Saturday and Sunday were picture perfect November days. The training group met in the afternoon of each day and the temperature was in the 60's, the sky was blue and there was little wind. There were a few walkers on Saturday but they moved out quickly. The only people who walk on the nearby trails are people with sporting dogs anyway so they understand.

8 handlers showed up at the fields with both puppies and dogs. I can see that we may have to break into two groups to set up one place for the older dogs where we can set up multiple marks and blinds and have another area for short sessions with the puppies. This way neither will interfere with the other and once the puppies have had their 10 minutes or so the handlers can return to help the older dogs.

Sport did not go out Saturday because one of the folks noticed that his tail was hanging and his hind quarters were stiff. That must have been from the water on Friday. Today he moved his tail and went out for the birds, not the bumpers. More drills.

I have been taking time to walk the dogs in the afternoon and have met up with some folks who have a prescribed walking route that takes them through one of the training areas. It's a fast paced walk and letting the dogs run loose gives them more exercise than being leash bound to their two legged partners.

After the initial greeting off we go and though Maggie may wander or lag a bit when she scents a small animal in the taller grasses, she does manage to catch up. There is the occasional body slam as they dogs run around, sprint ahead and play their own version of tag. Everyone enjoys the hike. The days are getting shorter and if we do not start before 4pm we are walking back in the dark. It is only a couple of week to the solstice and we will have more daylight to walk.

It rained today and we had another training session scheduled at the preserve with fliers. The rain had started about 2 AM and continued during the morning. We arrived at the pond in the rain, but what does a little rain matter with water retrieves?

The turnout was low, only 6 people showed up, which permitted several runs. When it was our turn to the line everything seemed to go wrong, the first bird was wiley enough to fly off into the trees, yes, the gunners missed, so we turned and faced the winger, the bird never left the winger, that left only one tried and true method, somebody threw the bird. Sport started straight out for the bird, but decided to take an arced path around via the edge of the pond and grabbed the bird. (Note to self: work more in the water.) Finally the bird in hand I put Sport back in the truck to help for a while.

Later on the second try of the land retrieve Sport went out and came straight back, bird in mouth happy to hand it to me.

So after 2 runs we packed up as the rain started up again and continued all the way home.

Aerial Photos

I printed out aerial photos of our training areas, they are fairly current and good enough for our sessions.They are good visual aids for handlers and the throwers I hope they will reduce the confusion. of where to go when sent out into the grass. If they use the chalkboard in a locker/training room so why not here? I marked the mown grasses from the unmown. I do not see anything wrong with assisting the throwers if it will make their job easier and make it clearer for the handlers where they are expected to send their dogs. This should keep the training session moving and reduce any arguments that could occur when throwers are unsure of the direction they are to throw.

Summer Training

Training at the Manorville fields on Sunday. It is part of the monthly scheduled events for practice with live birds. The weather typical of a July day was hot, but not too humid. The field was cleared several years ago, The shrubs and trees that were cut at the time, had been stacked in loose, uneven piles waiting to be burned. I would not call it the best field for pheasants or other upland birds, for the area had long since become ceased as a sustainable environment, It was more suitable for the turkeys that now controlled the fields. Nothing was maintained since cutting, new shrubs with stickers on the branches and boughs were growing back in.

We set up the line along the edge of trees and two stations, one for fliers, was placed about 30 yds. or so from the line along the tree line. The other with a winger was set up in the field behind a large pile of shrubs about 45 yds. from the line and about 30 yds. from the fliers’ station. We could call for singles or doubles; later we sent another thrower 10 yds beyond the fliers, for triple retrieves. The entire session went well, some dogs missed the combination with 3 birds, but all picked up fliers and the from the winger. Afterward we set up blinds in the field for senior level dogs.

Sport went out for the singles and brought back his birds without difficulty. He did not bolt from the line and found his birds fairly quickly.

Later, Sport and I walked down to the pond and I sent Sport into the water to retrieve one of the birds, He went swimming, he was supposed to bring back the duck but he is not ready for this and had more fun paddling around. He grabbed it once but he kept his head too low, he needs more experience retrieving in water.

Training picked up again at the fields area, we were kept out for a few weeks and are back again. We have to get out and look for other locations. Saturday we worked in the back mown area. It was windy and we wanted to work on the lee side of the hill.

Sport has a lot of energy, being released from the car is too much for this pup; I will have to work obedience heeling drills with him more so that he settles and focuses when he comes to the line. It's no time for a romp around the training area.

Once settled he found the marks and came back quickly, quick whistles work best with a minimum of using my voice for calling.

Field Manners

Training is not an easy job and it is no easier for the training director. That is why I get a little snarky at an unplanned training session. When a group goes out to train it should have a predetermined schedule so that everyone at the training session knows what is going to happen next. Before bringing out the dogs the person in charge of the day must assay the field and pick where to run the dogs. Once he has chosen where to set up the field, the workers will set up the equipment, place poles for blinds or as targets to throw the birds and then get into position with an adequate supply of birds for at least a half dozen dogs. Each worker should know whether he is number 1, 2 or 3 and where to throw. Then after everything is explained to the handlers, they can bring the dogs to the line and start training.

