Feb 28th all four dogs are now solid on the the remote release (indoors)
                          note: excellent sessions today for Taffey, Kooly, Daisy & Gunny
Mar 1st Interceptor for all & short session of OB in the pool area
                          note: fed early tonight with Taffey only  getting a half feed
Mar 2nd Taffey was driven to the vet's.....dropped off at 7:30 am.....spaying, teeth cleaned and
              a cracked molar to be removed 
                          note: she is nine years old and decided to eliminate potential pyometra issues 
Mar 3rd - Mar 7th snow and cold - worked indoors on OB and remote release
                          note: Taffey's recovery from spaying was remarkable - couple days and she was
                                   spunky again, move her "stuff" back to the middle level of the house (up
                                   and down stairs again)
Mar 8th - worked Daisy, Gunny & Kooly on a set of short "inlines" - five singles from 50 to 75 yds.
                          note: used the remote release routine and it went well, until the batteries
                                   died half-way through last set with Kooly
                          note: 38º and cloudy at the Industrial area
                          note: focus on remote radio release (solo training) and conditioning
                                                                    (left click on thumbnails)   
    

"Inlines Drill"

"easy 50-75 yards"                (five singles)

"Kooly"

Mar 9th late morning - overcast in the 40's, ran the Renegade Drill with Daisy, Gunny & Kooly                           note: lining drill with focus on review of angle back casting and conditioning          note: Taffey given another day off (spayed a week ago)                                                                      (left click on thumbnails)                          "Renegade Drill"           (angle back casts)                          "Daisy"                      "return"              "place"             "Gunny"           "angle back"            "the pounce"                       "return"          "remote sit"                                                         "Kooly"                                         "return"                 "place" Mar 10th - mid-afternoon....upper 50's (warm)......trained at the Industrial DTA in a different area                     note: Daisy, Gunny & Kooly ran 6 solo, inline singles with the remote radio release,                              they were having trouble with the sound at 100 yards (two different radios may                              have some compatibility issues), checked later and a high pitched whine may                              be the problem                     note: marks were increased in increments starting at 50 yards out to 100 yards,                              focus was on conditioning and the remote radio release routine                     note: Taffey is almost ready to start up again as test dog Mar 11th around noon (right after the rain) - trained at the Square Pond "grassy" area with a                few patches of snow still hanging on, ran seven singles (inlines)  in the remote radio                release mode, the two radios were matched today (same brand)......huge difference                     note: strictly followed the rules and routine of getting off the van and to the line                     note: Daisy was flawless on her focused look and release at the line                       note: Gunny was hesitant at first (new sound), broke once and was sent back, but                              soon adjusted and was much better at the finish                          note: Kooly was "on the iron" and began to creep off the place board, using the                              "place" command over the radio and not releasing him produced a very                   remarkable behavior......he looked down, realized he was off the board,                              backed up on to the place board with a few little steps .....and relocated the                              mark.......very cool!.....he did that two more times.........then on the last four                              singles he was solid                       note: brought Taffey out and let her run around a bit, picked up two short blinds,                              feel she is ready for training (again), she had a rapid, uneventful recovery                              from being spayed (start easy because she has only one speed......fast)  Mar 12th – mid-morning….trained at the Square Pond “grassy” area,  today the dogs were taken                  off the van to train for three separate sessions, the routine "off the van" is the same                             1) sit in crate before door is unlatched, 2) sit in crate after the door is unlatched,                       3) exit on the "here" command, 4) sit immediately outside the crate/box to have                       the e-collar and leash "installed", 5) sit in van remotely as I walk totally around                       the van, 6) exit van to a side heel sit, 7) walk loose lead to the airing area, 8) sit                       to have leash remove, 9) released to air on the "hurry up" command, 10) when                       finished respond immediately to the "here" and 11) leashed for a walk loose                       leash to the line........we could stop and go back to the beginning (in crate) at any                       time, if the routine is not being followed......later holding blinds & a simple, three                       step OB drill (en route) will be added                         note: rather than have a separate OB drill during the day, doing OB "stuff" in the                                  context of a training session is more efficient and effective........one of the                                  pluses of training alone........repetition in context                    ran an eight bumper wagon wheel lining drill with Daisy, Gunny, Kooly & Taffey                         note: Daisy did once around off each side “pushing” and did another round                                  alternating between “pulling” and “pushing”…..she was sharp, worked                                  extra slow and quiet with emphasis on precision                         note: Gunny did the same thing Daisy did, he was not quite as intense as Daisy                                  (which is good) and not nearly as accurate……not nearly as experienced,                                  did a nice job maintaining an excellent pace, great mouth attitude!                           