One of the set-ups this past Saturday was a water double.

One mark was thrown on a little point in the pond and the other on an island in the pond.

Water Double
Water Double

Mark #1 was thrown first and was the “Memory” mark.  Mark #2 was the “Go” mark.  The dogs had to pass by Mark #1 (Memory) in order to get to Mark #2. (Go).  Mark #1 was visible to the dogs and they had just picked up a bumper in the same spot on the previous series so it was tempting for them to change course from heading to Mark #2 to go to Mark #1 instead.

Normally at a test, a dog can pick up marks in any order as long as it does not establish a hunt and then leave to go to another mark.  But for this training, the Senior level dogs were going to be required to pick up Mark #2 before Mark #1.  If the dog looked like it was going to head over the Mark #1, then the handler was to handle the dog to Mark #2.  This was to teach the dog to pass by Mark #1 and continue in the original direction.

The Master level dogs did not have a problem with picking up the marks in the required order, so their handlers were to keep them on the most direct line to Mark #2.  If they drifted a bit as they swam or tried to get on land too soon, then their handlers were cast them back on line.

Freighter is a Senior level dog so his objective was to pick up Mark #2 before Mark #1.

He Started Off Good
He Started Off Good
Big Leap Into The Water
Big Leap Into The Water
With A Big Splash
With A Big Splash
On Course
On Course
Starting To Turn Back To Mark #1
Starting To Turn Back To Mark #1

At that point Freighter’s handler cast him back toward Mark #2.  I think he needed a couple of casts.

Left Angle Back
Turning To Head To Mark #2
At The Island
At The Island
Up On Land
Up On Land
He Has It After A Short Hunt
He Has It After A Short Hunt
Heading Back
Heading Back

He still has to pick up Mark #1.  The purpose of multiple marks is to test the dog’s marking ability and their memory.  It took a bit of time for Freighter to over swim to Mark #2 and he had some handles in there, so sometimes after so much going on in between marks, a dog can forget where the first mark fell.  Luckily, Mark #1 was visible and Freighter has a pretty good memory, so he had no problem.

Heading To Mark #1
Heading To Mark #1
Swimming Over
Swimming Over
Freighter Sees It
Freighter Sees It
Heading Back
Heading Back
Good Boy!
Good Boy!

This is the Thursday Bark And Bytes Blog Hop hosted by 2 Brown Dawgs and Heart Like A Dog.

Thanks to all the bloggers who join up each week.  The Barks And Bytes hop is for anything at all and all bloggers are welcome.  You don’t have to be a dog blog to join.  Why not join us!

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19 thoughts on “Thursday Barks And Bytes–Water Double

  1. Hi Y’all!

    Good boy Freighter! That looks like a beautiful spot to train.

    Y’all come by now,
    Hawk aka BrownDog

  2. Well done you Freighter. We agree it looks like a great training spot. Have a tremendous Thursday.
    Best wishes Molly

  3. OMG, I can’t tell you enough how much I love looking at your photographs! Freighter is awesome as he jumps full force into the water. I love that splash! Thanks for making me smile every time I see your doggies! <3

  4. Freighter, you are fabulous. I admire a good memory, I sometimes have problems to find things back what I buried with my own paws. Have a super thursday!

  5. Crap, he’s a Senior Level dog already? How did THAT happen? LOL good job Freighter and back pat for his handler and trainer.

  6. I know it is difficult for a Chessie to always do things the way the humans want. But, by gosh Freighter you do have a good memory, and no teasing! Macha would have pretended not to remember and then if you sent Cullen to get “that” bird, Macha would have grabbed it with glee.
    We would not be successful with formal hunt tests!

  7. Good boy! That Freighter is so handsome and smart!

  8. Great job, Freighter! It seems like it is both physical and mental exercise for them….they must really be worn out at the end of a good training session like this!

  9. A bit random, but do they close their eyes when they splash into the water?? I wouldn’t like water in my eyes… maybe the brown dawgs need goggles 😛

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