Question, why do most trainers hold off on AB's in their yard work until after the dawg is in the field? I see no reason these cannot be started as part of basic handling from Baseball on? Afteral it is not asking pup to take literal casts just simple 45's to an already established pile?
Dave B.

Dave,

I can not speak for most trainers, but you don't want to put too much on an immature mind. I teach angles after a pup has successfully completed basics for two reasons 1) the pup has a much better understanding of whats expected of it and 2) why would I waste my time teaching this if I am still uncertain as to whether the pup is going to make the next step! This hurdle would be the completion of "the basics" while maintaining,(both the dog and the trainer!), an attitude of great exuberance for oneanother! i.e. the dog still wants to "play" as hard as I do! ALL trainers want to own a fun-loving(STYLISH) dog, don't let anyone fool you!

Here is a great drill that I picked-up along the way; I recieved it, second-hand from a Danny Farmer Seminar- maybe third-hand. The drill involves three(five) piles: the 90* over, the 45* back, and the straight back all 25yd casts. Cast to the right over pile from 20yds. in front of pup, and meet back at center. Trainer back to original position, cast to the 45back pile,if dog does anything except the proper cast, simply stop pup with a "No." recall to center position, pull small bumper out of back pocket tell Barfy to "sit!" throw the bumper to the 45pile and cast. The drill goes over, angle, over, angle, back, angle, back: so Barfie can learn to distinguish the difference in arm position (for me Straight Up Right means turn counter-clockwise and go straight away!)ABSOLUTELY NO COLLAR PRESSURE! When one side is mastered, I go to the next. Some might say "Why not go on and do the other side in conjuction with?" It's allabout attitude! This is the teaching phase. We want Fido to think that this is F. U. N. ! ! !

After "Babbs" has both Halves of the puzzle,and doing them with 80-90% accuracy, we find a LARGE FLAT FIELD and extend every cast to 100-150yds (and we ardent trainers run 50-100yds back to greet them, at center, every cast!). You will see in a hurry why we do one half on one day, then the other half on another day; who said dog trainers(field trialers) are "Old, Washed-out Atheletes"! This is referred to as "extended casting" and this drill pays BIG dividends when Babbs understands it and you can BOTH apply it in the field!

Remember training(teaching) starts at 49 days. It's your job to teach(know when it is learned!)THEN reinforce, all-the-while maintaining a sound, healthy, productive work-attitude; the latter being the most difficult because every one of them is a different "science project"! Some dogs hate drills, some love them; it is going to be healthier for Bruce to feed and care for the one that likes to work!

Maybe too much coffee? Huh,Dave?!?

Best of luck in ALL your K-9 endeavors!

Bruce

Great advice. If you only have one arm does the drill go twice as fast?

Hey!

I hope that there is a plethora of 60mph, cross-wind blinds, both land and water, ALL with a RIGHT TO LEFT crosswind!

Bruce

What Bruce said! This is an excellent drill.

Also, make sure your cast is different enough so you don't confuse the dog. I find that the angle-arm position, coupled with a *small* step in that direction helps.

Lisa

quote:

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Originally posted by MITCHELL:
Dave,
I can not speak for most trainers, but you don't want to put too much on an immature mind. I teach angles after a pup has _successfully_ completed basics for two reasons 1) the pup has a much better understanding of whats expected of it and 2) why would I waste my time teaching this if I am still uncertain as to whether the pup is going to make the _next step!_ This hurdle would be the completion of "the basics" while maintaining,(both the dog _and_ the trainer!), an attitude of _great exuberance_ for oneanother! i.e. the dog still wants to "play" as hard as I do! ALL trainers want to own a fun-loving(STYLISH) dog, don't let anyone fool you!
Bruce

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Bruce,
Thanks, all good reasons to wait.
Dave B.