[Lee Watt]

Just curious if I'm screwing with my dog. Been out training the last couple of weeks in the snow. Always try to get a spot where the snow is either compacted or cleared off but not always the case as some times there is an inch or two of fresh snow on the ground. It now seems that he is pouncing on the bumper and sometimes it is skidding around even on the hard pack. Then in the deeper snow he is trying to pin it up between his front to paws so that he can bite one end. This is also causing him to cigar it and often he drops it at my feet as soon as he gets to me

So the question is do I FF him to the Bumper in the deep snow and keep doing so until he doesn't play with it between his paws or do I shorten up his retrieves on the hard pack. FF him to it so he grabs it right and then do a little OB before he gives it to me. I don't feel like getting him to fetch it every time only to correct him for the drop when he gets back to me.

I will note that if the bumper is cold and covered in slober and snow he seems to drop it faster. The first few when the bumper is warmer he holds it better.

Been changing my ideas about it every couple of days and nothing seems to work.

Or is there a temp that I shouldn't train below because the frozen bumper and snow are to cold to really get him to do everything right.

Lee

 

[verne socks]

What about using birds?

 

[Mary Lynn Metras]

When it is snow (this year has not been too bad) I use canvas bumpers. If he is a pup I keep things simple and for my 2 yo I would run longer stand alone marks, but I be sure where the bumper lands it is in clear sight for him especially if the snow is deep. I also do blind work and drills. Have fun; it is a challenge training in the snow.

 

[Griddoc]

Use canvas bumpers as they do not bury in the snow as readily. Also, like suggested earlier, dead birds. They do the trick. I also take my truck and make a good deep snow tracks for 50-70 yards and back on it again and do some pile work on the tracks. Good opportunity to do this in deep packed tire tracks. If your gonna hunt in it your should train in it!

 

[Rich Martin]

I will note that if the bumper is cold and covered in slober and snow he seems to drop it faster. The first few when the bumper is warmer he holds it better.

Or is there a temp that I shouldn't train below because the frozen bumper and snow are to cold to really get him to do everything right.

Lee

It may be the cold bumper hurts his teeth, my lab will hold until the bumpers start getting snow to stick to it then he his fast to drop it. dead birds may be an answer or rotate the bumpers out. good luck

 

[Mallard Mugger]

How far along is this dog in his training? Has he been FF already? Any particular program you are following?

If I was to look at this as he has been through FF, I'd say you're not keeping your standards up. New situation (snow) correlates to new scenario. Keep your standards up.

 

[Mallard Mugger]

And use canvas bumpers in snow, as previously stated. Take them inside when done to thaw out.