January 09 Training Update

With hunting season over we are starting regular training again. Cash has been running a combination of pattern blinds and cold blinds on land. We have been using the pattern blinds to improve running by the gunners and previous marks and to run through/over obstacles, as per Mike Lardy's method. On cold blinds we have been using ducks to reinforce his enthusiasm and to encourage him to run further and with more confidence. We have also been mixing in drills to improve his lining and casting.

Training Update - November 08

Cash is running land blinds and water blinds. His handling in the water blinds could use some work as we have not done "swim-by" yet. He is doing great hunting and is learning how to hunt in the thick flooded timber and brush.

West Mississippi HRC Hunt Test

Cash went 2 for 2 at his first hunt test and received two HRC started passes. The test was put on by the West Mississippi HRC and was held near Vicksburg, MS.

November 2007 Training Update

Summary of the Past Month:

• Completed Force Fetch (Hold, Table, Ground)
• Cash is being forced to a pile right now. The pile contains about 9-10 bumpers. Cash is sent on command to retrieve a dummy. Distance is gradually increased each day. He returns to heel after each mark and delivers to hand. Some good information on force to file and pattern blinds can be found at the following websites:

1. http://www.rushcreekpress.com/page5articles.html
2. http://www.northernflight.com/dhpart1.htm.

• He has also been running several 100-150+ yard marks every other day or
  so and going on 30-45 minutes jogs. The marks keep him enthusiastic while also keeping him in good condition. He is also running simple doubles.
• About once a week we have been getting together with training partners and he gets some remotely launched marks and real ducks while being exposed to guns and other dogs.
• Obedience has been maintained and fine tuned throughout this process.

Retriever Training Videos

These are a few videos on training hunting retrievers that I think are pretty decent. The first video shows the beginning stages of force fetch. The trainer starts off with the dog on the table. The second video shows a later stage of force fetch, known as "force to pile." These are the beginning stages of the dog retrieving not just because it is fun, but because it is his job. And through force fetch, as Judy Aycock says, you are showing your dog how to respond to pressure and you are developing tools that will help your dog advance through his retrieving training. This is applicable for hunting, hunt tests, and field trials.

"Hold" in Force Fetch

Cash is progressing well through Force Fetch. He has been at it about a week, and is solid on hold, and lunging to fetch the bumper. The next steps will be a progression through picking the bumper off the ground, walking fetch, and force to pile.

FYI - I am mostly going by the SmartFetch and SmartWorks method by Evan Graham and will be studying the Farmer/Aycock materials soon. We are not running very many serious marks right now. Most of our non-FF work consists of fun bumpers and some basic obedience work to help him maintain his confidence. For the first few days of FF I worked him on the table with the toe-hitch. Everything since then has been on the ground and I have been using the ear pinch.

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)