I am trying to get my lab to mark. Right now, when I throw a bumper, I command her to "watch" for the falling bumper. My ultimate goal is to have her "watch" for birds and mark the one that falls. I was thinking that I could also walk in a field and when a bird flies above us, I show her the bird and command "watch". That way, she will eventually look for birds when I give command. Any thoughts on this method? Will it conflict with the method that I am using now?
marking question
sportlab89
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I am trying to get my lab to mark. Right now, when I throw a bumper, I command her to "watch" for the falling bumper. My ultimate goal is to have her "watch" for birds and mark the one that falls. I was thinking that I could also walk in a field and when a bird flies above us, I show her the bird and command "watch". That way, she will eventually look for birds when I give command. Any thoughts on this method? Will it conflict with the method that I am using now?
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How old is the dog?
"Watch", or "mark" are cues, not commands. They are not a super important part of teaching marking.
The key to getting the dog to look out in the field, is to use "guns" in the field, to throw the marks.
Lyle Steinman says "No hand thrown marks, from your side!"
When the dog is looking at the gun station(s) it is time to introduce your cue of choice, before calling for the bird(s).
"Watch", or "mark" are cues, not commands. They are not a super important part of teaching marking.
The key to getting the dog to look out in the field, is to use "guns" in the field, to throw the marks.
Lyle Steinman says "No hand thrown marks, from your side!"
When the dog is looking at the gun station(s) it is time to introduce your cue of choice, before calling for the bird(s).
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Get any helper to go out in the field. It doesn't have to be too far. The helper yells "Bang bang" then throws the bumper. If your dog likes to retrieve she will get it. Start short then start to go longer. Of course guns are better but not necessary to start off.
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Not a good idea...when you cue a dog to "mark" they should expect to see a bird fall...if you do that with game birds and they dont get shot and drop it will only confuse the dog
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Be sure to introduce to gun shots before having a gunner in the field. One of the above posts indicated not to thrown by hand. A little of that is ok but we get dogs at our kennel for me to train that will look up at me rather than out in the field. The reason is that they are looking at the handler to see him throw the dummy. It's a bad habit. Also the hand held dummy launchers can cause the same problem and create a wall for distance on retrieves since it always goes the same distance. That's a lot of don'ts. Either get friends, kids or significant other to throw marks. Or buy a remote launcher.
But based on the question, I would recommend that you buy a good dog training book that is illustrated or videos. There are lots of good ones out there. If I'm off base just say so but it you would like a recommendation on a book or video just let me know.
But based on the question, I would recommend that you buy a good dog training book that is illustrated or videos. There are lots of good ones out there. If I'm off base just say so but it you would like a recommendation on a book or video just let me know.
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Then how do I get my dog to continuously scan the sky for birds, and mark the location of downed game; with just help from an assistant;?
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Experience! You are mixing up training from what a dog learns from many trips in the blind while hunting.
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If you are the one throwing the marks, the dog will believe that you are the source of the marks.
It will look at you, not the sky.
By using an assistant, winger, or remote bumper launcher, the dog will learn to look out in the field for the source of the marks. Dog's key on movement, so if it is looking out, it will see every bird that flies overhead.
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Don't worry about teaching the dog to watch the sky and follow birds. Teach the dog to mark in training.... the watching the sky will happen on its own while hunting.
Steve
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This is my experience also. They learn to mark first.
About the 2nd time hunting they're adding up where the birds come from and are actively scanning the sky for more birds.
I am by no means a pro trainer nor do I have nearly the experience that any of these other folks have, but I use the "watch" cue when settling down at the line to get my dogs looking out into the field. I just use it to get them to focus for their marks, before the mark is thrown. Don't know if this is correct or not but it has been good for me, especially on the first few hunts when the dog is kind of clueless as to why they are sitting on the dog hide. I say watch and they perk up and start looking.
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My experience is, you don't have to teach that. Train the dog to mark. Then take it hunting. Before you know it, the dog will have figured it out. You'll notice that if you watch the dog, you will know when birds are approaching before you can even see them yourself.;-)
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Most people use "mark" as the cue. But it doesn't really matter what the word is as long as it is used consistently. As one poster said he uses "watch". They perk up after the cue because they learn through repetition that when you say that word a bird falls somewhere.
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I agree that the training should be for marking and watching birds fly will happen when hunting.
To expedite the hunting experience and thus the dog's watching for birds, you may want to try to contact a game preserve or lodge that offers Continental Pheasant Shoots or duck hunts. You may be able to take your dog and pick up birds for the hunters. The dogs will see a lot of birds in a short period of time.
To expedite the hunting experience and thus the dog's watching for birds, you may want to try to contact a game preserve or lodge that offers Continental Pheasant Shoots or duck hunts. You may be able to take your dog and pick up birds for the hunters. The dogs will see a lot of birds in a short period of time.
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If I'm hand throwing a bumper I will not cue mark until it has it's highest point. Worked well.
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Very true.... plus when they have it figured out it's easier to watch the dog than to watch the sky.
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Good advice here! This question is for Wayne or anyone else. I don't have a winger, and can only talk "bumper girl" my wife, into tossing bumpers occasionly. What about steadying the pup at the line, and walking out 50 yards or so and then toss? Would that take some of the focuss off of me the handler??
Thanks! john
Thanks! john
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That is called stand alones or walking singles and is a good way to get in marks when you have no help or equipment. I try to do these once a week. Even with 3 wingers I get 10 times more marks because I don't have to reload and move the winger after every set-up.
Mark L.
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