Back, Humphrey.
I said "Back", Humphrey.
(I knew I would find it.)
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
The season ends
Cathy V, with Humphrey and Zelda, and I, with Larsen, went to Danny's Circle W farm for one last spring practice before the Clumber Spaniel Nationals in Orlando next weekend.
It's spring in Alabama. Danny is out of quail and has given his fields their summer cuts. The fields have no more cover than you would see on your nicely manicured suburban lawn. The only areas with any cover at all seemed to be under water left behind by last Thursday's storms.
I got to the field early to run Larsen. Larsen and I finally found an area with some cover that was relatively dry, or at least not under water. The small area had a profusion of green spring grass and some old cane and many thorns. A nasty site to be sure, but one that might be similar to the Hunt Test grounds in Florida.
Cathy's goal on Sunday was to have a little simple fun with Humphrey and Zelda in this last run before the Clumber Nationals. No e-collars, no real challenges. Just run through the traps in short, fun installments. My goal for Larsen was to continue to work on the to-the-hand retrieve. Both of us were successful, and it put a great end to the season for Larsen and me.
Cathy fretted that Humphrey did not take a straight line in the Hunt Dead, and we both agreed that Humphrey would not take a straight line to his dog bowl. He seems to forget what he was after about half-way out, and then shifts from sight to nose and tracks down the bird. There is no doubt about his finding the bird, and it is not a pig & acorn thing. Humphrey being Humphrey, he believes his nose, and not his lyin' eyes. Who knows what Humphrey will do this weekend. Miss Zelda performed flawlessly and we hope she will add a Master leg to her trophy case.
Larsen and I continued to work the Joe DeMarkis method to get Larsen to crisply bring the bird to hand. (See post at Friday, April 8, 2011.) We made progress, with Larsen bringing the bird to a perfect Junior-level distance and putting the bird down. Finally, when running hunt deads at about 60 yards, Larsen twice brought the bird precisely to hand in a good Senior/Masters delivery.
Larsen finds a good spot for training.
A perfect Hunt Dead.
The promise of an open field.
It's spring in Alabama. Danny is out of quail and has given his fields their summer cuts. The fields have no more cover than you would see on your nicely manicured suburban lawn. The only areas with any cover at all seemed to be under water left behind by last Thursday's storms.
I got to the field early to run Larsen. Larsen and I finally found an area with some cover that was relatively dry, or at least not under water. The small area had a profusion of green spring grass and some old cane and many thorns. A nasty site to be sure, but one that might be similar to the Hunt Test grounds in Florida.
Cathy's goal on Sunday was to have a little simple fun with Humphrey and Zelda in this last run before the Clumber Nationals. No e-collars, no real challenges. Just run through the traps in short, fun installments. My goal for Larsen was to continue to work on the to-the-hand retrieve. Both of us were successful, and it put a great end to the season for Larsen and me.
Cathy fretted that Humphrey did not take a straight line in the Hunt Dead, and we both agreed that Humphrey would not take a straight line to his dog bowl. He seems to forget what he was after about half-way out, and then shifts from sight to nose and tracks down the bird. There is no doubt about his finding the bird, and it is not a pig & acorn thing. Humphrey being Humphrey, he believes his nose, and not his lyin' eyes. Who knows what Humphrey will do this weekend. Miss Zelda performed flawlessly and we hope she will add a Master leg to her trophy case.
Larsen and I continued to work the Joe DeMarkis method to get Larsen to crisply bring the bird to hand. (See post at Friday, April 8, 2011.) We made progress, with Larsen bringing the bird to a perfect Junior-level distance and putting the bird down. Finally, when running hunt deads at about 60 yards, Larsen twice brought the bird precisely to hand in a good Senior/Masters delivery.
Larsen finds a good spot for training.
A perfect Hunt Dead.
The promise of an open field.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Logan's run
Friend and WSS-owner Donna W.had the heart-stopping feeling of losing her dog, Logan, during the storm that swept through Pennsylvania last Saturday night during the WSS nationals.
The storm knocked out power at the hotel just as the annual WSSCA dinner was being served. The strong rain caused the river to breach its bank and flood the nearby Harrisburg Kennel facility and show rings. The river also flooded the lots where the RVs were parked. People left the darkened hotel in the rain to move their motor coaches and rescue their dogs from the flooding Kennel. In the mayhem, Donna's red and white took the opportunity for a personal reconnaissance.