note: Kooly in the past has seen this as work and didn’t have much fire……that                                  appears to have changed, excellent lines and great attitude…..doing                                  nothing for almost three months???                           note: Taffey did once around with great intensity, needed to limit her work due                                  to surgery, she reminded me of the differences in great dogs vs. good ones                  next was a semi-Wagon Wheel lining drill – Daisy & Gunny ran this with four orange                  bumpers in each slot……..each pile was identified and the line moved back after                  each “go”.......to make the close bumpers become more of a diversion                         note: Daisy was flawless.....even with the tightness of the slots, the drill allows                                  me to get an excellent review on exactly where each dog is looking                         note: Gunny did really well on this, not much experience                         note: Kooly was sharp with no ID’ing the pile                         note: Taffey didn’t run this                 returned in the afternoon – ran 6-7 remote line singles to fine tune the remote line                 radio release and increase the conditioning on each dog, singles started at 50 yards                 and increased to 100 yards                         note: Daisy again was flawless and fast, have to really concentrate on working                                  slowly & not feeding into her penchant to elevate into the "manic mode"                         note: Gunny’s focus at the line is improving and the verbal radio release is                                  working well, his intensity of “looking” at the mark is not as high as                                  Daisy’s which will be a plus when we run HRC (he won’t be over the top)                         note: Kooly still worries enough to question the “no body there” voice……..but                                  he is getting better.....more confidence                         note: Taffey ran four short singles…..session over                           note: at 5:30 pm the dogs are in a "deep sleep mode" Mar 13th - dreary, rainy day - perfect for some time off......check freezer for training birds                         note: unthaw one duck for tomorrow & six pheasants for blinds                         note: check batteries on the four remote wingers Mar 14th - training about 10:30 am (windy and in the forties) Taffey, Daisy, Gunny & Kooly ran                  a solid session of walking baseball at the Square Pond                         note: good sessions for all four, Gunny has not done this nearly as often as the                                  other three - he had fun with it and was very responsive                  mid-afternoon - warmer, cloudy and windy, ran a radio/remote line ABC setup with                  five singles at the Rockcut State Park DTA......"Momma/Papa" from stations 2 & 3,                  used mallard....stations at 50 & 100 yards (easy distance - early conditioning)                        note: all were quite focused and marked well especially with a mallard to be                                 "had", marks were short and simple, cover was "beat down" by the                                 winter snow, very wet ground (standing water in a few places), picked up                                 a bunch of white debris and garbage before starting                                                                                                (left click on thumbnails)                                                                                                                                    "5 mallard singles"                                                       (easy)                               "remote radio line" Mar 15th - double Renegade casting drill at the Square Pond & 3 skewed "fan" cold blinds at                  Rockcut DTA, six pheasants thawed out the day before & stored in the 33º bird "fridge"                        note: morning - stretched dog to handler distance on Renegade to 60 yards                        note: Taffey, Daisy & Kooly did the full drill - Double Renegade, Daisy was awesome,                                 right from the start Kooly's body language said this is work.....slow, but did it,                                 Taffey ran fast, but she is not in the best of shape after the surgery, ran from                                 all three distances and picked up four bumpers at each (tired at the end - but                                 still way faster than Kooly                       note: Gunny did the two pile Renegade - full distance out to 60 yards, new area                                 not nearly as experienced - after first few "goes"....simplified to two piles &                                 he did that really well                        note: the longest distance to the dog is 60 yards (range finder), the holding blind is                                 another 10 yards back with bumper piles twenty yards away (approximations)                                     note: afternoon - blinds at 75, 100 & 125 yards (increase in conditioning distance)                                 each did really well.....Taffey lined a couple and Daisy was sharp, Gunny                                 carries his lines well, Kooly did his usual solid work on each blind, the dogs                                 are very different in their own way which keeps me on my toes to make the                                 correct adjustments - blinds are fun (for me) and I think that "rubs off" on                                 the dogs which enhances our teamwork focus                          note: ponds & lakes remain ice covered                                                                                                                                (left click on thumbnails)                                             "Double Renegade"                             "upclose"    (teaching/review)             "10 yards to dog"         "20 yards to dog"                                                          "40 yards to dog"        "60 yards to dog"         "three cold blinds"    (75, 100 & 125 yds)               "Taffey"         (cold