Archive from Daisy's Journal March - April
15, 2007
Mar
9 Daisy took a 3/4 mile walk around the block with Taffey & Kooly
Mar 10 another walk around the block - loose
leash at the heel standard
Mar 11 trained at the Square Pond DTA, snow
patches and mostly mud, Daisy ran a bunch of short
Dokken
singles, taking turns with Kooly and Taffey
note: she was a muddy mess
note: no more remote lines with Daisy - she watches the fall and then looks back
at me
for the release.....that has to stop
Mar 12 trained at Macktown DTA Daisy ran
six Retrieve-R-Trainer singles and three doubles
note: the first four marks she went about 40 yards and just stopped,
assumed she was
confused
after the long lay-off and encouraged her to just have fun, no issues and
hard
charging
on the rest, doubles are fired off too slow with this routine......but memory
was good
note: the bouncing R-R-T bumper made for a good "look" on the marks today
Mar 13 (morning) trained at Brian's -
session of walking baseball with two orange bumpers & a short
75 yard cold blind = put up for awhile then shot a 60 yard chukar flyer - very
alert, but steady
for the flyer
(afternoon) two winger doubles (flat, long throws) at Rockton Road DTA = first
set long/short
thrown to the left & left side heel on small round place board, routine "watch",
hand down to
keep her focused, after delay pull to right short mark, hand down delay &
send....second set,
short/long thrown to the right & right side heel on place board with the
same routine except
push to take long go bird first & use "easy" cue on the short bird
note: Daisy ran right at the first winger and corrected (I should have picked up
the white
pieces of paper near the winger) & then she overran the long mark = both times
small hunt no problems, second set she stepped on the long mark and forgot what
"easy" meant 
= routine at the line was the focus and that went well 
Frontline Plus for everyone
Mar 14 trained at Macktown - setup a wide
double 80-90 yards and afterward ran a longer single up the
middle - 150 yards (every thing angles across gravel road)
note: Daisy stepped on the double, broke down early on the long mark "up the
slot",
did not handle well to it, repeated....blew right past it and checked back
nicely
News Flash - Daisy is going to Avery's "Trainin' in the Timber" dog seminar in
late
May. We'll be with three other dogs in the transition group.
Mar 15 off to Paducah, KY for a dog training
seminar - left at 6:30 am and it took a 7 "long" hours to
get
there, plus another hour to find the place, hooked up with Jay and we ran
four singles using
his new Avery 3" flashers, about then Julie arrived, we set up three cold blinds
and ran them
note: Daisy ran the two short ones and after she left the line I followed her,
this made the
distance from me less for casting and she did really well
Mar 16 arrived 10 minutes before the seminar
started and what a day = truly inspirational,
afterwards all three dogs ran two singles
Mar 17 came early before the seminar and did
seven stand alone singles with all three dogs, Daisy
kept trying to sneak forward as I was walking off on each one (but she'd return
to line with
back
cast)
note: Daisy ran the short blind (135 yards) a pattern blind and then decided to
run her on
the longer (175 yard blind) which was a cold blind for her = she lined it
today's seminar was "hands on" bird dog work by Julie Knutson with anyone who
wanted to
work with their dogs, puppies first, de-chasing older pups on up to pointing
work in the
uplands on chukars = Daisy ran a session of searching and pointing = four
nice finds,
stylish pointing and some very long points were the results = what a great
experience
(After today's seminar session. it was just too cold for me to train. I was
tired and well chilled.)
Mar 18 today was a group training session with
holding blinds and lots of dogs, five handlers showed
up and we all ran our dogs through a three stickmen field with "up the slot"
marks which
Daisy ran as a double, she forgot the second bird and needed some help,
afterwards another
cold blind was run and Daisy again did extremely well
note: left a 11:45 am and got home at 6:45 pm = 925 miles on the odometer
Words in a journal cannot begin to describe these four memorable seminar days!
Mar 19 day off
Mar 20 ran several concept doubles with the
new 2" Avery Flasher bumpers at the Square Pond DTA
Mar 21 set-up the 125 yard back pile for
the Four Phase Drill (it is a pattern blind from last fall), ran
a two bumper push pull drill
Mar 22 ran walking baseball with orange
bumpers at the Square Pond DTA - prepared for long trip
Mat 23 Daisy went on a long trip - ran a
few fun bumpers at a Rest Area late in the afternoon
note: another 1300 miles on the odometer - 20 hour round trip plus a 3 hr nap
= aarrrgh!