Donna said that people turned out from everywhere in the pitch darkness to help her find her Logan. She said that people in the hotel with no dogs at all were grabbing flashlights and umbrellas and heading out into the woods, as was hotel staff.
The saga had a happy ending as the wet and muddy dog was found wandering about, enjoying the fuss.
Logan, safe & sound in the hotel room.
The storm knocked out power at the hotel just as the annual WSSCA dinner was being served. The strong rain caused the river to breach its bank and flood the nearby Harrisburg Kennel facility and show rings. The river also flooded the lots where the RVs were parked. People left the darkened hotel in the rain to move their motor coaches and rescue their dogs from the flooding Kennel. In the mayhem, Donna's red and white took the opportunity for a personal reconnaissance.
Donna said that people turned out from everywhere in the pitch darkness to help her find her Logan. She said that people in the hotel with no dogs at all were grabbing flashlights and umbrellas and heading out into the woods, as was hotel staff.
The saga had a happy ending as the wet and muddy dog was found wandering about, enjoying the fuss.
Logan, safe & sound in the hotel room.
Monday, April 18, 2011
WSSCA Nationals
The report from nationals can be summarized in a single world: water. Or two words: rain and water.
The storms that hit Alabama on Thursday and Georgia on Friday swept across Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Saturday and wiped out the show. The hotel lost power Saturday evening during the WSSCA banquet, after only two tables had been served.
The Harrisburg Kennel Club asked WSSCA members to pick up their dogs, but leave behind crates and equipment. There were dogs lost and then found, a lot of confusion. There was a lot of help and camaraderie as members helped others find their misplaced dogs, and, later, helped one another break down crates and tables and corral towels and tools to move things to a safe place. On Sunday, under sunny skies, a swap meet ensued to sort everything out. The Sunday show was canceled, and WSSCA members left with tales to tell.
The Harrisburg Kennel Club took on water at the 2011 washout. (photo by Crystal N.)
The storms that hit Alabama on Thursday and Georgia on Friday swept across Harrisburg, Pennsylvania on Saturday and wiped out the show. The hotel lost power Saturday evening during the WSSCA banquet, after only two tables had been served.
The Harrisburg Kennel Club asked WSSCA members to pick up their dogs, but leave behind crates and equipment. There were dogs lost and then found, a lot of confusion. There was a lot of help and camaraderie as members helped others find their misplaced dogs, and, later, helped one another break down crates and tables and corral towels and tools to move things to a safe place. On Sunday, under sunny skies, a swap meet ensued to sort everything out. The Sunday show was canceled, and WSSCA members left with tales to tell.
The Harrisburg Kennel Club took on water at the 2011 washout. (photo by Crystal N.)
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Beam me up
Stufield's Captain of the Enterprise ("Archer") earned his Champion ("CH") and Rally Advance ("RA") titles on Sunday, April 11.
Archer earned a yellow ribbon by placing 3rd in his RA, which is a fine accomplishment. In Rally Advance, exercises are performed off-leash; there are 12-17 stations with no more than seven stationary exercises; and there is a jump and calling your dog to the front (rather than to the traditional heel position).
Archer won his ribbon by demonstrating off-lead obedience and control. He also demonstrated "a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs." (AKC 2011)
In earning his Champion conformation designation, and over his career, Archer has won two "Major" events (which are determined by the number of dogs that he beats in the show ring) and accumulated at least 15 points (also determined by the number of dogs that he beats, even if he himself ultimately finishes behind some other dog in the breed).
Larsen and Archer are 1/2 brothers, with Mazie (Idlewild's Mazie Morning Dew) as the dam for both dogs. Archer's sire is Bentcroft Statesman's Emblem ("Felix").
Jamie handled Archer in the Rally ring. Congratulations to the team.
Archer focuses on Jamie during his third-place run for his Rally Advanced title.
Archer earned a yellow ribbon by placing 3rd in his RA, which is a fine accomplishment. In Rally Advance, exercises are performed off-leash; there are 12-17 stations with no more than seven stationary exercises; and there is a jump and calling your dog to the front (rather than to the traditional heel position).
Archer won his ribbon by demonstrating off-lead obedience and control. He also demonstrated "a sense of teamwork between the dog and handler both during the numbered exercises and between the exercise signs." (AKC 2011)
In earning his Champion conformation designation, and over his career, Archer has won two "Major" events (which are determined by the number of dogs that he beats in the show ring) and accumulated at least 15 points (also determined by the number of dogs that he beats, even if he himself ultimately finishes behind some other dog in the breed).
