1 year old--completed (performed) mini T, Double T, Force Back, Left back, right back, Pile work etc

When we started sitting on whistle was quick and perfect, now I am getting a hook when she stops. How to stop this....

When we finished forcing back she was turning on a dime, now she isn't..what is up..she is also not completing her turns, straight left back is more of an angled left back it is worse if there is an incline or we are doing diagonal ( angle ) blind.


Suggestions...

Seems like your pup is seeing what he or she can get away with!
Have whistle in your mouth, and collar in hand.
Toot, Nick, Toot when you get sloppy sits.

I have a two year old who can be guilty of the same things at times.

Just maintain a high standard!
You might have to go back to some heeling drills using the collar and whistle to command and enforce quick sits.

Be thorough and patient, and most of all, be very clear.
The dog should know what you want before introducing corrections.

It sounds like your pup is coming along nicely!

Enjoy it!!!!!!

Malcolm

Questions?

Is this happening on cold blinds?

Is this happening at longer distances?

If happening on cold blinds - could be lack of confidence. Longer distance this is common.

I have the same problem. Drills fine. Short blinds fine. Long different story.

What I do is send. Then start running up. I stop blow whistle sit and now he knows I'm closer (intimadating) His sit has improved greatly. But I'm still running up. If you hear I dropped dead it is because of the running.

Don't know whether this could work for you.

As a general thing, in dog training, when you add a new level of challenge, the standard of work slips a bit. This can be seen throughout training, for example with basic obedience when you first take it out of your backyard and try it in new surroundings, or in any part of retrieving when you add a new element.

If I understand correctly, you recently started blind retrieves, and are dismayed you're not getting the same kind of response to whistles and casts that you did in yard patterns. That's to be expected. You're working in a new place, and instead of stopping in a known spot and casting to known destinations, it's all uncertain. Building your dog's confidence should bring the crisper responses back. Be aware, though, that it takes lots and lots of practice before a dog understands how to take casts in all different terrain, cover, and wind conditions. And water, shoreline, etc. Dogs don't seem to see casts in terms of the same geometry we do.

The most important thing when beginning blinds is to make sure that if your dog goes willingly, responds to a couple of whistles, and takes two or a few casts, he or she is successful. I like to plant big white dummies in short cover, so that if the dog gets within 50 yards he or she sees it. I also run early blinds downwind, and often straight downhill. It's all about building confidence. If your dog sat crisply on the nice familiar yard pattern, then when confidence returns, he/she will sit crisply again.

You don't want to get into correcting slow or looping sits at this stage. That can teach your dog that going on blinds leads to corrections. In addition, don't worry about perfect lines and casts. If your dog is going in a direction that reduces the distance to the blind, let him/her carry! If you only have to give a few casts, the whole idea of a blind will become clear to your dog much more quickly.

Your dog is facing a lot of new challenges all at once. Be patient.

Amy Dahl

This is why I come to this board !

Thank you Amy !


Kent

PS And to everyone else who provides positive reinforcement and a wealth of knowledge here.

What an ass I am. AMY DAHL - WOW I have both your books. This morning I was reading Trouble Shooting chapter on style and it hit me.

Amy thnk you for posting on team retriever and I hope you continue to post on this site

Hell I was so excited I meant team chessie.

But I do have some questions if you don't mind.
Blinds - having trouble with slow sit and loopy. But he is progressing to the blind with style. Should I just maintain until he gets more confidence?

Update.

Thanks to all for suggestions. I slowed down and everything is working pretty good now. We are doing some fine pattern blind work. Cold blind work is up to were I feel it should be for a 14 month chessie. She should be ready for her 1st Seasoned test this coming weekend.