blind) Mar 16th - afternoon - ABC marking drill at Rockcut - five singles  75 - 125 yards (mallards) with the                  remote radio line, rigged up a duck throwing device using a short "bungee", "temps"                  in the low 60's, the two small training ponds "turned over" today and Legend Lake                  looks like it is almost ready                                                         note: Daisy, Gunny, Kooly & Taffey ran five singles A at 85 yds., B = 125 yds. and                                  C at 75 yds. .......used radio to release each dog, shot primer pistol and                                  threw a real mallard..........shooting, throwing and talking on the radio was                                  not easy, but the dogs did well with it, Gunny "visited" two hikers that came                                  by when he was waiting for the 4th single......went back to the line after                                  being "refocused".....hikers were pleasant about the whole thing                          note: had a "guest" trainer at the line                                                                       (left click on thumbnails)          "ABCD Drill"             "ABC Drill"          (5 singles)                  "Gunny"          (at the line)             "radio line"                    "duck throw"            (bungee ball) Mar 17th - afternoon - Square Pond DTA.....three cold blinds in the corn field....110,125 & 125 yards                         note: took the ATV and my grandson put the setup out in the field.....blind flags and                                  pheasants.......first time he's helped in years.....must have been the ATV                         note: no issues with dogs. Daisy, Gunny, Kooly & Taffey ran all three                         note: one session day                          note charged batteries on remote wingers Mar 18th - late morning at The Square Pond DTA, four remote winger singles...X-Box configuration,                  (similar to Y-drill with one extra mark), used noise (motor cycle horn), long, high throws                  using 2" Avery Flashers with black and white flags (blue sky background), three "faux"                  shrubs "camo'd" the winger pod, marks were 75 - 115 yards                         note: "no" Daisy & Kooly off each mark & run anti-RSG cold blinds to the left (down                                   wind) before picking up each mark.......not Gunny, Kooly was not phased by                                   the routine and stepped on each mark, his memory is remarkable (no pun                                   intended), Daisy's memory was "challenged", fourth single was the only one                                   she marked well (others had ugly hunts)                         note: blinds were 55 & 95 yards                         note: anti-RSG blind means anti-"ready-set-go"                         note: Taffey ran all 4 singles & the two cold blinds afterwards (totally recovered from                                  spay surgery)                                        dusk - Daisy ran two cold blinds & Gunny ran four cold blinds at Rockcut DTA (pheasants)                         note: Daisy.....one whistle and two (focused at the line and sharp)                          note: Gunny is still not really focused at the line, he goes the way his body is                                  pointing, but his eyes are not "out there", needs "routine repetition" in drills,                                  I have to remember the older dogs have done many weeks worth of lining                                  drills every year for several years                                                                     (left click on thumbnails)                     "X-Box Drill"         "close-up"                  "Taffey"                 "back side" Mar 19th - late morning - 8 "inlines" with Daisy, Gunny, Kooly & Taffey at the Rockton Road DTA                         note: field cover was short (mowed last fall), marks ranged from 50 to 140 yards with                                  the 8th mark's arc behind a tree (didn't run Gunny on that one)                         note: Daisy, Taffey & Kooly ran all the marks....Gunny's last mark was 125 yds., but                                  ran "opposite side" marks at two of the shorter stations                         note: sunny with a slight breeze out of the south and 64º, dogs were not stressed                         note: made the raised place board to have a better view (from afar) of creeping or                                  not being on the board, the Ruff stand is too high to be continually jumping                                  on and off, the round place board (already made) is 23" in diameter, as luck                                  would have it, this summer two wooden catfish trot line boxes were made                                  (that didn't work out).....they have a diagonal measurement of 23" which                                  a perfect fit under the round place board....total height now is 6" & the four                                  dogs took right to it.....zero issues at the line through 30+ singles today                                                                     (left click on thumbnails)                                                   "inline marks"                                  (drill)                          "line/holding blinds"    |      "place board"         (elevated)                dusk- push/pull lining drill with Gunny....with temperature dropping, "did" 24 bumpers                         note: used three piles in a slot pattern and "marked" with the "faux" shrubs, not                                  much "messing" at the line & mostly concentrated on lining his body up, he                                  went in the direction his spine was pointed, looking out straight is the goal,                                  mechanics and expectations are improving, there are zero issues with                                  "going" and momentum.......natural lining dog and carries it  Mar 20th - winter is back......snow, wind and cold = day off Mar 21st late afternoon - trained at the square Pond "grassy area three drills focusing on remote               line release with the radio all four dogs, Daisy & Gunny did a Zig-Zag lining drill and               finished with the "here/heal" focus of marking off a gun from an HRC bucket                         note: at 5:45 pm it was 48º with a wind chill of 43º....11 mph gusting to 17 mph out                                  of the northeast......it seemed much colder......bbbrrrr!                         