Larsen and Archer are 1/2 brothers, with Mazie (Idlewild's Mazie Morning Dew) as the dam for both dogs. Archer's sire is Bentcroft Statesman's Emblem ("Felix").
Jamie handled Archer in the Rally ring. Congratulations to the team.
Archer focuses on Jamie during his third-place run for his Rally Advanced title.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Progress by inches
The nice, thick cloud cover at the start of practice this Sunday at Circle W burned off soon enough and lifted temperatures into the mid-80s.
Larsen and I practiced a sort of hunt-dead, where I showed him the bird at 20 yards, and made him fetch (which he loves to do). Larsen brought it within 6 feet and then put the bird down and otherwise fooled around.
I went up, put the bird in his mouth, commanded "hold", and then pipped him in.
Jeanne and Cathy thought that was fine but that I should not start to condition him to the drill in that form. So, I doubled down and when he dropped the bird, I put it in his mouth, commanded "hold" and then grabbed him by his ear while pipping him in, and in, and in. Sit. Hold. Soothing tones (good boy), and then asking for Larsen for the bird. What a good dog!
What I learned was that I was lunging for the bird rather than accepting the bird as the gift that it is. And also offsetting that with some firm directions. I also took Larsen to the field at heel and did not let him pull and tug on the line. All of this to reinforce control.
Larsen's quartering and retrieves improved noticeably. On his last turn or two, he brought much closer. Definitely Junior close and arguably Senior close. We are working for perfection in practice.
Later we did a hunt dead, which Larsen loves to do, and finished up with a water retrieve and a water blind - - all great cool fun for a spaniel.
Larsen and I practiced a sort of hunt-dead, where I showed him the bird at 20 yards, and made him fetch (which he loves to do). Larsen brought it within 6 feet and then put the bird down and otherwise fooled around.
I went up, put the bird in his mouth, commanded "hold", and then pipped him in.
Jeanne and Cathy thought that was fine but that I should not start to condition him to the drill in that form. So, I doubled down and when he dropped the bird, I put it in his mouth, commanded "hold" and then grabbed him by his ear while pipping him in, and in, and in. Sit. Hold. Soothing tones (good boy), and then asking for Larsen for the bird. What a good dog!
What I learned was that I was lunging for the bird rather than accepting the bird as the gift that it is. And also offsetting that with some firm directions. I also took Larsen to the field at heel and did not let him pull and tug on the line. All of this to reinforce control.
Larsen's quartering and retrieves improved noticeably. On his last turn or two, he brought much closer. Definitely Junior close and arguably Senior close. We are working for perfection in practice.
Later we did a hunt dead, which Larsen loves to do, and finished up with a water retrieve and a water blind - - all great cool fun for a spaniel.
Friday, April 8, 2011
Let's try this
Larsen has taken to fooling around with clip-wing birds that he is retrieving. He retrieves dead quail straight on. What to do?
Joe DeMarkis recommends the following exercise. Hup Larsen and walk out twenty yards or so. Let Larsen see the handler (me) drop a dead bird into cover. Walk back and send Larsen out on a hunt dead.
Do this twice.
Then on the third round, walk out and drop a clip-wing into the cover. Walk back and send Larsen on a hunt dead. Larsen should bring it straight back. If he doesn't: If he puts it down to play with it, pick the bird up, open Larsen's mouth, put it in, tap Larsen's jaw shut and command "hold".
In fact, Joe identified a training weakness of mine. I'd command Larsen to hold, but if he spit it out, I would not back it up by putting the bird in his mouth, tapping his jaw shut and commanding "hold". Larsen needs to understand that whether he is in the mood or not, he is obligated to hold the bird if I direct him to.
Joe DeMarkis recommends the following exercise. Hup Larsen and walk out twenty yards or so. Let Larsen see the handler (me) drop a dead bird into cover. Walk back and send Larsen out on a hunt dead.
Do this twice.
Then on the third round, walk out and drop a clip-wing into the cover. Walk back and send Larsen on a hunt dead. Larsen should bring it straight back. If he doesn't: If he puts it down to play with it, pick the bird up, open Larsen's mouth, put it in, tap Larsen's jaw shut and command "hold".
