Frank Plewa August 2006

Purpose of the drill: The primary purpose of this drill is to solidify the dog’s return.  As in most advanced drills, we are now building on commands and skills we have taught and must rely on the foundation created from them to satisfactorily perform this drill.  This training drill requires perfecting the dog’s return on a good line regardless the path.  In the beginning swim to me drills, the dog is taught to look for the handler and return straight to them regardless of where they were cast and where the handler may end up.  Additionally, the handler will incorporate whistle stop, casting, and angle re-entry skills into the drill.

Training pre-requisites for the dog: The dog must possess the following skills to adequately perform this drill.  If the dogs training and/or performance of any of these commands or skills are weak, continue to work through them before attempting this drill.  You will only compound your problems or create new ones by trying to perform this drill.

1. Beginning swim to me drill must have been taught and the dog is reliably returning with good to excellent lines.  Complete control of returns is a must.
2. The dog should be solid performing a remote sit.
3. The dog should be reliably stopping and casting in other drills such as baseball and T-drills first.  If the dog is weak in this area, you will have problems

Site requirements: You will need to find a small pond similar to the one illustrated with at least one squared corner to allow at least one right angle turn.  The more right angles you have the better this will work and the more creative you can be.  In some instances, you may be able to adjust mowing patterns to “square” the corners somewhat.  Secondly, the areas of bumper placement must be mowed tight to the ground to present optimum visibility.  The dog should not have to search for the bumper.

You will notice that this pond has sporadic cattail growth.  This can be an aid to the dog’s return.  If you place your bumpers in the windows created by the gaps (as viewed from the line), you will be able to see the dog pick up the bumper and can call them through the window.

Setup:  Study the diagram below and the placement of bumpers and/or piles.  Straight lines and right angles are what we are striving for.  Theoretically, to perform this drill perfectly, the dog will not have any bends in their lines out and back.  The numbers illustrated are positions where bumpers are located and not necessarily the order of pick up.  Positions # 1-7 are singles and # 8 can be piles of bumpers (additional piles can be added).

1.        Send the dog from the box (line or point of origin) for a bumper at position #1.  If needed, another position can be created between the line and #1 to create more comfort with the line down the bank. 

2.        Once #1 is retrieved, you will resend to this spot, then stop and cast left to positions 2-4.  The crispness of the dog’s turn and sit will have a direct bearing on your success of getting the left cast.  For instance, long looping stops can get the dog way out of position making moving forward with the drill difficult.

3.        When bumpers are retrieved at positions 2-4, the dog must angle entry into the pond to return.  If the dog elects to return by land, you will have to make a correction, which can be done in several ways. 

o        The quickest is to quickly sit the dog and then try to call them in using your hand cues.

o        Enter the water to a necessary position (will vary) to entice them to come straight to you.

o        Put the dog back to the pick up point, return to your position and try again.

o        Put the dog back to the pick up point, take the bumper and put it on the waters edge or in the water on the return line, return to your position and try again.

o        Start the drill over and change the bumper positions by placing them all on the waters edge.  After each over cast, it may be necessary to stop the dog and call them into the water to make the retrieves.  However, this way you will have the dog’s momentum moving forward toward you into the water and on the correct return line.

ADVANCED “SWIM TO ME” DRILL

Frank Plewa August 2006

4.        Once you have the dog doing the returns correctly, now you will move to the left and perform the same format for 5-8 with one difference.  Because the dog will likely start to anticipate the right angle turn by now, you want to make a change to prevent anticipation, which is a habit all dogs will develop if you are too predictable.

5.        Position # 8 (which can be a single or a pile) is used to keep pup honest and indicated, not to start turning the corner on his own anticipating the right cast.  An additional pile can be set to provide a left cast also.

6.        Randomly, stop and cast back or left to the piles.

7.        Positions 6-7 returns are angled returns also.

8.        Retrieves 5 and 8 are also to show pup that sometimes he must run down the bank when commanded.  YOU ARE TEACHING THE DOG TO GO WHERE YOU POINT THEM!