February-March 2012
                                                                   
                                                                           Hunt Test Issues?
 
  So you've got problems at the line? Welcome to the crowd. Been there. Dealt with it. Finally. I've spent quite a bit of time on this issue and three different links dealing with it have evolved. All taken together have made a huge difference in how I now train. For the “lost dog”, I spent less time making super setups that challenge marking and running blind skills. The primary focus in all training was 1) getting off the truck precisely, 2) going through holding blinds with the same routine and 3) always working slowly at the line. "Ready Set Go" must be extinguished. Slow, quiet and focused are the "watch words" for creating new expectations. BE CONSISTENT.

Of course this would be a non-issue if training had the proper focus to begin with. Unfortunately, "learning the hard way” is fairly common.

Here are the links. Pay special attention to the quotes made by Mike Lardy and Rody Best.

                                             The Hunt test/Training Wise Dog (link)
                                                      Kwick Hide Steady Drill (link)
                                                      Kwick Long Wait Drill (link)		  
 
 
                                     The Five Factors (see footnote *) 

A proactive approach to dealing with training issues is to recognize the dog is out of balance in one (or more) of these five factors - responsiveness, retrieving, birdiness", focus and control. Once identified, develop training sessions with a rationale to restore balance.  

                                          An Application of the Five Factor Concept (link)
                                                       Training Journal April 8, 2013

                                                "Do what the dog needs." Julie Knutson
                        
                                                         Kentucky dog training seminar
   
                                                                
                     
                                            Julie, puppy and quail equals the "magic moment".
                                                        * The Five Factors - from "Training the Pointing Labrador" by Julie Knutson
                                                        
                                                                   A "Steady" Twist
  One of the most important retriever skills is steadiness. By establishing high expectations in obedience and using consistent repetitions in all phases of training, a young dog learns to
be steady. However, for upland hunting, with respect to "steady to wing, shot and fall", there
is a stark disagreement amongst hunters. If one were to buy into the idea that a fully trained retriever should be responsive, training for steady to "wing, shot and fall" does enhance teamwork. If a hunter decides to not use the standard, his dog will still be a better team player for having gone through the process. Doing the upland "steady" twist is productive.   
            
The following YouTube video demonstrates hunt test "walk-up" expectations which are very similar to those of steady "to wing/shot/fall". This drill presents opportunities to work on the
five factors of a balanced dog - retrieving, "birdiness", responsiveness, focus and control.
 		  
                                                                    "Kwick Walk About"  (YouTube link)

 
                                                    Popping on Blinds (a perspective)

                        It's easy to get swept up with the "novelty" of transition to the extent that marking takes a
                              backseat. If this happens, it is not unusual for a young dog to pop. They are out of balance.
                              Lining drills and all the "neat stuff" that leads up to running cold blinds may build pressure if
                              there is no relief. One should review the ratio of "blinds and drill work" vs. "marking and
                              birds". Too much demand for focus and control with not enough excitement and fun (birds
                              and marks) can easily create issues. Treat the cause.
 
                                                                    April-May 2012
 
                                                             "Handling" Autocasting
    
                              Here's what I do and why. First of all, a dog that "jumps the gun" is weak in control and focus.
                              He's not doing what you want him to do and basically out of control. Therefore, to correct this
                              poor expectation, training must present situations which alter thinking. It could be any one of
                              several things such as he "thinks he knows better than you", or lacks patience", or "sees more
                              to your movement than you realize" and/or "you are too predictable". It doesn't make any
                              difference and simply boils down to "Are you in charge?"

                              There are several things that can restore balance. As was mentioned, a varied cadence to each
                              cast is effective. Several years ago, after some excellent advice from Missy Heard, my routine
                              on blinds was changed to counts of at least  five to ten before giving any cast (and ten seconds
                              is a long, long time when you first start doing this). Apparently, Eckett is a stickler for this.  

