The Spotted Devil

Super weekend away with Em - for once the trial site was only 1.5 hours drive so it felt very luxurious to have my camp site set up before dark! Very, very cold weekend and not many people camped - I imagine the muddy conditions would have made it difficult to get caravans in and out so most folk stayed in the nearby town. Anyway I had an outdoor butane heater that worked a treat whilst I was cooking and eating plus lots of bedding and a certain Spaniel to keep me warm….especially Saturday night when it got down to -2C! Beautiful property and lovely owners. Plenty of water and the judges were spoilt for choice. Saturday: Weather was cold, wet and miserable for the most part. Run 1: Double memory mark with relocation and a blind. I went out on the thrower and placed the blind for the first half of competitors. The firing point/s were awkward to get to and there were trees between the firing point and where you sent the dog, which made handling difficult. So! Collect the gun and shells. Walk to first firing point. Fire at mark going left to right (right of field) and immediately fire 2nd shot at unsighted bird at left of field. Reload. Relocate to second firing point (further back) and fire at white bird going right to left - I don't think the dogs saw much more than the first part of the upside of the arc. Leave. Send dog for first mark. Send dog for second mark. Send dog for blind. Not much to say about this run because Em picked up all 3 without a command and she top scored the run!!! For a little dog that has barely left the property for 4 weeks due to car difficulties I was absolutely thrilled. She was just so confident and the judge was wrapped. To top score an AA run just blows my mind. Run 2: Double memory mark and a blind but the relocations were enough to do a handler's head in :laugh: Collect gun and shells and walk to first firing point. Fire at mark going right to left (right of field) across a steep, narrow gully (with water I think?) Relocate backwards to far peg. Fire at mark going right to left (left of field) landing in water - it was designed so we couldn't see the bird in the trees but saw it splash in the water. Leave. Place dog in hide a little further backwards still. Relocate to 3rd firing point slightly forward of 2nd firing point. Fire at blind straight ahead - over a dry gully and behind a huge tree - which gave the dogs the opportunity to switch to either mark in the gully without being seen by the handler. Pick up the blind and then the marks in any order. Em saw the first mark but the second mark we were a bit unlucky with the wind - how unlucky I didn't realise until afterwards but basically the wind dropped and the mark landed very short and we didn't even see the splash. So! Sent for the blind and she took off like a bullet - I lost sight of her as she ran into the gully but she popped up in the most beautiful straight line at the base of the large tree and started hunting. I stopped her. Let her settle. Gave her one left back that got her into the area and her nose did the rest. I was so pleased. I think the judge tried to give me a hint that the 2nd mark had drifted even shorter still but I just couldn't concentrate on Em and listen to him at the same time so I messed the next bit up. Unbeknownst to me, as Em came flying back through the gully she got a HUGE eyeful of the 2nd mark floating in the water. When she delivered the blind she gave me every indication that she knew exactly where the 2nd mark was but I had planned to pick up the 1st (long). A very good lesson to listen to your dog!!! Because as soon as she hit the gully (where I couldn't see) she swung left, entered the FREEZING cold water and picked up the 2nd mark. We were out but she was so, so pleased with herself and so was I. The judge was really lovely and said how sorry he was that she didn't get to tackle the 3rd run. Run 3: Double blind across a very large gully with lots of timber and water to negotiate. I placed the blinds for the last half of the field and put an extra one out at the end for Em. It was nice to do it as training rather than a test as Em fell into the same traps as many of the other dogs did. Sunday: After a very cold start, we had a little sunshine and I think I got the tiniest bit burnt in all of 11C! I ended up doing vetting in the morning too. Run 1: Triple mark up a HUGE hill - very difficult for the dogs to judge depth on such a hill - fire right to left. Pick up left to right. The first dog up did the most superb job of it but Em needed a few handles to push her deep enough and several dogs went out on this run. It was hard work physically for the dogs but it was right up Em's alley - she is super fit and was barely panting by the time we finished. Run 2: I placed blinds for most of this run. Walk-up mark right in front of us. Reload. Leave your dog where they stopped. Walk to second firing point and fire at 2 blinds. Call dog. Pick up right to