note: Daisy, Gunny, Kooly & Taffey did several short singles reviewing the "rules"                                  for a remote radio release from the line...Daisy & Taffey were solid..Gunny                                  was tentative (might have been the wind cause some trouble hearing the                                  radio...we will see next time he runs these) & Kooly is still "trying" to creep                         note: Daisy & Gunny ran the Zig-Zag lining drill, Daisy was explosively sharp and                                  focused on working very slowly at the line, Gunny totally depends on being                                  lined up correctly as his "look" is not singular.....still very inexperienced,                                  the odd numbered retrieves were from the left side heel, even....right side,                                  the dog is "guided" to heel and "face" the next bumper (all dogs two-sided)                         note: the HRC bucket drill emphasizes two skills "push/pull" as in "heel/here" by                                  the bucket and marking off the gun, used three piles of orange bumpers 90º                                  apart and a long PVC barreled cap gun, Daisy & Gunny went through about                                  twenty orange bumpers rotating and marking off the gun......toward the end                                  each was positioned aiming at the middle of the piles (at 45º) to teach them                                  how to NOT move their "butt" (by not saying "here" or "heel") and .....only                                  pivot their head, then pick up 2 bumpers....the "faux" go & memory bumpers                                                                                                    (left click on thumbnails)                                  "remote line"                 "place board"         "Zig-Zag Drill"     "HRC Bucket Drill" Mar 23rd trained at the Square Pond DTA starting in the early afternoon, warm, sunny & breezy                each dog ran a drill, picked up ran some errands heading for the Rockcut DTA, setup                6 cold blinds (orange bumpers), went back to Square Pond DTA to run the HRC bucket                drill with 2 tighter piles working on marking off the gun in several "simulated" doubles                         note: Gunny ran a repeat of the Zig-Zag Drill, six cold blinds and the bucket drill,                                  nice improvements in each session with the focus on consistency & correct                                  repetitions, nice to finally have a dog that is laid back at the line, showing                                  natural lining abilities with confidence on cold blinds, he is not as totally                                  brave or fearless as Taffey (his mom) or Daisy (his sister), but he is thriving                                  and blossoming with repeated success                         note: Daisy ran a walking baseball drill, six blinds and the HRC bucket drill, very                                  sharp with the focus on working slowly and quietly to defuse her anxiety &                                  wow! she has only one speed....wide open                                            note: Kooly ran a walking baseball drill & four cold blinds, he got his exercise,                                  not sure what to do with him this summer, just keep him in shape?, if he                                  didn't vocalize in tests......geez......what a cool test dog he could be                          note: Taffey did short session of walking baseball & ran 2 cold blinds, she loves                                   to train......there is no way she would accept doing nothing Mar 24th mid-day train at the Square Pond & Rockcut DTA's ran two remote line Y Drills, 4 cold                blinds with all four dogs plus the Zig-Zag drill with Gunny, breaks to run errands in                between and finished about 5:30 pm                         note: Gunny ran a Zig-Zag lining drill....better than yesterday more focus & "mo",                                  ran 120 yard Y-Drill at the Sq. Pond corn field & stepped on each mark                                  ran 90 yard Y-Drill at the Rockcut DTA plus two extra marks - sharp                                  ran four cold blinds to finish off a busy day, his last two cold blinds were                                  simplified compared to Daisy's (less distance = more visibility and control)                         note: Daisy did same marking drills as Gunny (no Zig-Zag drill) plus four blinds                         note: Taffey & Kooly ran the two Y- Drills plus two extra marks on each set,                                  neither ran any blinds or lining drills                                                                      (left click on thumbnails)                     "Y Drill"            "Y Drill"         "radio remote line"       "Daisy's blinds"      "Gunny's blinds"   Mar 25th  ran inverted W marking drill with four orange flags & a holding blind (too windy for                 stick using the "solo" remote radio, 3" flagged Avery Flasher in the corn field                                   note: Gunny ran a two bumper push/pull lining drill.....two-sided....did super!                        note: ran two marks from the middle point of the W two review radio release, then                                 the next four marks counter-clockwise with Daisy & Gunny.....Taffey & Kooly ran                                 just the last four singles.......winds strong with higher gusts (Square Pond)                        note: at the Rockcut DTA, setup six cold blinds working on progressively dealing with                                 a crosswind......gusts to 25mph (and cold) used pheasants with the last bird                                 shorter than the 5th so each dog had to deal with scent on the way out (go                                 past the scent to another blind) each dog did well with this....even Gunny                        note: Daisy & Gunny ran 6 walking singles (downwind) with a mallard & remote line                        note: 11 am cloudy 44° feels like 36°, wind from the NNE at 19mph gusting to 25mph,                                 38° at 4 pm & 32° with wind chill of 18° at 5:30 pm when finished.......bbrrrrr!!!                                                                      (left click on thumbnails)                                                                        "marking drill"               "left side"               "right side"   Mar 26th - day off for Taffey & Kooly ......Gunny ran the Zig-Zag drill (four out of the last five days),                        note: his "look" is improving....does it with no mistakes, switch to graph casting &                                 vary this with The Renegade casting drill                  Daisy & Gunny ran the HRC bucket drill working up to a triple routine (bumpers, two                  piles, bucket and cap gun with hand tossed bumper as the third "mark")                         note: isolating the gun and "head" motion from the mark is easier when the retrieve                                 does not dominate the picture, they know where the mark is, therefore many                                 correct "reps" cause an increase in the "paw, eye & mind" awareness, the |                                              action becomes an "isolated focus" and many successful reps are possible in                                 a single session Mar 27th - late afternoon 2 sets of HRC winger doubles (1st push & 2nd pull) plus cold blinds at the                 Square Pond DTA, used HRC bucket, duck call, cap gun, remote wingers, roosters for                 blinds & hen pheasants for marks.....cold, cloudy and windy.....rain tonight                        note: the marks were not designed to be challenging as this set of doubles is a                                 continuation of the HRC routine at the line, previous sessions have focused on                                 the line by using easily identified piles of bumpers, push/pull lining drills have                                 been used to teach Gunny how to turn his head in another direction on cue,                                 the cues may be stepping forward or back, a gun (marking off) or saying "here'                                 or "heel", the key is to move the dog's focus with as little body motion as                                 possible.......too much movement tends to increase anxiety and not being as                                 steady, Daisy is getting much better at breaking away from the first bird down,                                 her intensity is at times a problem, she is getting better by isolating this issue                                 in the HRC bucket drill and using repetition as a form of attrition                                         note: Gunny & Daisy ran both sets of doubles and a cold blind after each, Daisy was                                 wound up at the line......slowed way down, Gunny was "with me" & has a cool                                 attitude at the line.....he likes it and keeps his mind in the right perspective,                                 I'm beginning to believe he's going to be an exceptional test dog                         note: Taffey & Kooly ran the first double.....Kooly was almost over the top...as usual,                                 Taffey, even at nine years old, is a "live wire"                        note: all four are a lot of fun to train.........keeps me on my toes                         note: the video camera will be in next Wednesday......to analyze training                                                                      (left click on thumbnails)       "first double"    "second double"        "cold blinds"    "Gunny is ready"      "in the blind" Mar 28th - train at the Square Pond DTA...Daisy & Gunny review the HRC bucket drill, singles, 2 doubles                 and triple.......all dogs run a 2 cold blind setup....124 & 197 yards                        note: Daisy picked up 2 sets of singles (left to right & reverse) 2 doubles (push/pull), one                                 triple (hand thrown third mark) with a diversion on the last mark                        note: Gunny ran the same setup as Daisy, jumped off the platform to the left with the                                 first popper gun shot (was expecting the cap gun)......the poppers were loud, OK                                 after that                          note: Kooly ran just two singles & crept off the place board on the first (no retrieve &                                 repeated)...over the top "spacey"                        note: Daisy & Gunny went through the full "off the van.....to the line" routine                        note: used leash, holding blind, heeling stick, place board, HRC bucket, popper gun,                                 gun stand, bumpers and duck call                        note: Daisy, Gunny, Kooly & Taffey ran the two cold blinds....Gunny did the best   ,                                 on the longer blind as the dogs entered the heavier cover in the neighbor's                                 corn field, the sound of running over the higher stalks (field not chopped) plus                                 since the wind was blowing away from them caused several whistle refusals,                                 the three older dogs went too long........had a difficult time getting them back                                                                        (left click on thumbnails)                                      "HRC bucket drill"            "2 cold blinds"              "Taffey"                   "later" Mar 29th  afternoon...trained at the Square Pond DTA....did two sets of remote winger doubles with                 an HRC routine......worked on push & pull and deliveries to both sides, first double left to                 right & second right to left, duck calling, birds and a popper gun.....shooting primer loads                        note: Daisy & Gunny took turns & both did really well from the van to the last bird                                 Daisy was much more relaxed (which is her primary focus) & Gunny was very                                 steady with excellent "mo" ....his primary focus is learning HRC expectations &                                 more experience (he has run very few multiples.........but is appears to have an                                 excellent memory)                          note: Taffey & Kooly had the day off Mar 30th "stuff" happened - no training today Mar 31st  two days in a row - off