Training Flow Chart

This flowchart is derived from the Mike Lardy's Total Retriever Training and to a lesser degree from Smartwork/Smartfetch method by Evan Graham.

Basics:

  • Formal Obedience: Here, Heel, Sit, Remote Sit, Kennel
  • Sit to Whistle
  • Force Fetch: Hold
  • Force Fetch: Ear Pinch
  • Force Fetch: CC to Fetch
  • Force Fetch: Walking Fetch
  • Force Fetch: Stick Fetch
  • Simple Casting: 3-handed Casting (remote sit)
  • E-collar conditioning to obedience commands, debolting
  • Collar Fetch

Pile Work

  • Lining and Casting to the Pile (mostly from front/remote sit)
  • Stick to Pile (1 stick send for every 3-5 free sends; 20-100 yds; mostly remote sends)
  • Force to Pile with E-collar (1 nick for every 3 or so free sends; up to 100 yards)
  • Sit to Pile (on the way in and on the way out)
  • Come in from Pile

Double T

  • Teaching the line from baseline to back pile (100 yards)
  • Forcing the double T line, similar to Force to Pile
  • Stopping to Pile
  • Mini, Full, and Double T

Swim-by

  • Teaching and then forcing across water to back pile
  • Stopping, Over Casts, Exits

Basic Marking:

  • Singles, 50-100 yards, light cover
  • Hand Deliveries to heel
  • Strong Steadying w/ Honoring
  • Simple Land Doubles
  • Simple conventional De-cheating
  • Simple Water Doubles
  • Moderate-to-Long non-cheating Water Marks

Transition:

  • Pattern Blinds
  • Blind Drills
  • Pattern Blinds with Diversions
  • Elementary Cold Land blinds
  • Channel Blinds
  • 8-handed casting (Wagon Wheel)
  • Walking Baseball
  • Wagon Wheel Lining Drill
  • No-No Drill
  • Zig-Zag Drills
  • Chinese Blinds
  • Taught/Permanent Blinds
  • Simple Cold Land Blinds
  • Cheating Singles (Tune-up)
  • Taught/Permanent Water Blinds
  • Simple Cold Water Blinds
  • Diversion Marks: Four-phase Drill
  • Diversion Marks: Basic Diversion Mark Drill
  • Diversion Marks: Taught Blinds with Diversion Marks

Interim Field Work:

  • Marks in light to moderate cover at distances of 50-200 yards
  • Closer proximity Double Marks at contrasting distances
  • Low pressure handling on field exercises @ gradually increasing distance
  • Closer proximity, higher concept marking
  • Single diversion mark with simple cold blind (AKA Blind Drills)