In fact, Joe identified a training weakness of mine. I'd command Larsen to hold, but if he spit it out, I would not back it up by putting the bird in his mouth, tapping his jaw shut and commanding "hold". Larsen needs to understand that whether he is in the mood or not, he is obligated to hold the bird if I direct him to.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday outing
Larsen and I met Cathy with Master Hunter candidates Zelda and Humphrey and puppy Bing for a little bird work at Danny's Circle W this morning.
I ran Larsen on clip-wings through both of his turns. We worked on turns and retrieves. We are regressing on his retrieves. Larsen wants to keep the bird and play with it. Even if he brings it to me, he'd rather fool with it at the end. And today, he was even deciding to go the other way before finally coming in.
We put Larsen on a hunt dead, and he brings that dead bird in straight away. It is the live squeaky bird that he wants to keep. I may have to ask some of the brain trust - - Joe or Kim - - about their thoughts on this.
Larsen also needed some correction when he continued hunting after I called him in. This got him a little trip to the principal's office. Same for when he was asked to stay while a bird was tossed and he decided to take off after it.
I think we need to be more diligent in our yard work. There are definitely some signs of slackness showing.
On a better note, we took a trip to Newnan after our hunt training. We hoped to see Susan and Jaimie in the ring with Tatum and Archer. Cathy and I got there mere moments after the Welshies had finished. We nevertheless had a nice time touring the grounds and fooling with the dogs. Cathy dropped off Bing with a handler for a month or two tour where she will hope to get Bing finished.
I ran Larsen on clip-wings through both of his turns. We worked on turns and retrieves. We are regressing on his retrieves. Larsen wants to keep the bird and play with it. Even if he brings it to me, he'd rather fool with it at the end. And today, he was even deciding to go the other way before finally coming in.
We put Larsen on a hunt dead, and he brings that dead bird in straight away. It is the live squeaky bird that he wants to keep. I may have to ask some of the brain trust - - Joe or Kim - - about their thoughts on this.
Larsen also needed some correction when he continued hunting after I called him in. This got him a little trip to the principal's office. Same for when he was asked to stay while a bird was tossed and he decided to take off after it.
I think we need to be more diligent in our yard work. There are definitely some signs of slackness showing.
On a better note, we took a trip to Newnan after our hunt training. We hoped to see Susan and Jaimie in the ring with Tatum and Archer. Cathy and I got there mere moments after the Welshies had finished. We nevertheless had a nice time touring the grounds and fooling with the dogs. Cathy dropped off Bing with a handler for a month or two tour where she will hope to get Bing finished.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
How to clean quail
Some relevant comments from the post:
Comment: I love the video and especially those shears. But one thing I noticed you nicely listed having to leave a wing, head or foot, then cut off both feet.
Response: I wondered if someone would catch that screwup, old age brain f*rt. I did keep a wing and put it the ziplock with the bird. Since the mearns limit is 8 and gambels/scaled is 15, that requirement is so the warden can tell species. Where I hunt the nearest mearns is at least 250 miles away so I doubt if a warden would be too concerned.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Fundamentals, not kindergarten
Larsen and I joined Jeanne and Cathy at Danny's for a day of training on a cold and wet March morning.
Larsen started casting wide, so we backed up a step. We started at a more basic level. I started Larsen and then would, myself, roll in the clip-wing quail while his back was to me. This ensured that Larsen would find the bird about 5 steps in front of me.
We did this same exercise three times.
Larsen improved each time, with tighter casts, better response to the whistle, and even an occasional glance back to me for instruction. This eliminated the self-hunting.
Later, I described this to the others as going back to kindergarten, but then I caught myself and thought that that is really not right. Everyone, even professional athletes, work on fundamentals and there is no reason to understate the importance of doing something simple successfully and repetitively. Having returned to and improved our fundamentals, we are in a much better position to move forward with some more advanced steadying techniques. If we can't get the more advanced steps right, we will return to the fundamentals that we know how to do and enjoy doing.
Larsen started casting wide, so we backed up a step. We started at a more basic level. I started Larsen and then would, myself, roll in the clip-wing quail while his back was to me. This ensured that Larsen would find the bird about 5 steps in front of me.
We did this same exercise three times.
Larsen improved each time, with tighter casts, better response to the whistle, and even an occasional glance back to me for instruction. This eliminated the self-hunting.
Later, I described this to the others as going back to kindergarten, but then I caught myself and thought that that is really not right. Everyone, even professional athletes, work on fundamentals and there is no reason to understate the importance of doing something simple successfully and repetitively. Having returned to and improved our fundamentals, we are in a much better position to move forward with some more advanced steadying techniques. If we can't get the more advanced steps right, we will return to the fundamentals that we know how to do and enjoy doing.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Illusion is not reality
Larsen and I often walk a one-mile loop trail around Blackburn park.
