The dogs have Spring fever. Spring does not arrive until later this month and there is still snow on the ground, but we they know Spring is on the way and they are excited.

We won’t be able to get on the training grounds at the farm where we train until next month, so in the mean time we went to a field near our cabin.  It is a nicely cleared swath of land where a natural gas pipeline runs through.  Even though it is in the forest, they keep this area clear.

Nicely Cleared Field
Nicely Cleared Field

There are trees on each side of this field.  There is a utility road running along one side.  There is a matching field across the main road so usually we will run a set-up in one field and then cross the road and run some more.

On Saturday we ran two set-ups with marks and blinds.  We were working on angle-back marks.  Angle back marks are just as the name implies–the person throwing the bumpers throws them behind at an angle.  The direction the bumper is thrown can affect how the dogs sees the throw.  Our dogs tend to have more trouble with angle backs so that is why we decided to train them.  We ran these as single marks because the field is kind of narrow and we did not want them to be too close together.

For the first set-up I threw a bumper.  The dog retrieved it and then I moved across the field and threw another in the same direction.  After the dogs picked up the bumpers, I them planted one for a blind retrieve and kept moving in the same direction to the side of the field.  We also had a pile of bumpers planted at the edge of the field for a second blind.

Set-up 1--Dogs Ran The Marks Then The Blinds
Set-up 1–Dogs Ran The Marks Then The Blinds

For the second set-up we moved to the field across the road.  The dogs ran blinds at the edge of the field first and then hubby changed the starting line and they ran two more marks.  We also repeated the marks because the dogs were still full of Spring fever and needed to burn energy.

Set-up 2-Blinds Then Marks
Set-up 2-Blinds Then Marks

They did better on some marks than other marks, but they sure had fun.  I was freezing because there was a stiff wind.  They did not seem to mind one bit.  The looks on their faces say it all.  Here are some pictures from our training.

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Thunder Has Spring Fever
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And Thunder Has A Bumper
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Thunder Headed For Another Mark/Bumper
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Happy Thunder

Thunder did not run any blinds, but he ran enough marks to make him a happy dog.

Storm ran marks and blinds.  She loves to retrieve.

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Storm Running Fast
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Returning With The Bumper
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Storm Also Ran Some Blind Retrieves–We Use Orange Bumpers For Those
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Storm Is A Happy Girl When She Is Retrieving

Last up was Freighter.  He is probably the most excited but we make him wait.  We are mean like that.  He could not wait to get out and run, run, run.

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Freighter Loves To Run–Heading To A Bumper
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Freighter Has The Bumper
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Freighter Has Another Bumper
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Freighter Has A Blind Retrieve

The dogs got some training and some much needed exercise to burn off the Spring Fever.

8 thoughts on “The Dogs Have Spring Fever But We’re Still Training In Snow

  1. Our snow is all gone, but we are all enjoying sniffing the fresh smells in the grass right now.

  2. The dogs sure had a great time out there training. Our training was put on hold again as we got snow and cold too.

  3. Oh I hope spring comes soon and then you can run and run and run… but even with the snow you had a great day I bet :O)

  4. I love how happy they look training in the field. We’re going to share some pictures of early flowers in the park later this week. Take a peek for a little vicarious springtime. Wish we could send it to you, but yours will be there before you know it.. 🙂

  5. Lots of stored energy and it was great to go out and run it off. The dogs always look the most excited and happy doing something they love:)

  6. Those are some happy dogs! I’m ready for spring, but they’re starting to talk about another big snow storm this week, so I guess we’ll be waiting a little longer!

  7. There’s nothing like letting them get out and really stretch their legs! Our guys are getting cabin fever, they’re telling me it’s time to start training.

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