I have a high power coming 6 golden. She is a great dog but now at the upper level all my weaknesses are exposed. We are running master I have 3 passes. Only 1 this year. My first test in June, our first 2 series were quite good. My third series I made rookie handler mistakes but we still passed. It was the first test where I thought "ok maybe I'm starting to get this". However the last 3 test I have entered make me think I should quit.
First of all she has broken twice. Once last year, one this year. I'm working hard on this and I understand marking goes to the window when you work line manners. I'm also working on her duck handling. That I "think" has improved. My issue is she is not marking. The past 2 tests she's managed to get the flyer but not another duck. She didn't break but she did creep badly, I did re heel her before sending her on the flyer at the last test. I can't have my dog running like a mad dog all over the hunt test. I'm at wits end.
I'm a rookie handler. This is my first dog for field and she is a lot of dog. I do believe she takes control at a hunt test and I'm chump change. No collar she knows it. I also live in the middle of suburbia without easy access to training grounds. I can get access to large areas for potential yard work a couple times a week. My question is what the heck should I be doing because I feel I don't know?
For the line I carry a heeling stick (and collar) and if she so much as shifts I correct her with the stick. For her duck handling I took that back inside with bumpers and just worked on her giving to me on the give command without touching I think that's improved but we haven't had more than one duck to take from her at a test in months. She usually spits the first one out as there are more in the field. I assume I need to keep working these pieces. What can I do while I do this to improve her marking and memory. I know she's a good marking dog, and has had shown good memory so I'm thinking its a training thing or me making mistakes. How do I work to hopefully carry forward into the test environment.
I'm frustrated because I lack knowledge to fix what's broken. I really wanted to finish her MH this year. It's obviously not happening. I'm not entering any more tests until these issues are improved. Oh this poor marking hasn't just been in tests. A few weeks ago I did a single to a double. She picked up the single but on the double could not find either duck, one was short not over 60 yards and that's generous. I had to pick her up she was starting to overheat. I've mostly done singles before and after that experience.
Frustration......
First of all she has broken twice. Once last year, one this year. I'm working hard on this and I understand marking goes to the window when you work line manners. I'm also working on her duck handling. That I "think" has improved. My issue is she is not marking. The past 2 tests she's managed to get the flyer but not another duck. She didn't break but she did creep badly, I did re heel her before sending her on the flyer at the last test. I can't have my dog running like a mad dog all over the hunt test. I'm at wits end.
I'm a rookie handler. This is my first dog for field and she is a lot of dog. I do believe she takes control at a hunt test and I'm chump change. No collar she knows it. I also live in the middle of suburbia without easy access to training grounds. I can get access to large areas for potential yard work a couple times a week. My question is what the heck should I be doing because I feel I don't know?
For the line I carry a heeling stick (and collar) and if she so much as shifts I correct her with the stick. For her duck handling I took that back inside with bumpers and just worked on her giving to me on the give command without touching I think that's improved but we haven't had more than one duck to take from her at a test in months. She usually spits the first one out as there are more in the field. I assume I need to keep working these pieces. What can I do while I do this to improve her marking and memory. I know she's a good marking dog, and has had shown good memory so I'm thinking its a training thing or me making mistakes. How do I work to hopefully carry forward into the test environment.
I'm frustrated because I lack knowledge to fix what's broken. I really wanted to finish her MH this year. It's obviously not happening. I'm not entering any more tests until these issues are improved. Oh this poor marking hasn't just been in tests. A few weeks ago I did a single to a double. She picked up the single but on the double could not find either duck, one was short not over 60 yards and that's generous. I had to pick her up she was starting to overheat. I've mostly done singles before and after that experience.
Frustration......
