On Saturday we did a couple of set-ups with “wipe-out” marks. Wipe-out marks are marks that are thrown in the same line of a previously thrown mark and act to “wipe-out” the previously thrown mark. This is much easier to explain with a diagram.
This was our first set-up:
In this set-up, Mark #1 was thrown first. Then Mark #2 was thrown in the same direction as Mark #1, thereby “wiping-out” Mark #1. You see for a dog, once they have picked up Mark #2, sometimes they think they have retrieved everything in the general direction of Mark #2 and they can forget the location of Mark #1. Wipe-out marks are a more advanced concept. They look easy, but they are not always easy.
In this set-up, there was also a blind that was run under the arc of the marks. The blind also required the dogs to run a bit on land, swim, cross a point of land, go between a brush pile and a tree (key hole) and then swim out to the blind. Not an easy blind.
Storm and Thunder ran the blind from the same spot that they ran the marks, but Freighter moved up to where I marked the red line on the diagram because he is not quite at the master level yet. By moving up, the area the marks fell are taken out of the picture and he could concentrate on the blind which still presented a challenge.
There was also an “honor” right up in front and close to where Mark #2 fell. Honor is where a dog remains on line, but off lead and observes another dog make retrieves, or more typically watches the marks fall and another dog (running dog) being sent to retrieve.
I took these pictures with my waterproof camera since it was raining.
Storm and Thunder had no trouble with this double. Freighter noticed a goose decoy to the far right of the pond which drew his attention. He started swimming in that direction to check it out, and at that point his handler cast him back toward the mark. We don’t generally train with decoys since we are in parks and you can only bring so much stuff. We might have to rethink that for curious dogs. 🙂
Next the dogs ran the blind. All of them needed several casts, but it was not unexpected because it was the first long water blind with factors that they ran this season. Water blinds have always been the most difficult for us to train because we don’t really have access to training water. On the whole, they did a good job on this.
Some pictures of Thunder and Storm. I could not get any of them at the blind because my little waterproof camera has a limited zoom.
The last thing the dogs had to do for this set-up was the honor. We have really been working hard on this with Freighter since he has a test coming up. The placement of this honor was great because Mark #2 fell right in front of him. He was very interested, but remained steady.
Eventually it stopped raining and I was able to get out my DSLR camera. I will have those pictures in future posts.
Our person is a little depressed – she says she now believes your pups have a more complex understanding of space and relationships between objects than she does :/
They both looked like they had alot of fun. Beautiful pictures of both Storm and Freighter.
That was a great set up and pictures with your waterproof camera. It’s kinda like a inline double (or maybe it is, I don’t know set up terms or set ups for that matter, lol)
The gunners were not exactly in line, but it was pretty close. I think one of my arrows ended up a bit too long…lol. I fixed it. 🙂
I wish I would be more talented to work more “serious” with Easy. I bet he would enjoy it as much as Storm, Thunder and Freighter. Have a wonderful tuesday!
It looks like a good day was had by all and at least the rain stopped in the end. We agree with Easy but our human is useless so it will never happen. Ho hum back to chasing squirrels then. Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
Oh he did a great job honoring!! I think that is the harder part, especially for the dogs who love to retrieve. Sitting and watching another dog get the prize. 🙂
I love seeing your dogs work! But, honestly, all I could think of in looking at your photos is how COLD it looks there!!! And beautiful 🙂
Looks like the dogs all had fun! And, I’m with Jodi – Freighter did a great job of honoring! I’m sure Callie and Shadow would have loved this kind of training when they were young, but we didn’t have the time or money to get involved in it. (And still don’t have the money.)
Master Freighter is growing up! Who could blame him for sighting the decoy?
Just shows how aware he is of his setting! All three look very serious about their job. Great storyline and photos!
That was so interesting! What a good post.
The Brown Dawgs are very skilled indeed.
Lots of Woofs from Earl and I at Earl’s World!
I have to say that at least 30 percent of the humans I know would not have done as well as Freighter, Storm, and Thunder!
Good job, Brown Dogs! Looks like you all got a whole lot of rain. Hugs and nose kisses
Hi Y’all!
It’s so much harder to honor when there is stuff you want to retrieve falling in front of you and running dogs zooming past you! We practice honoring in obedience but the trainer lays a throw rug on the floor so our handler knows where to place us and, that’s a big “and”, we get to do a “down stay” while the next dogs does the course. That kind of honor isn’t close to being challenging!
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Donna and I wouldn’t be caught dead out in the rain, haha!! 😛
I am always so impressed by the work your dogs do. It is so nice to see photos of them working and having so much fun. I’m glad you made the diagram for us. That really helps me understand what’s going on.
When I saw your title, I was afraid someone had “wiped out” and gotten hurt! LOL….which could have happened with all that rain and wet!
OK, I’m learning the lingo so I’ll know better next time! 🙂
Thanks for the diagrams, I assume that the marks are not thrown in a direct line but with enough variation that the dog has to mark each one separately?