In line bumpers have caused our dogs many a problem.  In line bumpers are when the bumpers are thrown so that they fall in a line with one another.  This is training so we are using bumpers, but at a hunt test or while hunting these could also be birds.

Here is a diagram of the set-up.  The bumpers were thrown in the order numbered: 1-2-3 and retrieved 3-2-1.

In line bumpers can be hard for dogs because in their minds once they have picked up one of the bumpers in a line (Bumper 2 in the diagram), they have finished with that area and may not remember there is a second bumper.  In our set-up a third bumper was added to the in line bumpers (Bumper 3).  This extra bumper requires the dog to take its eyes off the first two which adds difficulty and since Bumper 3 fell close to the dog, it also tests steadiness.

Now to the more difficult bumpers.  Freighter is sent to retrieve Bumper 2.  In this picture, I have marked the position of both bumpers.  Bumper 2 is the closer bumper.

Some dogs ran over Bumper 2 and retrieved Bumper 1.  That is also acceptable.  There is no set order to retrieve; however, our dogs normally retrieve in reverse order of how they watched the bumpers fall.

Time to retrieve Bumper 1.

Instead of running over the area where he picked up Bumper 2, Freighter veers off to the side and misses Bumper 1.

This is pretty typical of a dog not comfortable with running these kinds of marks.  Freighter was definitely fooled into thinking that he had picked up all the bumpers in that area so he is searching another area.

Hubby stopped him and handled him by recalling him toward the bumper.

Since Freighter struggles with in line bumpers, we will work more of these into our training set-ups.  This is something that the dog can pick-up through training and practice.

Storm used to struggle with this type of set-up but she ran this with no issue.  I will have her photos tomorrow.