While many people take the winter off from training for hunt tests, we try to stick with it as much as possible. We find that even if we can only get out one day a week, it is better than taking a break altogether. Training through the winter months keep the dogs in condition and keeps their training moving forward. There is less “catch up” time when we get back to training more regularly in the Spring.
Usually we attend a group training with a professional trainer on Saturdays, (weather permitting). Training with a pro is great because he sets up the training scenarios and if you get stuck over what to do in a situation, the pro is there to guide you. He is training you to train your dog. For someone just learning the hunt test game, this is an ideal way to do it.
At last Saturday’s training we first ran some marks in combo with blinds. See that post here. After we finished those, we ran a couple single marks across the frozen pond to finish up the day.
Running marks over the pond is beneficial training because the dogs have to jump a snow bank, go down the bank of the pond, and then cross the pond to get to the bumper. Any time a dog takes his eyes off the bumper it can mess up their memory of where it fell. The distance of the mark, wind direction, and angle of throw can also effect the dog’s ability to correctly remember the spot where the bumper fell. Another plus…jumping snowbanks is excellent exercise!
This mark was thrown clear across the pond. Can you spot the gunner (person throwing the bumper) in the picture?
Didn’t spot the gunner? How about now?
The mark (bumper) was thrown to the right.
Freighter watched it land and then was released.
Several of the dogs faded toward the gunner on that mark. The wind was blowing in such a direction that it pushed them to the left of the mark. They got it, but had to hunt back over to it.
Freighter did a nice job and carried his line straight to the bumper with no hunting. One thing we have noticed is that his marking has really been good since he turned three. He used to get pulled off line from time to time, but he has been doing a much better job of carrying a straight line. I think it is a matter of maturity. We haven’t done a lot of multiple marks or marks in cover, so it will be interesting to see how he does when more difficulty is introduced.
Have a nice weekend!
Thanks to SlimDoggy, MyGBGV Life, and To Dog with Love for the FitDog Friday Blog Hop!
Well done Freighter! I think I haven’t seen a frozen ponds for more than 10 years and while watching your photos I think I miss that … just a little bit :o)
They are pretty to look at, but around March we are ready for them to melt!
I’m glad you’re still able to get in some good training sessions in the winter! I’ve noticed that with Barley’s reactivity training if I go away for a week–even if my parens are still working with her–she’s a little rusty on commands, so I can’t imagine how hard it would be to get everyone back in shape after taking an entire season off.
We have found that getting out even once a week helps maintain training. Of course now we are buried in snow!
What a great day of training.
Sounds like you did a great job!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Good job Freighter – you are probably right, maturity has helped his game so to speak. Love seeing these pics.
That’s interesting about his growing maturity. I’ve found at about age 3, pups really get their focus. Great job Freighter!
Nice one to Freighter and love seeing all the snow etc as we have no sign of it here ay all. Have a fabulous Friday.
Best wishes Molly
I will send you some of our snow. Snow and squirrels…that is what I can send. 🙂
Great winter fun! Just curious – how do you know for sure that there aren’t any thin or weak spots on the lake that could give way under the dogs?
We do not worry about that pond. It belongs to the trainer and it was dug so it is not super deep. It is not spring fed so there is no current. The trainer has been using it for many winters and is very familiar with it. If there is a question, someone will walk it to double check. But generally we would not run the dogs over an unfamiliar pond or lake.
We are with you, no break in the winter. We still do our tracking and nose work outside. Keeping up with the training not only keeps us from getting rusty, it is good exercise.
Since we got dumped on with snow, I am afraid we are going to be limited on what we can do for a bit…lol. Good thing the dogs got out last Saturday before the storm!
Wow! That’s really far! You Brown Dogs are amazing!
Way to go Brown Dogs!! Looks like soo much fun! We keep praying for snow but alas haven’t received any yet this season..
Hey Brown Dogs!
Make sure your mom enters you into our treat giveaway for a $25 gift certificate to the Paw Street Barkery, they have all natural, organic, treats! It’s a cutest begging face contest!
http://www.dzdogs.com
Hope your contest went well!
Do you find that it keeps the dogs sharper than if they were to take a break? Resting for winter seems like a long stretch especially in Michigan!
Yes sometimes it is good to give them a break. We break up training sessions and even in the height of our training, we usually train no more then 5 days a week.
Great job, Freighter! It’s great that you can continue your training throughout the winter so that no one gets rusty, and they get the extra much needed exercise in the winter too….running through snow and over snowbanks has to be one of the best workouts out there!
Very nice job, Freighter! Year-round exercise is the way to go 🙂
Good job, Freighter! So impressed by all you pups do. Keep up the good work! Much love, The Scottie Mom.
Good job Freighter, looks like it was a great day of training. Kind of curious what this weather has in store for us over the next few days here. Luckily Laika loves the snow so as long as it’s not too windy we’ll be out playing in the snow.
Hi Y’all!
It makes sense to train in the winter. We aren’t effected by cold like you humans. We have just as much energy in the winter, maybe more, as when it’s warm. We need to do something to burn that energy.
Y’all come on by,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Fascinating! This is the first time I’ve ever read about hunt training (is that the right way to say it in this context?). Question: is there any danger of the dogs falling into the pond? Is it even a real pond or is it a technical term I don’t know about? haha
Not that pond. It is a dug out pond and not spring fed. It is not too deep and freezes solid. It belongs to the trainer so he knows it very well. If there are any questions, someone usually walks it to make sure there are no cracks or soft spots. But you make a good point. We would not run the dogs over any random frozen pond. You need to be familiar with the area.
I can’t believe he is three already!! I think I probably mentioned this before but I think Sampson was about three when he finally matured. It’s tough waiting for that to happen though. 🙂