At one point in the walk, we cut through a passageway that is flanked by a fenced soccer field on one side and a fenced softball field on the other. We practice some steady drills here. I whistle-sit him, walk about 20 yards from him and pip him toward me, and then, when he gets about half-way to me, I whistle sit him again. We do this exercise three times along the length of the two fences.
This alleyway between the fenced areas is nice because it gives the illusion of being in an enclosed place and makes it less likely that he will run off.
Unhappily, illusion is not reality. The alleyway is not fenced on two of its sides, and this morning Larsen had foremost in his mind a squirrel that had been gamboling about the tree trunks on the western, open, end of the alleyway. This is the end that borders Ashford Dunwoody Road, a very busy street.
Larsen took my measure and bolted. After much ineffectual pipping, I finally corralled that dog but with my heart in my mouth. I leashed him and then had the presence to correct him by pipping him to me multiple times while snapping his leash. However, I completely forgot to first grab him by his ear/wattle and duck-march him back to the point of infraction and then do the pipping.
This partial correction left Larsen a happy and unchastened dog who saw his frolic near Ashford Dunwoody as great fun, which is not at all the lesson that he should have received. The result is setting our training back by what feels to be a month.
As important, I should have been ready for the potential for a break. There was a point when I could tell that Larsen had not forgotten about that squirrel. In my mind, right next to my unconsciousness, I sensed that Larsen was liable to break. I foolishly forged forward and figured that I could keep his attention, get him to come, and he would be fine. That is the instant that near-disaster struck. The lesson for me is to not get slack. Not even for a moment. I can't put him in a position where he can fail like that.
The strip of land between the chain-link fences of a softball field and a soccer field make a nice run for practicing steadiness
At one point in the walk, we cut through a passageway that is flanked by a fenced soccer field on one side and a fenced softball field on the other. We practice some steady drills here. I whistle-sit him, walk about 20 yards from him and pip him toward me, and then, when he gets about half-way to me, I whistle sit him again. We do this exercise three times along the length of the two fences.
This alleyway between the fenced areas is nice because it gives the illusion of being in an enclosed place and makes it less likely that he will run off.
Unhappily, illusion is not reality. The alleyway is not fenced on two of its sides, and this morning Larsen had foremost in his mind a squirrel that had been gamboling about the tree trunks on the western, open, end of the alleyway. This is the end that borders Ashford Dunwoody Road, a very busy street.
Larsen took my measure and bolted. After much ineffectual pipping, I finally corralled that dog but with my heart in my mouth. I leashed him and then had the presence to correct him by pipping him to me multiple times while snapping his leash. However, I completely forgot to first grab him by his ear/wattle and duck-march him back to the point of infraction and then do the pipping.
This partial correction left Larsen a happy and unchastened dog who saw his frolic near Ashford Dunwoody as great fun, which is not at all the lesson that he should have received. The result is setting our training back by what feels to be a month.
As important, I should have been ready for the potential for a break. There was a point when I could tell that Larsen had not forgotten about that squirrel. In my mind, right next to my unconsciousness, I sensed that Larsen was liable to break. I foolishly forged forward and figured that I could keep his attention, get him to come, and he would be fine. That is the instant that near-disaster struck. The lesson for me is to not get slack. Not even for a moment. I can't put him in a position where he can fail like that.
The strip of land between the chain-link fences of a softball field and a soccer field make a nice run for practicing steadiness
Friday, March 18, 2011
The 6-foot lead
There is no single piece of training equipment as important as the simple six-foot lead.
That connection between you and your dog can be used for the most critical obedience exercises. A dog that will sit (and stay) when told to sit, and a dog that will come when called is a dog that can be trusted virtually anywhere to do almost anything a dog can do. Your six-foot lead will allow you to get to this high level of obedience.
Toss out the zip-lead and pick up a nice leather 3-quarter inch by six-footer with a solid brass buckle. The leash looks good and smells good. You can saddle soap it up when it gets dragged around. You and your dog are ready to go.
There are many books and how-to's on how to leash train your dog. What I will mention here are some simple but advanced exercises.
