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.