Larsen comes home

After six weeks on Tim's farm, we finally got Larsen back.  The training improvements were obvious from our short workout and from a subsequent outing with Cathy and Shoni at Circle W.  Larsen was more attentive to the whistle and to commands.  What's very important now is:

• Ensure that there is no room for error.  Tim explained that Larsen would take a mile for any inch given and that at the Master level, there is no room for any sloppiness.  Demand perfection
• One command, one action.  Corrections are forthcoming absent the right response.
• Keep quiet with commands and whistle.  
• In practice, stay on top of Larsen.  Make sure that each outing/drill is set up in a thoughtful way that maximizes the chances of success.  
• No simpering good doggie while out on the field.  The field is a place for work, not play.  A soft stroke along the cheek is the only attaboy he needs.  Dogs want your touch more than a treat, so dole out your pats and touches wisely.  
• Know the wind.  Think about the position of you, dog, bird in relation to the wind.  How will you cast the dog if you know that a bird is to your left and downwind?  
• Know the bird (if you can).  Think about the position of dog, bird, you when the bird is flushed.  Ideally, the bird flushes over your head with the dog looking straight at you as you whistle him to a hup.  This ideal might not often occur, but can you enhance your chances for success by moving?  Think about where you are on the field relative to the bird and the dog when the bird goes up.  Make it easy for the dog if you can.  
• Keep Larsen in the crate until it is his turn.  Don't let him get wound up and agitated before it's his turn.  About one or two dogs before his turn, you should be with him and start to think hard about the field.  Don't delay the test, and be ready to move up, but no need to be out too early.