As the day progresses the director can adjust the field to throw into other areas and rearrange the sequence of the throwers as needed. Communication to everyone present is important so that training goes smoothly.

Whether or not the workers are within earshot is something to consider when training. A radio or cell phone will help minimize misunderstanding and is a matter of choice but using them will make the training session run more smoothly.

Talking is inevitable and should be kept to a minimum to keep the session moving. There is plenty of time to discuss things afterward.

Spring Training

We went out to one of the fields at the Preserve today and the dogs really responded well to the change in location. Our usual fields have been closed temporarily by the state which wishes to limit our access. Whether some pissant is jealous of what we do or they are afraid if one of us has an accident I don't know. However, it has come down from above that these fields we have used for 30 plus years, without incident or accident are now off limits to everyone.

This came as a disappointment to everyone but it is temporary and we shall return.

March Training Day

Yesterday was the first warm day after the snow of last week. Temperatures ranged from the high 50's and low 60's, low wind and some clouds. There was plenty of snow still on the fields and it was too bright.We met at the lower field, set up triples with blinds for the more advanced dogs. Ducks were thrown by hand and a winger. Each beginning dog received at least three singles to retrieve and the more advanced dogs ran either a double or triple.

Sport picked up the ducks and came back with his birds, which is good since he been working with bumpers all winter.

On line forums

I read several on line forums regularly during the week, usually in the morning when it's quiet. By that time the new post and the threads that follow have had a chance to develop and the tales therein are very interesting.

No wonder the dogs have problems, nobody has one answer; too often there are too many answers to one question. It seems that no amount of posting will answer every question but why won't these people just buy a book or training video? Learn from a respected leader in the field and apply the training to your dog. Choose your best trainer and stick with his/her methods or find another that works for you.

February Days

These days have been good for getting out and working in the lower and upper fields. There is no snow and the dogs are eager to run; the scent of the small animals has been washed away by the rain. I suspect that there are some bitches in heat peeing on the lower field and that the pet people are letting their dogs crap anywhere and not clean up after them. This will be a problem when the runners start their training on the grass in a few weeks. Nobody wants a messy field. We should get scoops and bags to clean up the mess. Maybe some signs and if we see the PP's tell them to do likewise.

We met at 11AM today and ran some basic marks and also blinds for about 10 dogs. We used bumpers, orange and whites depending on the dogs' skill levels. As these are the first classes we were a bit disorganized, I think that we need to have a planning meeting before we put people out at the different stations. We should try and get as much equipment out there to keep the training working.

Everyone should know what their job is, what is expected of them to ensure that these training sessions run as smoothly as possible and we need to get the equipment (blinds, wingers and bumpers) in position to minimize down time. I also think that we need to improve communications, so that each person at a station knows where to throw for each dog. The more experienced dogs get the longer throws, and we should throw shorter distances for the less experienced. Using the radios would help so we are not yelling instructions, diagrams for everyone station would help as well. We are wasting time and the dogs though patient do not want to wait while we give instructions.

Group leaders are in charge of all instructions, they must watch everything without side chatter so they can tell the handler when to bring back the dog or a thrower to throw another bird quickly to encourage the dog. We need walk throughs for the workers, so that every worker understands what is expected of them. "You stand here and throw the bumper/bird 20 yds out toward the 1st cedar, orange fence or wherever." We need to know when to rethrow and the people at the line need to follow direction from the group leader, not someone in the blind 40 yds out.

At the line we need to have a blind set up for next team and somebody marshalling the teams, the "on deck" team must be ready to move up when it's their turn. The throwers also need to have a rotation system so they can work each station for a dog or two then move in when it is their turn. They should not be left standing, waiting for the call to run their dog. When these basics are established and followed the training sessions will run smoother.

It's 6:45 am and Sport has nudged me to get out of bed. As far as he is concerned, it's time to let him out; after all it's first light and he and Maggie are ready to go. Why should I have the advantage of sleeping-in? Sport doesn't think so and is making sure I agree with him. So reluctantly I get out of bed and let them out. 

It is still dark and mid winter is past, I can see the morning getting brighter as the sun slowly starts its northward trip to the Tropic of Cancer. Each year the sun plays Tag-team Latitudes and this year will be no different. Cancer to Capricorn and back, an endless continuum of seasons coming and going. It's the way we live. We are tied to the changing seasons more than we care to admit. 

As each sunrise gets earlier my dogs are awakening with the earliest glimmers of sunlight and nudging me to get up as well or there will be dire consequences. This will continue until Daylight Savings Time kicks in and upsets the schedule for a week or so.

Actually, I like this time of day because very few people are awake and it is a great time to read magazines, catch up on answering emails and planning for the rest of the day.

A couple minutes later and I hear the first guns going off down in the bay. Somebody is watching the clock and I don't think it's the ducks. We'll go down later for some training but now it's time for relief, coffee and breakfast.

HT Training

It is never too early to start thinking of planning for the upcoming year. Our more efficient and organized friends have prepared themselves already and are months ahead of us. They know where they want to be and for reasons that escape me usually get there.

However, today we are looking at simple retrieves and the success for both the trainer and the dog.