Raising a Riot

Field Training Class

This was the second week of Riot’s beginning field training class. 

He was supposed to take this class last year, but he got sick after the first class and we had to drop. In this case, it probably worked out for the best because I think both of us are a lot more ready for the class this year.

We started out on water yesterday and the first retrieve was of a Doken. We have a doken at home, but I’ve never managed to get much interest in it from either dog. We had one to familiarize the dogs with before we went up to the line. Riot really wanted nothing to do with it and I had to result to force fetching him to get him to hold it. Which he did quite nicely and even with lots of praise, he was not happy to be holding it. 

Since we had limited success with the introduction (re-introduction), I was worried what would happen on water. Riot does seem to be having some confidence issues when it comes to distance on water. He did launch himself right in on the first throw (which was the doken from a winger).  And swam nearly all the way out but got distracted by a bug, snapped at the bug and then came back. 

He doesn’t respond really well to “hey, hey, hey” and once his focus is lost, it’s really hard to get him to go back (both in water and on land). 

We did a couple of shorter throws with him with the dokens and we went out and got them and brought them back each time. He even brought them out of the water, but his hold did fall through after that. 

We then tried the bumper from the other station, which again was too far out. He was very hesitant leaving the shore on that throw and wouldn’t commit. A couple of shorter throws and we got him out to the bumpers. He does seem a lot more easily spooked on water than on land. His hold still wasn’t as solid as I’d like with the bumpers, but I did get the bumpers before they hit the ground.

Up next was land. We worked on line manners some and he’s doing pretty well. The first throw was very reminiscent of last week. He ran a little further toward the bumper before getting distracted and starting to sniff, I had to walk most of the way out to the bumper before he went oh hey this is what I’m supposed to do. He dropped it about half way back and I was having none of it. Even though Roger was telling me not to worry about it. I was putting that bumper back in his mouth and he was going to walk the rest of the way back to the line holding it — which he did quite nicely. 

Roger then did a really short throw with him and he went out, retrieved it, and brought it back to heel position very nicely. Finally!

We then did a throw that entered a bit of cover up a fairly steep hill, and Riot when right out, found it after a tiny search and brought it back holding all the way.

We got to repeat the marks a little while later and he did so much better on them. The first one he dropped almost right in front of me, and I was going to put it in his mouth and Roger stopped me and said to back up a few more steps and make him pick it up. Which he did and returned to me with it. The last mark was nearly picture perfect with his hold and return to heel :)

Finally Riot got to be used as a demo dog as a dog that had a pretty good hold already. He did really well letting Roger work with him even with his tail going a mile a minute. I think we were moments away from a complete wiggly mess, but he got through it and he held it except for one drop when no one was paying any attention to him, but it was just what was needed as part of the demo session. 

Overall I was thrilled, we do need to work on focus and confidence. Sue suggested I stay after and get someone to throw longer and longer marks on water for him. But I wanted to end of the high note of his last retrieves on land. Hopefully I can either get him out this week to work some on distance or if we get there early next week get some throws in.

Quick Bumper Session

I worked from home and took advantage of the semi-nice weather and the fact that it was still light out and went out and threw some bumpers for Riot. I really need to get this dog through CC and FF, but I’ve yet to figure out how to work it into my schedule. This is only the second time we’ve been out with bumpers this year. Both sessions Riot would get within 2 to 5 feet and drop the bumper. He knows “hold” and since he obviously doesn’t have an understanding with what he’s supposed to do with the bumpers upon return, I decided to try something out today. Now remember, this is the dog that wouldn’t bring anything back for the first 6 months. So I have to remember how huge strides we’ve made.

I sat him next to me, put a bumper in his mouth and told him to hold. I told him what a good dog he was and then told him to give. Next I threw the bumper and told him to hold when he was about 6 feet away from me. He stopped, sat, and looked at me still holding the bumper. I told him here and he dropped the bumper and came to me. I put him back where he was, put the bumper back in his mouth, went back to my position, and again told him here which resulted in him hesitantly moving towards me, but with the bumper in his mouth. We repeated this a few times with very short throws — about 8 to 10 feet and I saw a light bulb go off as he started to understand what was expected of him. He got tons of praise for holding his bumper.

I now realize that I spent so much time working on getting him to bring items back, but I never taught him what was expected of him once he did. I’ve accepted the dropping of the bumper within a few feet of me because that was certainly a lot better than where we started from. Now I need to change my expectations and actually tell the dog the expectations have changed too.

I love how excited he gets when we go out and work bumpers. Even when he didn’t want to bring them back, he was always very enthusiastic.

Field Training

Today was the PVGRC’s field training. Riot actually brought back a bumper on land!!!! This is the first time he’s brought back a bumper at a field training day.

He brought the first bumper back on a short mark which we made shorter. The second mark was longer. I probably should have shortened it up more, but I didn’t. He ran out to the bumpers multiple times, but failed to bring it back.

On water, he seemed timid. He did eventually bring back three bumpers, but on the longer swims he’d go out a little ways and look confused and start heading back.

Overall I really can’t complain. I think he’s getting the concepts, he brought back some bumpers and once I force fetch him, I think we’ll have something happening.

I always find it interesting how excited he gets for all this until he gets out to the bumper and then he’s like, eh… it’s not big deal.

We have seen progress at every field training day, so I really can’t complain. We’ve got one more day next month. So hopefully we’ll continue to see improvement there.

Gaylan’s Field Seminar and Reunion

Riot, Cisco, and I spent the weekend with a bunch of Gaylan’s dogs and owners at a reunion and seminar by Carol Cassity. We had a blast and learned so much.