Mar 24 did the second part of an intro to the
Four Phase Drill - Daisy ran the back pile on three
orange bumpers past four stickmen, after a break ran a four bumper wagon wheel
with push
pull focus (left and right
sided)
note: Daisy did not flare the stickmen
note: last fall, the pile area was a pattern blind - planning ahead for this
drill
(dusk) ran Phase C - see March 25th journal entry for all Four Phases of the
drill
note: the wind was from the north east and Daisy kept "sucking" scent
from the
marks, need to run the pile a couple times first & repeat Phase C
Mar 28 (dusk) 45º, cloudy, 15 mph ENE
winds, rain most of the day, but stopped just in time to
squeeze in a bit of training with Daisy, Kooly got the day off which he needs
once in
awhile - Daisy ran the Four Phase Drill pile (four orange bumpers) with no
Stickmen since
she was all over the place on the first run of Phase C yesterday, it was a good
read to
simplify things, she took one cast on the first go after squaring the angled
erosion strip
and lined it hard and fast the last three times (two from the right side and two
from the left),
the next step will be to run it with just the Stickmen & then do a full Phase
C the next day
Mar 29 depended on the van's brake job = day off
(not finished)
Mar 30 (morning) still no transportation,
van finally done at 5:00 pm
(early evening) ran four cold blinds up
the hill in the Square Pond bean field (bumpers)
note: these will become pattern blinds until corn planting time, thaw out 4
pheasants
note: first three Daisy was "hacked" to each one, the 4th was a big improvement
note: Kooly is more experienced & did a better job (Daisy has a lot more "MO")
Mar 31 (morning) Refuge Dog Training forum
post - I attended a mini-dog training seminar put on
by my pro friend Brian Moyse. Over twenty eager dog trainers took advantage of
his
generous offer to help us with our dogs by improving our training
skills.....thanks Brian.
The weather forecast and skies looked bleak, but a 3-4 hour window of no rain
worked
out quite well.
The seminar was geared toward one issue - the problems in that 10 foot circle at
the line.
Most hunt testers know the issues are rarely "out" in the field. It is the lack
of control and
focus at the line where the real trouble lies.
So it was interesting to watch each participant bring their dog(s) through the
holding blinds
and finally to the line. We got a good handle on just how much an amateur
trainer will
tolerate in order to let their dog retrieve. The issue for each of us has been
"How much is
OK?". We learned (and probably were aware down deep inside) there was a
compromise.
The dog knows it and that's the issue. There can be no compromises (in theory).
One of the tools prominently used in the seminar was the "choker tab". It is a
training tool
that is "always ready" for a correction. It stays on the dog during the process.
The marks
in the field are exciting, close and simple. The group atmosphere had all the
dogs "high",
and we all had our tolerance levels revealed. There were enough dogs to see a
huge
variety of behaviors....not only in dogs, but in the handlers. It was clear,
most everyone
was way too tolerant.
I have been using a "choker tab" for quite some time.....apparently not well
enough. At
this seminar I realized my "choker tab" needed some modifications...........not
only in its
structure, but for me to be less compromising in the "10 foot ring".
note: Daisy was "wild in the crowd" and tough at the line = more tab & less
e-collar
note: Kooly was pretty good after I "tied into" him, but still whining at bit =
that's
got to stop
(late afternoon) ran the four pattern blinds at the Square Pond bean field
note: Daisy was having more trouble with the wind than Kooly
note: Daisy was "scalloping" every cast
April 1 (late afternoon)
ran the four pattern blinds at the bean field and then drove over to the
Roscoe River Park Complex and ran two well established pattern blinds
note: With a temperature of 45º and winds out of the southwest at 23 mph it was
interesting. However, both did much better in the bean field. The 30+ mph
cross wind at the river park was handled well. Both Daisy and Kooly
lined the 164 yard downwind pattern blind.
April 2
Initial Analysis
of Daisy
Responsiveness - it should be a "two way street" = in the height of
excitement it is plus toward her
approach
=
more excitement to learn how to handle the "high" with me in the picture
Retrieving - there might be too much "content" at the moment
plus
approach = reduce difficulty factors to focus on changing control and responsiveness
Birdiness - in terms of her excitement with birds....it is high, but
actual bird exposure negative
approach
= more birds with flyers = more excitement
(upland once a week after derbies)
Focus - Daisy is all business and focus is a very strong point for
her plus
no issues here - except control issues allow
for too much variety in things to focus on
approach = keep things simpler and more straight forward for awhile
Control - has always been a weak area for
me, partially because my dogs are high maintenance (or that
might be an excuse) this is "THE" #1 issue negative
approach
= get my act together
* Therefore, given the above
1) Daisy needs more birds, 2) she has to learn how to deal better
* with excitement and 3) two is only
going to happen IF I IMPROVE on my OB issues (i.e. better timed
* and more meaningful
corrections, improve the consistency and raise the standards so she knows
* them even when excited) Birds
should help in this area and keep her up at the same time.
* However, being "up" has never been
much of an issue. Unfortunately, there is no "mellow" pill.
