Setting Up Derby Marks

[John Lash]

I think a dog would have to mark G1 to get it.

[Ted Shih]

In trying to establish separation my question is: there appears to be a slight hill side that dogs would need to hold in order to not drop behind the gun station; the trained dog would hold the hill; however another dog, not so well trained, may not hold the hill and might end up behind the gun station and loop around to get the bird – still showing excellent natural marking ability. My question is how you would mark a dog that fell off the hillside went behind the gun and hooked to the bird as opposed to one that took a straight line directly to the bird - both could be displaying natural marking ability? Would the slight hook be an issue in separating the dogs? .

I would not care about the hook. Many judges would.

[Ted Shih]

I have the same question for you, John, as I had for Jeff

What are the factors in this field that will influence a dog's path?

Ted

[MooseGooser]

I think the terrain in Mr Lashes example pulls the dog to run at the guns on both marks.

[Ted Shih]

I think the terrain in Mr Lashes example pulls the dog to run at the guns on both marks.

Ok, but why?
What are the factors at work?

[MooseGooser]

the downward slope of the hills.

dogs would tend to run downhill istead of fighting that tendency and run a straight line to the bird.

the factor is a sidehill for left hand mark,, and the factor for right hand mark is the valley at the bottom of the hill. I think dogs would get sucked into hunting that vally behind gun.

[Ted Shih]

the downward slope of the hills.

dogs would tend to run downhill istead of fighting that tendency and run a straight line to the bird.

the factor is a sidehill for left hand mark,, and the factor for right hand mark is the valley at the bottom of the hill. I think dogs would get sucked into hunting that vally behind gun.

Ok

To be more specific
1) Dogs tend to run at the gunner
2) Dogs tend to run uphill or downhill, not along a side hill

Anything else?

[Ted Shih]

I think the terrain in Mr Lashes example pulls the dog to run at the guns on both marks.

Focus on the left hand bird.

What are the factors at play here?
- Slope
- Gun

What else?

[MooseGooser]

cover changes?

[Howard N]

Terrain changes too, could be a barrier. Not to much of an angle but I think some.

Also, if we're looking at it from our height, at a dog's level it could look like it's landing the hill down there. Could have some dogs hunt short there.