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Keep Track It’s important as you start your training program to keep a log on your dog’s progress and trouble spots as you go along. This will give you a reference over time and allow you to see where you can improve your training program; add new training skills, and avoid areas where your dog may not have been as confident. By doing so, you have a way to track both your progress as a trainer and your dog’s skill level. For example, I think it’s important (as was stressed to me by Rex Carr) that a dog be successful in his marking 80% of the time. If it’s less than that you need to simplify the marking until he is drilling the marks. This is essential for the dog’s confidence and knowing he has the skills to negotiate the factors (wind, terrain, cover, etc.). So, as you progress the dog’s abilities by adding multiple marks, teaching singles, and marking concepts you know whether your dog has been successful over time. I made up some pages, divided into four squares and placed them into a three ring binder. At the top was the dog’s name (in case you are training multiple dogs), training location, wind conditions, date, and the lesson at hand. Then I would write down the dog’s success or failure. So if I were doing a long angle entry into the water with a cross wind, I would draw the blind and place an arrow the direction of the wind and draw the dog’s line. If he cheated the entry or allowed the wind to push him off line, I made note of it and would use this for a follow up lesson in a few days. If it were a marking drill through cover, again I would draw the mark and note the dog’s success. This gives me information over time to keep my training in balance and my dog’s skills honed. Keeping a log also makes you plan your training so that it is methodical and thoughtful. I can’t tell you how many times I have been in a training group where no one knew what they needed to train on for the day. You should always have a plan and even if someone else has set up the training exercise, you have an idea of how you want to do it or if it’s something you should do at all. You shouldn’t run something that someone else has set up if it is going to be detrimental to your dog’s training progress. Better to volunteer to help them with their dog and then set up something else for your dog. Be willing to simplify the set up or only do a part of it. Know where your dog is in his skill level and what you need to do to help him advance. There is a huge difference between training and testing. It’s okay to test once in awhile to see where you are; but training should be your main objective and testing only on an occasional basis. So, keep track of your lessons, your dog’s progress, successes and failures, and plan your lesson but be willing to train on what your dog shows you is needed for the day! Enjoy the journey! Lorie Jolly |
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