                              Now as for the movement issue, here's where I went a bit "out of the box". I routinely give my
                              dogs "extra motion". I might move my head, shrug my shoulders or lean a bit. If you do this
                              close in at first, a quick "no!.....sit.....with attitude" soon teaches them to realize "the arm is all
                              they need to look for" and waiting is part of our teamwork approach. I want them to react and
                              learn to not be "faked out" by their interpretation of the situation. They need a clear picture of
                              what counts (and what doesn't). I do not "set the dog up" for corrections or attempt to trick them
                              into making mistakes. The approach is very similar to the proofing of obedience with distractions. 
                              Once the "who is in control" issue is decided, the dog becomes more in tune with exactly what
                              they should be looking for......a consistent arm motion indicating the cast. If they see and learn
                              how to deal with potential distractions, a responsive and focused dog will be meeting the correct
                              expectations with a singular mindset. 
                                   
                              Precision requires anticipation and eliminating "guess work". "Just show me what you want."  
                                               
                                                      The Responsive Dog & Handler
                                                           (responsiveness is a two-way street)   

                                                                                 related YouTube video links
                                                       Daisy's "Kwick Hide Steady" Session (YouTube link)
                                                         Gunny's "Kwick Hide Steady" Drill (YouTube link)

                              Daisy's was the 1st video where the camera recorded facing the line. Add to this, a recent
                              "head camcorder" thread got me thinking of why I'd want to watch a dog run long marks/blinds
                              when they are quickly too far away. This led to the realization the most important part of
                              training is often right at the line. “Looking in” from in front would be much more useful.

                              This session was a bit shorter than usual because even 9-10 minutes on YouTube is too long.
                              However, since time is the most important factor in the session it's interesting to actually
                              “watch” the pace.

                              Daisy ran first. What you don't see is her part of the routine "in the van". When this all
                              began, her very first action (to show she was in control) was punch the box door open
                              immediately after I unlatched it. Often it would be quick enough to smack a knuckle or
                              finger tip. So the first rule now is "No early punch." If she does, I latch it up and walk around
                              the van once and try again. After not "punching", she was expected to sit in the crate with
                              the unlatched door still closed for a minute.

                              Next, she exits and sits right outside the box (in the van) while I put her e-collar on. While
                              sitting there (alone and loose), I walk slowly around the van once. After returning, she is
                              leashed and asked to exit the van to an immediate sit. Then we do three steps forward and
                              sit again. This is an old AKC OB class habit which is supposed to stress who is in charge. I
                              think it works really well in the situation.

                              The next step is promptly airing and returning to heel where we do another "three" routine.
                              All of the "dance" (as some will call it) is designed to point out who is in charge of forward
                              momentum. The rest of the routine is more visible in the video. When the expectations are
                              ingrained, the standard is to walk slowly at heel with a loose leash anywhere. “Ingrained”
                              means the norm for the dog is............."This is what I do because it's all we ever do.”

                              I do exit holding blinds with a backward heeling pivot and ask for an immediate sit. Again
                              the idea is to keep her responsive to what I ask and not thinking about "forward momentum".
                              This may date me, but think about being like the Tim Conway character from the Carol
                              Burnett show – “the slowest man in the world”. Humor at this juncture helps.

                              The “waiting segments” of the session are to allow the dog to come to grips with adrenalin.
                              It has been my experience that many humans do not deal well with an adrenalin rush. Dogs
                              are no different. To a certain extent "how to" can be learned. A dog demonstrating "high
                              anxiety" needs extra care in learning how to deal with It. Many dismiss anxiety as something
                              that can be overridden by corrections. Others find out pressure doesn't do much to suppress
                              anxiety. This is one part of the equation, but it needs constant maintenance....for some dogs.

                              Most training setups focus on retrieving skills driven by "birdiness". It is important to recognize
                              distractions can be normal if dealt with properly. A responsive dog is under control and focused
                              on "what is next". "Sit really means sit" when it is part of a predictable, healthy routine. Making
                              that stable connection requires teaching and exposure resulting in awareness.......not just a
                              "hammer". The cool part about having a responsive dog is they are much more receptive to
                              “reminders”.
 
                              A pro trainer once told me "Walk to the line like you expect your dog to do right." The important
                              point of this positive approach is training the dog to have the skills in place to do it. The dog is
                              only an extension of a handler...which when loosely translated come out to "It's not the dog."

                              There is a huge difference between a dog that views the handler as a potted plant vs. the dog
                              with a mindset of "I am ready whenever you ask."
 
                                                                  
                                                                        Previous Tips of the Month
 
                                                                                  updated 04/11/13