Gundog training – marking a dummy
A reader writes: I am having a few issues in getting my 10 month old springer to mark the fall of a training dummy. He has very good eye focus and is reluctant to take his eyes off me, but as a result he does not watch the dummy's flight when I throw it. Have you any suggestions?
Getting a young dog to focus on both the handler and the exercise is the key to success
If your dog is steady to thrown dummies and has a strong eye contact with you, there is another method you can try. Sit the dog and walk out in front of it, the dog will obviously watch you. Throw the dummy in a direct line away from the dog. As he is already looking at you the retrieve is in his eye line and he will inevitably watch the fall. Walk back to the dog and send him, you can gradually extend the distance.
