When helping out a dog on a mark that they have put up a good hunt on but just can't seem to find, and start to return or get out of the area of the fall, what kind of help do you give them? I will start to walk to the bumper and yell to get their attention and pick the bumper up and throw it up in the air so it will land in the original area of the fall. I have seen other trainers yell and act as if they were throwing another bumper, throw another bumper in another area from the original and a few other methods to get their attention. What if any is the best method to help on marks? I also know if the problem continues you need to shorten the marks.
Helping on Marks
MDbaydog
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When helping out a dog on a mark that they have put up a good hunt on but just can't seem to find, and start to return or get out of the area of the fall, what kind of help do you give them? I will start to walk to the bumper and yell to get their attention and pick the bumper up and throw it up in the air so it will land in the original area of the fall. I have seen other trainers yell and act as if they were throwing another bumper, throw another bumper in another area from the original and a few other methods to get their attention. What if any is the best method to help on marks? I also know if the problem continues you need to shorten the marks.
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If you have help the dirt clod drill will help. You need a bird boy to help with this. You have your bird boy throw the mark. Then you throw a mark off line to get the dogs attention from the first mark. Have your bird boy remove the first mark without the dog seeing him. When the dog returns from the off line mark send him on mark one. Let him put on a good hunt. When he starts to leave the fail area have the bird boy throw the mark again when the dog is not looking. Have the bird boy then Hay! Hay! him back into the fall area. This teaches the dog to stay in the fall area.
You can on your own if the mark is short throw a bumper when he leaves the fall area and Hay Hay him back into it.
You can also pepper the area with bumpers and have the area well scented.
You can on your own if the mark is short throw a bumper when he leaves the fall area and Hay Hay him back into it.
You can also pepper the area with bumpers and have the area well scented.
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How 'young' is the dog, in training terms? Is the problem a recurring problem, or just an occasional one?
Is the root cause that the dog isn't marking well, or that he gives up on the hunt?
Two different problems, with two different ways of addressing the problem. Sorry to seem obtuse. And, I certainly don't mean to sound condescending. But, it's not clear to me what you think the real problem is.
Is the root cause that the dog isn't marking well, or that he gives up on the hunt?
Two different problems, with two different ways of addressing the problem. Sorry to seem obtuse. And, I certainly don't mean to sound condescending. But, it's not clear to me what you think the real problem is.
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This would include dogs of several different levels from just starting marks (short cover and shorter marks) to more experienced dogs with longer marks, but do not handle yet. It is only occasional that they need help, and they all are marking well most of the time, but once in a while need help. They all usually repeat the same mark with no problem. They also will put up a good hunt before leaving area of fall. This question is not about one dog in general but more about helping any one of them, if they should need it on a training day.
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Okie dokie, then. Here's my 2cents in general.
For young dogs just getting started having the bird boy help them out sounds like good advice to me. You want the dog to be succesful and love the game.
For more mature dogs that suddenly begin this behavior. It's possible that they are, without your intending it, becoming too dependent on you to make life easier. So, I would not handle the dog. I would just stand there and wait them out and see if they start hunting again. If they come in, send them back out until they bring back the prize. To err on the side of caution, make the marks simpler and gradually increase the difficulty.
Carol Cassity's rule is 'Hard to get to, easy to find. Or, 'Easy to get to, hard to find...' But, not hard to get to and hard to find.
For young dogs just getting started having the bird boy help them out sounds like good advice to me. You want the dog to be succesful and love the game.
For more mature dogs that suddenly begin this behavior. It's possible that they are, without your intending it, becoming too dependent on you to make life easier. So, I would not handle the dog. I would just stand there and wait them out and see if they start hunting again. If they come in, send them back out until they bring back the prize. To err on the side of caution, make the marks simpler and gradually increase the difficulty.
Carol Cassity's rule is 'Hard to get to, easy to find. Or, 'Easy to get to, hard to find...' But, not hard to get to and hard to find.
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