Rowdy (by Pirate) Left leg of pattern blinds

[Wayne Nutt]

No, I only do a three legged pattern blind. I follow TRT2. The next step is pattern blind with diversions. You can see this sequence with a video of Hank (by Pirate). Then next is what I call taught blinds. I forget what Mike calls them. But have a bird boy go out and drop or baby toss some bumpers on a pile with the dog watching. Walk the dog off the line briefly and return then run blind. Then cold blinds.

There was a good discussion of this transition to cold blinds previously that Mike uses versus say what Danny Farmer does. I am not a good enough trainer to go straight from T and wagon wheel to cold blinds. I need the pattern blinds and blind drills.

http://www.retrievertraining.net/for...28by+Pirate%29
http://www.retrievertraining.net/for...ghlight=Blinds

[Mary Lynn Metras]

Great job Wayne. Slow and steady.

[MooseGooser]

I read an article that Danny Farmer had written (that someone posted a while back.) It was about how he starts running cold blinds. He basically goes straight into cold blinds right after Double T and 8 bumper casting/lining. Now I would be a total fool to question that, BUT, that seems like a big step for anyone BUT a Pro. You would definately have to have EVERYTHING ironed out in Double T, and know exactly when, and how to help on those first cold blinds.

Wayne what are your (or anyone else) goals/objectives with pattern blinds? Do you run a 5 legged PB? Do you cast to the various piles once you have them solid? (like in DL Walters book)

I posted Farmers link before.

I was surprised with this dog I have now, we skipped pattern blinds, and went straight to cold blinds, right out of the yard.
( we spent a TON of time there)
It was fun to see different dogs way of accepting this big step. Some took right to it, and did well, others struggled a bit. Mine was kinda in between.

Eventually like Howards anaolgy of small advancement, they get it.

What was drilled into me while I was at this step, was it really wasnt about the line to the blind, it was about teaching the dog to handel.
To make sure you took every advatage to use "sit",, and get a lot of whistles and casts.. very little pressure mostly on "sit" ,, just attrition .You end up with a dog, that has quite a few whistles in them, and they cast well.

Wayne,, Rowdy looks really good... Congrats on your hard work.. Takes a bunch of dedication...

Gooser

[Mountain Duck]

Wayne and Gooser, thanks for the replies and explanations!

[Byron Musick]

Nice job!! Once I got past all the intitial force stuff, this part is where it became fun!

[BrettG]

This is the point of training that I love. The dogs start gaining confidence and you can literally see them start having fun.