Gundog Training Forum

Posted: **Mon May 20, 2024 8:50 pm**

It occurred to me today that I haven't thrown a dummy for her for god knows how long but many years

we just jump in at the deep end come October and expect everything to fall into place.....which actually it does

..... So ....got me thinking what other folk do..,train on dummies out of season or do begger all and jump in come the season as I have seemed to have done???

Posted: **Tue May 21, 2024 7:58 am**

Once trained I do very little dummy work, maybe a couple of retrieves a month at most throughout the summer, mainly to get a dog swimming if it is hot or just to give them something to do and check everything is working properly, building in a few stops and recalls etc. They are all very keen retrievers and love doing dummies no matter how old they get but that maybe because it is almost a treat for them and they love seeing the dummy bag come out of the vehicle.

Posted: **Tue May 21, 2024 9:03 am**

Like Nick, once a dog has done a couple of seasons work, dummies revert back to being a `summer' game that we can both spend the time out doing. Occasionally, it will high light something that may need revisiting, but most of the time it is just something different to do. Having a water dog I don't even have to use dummies to get the dog in the water swimming ( They don't even ask permission ... maybe that's something to work on

)

Posted: **Fri May 24, 2024 7:35 am**

I used to do a fair bit of dummy training in summer back when I was in to Working Tests, the dogs were so much better behaved on the shoots in winter. I can't decide whether it was all the refresher work in summer or they were simply better trained in those days.

Posted: **Fri May 24, 2024 8:00 am**

Would you put the shotgun away 1st Feb and get it out in Sept / Oct and expect to shoot well? (I know I do

). Dummy work is great for bringing focus back and maintaining / developing the relationship. I think the dogs benefit from the mental stimulus of hunting exercises more than simple marked retrieves - 7 or 8 months is a long layoff.

I have always taken older dogs out as part of training youngsters and they've loved it and become much sharper as a result. I think it helps the younger dog realise not every dummy is for them and there is merit in waiting patiently.

Posted: **Sat May 25, 2024 7:06 pm**

PRH wrote: ↑Fri May 24, 2024 8:00 am Would you put the shotgun away 1st Feb and get it out in Sept / Oct and expect to shoot well?

Actually these days yes that's exactly what I do

.....I shot competitive trap at a fairly high level for over 30 years so I shot A VERY LOT back in the day.....I have now retired from competition and from clay, I have no interest in shooting I only pull the trigger to give eze a retrieve and for Lynn to handle her

I work her beating on our little syndicate and Lynn picks up when I am shooting ......

Incidentally last season I shot 15 for 48....it's a very small syndicate

Posted: **Mon May 27, 2024 7:11 am**

That’s good going, 3-1. I didn’t start shooting until I was 35 so there is no foundation like yours IPS. We’ve got a trap with a remote control but rarely use it, I just can’t get excited enough about it.

Posted: **Mon May 27, 2024 7:55 am**

PRH wrote: ↑Fri May 24, 2024 8:00 am Would you put the shotgun away 1st Feb and get it out in Sept / Oct and expect to shoot well? (I know I do ). Dummy work is great for bringing focus back and maintaining / developing the relationship. I think the dogs benefit from the mental stimulus of hunting exercises more than simple marked retrieves - 7 or 8 months is a long layoff.

I have always taken older dogs out as part of training youngsters and they've loved it and become much sharper as a result. I think it helps the younger dog realise not every dummy is for them and there is merit in waiting patiently.

Judging by the early season days I pick up on that's what most of the guns do.

However, shooting is more about muscle memory, dog work is all about acting as a team although there's not always evidence of that at the start of the season either.

I agree older dogs benefit from refresher courses, it also satisfies their inner urges to work, they can get bored and frustrated if they don't have something to think about. Quite apart from keeping them fit by doing some retrieving during the summer.

Posted: **Tue May 28, 2024 7:14 pm**

I might get the dummies out just for the hell of it , see if she still steady to a three card trick

she is ten in a few weeks and now seems to be quite happy doing her own thing

Posted: **Wed May 29, 2024 4:55 pm**

I do a bit of training in off season because the dogs enjoy the game. Since they do, might as well throw in a few drills too. Speaking of that, one thing in particular they seem to really enjoy is being recalled from sit over long distances, like a couple hundred yards. The run and catching up to me is fun.

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