This is a very interesting question. Historically, I think many of us to thought linearly and so we would work on long retireds for a week or two and then short retireds for a week or two. We found that dogs would get out of balance and that then you would have to try and re-balance. Nowadays, we try to stay more balanced. So we focus on long retireds for awhile but incorporate the short with them enough to not get out of balance. The balance of each depends on not only the dog but how good u are at balancing the art and the science of training, ie., there is no formula here. Your dog and his journal of performance is you teacher! This can be tricky stuff! Great Question!
I will assume you are talking about my description of the Two Punch drill in my Best of Online Favorite Marking Setups Collection OR the Rick Stawski DVD version and NOT the Two short marking drill discussed last night with Pat. First, I do not see how you can do this well with only two helpers-(one long and one short) because you need those two short throws without somebody moving and confusing! If you have to move a short gunner in between it could be very confusing. I always use 3 or more devices(5 is best!). Secondly, if you look at the diagrams, the two punch birds are very widely separated. Your dog should not be switching or distracted by the the other punch bird while doing this setup. We are trying to repeat the idea not challenge the dog! Maybe you need to do more simpler up the middle punch birds more. Your dog needs to focus on a clear destination and go to it. Do more un-retireds for awhile. Handling is the usual situation if a switch or getting lost enroute but please stay inside the do-nut! We are starting to play with the big dogs with these set-ups so stay on the porch if u are not ready
It's your version, at least you're the one credited with it. (Dennis Voigt, Retrievers Online, Vol. XXlll #2, pg 26) I've never seen the Rick Stawski one. It says the requirements are 2 or more helpers and ideally 5 stickmen. It's done as a delayed triple so there is no confusion with the short throws.I will assume you are talking about my description of the Two Punch drill in my Best of Online Favorite Marking Setups Collection OR the Rick Stawski DVD version and NOT the Two short marking drill discussed last night with Pat. First, I do not see how you can do this well with only two helpers-(one long and one short) because you need those two short throws without somebody moving and confusing! If you have to move a short gunner in between it could be very confusing. I always use 3 or more devices(5 is best!). Secondly, if you look at the diagrams, the two punch birds are very widely separated. Your dog should not be switching or distracted by the the other punch bird while doing this setup. We are trying to repeat the idea not challenge the dog! Maybe you need to do more simpler up the middle punch birds more. Your dog needs to focus on a clear destination and go to it. Do more un-retireds for awhile. Handling is the usual situation if a switch or getting lost enroute but please stay inside the do-nut! We are starting to play with the big dogs with these set-ups so stay on the porch if u are not ready
If u do get a switch or a lost destination, then yes handle. Do first set ups un-retired before u retire.
Hope this helps
Spine Head Eyes Attitude