left finishing with the walk-up. I had a little trouble with the gun (it clicked instead of firing) so ended up firing a bit late but I was pretty sure Em had seen the mark really well. Fired at blinds. She was super steady and I took my time before I called her up. Sent her for long blind which had a lot of barriers - she tackled the timber and scrub really well but she started hunting when she got to the water as it was already a distance from me. It took a few whistles but she finally got the idea that she needed to get in the water and then she was fine. Swam powerfully (it must have been so cold!) and got out the other side running hard. I then stopped and cast her up another huge hill and placed her in the area. She found it no problem and took a lovely line back through the water - it was certainly cheaty but she didn't look for a way around which was great. That was such a tough blind and was close to maximum distance. 2nd blind was a very tight line through a gully and at the base of a tree. Well, I'll be damned if she didn't take the most perfect line I've ever seen, at breakneck speed and adjusting herself when she dodged around thick blackberry. She was running so hard she completely forgot to turn her nose on and ran straight over the top of the blind. At least twice :laugh: Of course, then it got a bit messy as she was so quick and I am not quite quick enough that it was hard to get her back on track - took a few whistle sits and calm "good girls" to stop her head spinning with excitement before I cast her. Absolutely thrilled regardless as all the lining work has really paid off. Big sigh of a relief from both of us (and the judge I expect!) when she picked it up. Sent her for the mark (relocation) and she nailed it. Run 3: I was out on a thrower for all but the last 2 competitors, one of which was me. A very steep climb down to this run - so steep that I left Em in a sit at the top of the hill and called her down so I didn't land on my head. I could see why the judge wanted to use the area though as it was just beautiful. Very wet and muddy underfoot. Take the gun and shells and place dog in hide. Walk to first firing point to the left and in front of a broad swamp like area. Fire at blind straight ahead. Relocate to second firing point in line with the first but to the right. Call dog. Fire at 2 marks on the hill to the left of field. I had trouble with one of the shells at this point and the gun wouldn't close but the judge was fantastic and told me not to stress whilst he replaced it with a fresh one. Return with dog to first firing point. Send for blind - essentially a channel swim with the suction of the 2 marks to the left. I kept Em on a really, really tight line with this one and she exited the water exactly where I wanted her to. When she got out of the water I stopped her and gave her a right back "just in case" - if she had been suctioned in to the marks I would have lost sight of her behind some heavy scrub and been in real trouble. It was worth it as she took off straight back - fortunately she learned her lesson and had her nose well and truly switched on. Swam back on a nice line and I just gave her one handle as I relocated to the second firing point to take delivery. Sent her for the first mark up the hill (to the left) - she took a super line but as she was running flat out she spied the 2nd (white) mark lying on the side of the hill and veered right to grab it. I stopped her. Calmly said "leave". Cast left. Very interesting as she went to move left but was rooted to the spot by the close proximity and temptation of the white bird. "Leave." Cast left. She realised I did know what I was talking about and took off like a bullet to pick up the correct mark. Phew! Judge commented on my handling which was nice. That confused matters a little for the 2nd mark of course so she needed an additional handle to push her up the hill. So! That's our 3rd finish in AA and I'm really delighted with her. Sunday was TOUGH but a fabulous learning curve for both of us. I tried to slow down my handling and use my voice MUCH less when handling which seems to suit her. When I did use a verbal it had more influence especially when she needed support going back on the long blinds. Once we finished we ran straight over to where they were doing tests for up and coming judges and she did a couple of single marks. The land mark was just so much fun for her and she was all over it. The examiners were pleased with us for the 2nd mark as she made a bit of a hash of it and it gave them something to assess - across water (no problem) but she misjudged depth (up another big hill) and I had to handle her. The examiners joked that could only have been happier if she'd broken :D A very long day in the end and by the time I packed up camp I was the last to leave. Very, very tired last night but Em bounced out of bed this morning like no dog has a right to :laugh: Next trial is the Nationals in SA