* Basically, we can't expect to
do the
"hard stuff".......until we can do the "easy stuff" routinely.
* She is a very tough, dominant
female so there can be no vacillation. "This is how it is done with no
* exceptions." Watch the
dog!
* How? = really get into the "whoa"
training, zero motion at the line and under total control to the
* line, use dead birds or flyers on
all marks , work at shorter distances and focus on OB issues and
* routines, balance corrections with
the heeling stick, choker tab, and e-collar, BE CONSISTENT about
* the expectations, forget about
distance and factors until the routines and standards are clearly
* established. This
will have to be a complete effort on my part to get her to be more responsive
* all the time. This is an old issue,
but the new ideas provide a totally new perspective.
April 2 (late morning) trained at the Square Pond
DTA - ran two doubles (1st HRC distances & the other
"in your face") remote wingers & pheasants, no e-collar, used short "choker tab"
& heeling stick
note: Daisy did well = focused on first mark before swinging to the go bird, no
nonsense
out of van & totally through out the work, spent much more
time getting out of the
van, going to the line, at the line
and back = finished with a great attitude,
pheasants helped greatly
= I really followed the "train a fast dog.......slowly"
principle,
Daisy has continually used the "nose touching" technique of
expressing dominance
and today that ended with corrections using the
"choker tab" = good results,
the focus was on responsiveness and control
control was better, responsiveness is still more toward her, but I could see
some slight changes today
note: Kooly was "amped", but under control, our responsiveness
appeared "equal",
he was paying attention, under control and aware of my presence = no noise,
heeling "super"
& was focused at the line, and still "aware" of me
(dusk) Daisy & Kooly both worked with the "whoa" rope in the front yard
note: "whoa" work and understanding much improved with the thicker rope (3/4" soft
nylon rope)
Daisy wanted to move her feet and Kooly wanted to sit
note: a lot more distractions from the road and neighbors in the yard = good
note: felt like the "Big Five" were dealt with today and had good results
note: have to remind myself not to slip back into the old, counterproductive
habits, but
I do feel as sense of calm about this whole thing (the anxiety is gone)
April 3 lots of rain and thunder showers
last night.....it is wet and cool with more rain coming,
followed by five straight nights with night time "temps" in the low
20's......"yuck" for water
(dusk) worked on eye contact tonight - Daisy did a little OB with fresh pheasant
scent on a
nearby porch swing, she was distracted and required corrections for not heeling
and sitting
properly, after working that issue out, a bumper was placed in her mouth on sit
while the
pheasant scent continued to filter toward her, again poor eye contact and
mouthing the
bumper received some corrections, eventually that calmed down and she would look
at me,
the pheasant was then placed in her mouth and again she was lost in her own
little world, it
took some time, but we finally got some eye contact and she was dropping the
bird into my
hand on command FOR COMPARISON Kooly was then brought
out for the same routine,
Kooly has always had a great mouth and drops well on command (politely), he was
always
aware of the pheasant scent but kept on task with the OB around the pheasant,
maybe a
slight head turn, but with the bumper in his mouth he looked straight at me to
find out what
was next, after a few repeats with the bumper, the pheasant was exchanged and
Kooly's body
posture swelled up, but he continued to make eye contact with me to see what was
next,
even after receiving the pheasant he continued to look to me to see what I
wanted
note: Kooly has always been soft and willing to comply when not overly excited,
but
what a huge contrast with Daisy
Kooly's responsive balance is excellent, if I get it a bit more toward me then
at the
hunt tests we might just be balanced
note: Daisy in contrast was almost all about satisfying herself, I could have
been a
nuisance if I had not been in control of giving and taking away, she started to
show some slight signs of eye contact, but it was not serious like Kooly = she
needs to do more, Daisy's present responsiveness balance at a hunt test will
get us......"thanks for the donation"
at least Daisy's work today provide a responsiveness reference line....for
starters
April 4 it's cold, did a little bit of
yesterday's bumper, pheasant work & called it a day
note: Taffey was bred to Dusty
April 5 it's colder = day off
April 6-7 round trip to Abilene, Kansas = left at
4:30 am Friday (early morning) and back at 12:30 pm
Saturday....50+ mph wind gusts out of the NW...1276 miles in 20 hours = sleep in Saturday
(evening) Daisy worked on "whoa" drill & started to integrate & mix in "sit"
differentiation
note: Daisy is getting into this, used small "spongy" Nerf ball as distraction
which
actually focused her attention
April 9 just too cold on Sunday -
25º wind chill at 2:00 pm, charged all remote winger batteries,
tuned up
the release wires, "whoa" training session & general OB (slow, quiet "stuff")
April 10 (afternoon) thawed out four
pheasants = not sure that's was going to make any difference,
at 9:00 am it was still 32º
, ran eight singles with remote
wingers at BT's (2 sets of four)
note: Daisy's focus was the routine at the line = much improvement, marking as
expected a bit off missed every mark slightly up wind and over ran all eight,
really happy with Daisy's bird handling improvement = with the increased
pressure at the line, marking suffered (but it will get better)
note: Kooly marked everything "lights out" with "super" focus at the line, great
lines
and a spot marker
(late afternoon)
ran Phase C of the Four Phase drill in the bean field - just Daisy
note: much better this time, but flaring gunners (feeling some pressure - need
to
repeat), really on fire with the four marks (nice!), pile slower
note: need to start using birds on all of Daisy's blinds
(dusk) ran the four pattern blinds in the Square Pond northern bean field (bumpers),
note: just ran Kooly on the pattern blinds = nice job and ran him beside ATV
down to
the line and back to the van
did a short "whoa" session with Daisy
April 11 (morning) ran four remote winger singles at
Rockton Road DTA (hen pheasants)
note: Kooly was outstanding - pinned all four marks (finished for the morning)
note: Daisy took excellent lines on each one, then missed right at the end by a
few yards & blew past each one = ugly hunts (looking for visible bumper habit?)