Heel. Work on heeling your dog. It looks great to have him trotting along respectfully with you rather than tugging along. I let Larsen tug more than I should. I'm just as lazy as the next guy when it comes to being consistent. He knows how to heel, but needs a gentle reminder. The trick is to correct him just before he goes off the reservation.
Here. I have to write a separate blog post about the virtues of six-foot drills. You can practice here (or come, if you prefer) as you walk along. Just call him. If he doesn't respond with crispness, give him a bit of a correction. Quickly and with some authority.
Sit. Teach him to stop and sit at your command. This is required for steadiness in the field, and it is handy to have in any event.
Whistle drills. You communicate with your dog in the field using hand signals and an Acme 210 1/2 pealess whistle. No, you don't need to toot on your whistle when your dog is about four feet away from you, but the lead provides you with a a perfect opportunity to practice any number of cricitcal skills. So, give him a toot and hup him. Give him three or four toots and call him in. Is he lagging? A quick correction on that lead will take care of that.
Off-lead exercises. You can do off-lead exercises with the lead draping behind. This is a step up from leash-based exercises. Try "here", "stay", and even a combination of steadying him half-way to you. The leash will get grimy, no doubt about it, but the nice quality of the leather allows you to get the lead back into shape with some saddle soap.
There are great opportunities while on a city walk to practice some obedience fundamentals and even some field drills. All on the end of a nice, leather six-foot lead.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Statesman visit
We enjoyed hosting our friends from Statesman Welsh Springer Spaniel last Saturday.
The purpose of the visit was to bring and help socialize a passel of 11-week-old puppies. For the past few weeks, Susan and Gary had been managing two litters -- a combined 13 dogs. One litter was from their dam, and the other from daughter Meghen's. Meghen, meanwhile, was at the Crufts dog show in England. So Susan and Gary were up to their ankles in puppies. They were overjoyed to have some of the pups stay at someone else's house.
We kept little Rysa and Boyo. Susan expects to breed Rysa at some point. Boyo will be placed (and probably get a new call name).
We took the little dogs around neighborhood and called in MaryAnne with her red & white, Chance. We finally gave them up to Susan W., for some fun over at her house with her dogs, Lars, Mazie, and Tatum. Our house was unnaturally quiet after the dogs left.
This little guy surveys the grounds like visiting royalty.
Focused photos generally involved sleeping puppies.
Ryssa and Boyo are from different litters, but you wouldn't know it as they curl up together after a day of play.
The purpose of the visit was to bring and help socialize a passel of 11-week-old puppies. For the past few weeks, Susan and Gary had been managing two litters -- a combined 13 dogs. One litter was from their dam, and the other from daughter Meghen's. Meghen, meanwhile, was at the Crufts dog show in England. So Susan and Gary were up to their ankles in puppies. They were overjoyed to have some of the pups stay at someone else's house.
We kept little Rysa and Boyo. Susan expects to breed Rysa at some point. Boyo will be placed (and probably get a new call name).
We took the little dogs around neighborhood and called in MaryAnne with her red & white, Chance. We finally gave them up to Susan W., for some fun over at her house with her dogs, Lars, Mazie, and Tatum. Our house was unnaturally quiet after the dogs left.
This little guy surveys the grounds like visiting royalty.
Focused photos generally involved sleeping puppies.
Ryssa and Boyo are from different litters, but you wouldn't know it as they curl up together after a day of play.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Larsen at four
Larsen turned four today. We had visiting puppies this past weekend, which was a party of sorts. Susan W., Larsen's breeder, stopped by to pick them up for a two day visit at her house. (It's a complicated story.) Larsen was excited that Susan would come to visit. He would have gone with Susan without a moment's hesitation if only we'd let him.
Sunday training report
Larsen and I met with Cathy V. and Jeanne G. at Danny's for practice. Cathy has two clumbers, Humphrey and Zelda, who are working on Master titles. Jeanne's cocker Millie is working on her Junior.
I started Larsen with his "steady" drill. He did it very nicely. Later, his quartering work broke down, and so did my whistle work for that matter, as Larsen took to some self-hunting, ranging down the field to the birds. My challenge is to be crisper in what I want, and to keep him in a tighter box in front of me. This is a change for both of us compared to the looser restrictions I gave him at the Junior level and it frustrated Larsen to the point where he was disregarding me. There were some forced marches back to crime scenes and some six-foot "here, sit" drills. On these also, I have to improve my timing and whistling.
This more exacting level of obedience is necessary so that I can pull him off a fly-away expeditiously and otherwise demonstrate that he is under control at all times, which is what is required at the Senior level.
