles
               (afternoon) ran swim-by nine bumpers and did two "walking passes" = good session, then completed
               lengthening out the pattern blind = ran three the full length 
   May 24 rain - ran swim-by this afternoon and did two passes without hardly moving from the line, she's got
               this down, then ran the pattern blind three times with only one white and two orange bumpers at the
               end (full tilt), then went and picked up six pigeons for Kooly's blinds
                        note: excellent session, did two full "passes" - very aware, focused  = 6 sessions so far
   May 25 trained at Brian's - ran three singles with heavy cover = good lines to the fall, but missed and then
               went on huge wild "donkeyed" hunts - not a pretty picture
               stopped off at the swim-by on the way home (afternoon) completed four more passes and had a few
               issues about getting out early = attrition and understanding, work on back turns & then did a short
               corner de-cheating lesson = Wow! she got the idea almost immediately - KOOL!, finished by running
               the pattern blind twice = busy day - sleeping "real good" right now 
   May 26 trained at Gallagher's & Daisy's swim-by is now proofed on another pond = saw what was wanted
               right away & did a nice solid pass (this pond is smaller than the one she learned on), back over at
               Stoughton Daisy did a two water de-cheating exercises = went well
   May 27 Daisy spent the day at an AKC hunt test (Kooly was running Senior) & was quiet and relaxed
                         note: appetite off the last few days (coming in heat first time? or what?) 
   May 28 day off - ate fine tonight 
   May 29 ran de-cheating drills (left & right corners) at the swim-by pond, ran the first pattern blind & set-up
               the second pattern blind = laddered full length)
                         note: was trying to square the entry at first - changed heeling sides (used left and right sides
                                  and that helped & partly she was use to going to the back pile (which was square)
                         note: time to "up the ante" on OB as her maturity and pressure conditioning give her the
                                  coping skills to deal with it
                         note; Daisy will be easy to teach new skills - she is manic about bumpers just like Taffey 
   May 30 (morning) ran yesterday's new pattern blind with a winger mark as diversion off pattern blinds & then
               the rain and lightening came = nice job             
                         note: set up last pattern blind Friday
                         note: did yard OB plus in house "stuff"
   May 31 (afternoon) trained at Rock Cut State Park DTA with Anne W. four stickmen singles in heavy cover
               with Dokkens, duck call and primer pistol = line had mat, chair and used a holding blind, dogs
               staked out and Daisy was much improved at the line and marking - very good session!
                         note: one set of singles was a check-down "pinched inline" & the last two were right & left
                                  slight angle backs
                         note: did yard OB plus in house "stuff"
  

June 1 (morning) trained with group - Brian, Chad & Anne at BT's = ran four ATV singles in a six stickman field
              with ducks thrown in tough areas (high grass/weeds) to dig out
                         note: looked out, marked and ran solid lines through the cover breaks = needed some help in the
                                  area of the fall (sorting out scents is an issue and inexperienced in getting tight hunts)
              (evening) ran 2/3 KRD with mark in the water, set-up third pattern blind for full KRD, did first 7 bumper
               zig-zag drill with alternating left & right heeling (worked slow and accurately) = very nice!, finished
               off with little walking baseball (to dry off)
                        note: what a neat pup! loves bumpers & doing this "stuff"
                        note: flared a bit establishing third pattern, but handled well to take casts and learned, very
                                 responsive, willing to listen and not worried about whistles
   June 2 ran the KRD with a winger mark at the swim-by pond after doing a seven bumper zig-zag lining drill,
              finished off with a walking baseball drill
                        note: need to step back a bit and run each pattern blind as a three bumper pile for two days
   June 3 drove around looking for a larger three pattern blind set-up = Roscoe Rock River park complex was
               perfect, established the middle pattern blind at 186 yards, left will be 300 yards & right 164 yards
                        note: 7 "laddered" Kwick bumpers & 1 Dokken (last) = Daisy completing the 186 "yarder"
                                 1st day & will repeat for two days then establish the right one
                        note: sharp & has same drive Taffey did for establishing long pattern blinds, but much better
                                 prepared than Taffey was - both very determined and tough    
                                                                               (left click thumbnails)

