We had a good training day on Saturday.  It was a nice turn out even though it was overcast, cold and yes, a bit windy.  We trained some marks, some blinds, a walk up and diversions.  A diversion bumper or bird is one that is thrown as the dog is on his way back from fetching a bumper or a bird.  The dog can look at the diversion, but you don’t want them to drop the bumper/bird they have to pick up the diversion.

Storm had a better week last week.  She seems to be getting into the swing of training.  A few pictures of her working.

Storm Off To Fetch A Mark
On Her Way Back-She Sees The Diversion Bumper
Right Past The Diversion Bumper
Good Girl
Fetching The Diversion Bumper

Thunder has always been a bit more expressive watching diversions.  You never know when they might throw a duck. 😉

Thunder On His Way Back With A Mark
He Sees The Diversion
Thunder Is Really Watching It
Passing The Diversion Bumper
Off To Pick Up The Diversion
There It Is!
Good Boy Thunder!

Thunder also practiced an honor and did a good job on it.

Thunder Practicing Honoring Another Dog

Freighter was at the vet for the last of his puppy shots and to be micro-chipped.  He weighs 53 pounds.  Where did the little puppy go?

Freighter Watching

18 thoughts on “Diversions

  1. That obviously is good training when a dog can stay that focused on their job while a diversion is thrown! Fred would get sidetracked if a leaf blew by! LOL! Thunder and Storm both did a great job! What is an Honor? I don’t think I heard that one before. Gosh Freighter almost weighs as much as Fred now. Your little boy is growing up! sniff,sniff! LOL!

    1. Honor is when the dog has to sit and watch another dog work. Basically you put them in a sit stay and that is where they are supposed to stay until the judge excuses the dog. Usually the honor dog watches all of the marks fall and watches the working dog being released. Bumpers are one thing, but a bird can really be a challenge. In Senior, you can talk quietly to your dog, but in Masters you cannot until you are excused.

  2. It’s true, the puppy days are far too fleeting. This was such an interesting post about the diversions and honoring; I can’t help but think of scatter-brained Daisy, who’ll drop whatever she’s carrying and chase whatever else is being thrown…or flying by….or casually passing… LOL! 😀

    1. I did see one young dog pick up the diversion, but as long as the dog has a good recall, you can usually call them off it.

  3. I love the expression on Thunder’s face as he watches that diversion fall. I see that look on Delilah’s face quite frequently.

    How did Freighter do with the microchipping, was he uncomfortable? I seriously want to do it but worry about hurting them.

    1. The vet asked if we were going to have Freighter neutered, and we could wait until then. Of course we aren’t so we said go ahead, he is a Chessie after all. 😆 He seemed fine with it. None the worse for wear. We wanted him chipped before we sent him out for training. Not that anything will happen to him, but he will be traveling and I worry about him not having a permanent id when traveling.

  4. Great job!!! Wow! Freighter sure has grown… wow! What amazing discipline it must take for them to sit there and honor another dog… great job!
    Your impressed friends,
    the collies and chuck 🙂

    1. Sitting is the tough part. We will see how they do at the tests. You hate to have them break and mess up the working dog.

  5. Thunder did great as always! Whoo hoo -I have Haylie chipped, I love that added security.

  6. Wow, they get so big so fast! Look at them go! I am just impressed with their training!

  7. Freighter is starting to look all serious and important now! 😉 Thunder and Storm were also good to ignore all those diversions!

    Hsin-Yi
    PS we left a comment on your previous post about Triples as well but it seems to have disappeared – would you mind having a look in the spam folder?

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