[Guest]

How do you deal with a dog returning to an old fall?

I've seen some trainers burn their dog, others let the dog get into the aof, call them back and repeatedly re-casting using attrition to make their point. Another strategy I've seen is stopping the dog as soon as it angles towards an old fall, bringing it back in and re-casting. On the second error, the dog is stopped and nicked and then re-cast...I guess increasing correction with repeated errors.

 

[Buttercup]

First you have to teach the dog not to return to an old fall. Do this using a Dirt Clod Drill. That is have 2 gun stations in the field about equal distance from the line, 100-200 yards away, and fairly spread apart (60 degrees). Have the memory bird in the field with a duck and a bit clod of dirt, and the go bird with just a duck. Have the memory bird throw the dirt clod like it would a mark, then have the go bird throw. Send the dog for the go bird and when it returns line it up and send it for the "memory bird". Let the dog hunt, it will not find anything as the dirt clod will disappear on impact. When the dog commits to going to the old fall, blow a sit whistle and say "NO". Handle back to the memory bird AOF and let the dog hunt again. When it commits to return to the old fall, have the gunner throw out the bird without the dog seeing it. Blow the whistle and say "NO" again. Handle back to the AOF. The dog should find a bird. Repeat this drill in a few different fields without using the collar to correct until the dog is knows not to return to an old fall. This drill can be used for switching by having the go bird throw and dirt clod and the memory bird throw a duck. Either way, teach first and then correct.

 

[Misty Marsh]

I try to avoid letting them get there, and stop them, "No" , nick, and cast out of it.

 

[Howard N]

I try to avoid letting them get there, and stop them, "No" , nick, and cast out of it.

I don't use a collar correction for this until I am sure the dog is well enough schooled in not returning to an old fall that it knows it shouldn't.

 

[GONEHUNTIN']

What Misty Marsh said. First though, they do need to be taught to hunt the area of the fall. I have never liked the dirt clod drill. Many times you see the dog actually FIND the dirt clod and try to pick it up. We much prefered throwing a bumper out with decoy line attached, and reeling it back in when it hit. I just thought it was more effective. The dogs seem to know from day one the dirt clod is a set up. If they try to trail the bumper back to the gunner, it's a good time to teach them not to hunt at the gun.

 

[Richard Finch]

Correction

I'm gonna go with Misty on this one. Stop the problem before it becomes a problem. I also like Howard's response. Make sure animal knows why he or she is being corrected.


Richard

 

[Angie B]

Re: Correction

I'm gonna go with Misty on this one. Stop the problem before it becomes a problem. I also like Howard's response. Make sure animal knows why he or she is being corrected.


Richard

Yup!!!

I save dirt clod for teaching to stay in the area of the fall. There's so many ways to teach that drill that it can be used on puppies through adult dogs.

Angie

 

[john fallon]

I try to avoid letting them get there, and stop them, "No" , nick, and cast out of it.

I don't use a collar correction for this until I am sure the dog is well enough schooled in not returning to an old fall that it knows it shouldn't.

In the case of a premtive handle and cast refusal.
Would not the correction be for the cast refusal???

john

 

[Misty Marsh]

Very true Howard ! Like any collar correction you have to be sure that the dog know's why it's getting the correction, and it's up to the handler to make that desision based on the dog's experience level as well as other facotr's.