changed plans, ran a basic Y-drill at 125 yards (angle back right, flat left &
angle in right )
note: Daisy pinned these = need to start doing Y- drills more often
(afternoon) decided to run Daisy on some more marks late in the afternoon, set
up two
different Y-drills - the first one was in short alfalfa & the second was in some
matted down
cover, used pheasants and right/left heeling
note: Daisy missed the first one long and had a big, ugly hunt on which I just let
her
figure it out, the next two of the first set she pinned, the second set she was
almost perfect = focused, steady, straight and fast plus he was handling the
birds really well
note: the yard work "focusing drill" is paying off & varying the corrections
between
choker, stick and just a touch of e-collar once in awhile is working,
the routine "from the van to the line" is more solid
"big five" analysis
- birds are working, retrieving is working, responsiveness is improving,
control is better (mostly for two reasons - corrections are more
consistent & better timed), Daisy seems to be noticeably more focused
and sure of what she is supposed to do (calmer in the house, too).
Lesson learned the last few weeks - Tolerating and accepting "stuff" with the
excuse
"That's just the way she is." is no longer possible. Daisy is changing because I
expect her
to, and I will not be satisfied with anything less than excellence. The
realization that
excellence is relative has made the difference....no more
giving an "inch". 
For motivation, I went back and reread
Sit means sit....Or
does it? (Link)
April 12 big storm coming - day off = only 5
inches of sloppy snow
April 13 still a lot of snow on the ground = (evening)
did the "focusing drill" (used duck)
April 14 (afternoon)
two sets of four cold blinds at Macktown
DTA (ducks & chukars)
note: Kooly was pushed a bit by the north west breeze, but was good (lined one)
note: a soon as Daisy realized birds were involved - hunting "on the way" became
a problem, did not sit square and took poor casts. initial lines got worse
(late afternoon) Daisy ran a two pile (orange bumpers) lining drill - Baseball
complex
note: worked on the initial line issue & carrying it - in short order she was focusing
better
&
performing "push/pull" correctly - right side
note: the reason for using bumpers and a tightly
controlled lining drill was that
her "birdiness" and hunting got a bit out of balance, therefore, by using more
control, decreasing distance and demanding more responsiveness = the
hunting "issue" would decrease and carrying a line would improve
(dusk) Daisy ran four more cold blinds at Macktown - shorter ones (ducks & chukars)
note: initial lines were better and she took much better casts, hunting still
was
evident as she put her head down often, but carried lines much farther, looked
for improvement off the lining drill adjustment and got it, need to improve on
running hard lines without hunting = pattern blinds & lining drills
April 15 (afternoon) trained in BT's alfalfa field, OB
first & ran three remote winger doubles
each in a different area, used hen pheasants, stickmen & primer report
note: focus on going from the box to the line & then the routine for doubles,
went slow and easy, zero extra motion, no noise and pay attention to the cues
Daisy is improving, the marks were only about 60 & 100 yards to the left of the
gunner stations with the short bird the memory bird on the right,
the dog at
the line was pushed left to
the go bird after watching the memory for an
extended
period, corrections for any head swinging (both were good
Daisy's mouth manners were excellent and she marked all but the last
pheasant very nicely, missed the last very long & ugly hunt, as she got a
"stern" correction for moving her feet waiting to be sent
note: Kooly's was very sharp and focused, marking was excellent - good session
note: each dog did one double and then took turns, the full routine was repeated
three times for
Daisy & Kooly (Taffey helped reload and pick-up "stuff")
(evening) trained at Square Pond DTA - Daisy did a 2 pile left side
push/pull lining
drill
(grassy area
- orange bumpers)
