This week was baseball’s All Star break. I always think of it as the midpoint of summer. With summer half over it is a good time to review where Freighter is with his training. At the beginning of the summer we had a list of things we wanted to work on with him.
One big thing was his steadiness (or sitting until he is sent to retrieve). He is still working on this, but he has definitely improved.
Another area we hoped to improve is Freighter taking casts (or arm signal directions) when his handler is standing a long distance away. This is something that takes time and patience. You start out with the dog working close to you and then you slowly stretch the distance. You can sprinkle in handling drills, some examples here and here, to tune up various skills.
Last weekend Freighter ran a series of three water blinds. (A blind is where the dog does not see the fall of the bumper or bird and is directed to it by his handler) These blinds were difficult because they required the dog to run some distance through cover on land and then get into the water and carry the line through the pond to the bumpers which were set in three piles on the edge of the pond.
The first blind was a snap for Freighter. He “lined” that blind which means that he did not have to be stopped and redirected to get to that pile of bumpers.
The second water blind gave Freighter issues. The idea of that blind was to push the dog past the first blind. Freighter still needs work on this so we will train more setups like this so that he becomes proficient.
The third blind was difficult because it required the dog to run at more of an angle to the bank of the pond and to get in and cut the corner of the pond. This is an advanced skill and a set-up you very well might see at Master level tests.
Freighter got offline the closer he got to the pond so his Hubby stopped him a couple of times to try to put him back online. You don’t want the dog to run around the edge of the pond so you would stop and redirect them. If this had proved too difficult at this distance, hubby would have moved closer to the dog to give the directions.
Freighter took Hubby’s cast into the water so Hubby did not need to move closer. Being able to handle Freighter at a distance was a goal for this summer and although he still needs work, he is coming along very nicely at the mid-season point of the training season.
Once in the water Freighter went a bit offline, but that was OK. Hubby just redirected him in the water.
Freighter has come a long way with his training so far this summer. I think it is because Hubby has been trying to get out to these training grounds three times a week where he can really stretch Freighter out and challenge him.
Freighter has two Senior tests this weekend. Hopefully he will be steady and do a nice job. It is predicted to be a hot weekend with temperatures in the 90’s. I am not looking forward to the hot weather.
Have a nice weekend!
Thanks to SlimDoggy, MyGBGV Life, and To Dog with Love for the FitDog Friday Blog Hop!
Good work Freighter – those are tough retrieves. Do you ever have to stop and redirect them in the water – do they just tread water while you do that…they can’t always sit like on land.
Yes they would tread water. I had some of those pictures on that 3rd blind but he was so far away, he looked like a spec…lol. Teaching the dog to stop, turn and tread water is a difficult concept and another we work on a lot. It is much more difficult for the dog to wait (or tread water) when they are way out there. It is up to the handler to slow down and make them wait so they get comfortable with it. Otherwise they tend to want to do their own thing and swim all over.
Let’s bring home those ribbons this weekend, Freighter! I’m trying for my NW1 title and it will be a scorcher here too! Can’t wait to hear how you do.
Looks like Freighter has been getting down to some more good work. Keep it up, as I’m sure you will!
sumskersandearlskers13.blogspot.com
Way to go freighter you have come a long ways. Good luck to your tests bring home a ribbon and a title!
Looking forward to hear how everything goes!!!
ღ husky hugz ღ frum our pack at Love is being owned by a husky!
Good luck Freighter and take it easy in the heat! Love Dolly
Good luck with your trials! Keep us posted!
The patience and training of this sport is astounding and impressive. I can barely get Scout to bring a Puller ring back to me, but we’re working on it.
Everyone stay cool! Hope they have some chilly water for Freighter to swim in! Here is hoping Freighter is the best dog on the course! Bring home that final ribbon….
Hi Y’all!
That was great Freighter! Just keep your cool in the heat this weekend and pass your senior tests! Paws crossed for you!
Y’all come on back,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Good luck with your trials, Freighter! Try to stay cool, buddy. 🙂
Lookin’ good Freighter. I am glad you have that pond to cool off in when it gets too hot 😉
Congratulations on the good progress! Hope the tests go well this weekend.
Keeping my paws crossed all goes well with the test!
Best of luck with those Senior tests this weekend, Freighter, and stay cool!
We’re dealing with temps in the 90s and humidity galore as well. Being able to train in the water is perfect in this heat!!
Whew, that sounds like a lot of work. Hope you did well on your Senior Tests.
I have been doing some training to become a Service Dog for my mum Right now we are on haitus for the summer because we do our training outside early in the morning and the ground is waaaaaay to hot for me, even at 9 am. Miss Phyllis (my trainer) comes to my home to train me, but cos the apt is too small we work ouside. I am doing quite well w/my training (so mum says) but wish I could train in the water like you do!!
Toodle pip
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