  June 4 attended Dog Training Seminar at New Milford Hunt Club near Johnson Creek, WI = Pro Brian Moyse
              worked with Badger State HRC members, Daisy did a lot off leash OB before going to the two holding
              blinds, three singles with good line manner work with a nice crowd around, everything pretty good,
              except she paraded with the ducks twice, heeled both sides & she was "motivated" on the marks
              (which means she was flying!) 
                       note: training three dogs and working a couple of times a week with Brian (the pro) has me
                                feeling much more confident at the line & I think that is carrying over to the dog work
                                ("upping the ante" on control at the line for all three) 
              (evening) ran the 186 yard pattern blind at dusk (used three Kwick bumpers plus a Dokken)
  June 5 (afternoon) ran the 186 yard pattern blind twice & ran the 164 "yarder" as a cold blind (first time)
                       note: Daisy did well getting out there on the new one using "overs" and "backs" - good effort
              (evening) took a couple of bumpers did a push/pull drill heeling both sides "no'ing" off thrown bumper
              and pushing (first several throws) and then & pulling on the last several throws 
                       note: out of the house off lead & no collar = really solid sits at heel and nice delivery, she was
                                "ripping" through this drill with style & never showed any signs of getting tired
                       note: first phase of push/pull stepping forward and backward with leg
                       note: right side heel not as precise (position not square = work on that)
   June 6 (morning) radar says heavy rain in one hour - loaded up quickly at 7:30 am, Daisy ran the two pattern
               blinds again, no whistles on either, but a "big banana" out and back on long one (jump next time?)
                       note: just beat the rain & back home at 8:15 am
               (evening) trained at the swim-by pond = ran the three pattern blinds middle/left/right twice (the area
               now has built in diversions as he planted really small maple trees and marked them with white flags &
               surprisingly after seeing one she dismissed them as nothing from then on), after the pattern blinds we
               ran a longer land entry water cheating drill left corner and right corner with three bumpers each, only
               needed two corrections (first she tried to cheat the return by taking less water & second she was going
               to square the entry - lessons understood = smart pup, to dry off we did walking baseball working on
               silent "overs" (went well), then a short push/pull drill both sides & lastly some OB                      
                       note: didn't use short tab and choker, but heeling stick mostly with a few collar "reminders"
                                (no nagging corrections!) & right side heeling was better tonight  
                       note: Daisy was looking for more.........what a neat pup!
                              note: from van to the house Daisy took off after a squirrel - luckily it went to the back of the
                                lot & not across the road = from now on off the van at home means wearing a collar
   June 7 trained with Brian & Anne at Hook Lake - ran five singles, "cheaty" marks & handled some to avoid cheat
              plus moved up on last two marks
                       note: OB a little loose & I got "rushed" handling the line on the long single NEED TO SLOW DOWN,
                                Daisy handled the tough lily pads quite well
                       Training Day Pictorial (Link)
   June 8 trained on the "Gravel Pond" with Brian & Anne at Bong Rec. Area in WI, set-up three marks to be run
              all the way from a delayed quad, triple with diversion, double and a single plus use of a diversion, cold
              blinds ran separately
                       note: Daisy ran the three marks left, right and middle = good lines on all three lost focus on last
                                two, but got the retrieves (some help and by keeping at it)
                       note: these are marks set-up to prepare three dogs for an AKC Master Hunter test, two other MH
                                titled dogs were running them, too (straight forward, but tight)
                       note; line manners keep getting better, delivery and focus improving, walk to holding blind and
                                behavior there is improving (all very good for a high drive one year old pup)                             

   June 9 (afternoon) ran the three land pattern blinds at the Swim-by Pond DTA twice (middle/left/right), then
               did a seven bumper wagon wheel drill right side push/pull around & left side push/pull around,
               drove to "big" pattern blind set-up at Roscoe River Park and ran the 186 & 164 "yarders" with
                much less of a "banana" on the long one
   June 10 Daisy is one year old today, trained at the Square Pond DTA = introduced the remote line place board
                & she was doing 75 yard marks and returning to the place board to sit for the next mark (did about 10
                singles and handled her back to the line at first), after working the other two older dogs, Daisy was
                introduced to the "slice of two tiered" wagon wheel drill = two piles of white bumpers with a longer
                pile of not visible orange bumpers up the middle, used push/pull on right & left heels and focused on
                getting a "lock" up the middle non-visible orange after picking up (and returning to the set-up) the
                white bumpers on the left & right
                          note: nice job of learning and working through the attrition with new "stuff"
                          note: started making inquiries about a southern Pro training trip this winter
   June 11day off & Daisy will be going to a Pro in Iowa within the next week for evaluation/training
                          note: duck boat, 15 hp short shaft Mercury motor (like new), trolling motor & blind now for
                                   sale, terrific river & marsh hunting rig      Scissors Blind Info (Link)       
                                   reason = training bills

     June 12 first drove to the Square Pond DTA and Daisy we