BLIND SPOTS

When I'm driving, my blind spot is a place that exists but I can't see there.  It's a place that can cause real trouble if I don't check it and make any necessary corrections.  An eighteen-wheeler can really ruin your day--no one cares if you didn't hear it!

Yesterday, a friend pointed out to me a puppy behavior that I had allowed to exist and continue--which was now giving me problems in training.  Yep, a blind spot.

I never connected the behavior to the problem with K-Lee handling bumpers etc., but there it was right in front of me!  It took the frank assessment of a NAVHDA friend(s) to point it out.  I have to confess, the truth stings just a bit.  We want everything to be "just right" and then we discover that there is a huge flaw in what we've been doing. 

It was another in my life-long list of "the  emperor has no clothes" moments.


When we are faced with the truth, we have two options:  accept the truth and make corrections, or live in a world of denial and create a temporary, alternative truth.  I've learned long ago that taking the "bitter pill" is much better for my health.  So here we go. 

Stogy Hold

As a puppy, K-Lee adopted the habit of playing with long sticks and limbs. I mean, she would find a monster branch and play with it.  She would drag it around and sometimes chew on the end.  Even if she picked up the stick in the middle, she would work her mouth towards the end.  

This translated into the "stogy hold"that I mentioned previously on "The Pudelpointer Chronicles". 

Next, when I was doing "ground work" (drills off the training table).  The ground work and retrieves would reinforce the incorrect behavior, driving the "fault" even deeper.

It also looks like I went through the table "hold training" too quickly.  K-Lee will reach for an object when I hold it before her alright, but the mid-point grab isn't habitual yet.  Another blind spot--moving too fast.

All these created "holes" in my training and it's time to back up.

The training table is foremost again.  No more retrieving drills until she earns them.  We'll only use objects which MUST be picked up in the middle. The idea is to create the "mid-point pick-up" habit.  This is going to take time--lots of time--but when your dog has a sissy-sounding name like Pudelpointer, you've got to get it right.

So if you're willing to share, leave me a comment and tell me what your blind spot has been.

Misery loves company.

DRIVEWAY DRILLS

It's been that time of year when the snow is too deep and too soft to travel in it.  The other day I sent K-Lee on a "fetch" and she raced to the top of the snow banking, leaped onto the "normal" snow and went in half-way up her chest.  There was no longer any load-bearing capacity in the snow.  After a few moments she made her way back to more solid ground.  The look in her eyes was one of 'Holy cow!  What happened?'  Don't worry pup, it's melting, melting, melting...like the wicked witch in The Wizard of Oz!

Helloooo, anybody in there??

Today, the snow depth is not as bad and we can get around in the field.  Part of the afternoon was spent in mini-exploration,  trying to see what was moving under the snow.

"Stogy carry"

Then it was back to more fetch drills.  She carries some things well, but has this "thing" about carrying a dummy by the end.  It's not so loose that she drops it, it's just that she looks like she's smoking a huge stogy! ...Not good for a 'Mormon' dog!

Got it right this time!

You load 16 tons and what do you get?...

Near the end of driveway work, she shows off by fetching an eight pound dumbbell.  Next step, ten pounds--about the weight of a full grown goose. 



 The driveway drills will soon be replaced by field work "out back" and long walks in the summer mornings.  We both need the exercise.  Oh, come spring!





As a closing note, today we are extremely happy  to see the true harbinger of spring.  The snow has melted from the top of the septic tank!  It won't be long now!!