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DRILLS If you have read any of my previous articles, you have probably noticed how many times I use the word “drills” and have seen some of the drills I have listed. Due to my circumstances, I tend to do a lot of drills, and am probably out of balance as to the number of them I do compared to the training setups I get---not through choice. I think there are persons out there who are out of balance in the other direction, not enough drill work with their dogs. Also, not enough true training, but lots and lots of testing. In my opinion, one of the most important benefits to be derived from doing drills is the development of teamwork between the handler and the dog. In addition, it breaks teaching down into the segments that are necessary to produce a fully trained dog. It is similar to scrimmage in other sports or to working on fronts and/or finishes separate from the whole exercise. There are a multitude of drills out there, some of them being basically the same drill but given a different name by the person describing them. Some have various modifications made to the original through usage and imagination. I can remember when I started doing field work, I was so pleased with myself for having devised some training drills to use with my dogs. It was rather a rude awakening to find out that many of “MY” drills were not only being used by others but had been around for many years. When I competed in obedience, I went to as many obedience clinics as I could in order to improve. Each one had their “own methods”, yet the basics were always the same with some creative variations on a theme. I could always tell which clinic someone had attended as some stressed a 6’ lead, another a 4’ lead, others a 2’ lead and some had other special equipment which they sold at their clinics. I don’t mean some clinics weren’t considerably better than others, but much of that was the result of the presentation, the clarity with which instructions were given, the open mindedness of the trainer re accepting new ideas, the ability of that trainer to solve problems, and the training philosophy held by the presenter. I remember one clinic I attended that was given by an outstanding competitor from the Mid-West who had produced many good dogs and had instructed many other top handlers. She was very logical and sequential in her presentation, and if you did A, you got B, and then on to C, D, E, and F. “ What happened,” she was asked “if instead of E or F you got S or T as a result?” Her reply was that if you had followed her methods from the beginning, this never happened. Yeah, and the ocean isn’t wet! In addition, many of us attending had dogs working at the UD level; it was a little late to start at the beginning with her methods; and we had hoped to gain some insight on problems currently we were encountering. As I usually
took prodigious notes, I did write down all her instructions and filed them with
my other clinic notes. Later, I had
a problem with one of my dogs and I tried every solution I could think of to
overcome this. I read and reread
books and articles for some input. I
looked through many of the clinic notes I had. I
mulled. It was frustrating as otherwise this was an outstanding working dog.
Finally, I pulled out her notes, and even though I had not trained using
her step-by-step method from the beginning, I read about the specific way she
trained on this exercise. I
incorporated her instructions into my training.
There can be a basic way to do a drill, but creativity can contribute many modifications. Most drills are designed for a specific purpose, but with imagination and an open mind, you can alter almost any drill to fit a multitude of purposes or to fit very different dogs. There are certain drills that are designed to benefit the handler as much as they are profitable for the dog. There are drills which help to strengthen the team, encouraging you, the handler, to be as sharp as you want your dog to be. With drills, you need to be precise and deliberate while maintaining an enthusiastic attitude. If corrections are needed, rarely are they made with an e-collar. When I have a dog that does something incorrectly, often a “no-no” and some form of simplification will get him back on the correct path. You do not want to get sloppy or bored, or you will bore your dog and carry that sloppiness into your other training. Do not keep doing one drill over and over, vary your drills, put one away for a while or find a different drill which will serve the same purpose. A drill is not meant to be drudgery. It is supposed to be a learning experience which both you and the dog enjoy. My dogs love drills and I can use them as an “upper” if necessary. When your dog gets good at a drill, either go to a different drill or add complications to the drill you are using. This can be done by adding all sorts of factors such as jumps, bushes, terrain, water, ditches, and hillsides----use your imagination. Keep your dog thinking. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep you thinking, also. If a dog gets good at a drill on flat ground, move it so it involves rolling terrain, or a hillside, or some potholes of water. You can change it by altering the angles through moving backwards or sideways, tightening it up or adding more stations. There are some outstanding marking drills. Unfortunately, I can work on them only if I am with a pro that does them or an amateur group who is willing to do them rather than constantly testing their dogs. These drills can work on many concepts in a short period of time while still keeping the dog’s mind clear. They are excellent to use the day before a trial. My dogs and I have taken part in them during pre-National training. My dogs love them!!!! One book on drills I encountered and found had some good
suggestions is “Drills for the Retriever Hunt Test Enthusiast” by Carol
Cassity. It was copyrighted in 2002
and can be obtained by writing or calling her at Carol F. Cassity, Retrievers Online by Dennis Voigt is loaded with excellent drills. Dennis is extremely innovative and presents drills that have been around for a long time, some of the same drills with modifications, and newer drills to add to your collection. Again, you can get a subscription through www.retrieversonline.com. When you train with a pro, see what drills he/she recommends and observe how they are used and done. Ask your friends for their suggestions. Make notes and start a file with drills you like and have found beneficial. Some persons do not like drills as they find them dreary. Some dogs do not like drills as they find them dreary as well! Does that tell you something? Keep an upbeat attitude in both yourself and your dogs. While it is important to maintain a high standard, it is beneficial to sprinkle in some joyfulness when and where you can. Use your voice to an advantage to instill excitement and pleasure in doing a drill correctly. My dogs love their drills and take great pleasure in doing them well and/or in figuring out just what they need to do to “win” and receive a standing ovation from their audience of one. |
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