sending your dog out in a straight line

[diesel30]

I'm new to the pwf could any one please give me some tips on sending my black lab out to retreave in a staight line without the aid of lets say tram lines from the corn fields etc she's 18mths old does everthing i ask of her, stops evertime on the whistle, goes left and right when signalled too,i just cant get her to go back in a straight line,also have any body got any good tips on water trainer too many thanks Daz

[dazza]

nttf will be along with some good advice soon :blink:

[new to the flock]

diesel:

 

Teaching the back is reletively easy. You will need a couple of bumpers or balls and a safe place to work, with mown grass.

 

Place the bumpers in a pile then come ahead 15 feet and sit your dog with her back to them, and then come ahead 15 feet and stop and face your dog. The three of you are now all in a straight line .

 

Give your dog the back command, and raise your right hand straight over your head, palm open and facing out. I find when first teaching this exercise it helps the dog if you step forward on your right leg as well.

 

In the beginning you just want her to learn the back command so do not put any sit whistles or over whistles while she is going to the pile. Once she has figured out the back and the 15 foot distance you can start to slowley lengthen her out and to give some stops and directional whistles.

 

Do not work in cover until she is solid on the commands, and then slowley progress the distance and the hieght of the cover. Remember to work on her marking abilities as well. A well handleing dog is very impressive and makes a trainer look really good, however a dog that marks naturally and needs help only occasionally is a far more useful companion in my opinion.

 

NTTF

[diesel30]

Cheers NTTF for that i'll try them out asap let you know how i get on many thanks diesel