In addition to running marks, we have also been working on Freighter’s handling. He has been doing pattern blinds and some cold blinds. Most of his blind work right now is on land.
The park near us has a great area for running blinds. There is a tree row with a cut out. Depending on the wind direction, it can really mess with the dogs because all of the scent can catch in the cut out.
We put out a set of two land blinds for the dogs that looked like this:
Freighter is still just learning. He did well in Blind #1, but needed several handles to pick up Blind #2. Blind #2 is difficult because he has already picked up Blind #1. He wants to go back there. Plus as I said, that cut-out in the trees had the scent swirling and drawing Freighter a bit off line from Blind #2.
Here is some video of Freighter working these blinds. The crying dog you hear is Storm. She does not like to wait her turn. 🙂
If the video doesn’t work, try here.
Freighter’s handler is using verbal “backs” and mostly quiet “overs”. Freighter responds better to those depending on the blind. Sometimes he also needs a verbal “over”. At one point Freighter is recalled in an attempt to reset him to get the desired cast. You might also see a couple of collar corrections when he has some cast refusals. This is pretty typical of the way we make corrections when we train. At the end of the second blind, his handler let Freighter roll a bit to get there. The bumpers were visible and sometimes letting the dog roll at the end can help build confidence. We can tighten up the tail end of the blind later. As his training progresses, you will want to be able to sit him close to a blind if necessary.
That video was taken a week ago. His handling is improving each time he does it. This past Sunday we worked on changing his mind from the pile he was sent, to a different pile. We set up two piles and either ran him straight to a pile, or moved him to the other pile.
I didn’t get any video, but here are a few pictures.
He did very well on this drill. He took every cast and had no corrections. We decided to run him on a very simple water blind. It was short and the bumper was visible. The idea was for him to have success.
Freighter took most casts in the water. He still needs the “light bulb” moment where he understands that the handling he does on land can also be done in the water and is the quickest way to the bumper or bird. We will continue to work on his land blinds and mix some water in when we can.
I loved that video and I still can’t get over the immediate reaction to the whistle sit. Something sure was drawing Freighter into those other bushes though! Maybe I missed something, but what did you mean by the “collar corrections”? I’m sure Storm was raring to go from the sound of her cries!
His nice sits are due to the training he had with the pro. 🙂 When his handler said “no”, he activated the collar a couple of times. It gets the dog’s attention. Many people do not understand how e-collar works. It is not the torture device that some claim. Freighter knows what he should do. When he disregards direction, sometimes you give a correction to get the dog’s attention. We don’t correct for confusion or a mistake, only when the dog blows off the handler.
Sorry we could not get passed Storms pitiful protest…..it made us smile. Is it because Storm wants to go first or just because Storm wants to join in? Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
If the handler used the e-collar, it would he hard to say that it’s a torture device because Freighter didn’t cry or complain, just listened. E-collars are not for dogs who are left to their own devices, but for training they can be very effective!
I love the video! The look on Freighter’s face after the 10th whistle – “Oh, come on! I KNOW it’s over there!”
Aw, we hear ya Storm! I guess it is hard to wait a turn!
Good job sweet Freighter. I still have a hard time believing you are all grown up now and retrieving bumpers…seems like just a few weeks ago you were just a pup. Hugs and nose kisses
Poor Storm, it must be so hard to sit and wait your turn. 🙂
I’m confused with the training (which is why I don’t hunt apparently) 🙂 It seemed to me that he was headed for the bumper right from the get go, I didn’t understand the whistle stops and corrections when it appeared (to me) that he was doing what was asked of him.
He did fine on the first one, but there were two piles out there. With blind work, it doesn’t matter where the dog wants to go. He must go to where his handler sends him. In this case, the bumpers were visible, but normally they are not. Freighter kept trying to go over to the first pile instead of the second pile. Each time the whistle is blown, it does not mean he is corrected. That is just to stop him so his handler can put him back on line. Very common in a young dog. A correction only happens if you give the dog a direction and it chooses a different one. Say he is told “back” and goes left. I think Freighter got two in all of those whistles. Ideally, the dog should take the most direct line to a blind.
That second blind would not have been a passing effort at a test. He had many cast refusals (went a different direction than told) and was way off line. Way off. The first blind was a better effort. It was an easier blind. Friday I will post Thunder running a similar blind so you can see what is more acceptable.
Thanks for clearing that up. I saw the first one went very well, but I couldn’t see the pile of bumpers so to me it looked like he was heading in the right direction. Will we get to see Miss Impatient as well?
I don’t know if I took recent video of her other than what I posted the other day. Her handling has tightened up as well. She did nice on Sunday, but I don’t have video. 🙂
One hard working dog that Freighter is! I’m with Storm, I don’t like to wait for my turn either. Us girls want to be the focal point of everything!
Loved watching that video. He’s so funny and cute! Good job Freighter – keep practicing!
Loved the video and watching these Brown Dawgs work- so very very impressive!
Slobbers
Wow! It is so cool to really see Freighter in action! Mom is especially impressed with his super speedy sitting when he hears that whistle. We would love to see more videos!! 😀
That’s pretty great the attention that the whistle gets! Storm was letting you know she was ready to go! 🙂
That was really interesting seeing him in action in the video. I now have a better idea of how challenging this exercise is. Freighter really did want to keep going back to where that other bumper was.
Freighter, you always impress me buddy!! You’re very clever!!
I also heard Storm on the video and my ears pricked up (well as much as big fluffy ears can!) and I started looking around for you!
Have fun,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Awww… sending sympathy to Storm. It can be so hard to wait for a turn! Great video and diagram today. I feel like I’m beginning to catch on. 😉
Nice job all in all, he sure is enjoying his work and I know how hard it is to wait your turn Storm 🙂
Nice handling. Its impressive to see how Freighter’s catching on. Which blinds do your dogs find easier to do, land or water blinds? My Labs seem to do better with water blinds than land.
At tests they seem to have more problems with the water blinds. There are usually a lot of factors to draw them off line.