[smd13]

My dog has started to pop on her water blinds (cold). We are in transition, and have already passed our first HRC seasoned test. The last three times we have run cold blinds in the water she has started to pop at about 10 yards in the water. today, she did this on the 2nd and 4th blind. the 1st and 3rd she had no problem, lined them pretty good. we have not had any problems with our land blinds, only when we are using the ponds. anyone have any suggestions as to what i could do to remedy this?

 

[Evan]

Water forced? All elements of Basics? What, specifically, have you done in Transition?

Evan

 

[smd13]

i don't know if this is what you are asking for, but these are the drills that we have been doing for 2 months or so...Tune up drills, KRD drills with marks thrown away from line and over the line, split drills, chair drills, diversion birds with marks, de cheat marks, angle entries and exits, down the shore blinds, Walk around blinds, Inline vertical marks, inline horizontal marks, marks in cover, marks and blinds from on type of cover to another and W drill. This just started recently while running Tune up drills.

 

[Furball]

I don't understand --- if the dog is "in transition" then how is she running cold blinds?

That said have you not just done a back-nick-back and see where that gets you?

 

[Nate_C]

I think Evan was asking about water force and swim by. Were those done completely? If so how long ago? How old is your dog. If they have then from what I have always heard:

1. Do fewer water blinds. If you do to much it will effect there attitude and increase popping.
2. Simplify. Dogs often pop when they are confused or overwelmed. This includes concept and length.
3. Handle less. If you're handling alot on each blind, dogs tend to anticipate and pop. For younger dogs if the are giving effort and trying to do the right thing let them go. As they get more confident challenge the blind more and more.
4. Back, nick, back. 1-3 are to make sure you are not asking to much of the dog but never let them pop. Always give them a back command, collar nick, and another back command as quickly after the pop as you can. You do not need to burn them. Low to mod for your dog is usually enough.

 

[Evan]

i don't know if this is what you are asking for, but these are the drills that we have been doing for 2 months or so...Tune up drills, KRD drills with marks thrown away from line and over the line, split drills, chair drills, diversion birds with marks, de cheat marks, angle entries and exits, down the shore blinds, Walk around blinds, Inline vertical marks, inline horizontal marks, marks in cover, marks and blinds from on type of cover to another and W drill. This just started recently while running Tune up drills.

You're doing some good drill work, although it's some of the nit-picky stuff that relies on sound Basics and a good attitude. So, what I'm asking is for specifics about the dog's Basics so I know what essential tools he has to work with. I'm happy to offer advice, but I want to know what to base it on.

Evan

 

[smd13]

I went back to look at my drill logs, these are the things that we have done. She has been through force fetch, water force, swim by, doubles, Collar Conditioned, simple casting, no hands back, pile work, mark off gun barrel, walk ups, pattern blinds, pattern blinds with diversions, wagon wheels, NO No drills, memory marks, T work (single & double), water T, single retrieves 125 yards, singles in cover 70+ yards, Walking baseball, zig zag drills, and 4 phase drill. I have done nick back nick with her. Nate C, i have done the Tune up drills only 4 times in the last three weeks. I dont think i have over done it. I really want to work on this more to be honest.
Evan i re-read your book on secrets of the pros and you covered popping (173-176). when she pops give her a back command in the direction she turned. Some other threads on this recommended to simplify.
I am going to go back to shorter blinds on Tune up drills, Pattern blinds. Try to set her up for success. a couple of questions to add to this thread: 1) should she see me put out the bumpers when i do the Tune up drills? 2) how often should i work on improving her water blinds? cut back or increase the number of times i do these things? 3) is there a correlation with land blinds and water blinds? i have more access to pastures than water (1 or 2 ponds). thanks

 

[John Alles]

Just curious but what part of the country are you in and how is the water/air temp? Young dog maybe and cold water, does she have a good water attitude?

Long shot I know but worth mentioning at least, sometimes folks get a little eager when the water can still be pretty cold.

 

[KwickLabs]

Apparantly, the basic sequence is there. However, it's easy to get swept up with the "novelty" of transition to the extent that marking takes a backseat. If this happens, it is not unusual for a young dog to pop. They are out of balance.

Lining drills and all the "neat stuff" that leads up to running cold blinds may build pressure if there is no relief. You might look at the ratio of your "blinds and drill work" vs. "marking and birds". Too much demand for focus and control vs. not enough excitement and fun (birds and marks) can easily create issues. Treat the cause.