We continue to work with Freighter on single marks in plenty of cover.  This past Saturday we trained at a local park where there was not much cover.  We stretched out the distance and worked on having him run in a straight line to the marks.  It was also a good way for him to blow off some steam.  He did a very nice job with those marks on a flat cut field.

Sunday we went out to the farm where we have a training membership.  Plenty of cover there.  In fact some of the cover was over my knee.  We did a couple of different set-ups.  This was the second set-up that Freighter ran.  It was back-to-back single marks.

Back-To-Back Single Marks
Back-To-Back Single Marks

We threw the first mark at the edge of the pond in some cover.  It required Freighter to enter the pond, swim to the other side, exit the pond and find the bumper.  Anytime you add in factors between the dog and the mark, it can make it more difficult for the dog to find the mark.  We figured if Freighter did well on the first mark, then we would try something a little more difficult.  He had no trouble with mark #1, so it was time to challenge him.

The second mark we threw up on a hill in heavy (over my knee) cover.  There was a stiff wind blowing right to left looking at my diagram.  This time Freighter would have to swim the pond, go past the area where he had just picked up a mark, and get up on the hill to hunt the bumper.  These kinds of marks have been a challenge for Thunder in the past, so we were anxious to see how Freighter would handle it.

Some photos:

Freighter Headed To The Mark
Freighter Headed To The Mark
Into The Pond
Into The Pond
Splash!
Splash!
Swimming
Swimming
Exiting The Pond
Exiting The Pond
Up On The Hill
Up On The Hill
He Put On Quite An Extensive Hunt, But Stayed In It
He Put On Quite An Extensive Hunt, But Stayed In It
Found It
Found It
Headed Back
Headed Back
Has The Bumper
Through A Cut Strip At The Edge Of The Pond
Through The Cover And Back Into The Pond
Through The Cover And Back Into The Pond
On The Other Side
Exiting The Pond On The Other Side
Headed Back To The Line
Headed Back To The Line
Good Dog!
Good Dog!

So far we have seen a good training attitude from Freighter.  We will continue to try to challenge him with singles for a bit and then hopefully move to doubles.

Thursday I will share how Thunder and Storm did on this set up.

 

23 thoughts on “Working In Cover 2

  1. The exercises are interesting but mom and I really love the photos, especially the water ones!

  2. I’m suitable impressed with Freighter’s expertise. I’ve had Labs for years, but have never done any retriever training with them. It’s really cool to see their skill and capabilities. I would be inspired to give it a try, but neither of our dogs, Jack or Maggie even fetch a ball and they are both 9 years old, not sure its time to try and start. Look forward to seeing Thunder & Storm.

  3. We are so impressed. He is really doing very well. We too really like the water pix too. Have a terrific Tuesday.
    Best wishes Molly

  4. He really enjoys this kind of training, you can tell by the photos. Great job Freighter!!

    How are the ticks out there? Do you guys often find them on yourselves?

  5. Wow, I missed a few weeks and it seems Freighter has turned into a real pro! Great seeing you again. 🙂

  6. Great that you are having such success with the singles! I’m sure it’s great for Freighter’s confidence as well.

  7. Nice to hear he’s really enjoying his training. 🙂 Great pics too!

  8. I love your posts like this. You make the exercise so clear and your photos are always outstanding. Wish we had some free time to do some retriever training with our Lab, Rudy. I think he would love it.

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