Later, Larsen ran a hunt dead and on a water retrieve. He loves hunt dead and does it well. He knows it and it is fun and relaxed. I put the bird 50 or more yards out, and about 10 yards into the woods while he sat and waited. I came back, said "dead", and then said "fetch." He took a hot line toward the area of the bird, scouted a bit, and then brought it to hand. Lovely.
On water, he put the bird down to shake, then picked it up, and brought it close to, but not cleanly to hand.
We will continue our Gentle Force Fetch practice and our steady drills this week. The GFF will help with the water retrieve-to-hand. The steady drills are intended to help with overall obedience. I also have to remember to go back to kindergarten and clear success more quickly when we reach any failure. He loves to do things he knows how to do, and we are both more relaxed. So I have to really think through what I want him to do in an exercise before we do it, and think about what steps I'll take if it breaks down. I also have to be quicker to identify an incipient breakdown.
One last reminder, and that is I should park the car and kennel Larsen in a way that gives him a less clear view of the field. His ability to watch me help the others and their dogs gets him wound up by the time it is his turn.
I started Larsen with his "steady" drill. He did it very nicely. Later, his quartering work broke down, and so did my whistle work for that matter, as Larsen took to some self-hunting, ranging down the field to the birds. My challenge is to be crisper in what I want, and to keep him in a tighter box in front of me. This is a change for both of us compared to the looser restrictions I gave him at the Junior level and it frustrated Larsen to the point where he was disregarding me. There were some forced marches back to crime scenes and some six-foot "here, sit" drills. On these also, I have to improve my timing and whistling.
This more exacting level of obedience is necessary so that I can pull him off a fly-away expeditiously and otherwise demonstrate that he is under control at all times, which is what is required at the Senior level.
Later, Larsen ran a hunt dead and on a water retrieve. He loves hunt dead and does it well. He knows it and it is fun and relaxed. I put the bird 50 or more yards out, and about 10 yards into the woods while he sat and waited. I came back, said "dead", and then said "fetch." He took a hot line toward the area of the bird, scouted a bit, and then brought it to hand. Lovely.
On water, he put the bird down to shake, then picked it up, and brought it close to, but not cleanly to hand.
We will continue our Gentle Force Fetch practice and our steady drills this week. The GFF will help with the water retrieve-to-hand. The steady drills are intended to help with overall obedience. I also have to remember to go back to kindergarten and clear success more quickly when we reach any failure. He loves to do things he knows how to do, and we are both more relaxed. So I have to really think through what I want him to do in an exercise before we do it, and think about what steps I'll take if it breaks down. I also have to be quicker to identify an incipient breakdown.
One last reminder, and that is I should park the car and kennel Larsen in a way that gives him a less clear view of the field. His ability to watch me help the others and their dogs gets him wound up by the time it is his turn.
Monday, March 7, 2011
At ease
It's not all work at a hunt training. There's plenty of time for silliness, canine and human.
Larsen bops puppy Kaden.
What's that noise? Mary and Adara investigate.
Kaden and Adara spectate.
Amy (far right) relates a story to MaryAnne, Bill, and Aki as Chance enjoys the comaradarie.
Larsen bops puppy Kaden.
What's that noise? Mary and Adara investigate.
Kaden and Adara spectate.
Amy (far right) relates a story to MaryAnne, Bill, and Aki as Chance enjoys the comaradarie.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Let's try this again
It's important to be able to correct your dog when he fails to sit on command.
There's no need for temper tantrums or exasperation. Just collect the dog, march him to the scene of the crime and reinforce the correct behavior.
Let's consider a "steadying" drill.
Your dog has been quartering about at your direction. You give a single, sharp pip to the whistle indicating that he is to stop and sit. Doggie keeps milling about. That's not right.
Get that dog. Grab him by the wattles under his throat and pick him up off his front feet. March him back to where he broke. Sit him. Whistle (one pip) and motion to stay put.
Walk off a bit, and repeat that one pip on your whistle along with your motion for him to stay put.
Joe explains the rationale for this approach. He says that dogs are place sensitive. They learn in one place, and don't necessarily generalize their experiences very easily. When you correct your dog and return him to the point of infraction he understands, "Oh, so this is where I messed up!" Then you can redo the pip/sit and let him know what the correct response is. ("Ok, I got it boss!") Moving the dog from point B back to point A by lifting him off his front feet gives him a feeling of helplessness (he is hardly helpless, he just feels it). This lets the dog know that he done wrong and that he is being corrected.