The reunion was held at Rover’s Content which is also where the PVGRC field training days are held. I was a bit nervous since Riot has been to this site twice before and has never retrieved anything thrown there.

Friday we started on land with bumpers. He went out to them and came back holding his tab. It was the first time he’s worn a tab, so really I can’t fault him for that and he did come back with something. Pam suggested we try the a stuffed toy and that he brought back with no problem. We then tried a duck to see what he would do. He was quite interested in it. So interested he ROLLED on it.

After land we did water. He was a bit hesitant to enter the water. Considering what we were seeing in Maine, I was a bit surprised. After he figured it out, he did start launching himself in the water and he did bring back bumpers.

Saturday we started with water in a pond that had logs sticking out of the water and many things under the surface. When we got down to the water. Riot was ready to go. I even got some whimpers and whines and barks from him while waiting our turn. The fact that he was so ready to go was very exciting. He leaped right in and didn’t seem too bothered by the log just under the surface he swam over the first time. The second time there was a log sticking out of the water I think he was convinced it was going to bite him. The third time he was a little more spooked by what was under the surface. We threw a short one closer to the shore than where the scary stuff was and he got that just fine.

Then we did land. It was in a very small area with just grass no real cover, but he brought back both of the bumpers that were thrown for him!!

Sunday was only water and we again were at the scary stick pond. Riot was really excited about going again and did great on his clear water retrieve. He was still a little spooked by the sticks, but over did really well. We’ll be back there in a few weeks and you can be sure he’ll be going back into that pond.

Watching all the advanced and intermediate dogs helped drive home so many lessons and really showed how to progress. Not to mention being around all these fabulous dogs and owners — many of whom have trained dogs much longer than me and are so knowledgeable.

Retrieving Troubles

I think I’ve decided Riot doesn’t like retrieving in front of others.

He wouldn’t do a land single today at field training even though we made it really short. Afterwards someone was really nice and threw really close bumpers for him. He just had no interest. I’m not sure if it was the type of cover we were in or what.

Since Riot’s incision isn’t completely healed yet and he’s still supposed to be taking it easy, I didn’t let him swim. I would have been interested to see if he would have picked up a bumper in the water since the one field training class we made it to before he got sick, he didn’t pick up a bumper on land, but was okay picking them up in water. Guess we’ll just have to wait until next month to find out.

After Cisco swam, I pulled a bumper out and got Riot to bring it back to me twice — the surface was pretty much grass or weeds (so more like what we were used to). I think I’m going to have to find new places to take him and practice with bumpers since he doesn’t seem to have a problem in the backyard.

Rally and Field Training

Riot had a busy weekend. Friday night, he had a rally lesson with Cisco and Berkley. Cisco and Berkley got to go first doing novice exercises so Riot had to wait about an hour before he got his turn. He was a very good boy and waited patiently for his turn.

This was his (and my) first exposure to the advanced level exercises. We learned what the exercises were and practiced them and ran through an advanced level course. The course we did twice. Once on leash and then again off leash. He did very well off leash. We probably would have passed. We do need to work some more on backing up, standing, and of course heeling. But overall he did quite well.

Saturday was our first field training class. It’s a beginning field training class offered by the PVGRC. There was a lot of talk so Riot had to wait patiently in the car (which he did). After that we brought the dogs out to see where they are. After all the work I’ve done with him getting him to bring back bumpers, he wouldn’t bring back a bumper on land. Not sure if it was the distance or the fact someone else was throwing the bumper or the new surroundings.

Next was water. After his refusal to bring back bumpers on land and the fact he’s been swimming exactly once and never retrieved anything on that swim, I had no idea what to expect. First we tossed two bumpers just a short distance into the water. The first time, Riot brought back a stick instead (I’ve never had him go after a stick). He did go back and get the bumper after that. The second bumper he also brought back without a problem. Yay! The next throw was a little further and in a narrow section of water between two pieces of land. He swam out no problem and Sue said even before he picked it up, he was going to bail and get out on the island. Sure enough him and the bumper ended up on the island. He came back to me sans bumper. After our experience on land, I really can’t complain.

We still have a lot of work to do with retrieving. Poor Chris has now been recruited for bumper throwing. His first assignment was Sunday night. Good thing we keep the sessions short.

First Field Training Day

When I sent in the application to get a puppy from Gaylans, field certainly wasn’t one of the things I put down as something we were going to get involved in. Then I found out I was getting a comedian and based on his pedigree, I figured I owed it to him to see what it was all about since it certainly is in his blood.

On Riot’s puppy evaluation, he was described as having a good send, but not so great of a retrieve. I’ve been throwing bumpers a couple of times a week (when it wasn’t freezing cold out) for a few months. And he’s finally getting better at bringing ‘em back when they’re thrown 5-10 feet. He has lots of enthusiasm about the game, but hasn’t quite decided bringing it back is an exciting thing.

Yesterday was the PVGRC’s first field training day of the year, so I figured we’d go and see what this training thing was all about. Playing with him off to the side, we got some good small retrieves but when it came time to take it into the field, there was no interest in bringing it back. He drove out really nicely, would smell the bumpers, and then run back to me. I was relieved he was so willing to come back to me, but it would have been nice if he had brought a bumper with him.

We also introduced him to the ducks, he only had mild interest in them. He was intrigued, but not intrigued enough to pick one up.

I think we have quite a bit of work to do. I was encouraged with how well he was doing bringing the short throws back to me in a new location (well newish, we had been to that location to watch a couple of hunt tests last fall). Hopefully by July, we’ll be able to bring back a bumper.