Agreed :) Link: http://www.underdogtraining.com.au Also would recommend these people: http://www.goodpetbehaviour.com

No superminty don't fall for it :laugh: You'll regret it!!! Camping tonight (4C min tonight and -2C tomorrow night!) - let the dogs have a good gallop in the paddock (so LOTS of amazing smells) - used their names and recall word variously and both of them were spot on. Really chuffed, especially with Miss Em.

Aw poor baby Dallies do sad very well! A dry shampoo?

Good. Please keep us updated :)

Hi Perrin Just messaged my friend: Sue at McIvor vet clinic. 54537749 Does that make sense to you?

Just remembered that there is a good vet up your way who is excellent with backs, muscle, joint issues - pretty sure it was Bendigo. Will ask my friend tomorrow. Am going trialling all weekend so PM me if I forget to get back to you.

Licks from cousin Zig and we hope she has a speedy recovery. Do you know how she hurt herself?

Remember it's not a race! Just have FUN I'm off retrieving trialling for the weekend so just wanted to say to Sue and anyone else trialling to enjoy playing with your dog in the ring! You can't beat our debut in Open at the Dally Nationals Sue...Zig worked divinely and then got a bit disoriented on the retrieve over the jump (the dumbbell bounced to one side) and took the dumbbell back to the judge :laugh: We were both wearing black pants and poor Zig was just sitting there waiting for "me" to take the dumbbell. He was so confused when I called him over. The judge and onlookers were heartbroken but fortunately I saw the funny side :laugh:

I often have one dog in a static position whilst the other trains but I am switching back to using an open crate so the dog not being trained can learn to relax (hard with my 2) - I just randomly throw treats in for quiet behaviour.

Yeh - just put dry food in the Kong to start with. Feed most of her meals like that and she'll soon get the hang of it :laugh:

So innocent! Ha! When you put her in the crate give her a stuffed kong - start with food that is easy to get out and make it progressively harder. If she barks in the crate throw a cover over it. When she is quiet take the cover off. Wait a few minutes. If she barks the cover goes back on but if she is quiet drop a treat through the top. Using the cover helps to prevent a behaviour chain developing ie bark - quiet - treat - bark - quiet - treat etc.

OMG :love: Personally I love the rascally ones :D

Dogs react differently so it's worth trying - both of mine did really well on Advance. Zig was raised on it and I only switched to Artemis due to breed specific nutritional requirements. He won 2 massive bags and 3 smaller bags of Advance and Em ate all of that - she looked fabulous.

Yup.

Faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaark!!!!!!!!!!! :eek:

The general rule is add the cue when you have the end behaviour you want. I have a word for crate and I throw a treat in as soon as they are inside but I don't start the game again until they are sitting at the back. I add in a few random treats for steadiness too. Always balance!

I suspect the focus will come as a by product of all the games. For the formal front I train sitting in a chair with legs apart so it's easy for the dog to play "find position." Was thinking about the CGG - be careful about leaning forward too much to grab the collar.

Hi Sue - firstly have a look where you are giving the reward. My dogs come in close in front for me but straight to Mr TSD's pocket! Secondly, do you have different cues for formal and informal recalls? Zig has "come" for informal and "front" for formal. If you want to fix it for this weekend, I would go back to working on your formal cue (happy to give more ideas on this if you need it) only. Perhaps focus on crate games and RZ/IYC in formal heel position. Don't worry about getting behind in the course. You can't do everything and there is plenty of time :)

Rally-O, obedience and tracking are all great ideas. You can definitely transfer value between rewards. My Zig wouldn't tug or even take treats. He only wanted to lift his leg everywhere. Now he tugs when I've got cheese in my hand. The first time I tried to reward Em for retrieving game she literally spat the cheese out because she wanted the retrieve so desperately. Now she works equally well for dry food. In terms of retrieving, 95% of the retrieves Em does are on stationary items - she has to be steady before she is sent. Great for the head and much, much easier on the body.

Ha! Dog bless the obedient crate :laugh: Mine had another session of quiet time in the crate tonight whilst I was doing stuff in the kitchen and then a quick crate games session whilst Mr TSD was getting their dinner - they were working really well and I figured they couldn't hear him loading their Kong Wobblers. I was wrong. I released them one by one and they BLASTED out of the crate to get their dinner. superminty - Zig was the same (and worse) but now he will tug when I've got cheese in my hand. Em is at that level now but I'm not as focussed on tug with her as I have so much other stuff to focus on with retrieving.

When Zig had it mildly I just encouraged him to get up and move around when he was "coughing" - that really helped move the phlegm, especially in the night. Other than that, lots of rest and a warm house. I think I gave him cooked chicken and rice during the worst of it - he doesn't tend to eat if he's a bit off colour and I mixed water in to keep his fluids up. I suspect Zig developed it after the Dally Nationals some years back. Much worse if you're sick too

Psyillum husks - from the supermarket - my vet told my to mix 1/2 tsp with a little water/weetbix.

Cute as a button! And look at that sunshine!!!

Know of a nice young adult field bred Pointer looking for a home - suit an active pet home, hunter or field trialer. Contact me privately if you are interested.