We just started water marks with Bandit, he is 7 months. We did 5 water marks with him yesterday. This was his third day ever in the water, he is swimming well, tons of enthusiasm - but he is talking/screaming the whole way out to the bumper! (You'd almost think I was running a Toller ) Obviously he is frustrated that he can't get there "fast enough" for his liking.

What should I do? What should I NOT do? He is pretty quiet on line, and is corrected (heeling stick) for any line noise. He runs land marks quietly except sometimes a small yip as he leaves the line.

He is steady on the line and looks out for the gunner. He has tons of drive, and takes correction very well. I will try to remember to video his next water session. I do have photos of the above mentioned session, you should be able to see them here: Bandit water marks

I have a girl that occasionaly barks while retrieving in the water. She only does it when she gets really amped up, either working in cold water or when the bumper/bird is moving away from her (like in the river). A few weeks ago I decided to try telling her "quiet," a command she learned as a puppy, when she started barking in the middle of a retrieve. To my pleasant surprise she stopped, and has continued to stop barking on command ever since. She's also barking less and less as she gets the idea that I want her quiet. I've never tried correcting her for it, but giving her a command she knows has worked well.

Leif

FWIW, I had the opportunity to watch Bandit's aunt (full sister to Sassie) on some water marks when she was about a yr old...she barked and screamed while in the water...

Now she is running all age stakes, so I would assume the issue was corrected or went away as she matured..not sure which.

Juli

While I do not think this is a problem you can make it one.
Since this is your dog's introduction to water you like to see him swim but with this noise you don't want the dog to be placed in a situation that gives him that opportunity.
Why reward this bad behavior with what the dog craves, a bumper/bird?
For the time being I would keep water retrieves restricted to short swims( under 5-6 strokes) or running water. Then introduce short sight lining piles across a narrow canal(10-15yds) removing the excitement of the throw.
Once the dog learns more about water then return to marks.
They are creatures of habit, good and bad. Don't take the chance. Noise is one of the hardest bad habits to break.

JMO

Tim

I had the chance to have breakfast with 2 judges from my area a few days ago. They are both HRC Finished level judges, and they had two differing opinions. I guess it just pays to know who is judging the test. Since this is all new to me, I didn't realize there is so much leway in the rules/regulations.


Josh

Muddy Twelve Gauge

Lisa

What a nice water training area, you are lucky. I agree with Tim, back off the distance on water marks, stay out of the moving water or wind blowing the dummy away so the pup doesn't get frustrated at the "lack of traction" in the water.

And you know that dogs are like kids, they rarely ever pick up good habits from each other only the bad ones. If Bandit was around to observe the tollers screaming in the water bandit might figure it is normal.

Have fun

Jeff