Hunt Test Tip: Training in Drive
A dog's drive is his desire to work; to get to that bird. Drive is focused energy. High drive dogs are easy to spot - they're fast, stylish, and fun to watch.
However, lessons and concepts taught in yard work and practiced in controlled training sessions can sometimes fall apart during a test. There are many reasons for this but a core reason is that the dog is naturally calmer at these times and if not, we can take the time to teach the dog to be calm. They must be calm in order to learn. The drive is still there, the energy is still highly focused, but it's easier to control.
Come test day and the adrenalin starts pumping....the high drive dog gets higher and higher as even more adrenalin is pumping. It's a cycle that makes the dog who he is.
Training in drive takes the lessons learned while a dog is calm and practices them as the handler consciously works to gradually create more excitement on the part of the dog. In other words, the handler jazzes the dog up during training and teaches the dog how to work properly as the adrenalin gets pumping. It teaches the dog how to channel some of that focused energy on the handler and how to better follow the 'stupid human rules' of hunt tests.
Over the summer, Hunt Test Tips will outline different ways to train in drive. Next month's topic: The First Step.
Trial Tip: Outdoor Trials
Outdoor trials present their own set of challenges; the ground is uneven, the grass may be tall or wet, the grass definitely has more 'nose distractions' than an indoor ring, bugs, birds, weather, noises and more.
When heeling at an outdoor trial, footwork will be greatly improved if you keep your toes up. Keeping your toes up and consciously thinking about 'heel, ball, toe' will enable you to heel 'over' the grass instead of faltering as you try to heel 'through' it. Get to the show early and practice your footwork (without your dog) before going into the ring.
If you are showing in Open, know that the dumbbell will bounce quite differently outdoors than indoors. Practice throwing the dumbbell a few times before you go into the ring so you can adjust your throw once in the ring.
Showing in Rally? Take a good look at the ring surface during your walk-through. Don't be afraid to ask the judge to have a steward remove any gifts the deer or geese have left during the night. Bright yellow dandelions can be very interesting to a dog - don't be afraid to pluck those flowers and throw them away.
And always, always have an extra pair of socks and shoes with you. Nothing makes showing outdoors less than fun if you have wet feet!
