Based on Thunder’s performance at the test this past weekend, and in preparation for this week’s tests, we are working on the following:

  • Longer land doubles
  • Hopefully in some cover
  • Line manners
  • Off lead heeling
  • Steadiness (there will be an honor in the next two tests)
  • Giving up the birds
  • Handling (always handling)

Last night we got out a little make shift holding blind an worked on approaching “the line” off lead and at heel.

Holding Blind

Then we ran some doubles with birds and bumpers.  All of a sudden Thunder’s marking on land is not a nice as it has been so we will be working on that this week.  Last night he was running over the marks which is better than hunting short, but he is capable of better marking.  The grass was longer than it looks in the pictures and the marks were not visible.  It may have been that he just couldn’t catch the scent due to our ducks being cold and the wind direction.  Whatever the reason, he had to be handled to a couple of the marks.

Where's that bird?
Got it!
Nice Retrieve Thunder.

Still need to work on stickiness…

A little sticky.

Next we set a blind out in the field.

Thunder waiting in the holding blind for the bird to be placed.

His handling was good.  He sat nicely and took the casts.

Nice whistle sit.
Found the blind.

This week will be a lot of the same, with maybe some higher cover and a little water work thrown in, (although a lot of our ponds around here are pretty low).