Twice in the last week, my dog has popped after he failed to locate the mark. Both times he went to the fall, did a short hunt, then popped. I rarely handle him on marks, but I have handled. I believe this is what he's looking for - help from me. The question is, what do I do about this? Thanks
Popping
John Corman
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Twice in the last week, my dog has popped after he failed to locate the mark. Both times he went to the fall, did a short hunt, then popped. I rarely handle him on marks, but I have handled. I believe this is what he's looking for - help from me. The question is, what do I do about this? Thanks
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No. He had left the area or took a bad line and never hit the area.
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Do you have bird boys who can help..so the help doesn't come from you? (so the dogs desire to have you help isn't reinforced)
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I had that happen with my dog for the first time in a hunt test. I handled him to the bird and actually passed the test. After the test I was given some advice from far more experienced tainers; "never handle from a pop on a mark. Wait the dog out". Since that time I have had my dog pop a few tinmes in training on a memory mark. Sure enough, if I wait long enough, he will continue the hunt and retrieve the bird. It is hard to wait them out but I think ultimately it let's them know they can't rely on you for marks until you make the decision.
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Would it be good to say "no, find it" and maybe nick him?
In these scenarios there is always information missing from prior events. It's so hard to give advice not knowing what has been done before. In training, I don't look at a pop as a bad thing. It usually means the dog is thinking. I find it happens when they are torn between two choices.
In a consistent training program the popping stops when the dog is trained through the confusion and comfortable with making the right choice.
Good luck.
In a consistent training program the popping stops when the dog is trained through the confusion and comfortable with making the right choice.
Good luck.
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From what I have seen a pop on a mark is a dog looking for help. I wait them out. If they start to come in I'll give them a nick back. Let them return hunting the mark. Only when they are putting on a good hunt, but total lost will I help on a mark. In training I will only cast in the direction of the mark not handle all the way to the mark. Giving pressure on marks is not a good thing.
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Would you say he popped because he was so confident about what he was doing? Do you think nailing him with an e-collar will make him more confident? Probably "No" to both, don't you think?
This week make your marks a little simpler; shorter, less cover, less concept. Set him up to succeed for a week or so. Then see if this is really a problem that requires pressure.
Evan
For the next couple training sessions, place four or five extra birds in your fall areas. It will give him more of an opportunity to be successful and build his confidence up. Then knock it down to two extra birds for a couple sessions, then back to normal. Something has knocked down his confidence, and this is a pretty simple way to boost it back without adding more confusion.
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5,202 Posts
two words... gunner help...
gunner says "hunt it up"...
then simplify and encourage the dog to work things out in the aof himself...
gunner says "hunt it up"...
then simplify and encourage the dog to work things out in the aof himself...
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