RETURN OF THE STORM

Irishwhistler · May 22, 2019

So not quite a year ago I took on a more non-typical trainee, a standard poodle named STORM that the owners wished forged into a gun dog. Out of fine field performance bloodlines, I assessed the candidate and found the nearly year old male to be highly intelligent, but sorely lacking any leadership established by his owners and near zero obedience. I pointed out said matters to the owners and agreed to work with them in releasing the diamond in the rough that I visualized in STORM.

I worked with STORM from June 1st until September 30th last year and started by laying down foundational obedience, a solid footing upon which to build the many skill sets STORM would need to acquire in order to become competent as both a gun dog and as a potential K9 hunt test athlete.

A stylish and highly agile dog, I quickly found STORM to be lacking confidence and nearly terrified of water. A bit of investigative inquiry determined that STORM had in fact been improperly introduced to water during the colder temperatures common during October here in New England whilst just an eight week old. Certainly he would need lots of confidence building with regard to developing any possible liking for water.

Fast forward, STORM is back with me for intensive training which started May 1st and will continue through September 30th. A morning spent re-evaluating STORM in the presence of his owner on May 1st quickly identified problem areas upon which I would need to focus immediately, of prime concern was his still less than confident regard for the aquatic environment that a retrieving gun dog need spend much time in. I have worked diligently with STORM during the month of May and we now have a new and improved STORM with a new found love for water, proof positive what properly applied motivational and success based training can do to override established negative behaviors.

STORM is seen in one of the training ponds I utilize to introduce water shy dogs to the aquatic environment. As can be seen by the lighter and gradually deepening sand bottom in the foreground, there are no sharp drop-offs to send a timid dog into panic mode. Storm would not venture into deep water just two weeks ago and is now making retrieves of bumpers nearly clear across the pond.

STORM ~ is seen making retrieve of a training bumper and executing proper carry as was established during HOLD conditioning and FORCE FETCH conditioning.

STORM ~ Upon return with the retrieve, our trainee STORM has been trained to return up and onto a PLACE platform and to assume a SIT position whilst holding the bumper in his mouth to make classic presentation in delivering the bumper or bird into the hand of the handler / trainer. STORM is not to drop or release the bumper until issued the verbal command "GIVE" at which time he is to gently release the retrieved bumper or bird into the hand of the handler.

Our trainee STORM has a new found self confidence and love of the water. I knew he could do it and his swimming technique has improved tremendously. Once a flailing mass of black hair that assumed a near vertical position in the water column, STORM now glides across the water while maintaining an efficient stroke and remaining level with the water's surface, no signs of panic, rather share determination to make the retrieve.

There are still so many skill sets to be learned but the establishment of the basics on the water are key to moving onward to the many more complex skills that STORM will need to learn in becoming a highly trained gun dog.

Cheers,
THE DOG WHISTLER