Lola's Blind Retrieves

Just watch Lola go.........2 weeks ago she was hesitant to go in the water on just a command. She always wanted to see the fall. Well 2 weeks later she'll jump right in on the "fetch" command!

We headed out to Lee Kay (of course) for some training last night. Had to work with both Hessian and Lola on some test related subjects. Zac was a little hesitant at first when i started walking to the other side of the pond to toss a frozen duck or 2. Wasn't positive she would do it. Well to his surprise, she nailed it! These were farther than she had ever done before and hard. These were nestled in some good cover. She jumps in the water and starts her quest. She needed a little help on the way back, with ONE command to "come". Thats all she gets, no problem,she comes in and deliveres duck to hand! We did 3 of these and she shined on every one!

We worked on the Gun Sensitivity in water. That too went well. She heads right out for the duck, i fire at the duck, she stops for 1 second to stare at the duck and keeps on going. We need to do some more of this, as this was really only number 2 for her.

This is where the story gets good. If you know anything about Lola then you know that rumor has it " she doesn't like rabbits". This has affected her tracking scores. So we are on a mission now to change all that. This is a dog that hasn't seen one drag since VJP training. No drags during the FF training. No drags since completing FF. So we did 3. The first one was off. Zac showed her the start...."suk,suk,suk"....releases the slip lead and off she goes. Ignoring the track and finding my return scent,followed that to the rabbit. Got reminded once to fetch and here she comes,delivering rabbit to hand.Next drag, i placed two markers. One for the start of the track, the second marker was for Zac. He started her on the track and walked with her on the sliplead to the second marker and then released her. She followed for a minute than ventured off, only to be called back and restarted again. Much better this time, except a little cheating. Again picking up my scent and finding the rabbit. One reminder to fetch and again rabbit in hand.

So number three is a little different. 2 markers, one for the start and one for Zac to walk with her to and then release her. Up to the line, command given, her nose is down she's pulling Zac along the track. Second marker, Zac releases her on her own. She follows the track a few yards, bails off it,sniffs around a bush, begins to go into search mode...........then suddenly, she whips around, nose back down, finds the track again and follows to the end where the rabbit is placed. Without any hesitation or reminders she picked the rabbit up and delivered to Zac! Hell Ya!

We did a little field search with her, fired a couple shots during. Did a fresh shot bird,blind retrieve on land scenario. She nailed it all. She is becoming quite the superstar. It is always nice to see the light really come on, especially when the dog is so amped and ready to do it all.

Did some water work and steadiness work with Hessian but this is Lolas post so i will post on Hessians progress another time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLA!!!!!!

Sorry these are camera phone videos......but you get it...