Hunt Test Tip: Many dogs - especially the 'high rollers' - consider the holding blind a huge hindrance preventing them from getting to the line. Oftentimes at a test you and your dog will have to wait in more than one holding blind before you get to the line and even the calmest of dogs can become frustrated and start to vocalize and fuss as their adrenalin levels rise.
If you haven't been practicing 'holding blind manners' this winter, now is the time to teach your dog the holding blind is a good place to be and you can start this in your yard.
Bring your dog into the holding blind, get a sit, praise, reward and walk out of the blind together. Repeat several times and then give it a name - something logical like 'into the blind'. Then Tell your dog you are going 'into the blind', walk together into the blind,get a sit, praise, reward and release. Once your dog understands the cue you should be able to stand back from the blind, tell your dog 'into the blind' and your dog should walk into the blind by himself. You can then join him, get the sit, praise, reward and walk out together. If you use a place board, put the place board in the blind and speed the process along.
Making a game out of going into the holding blind creates a positive association and will help in keeping your dog calm and under control at a test.
Rally Tip: Don't over-think the course! Exhibitors spend more time than necessary during their walk-through analyzing each exercise sign and then do the same thing when running the course. And the results are usually disastrous!
When you are practicing a course or short course sequence, turn some of the signs over after you walk the course and run the course that way. You will find that if you haven't spent too much time over-thinking the exercise sign during your walk-through that you WILL actually remember what the signs are.
If you develop this visual memory skill (and everyone can) you will be able to pay more attention to your dog in the ring and your dog will pay more attention to you. And we all know that attention is the key to successful teamwork!