Once the correction is completed, all is good with the world, and you can proceed to the next exercise. For example, you might say "go on" or "go hunt" to get him hunting again.
MaryAnne marches Chance back to the scene of the crime.
There's no need for temper tantrums or exasperation. Just collect the dog, march him to the scene of the crime and reinforce the correct behavior.
Let's consider a "steadying" drill.
Your dog has been quartering about at your direction. You give a single, sharp pip to the whistle indicating that he is to stop and sit. Doggie keeps milling about. That's not right.
Get that dog. Grab him by the wattles under his throat and pick him up off his front feet. March him back to where he broke. Sit him. Whistle (one pip) and motion to stay put.
Walk off a bit, and repeat that one pip on your whistle along with your motion for him to stay put.
Joe explains the rationale for this approach. He says that dogs are place sensitive. They learn in one place, and don't necessarily generalize their experiences very easily. When you correct your dog and return him to the point of infraction he understands, "Oh, so this is where I messed up!" Then you can redo the pip/sit and let him know what the correct response is. ("Ok, I got it boss!") Moving the dog from point B back to point A by lifting him off his front feet gives him a feeling of helplessness (he is hardly helpless, he just feels it). This lets the dog know that he done wrong and that he is being corrected.
Once the correction is completed, all is good with the world, and you can proceed to the next exercise. For example, you might say "go on" or "go hunt" to get him hunting again.
MaryAnne marches Chance back to the scene of the crime.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Steady
Steadiness separates beginning or novice hunting dogs from their more advanced brothers and sisters. A steady dog is always under control, even in the mayhem of a flushed covey. This control is shown by the willingness of the dog to break off a chase, to sit in the field even when outside of any direct reach of the handler, and ultimately, in a finished dog, to be steady to wing and shot.
Joe's seminar focused on steadying the hunting dog. The exercises included some simple sit/stay drills without birds. Joe said that "game changes everything," and that you need rock-hard steadiness before introducing game.
During the course of the weekend, we went ahead and introduced pigeons even though the dogs were not entirely steadied without them so that Joe could show the types of exercises we would progress to.
Larsen is steady without birds, although he is just now learning how to sit at the whistle. This is something we practice daily on our walks. So it was time to introduce game to the exercise. Here is a pictoral essay on that introduction with Larsen and others.
Bill hups Hampton at the line and prepares to walk away from him.
Having hupped Larsen, Frank walks away. Larsen is steady.
Venee has walked a few paces from Murphy. Murphy is steady.
After having called Larsen, Frank stops Larsen in midstream.
Frank calls Larsen, then whistles and motions Larsen to a "sit" in mid-stream. Joe holds the bird high, which catches Larsen's eye and reinforces the sitting motion as Larsen follows Joe's hand.
Larsen starts to learn to stop at the whistle.
Frank M. keeps an eye on Bibi as Joe tempts her with a tossed pigeon. Bibi stays put.
Larsen remains steady as he watches a pigeon land in the grass. Good boy, Larsen!
Larsen is given permission to retrieve the pigeon.
Joe's seminar focused on steadying the hunting dog. The exercises included some simple sit/stay drills without birds. Joe said that "game changes everything," and that you need rock-hard steadiness before introducing game.
During the course of the weekend, we went ahead and introduced pigeons even though the dogs were not entirely steadied without them so that Joe could show the types of exercises we would progress to.
Larsen is steady without birds, although he is just now learning how to sit at the whistle. This is something we practice daily on our walks. So it was time to introduce game to the exercise. Here is a pictoral essay on that introduction with Larsen and others.
Bill hups Hampton at the line and prepares to walk away from him.
Having hupped Larsen, Frank walks away. Larsen is steady.
Venee has walked a few paces from Murphy. Murphy is steady.
After having called Larsen, Frank stops Larsen in midstream.
Frank calls Larsen, then whistles and motions Larsen to a "sit" in mid-stream. Joe holds the bird high, which catches Larsen's eye and reinforces the sitting motion as Larsen follows Joe's hand.
Larsen starts to learn to stop at the whistle.
Frank M. keeps an eye on Bibi as Joe tempts her with a tossed pigeon. Bibi stays put.
Larsen remains steady as he watches a pigeon land in the grass. Good boy, Larsen!
Larsen is given permission to retrieve the pigeon.
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