iDoHunting.com: Triple Cast/ Training the Retrieve

As the training progresses, we are playing baseball

This is the next step I use in the trained retrieve. We have successfully trained the hold and have done several sessions of the ladder. Now we will do the triple cast. After your training sessions are done, people will be asking you who professionally trained your dog!

Stopped on the pitchers mound.

Your hunting partner will breeze through this training with very few stumbling blocks. This is similar to what he was doing during ladder drills. This could be called force to the pile but you will find there will not be much focie needed. I start by placing 5 or so bumpers on the ground. I like to do this training on a path or short grass, you want the dog to see the bumpers. Not a bad idea to use a checkcord also. After placing the bumpers, I will heel the dog. As I have the dog lined up straight to the pile, I want the head and body all lined straight. When the dog is lined up, I will give the "back" command, followed with fetch em up. remember the "back" is a new command so it is followed with a known command. The first time out you may have to start the dog or walk out a ways with him. It may arise that you need to use a ear pinch the first time also. As the dog picks up the first bumper, I back up and have him return to the heel position. I follow the same procedure for the next 5 to 12 bumpers and end the first session. Usually after the first one or two bumpers force will probably not be needed. (Note) As I talked about in the dog forum-the ladder drill, I like using a heeling stick. As I give the "back" command, I give the dog a tap on the hindend. This gives them a little quickness getting started.
The next session will follow the same pattern with an added step. About every third bumper or so I will stop the dog when he is on his way back to me. Think of it as the baseball drill and stop him on the pitchers mound. I will then end this session again after 6 to 12 bumpers.

on the way to second base

The dogs confidence really picks up quickly on this drill. When it does, add the next step. Cast the dog to the pile and stop him at the pitchers mound on the way back. Walk up to him and have him "give" the bumper. Have him remain in the sit postion. Step back a couple steps from him and give him the "back" command. At the same time raise your right hand and use some body language to you right. This time the dog should turn to his left, the same direction you are shifting to. If he does not turn that way, return him to the sit possition and try again. Let me back up a little here. After I sit the dog on the pitchers mound and he gives me the bumper, I then toss that bumper to my left or to third base. Ok, when the dog turns to his left and returns to the pile, I again will stop him on the pitcher mound upon his return. This time when he give the bumper, I will toss it to his left or to first base. Now I will do another "back" this time having the dog turn to his right. I do this by raising my left hand, using body english and commanding back, all at the same time. remember, you may have to follow the "back" command with fetch. This is Ok, he will shortly make the connection.

Dog has fun and gains confidence quickly during this drill

So far the dog has only been doing backs but has seen you throw bumpers to his side. The next session we will start with a "back", stop the dog at the mound and give a right "back". I again will stop him at the mound and then give a left "over". This time what I am doing is, with my left hand-point in the direction of the bumper on third base. Keep the distance short to start off with. Again this is a new command so you may have to follow up with a fetch command. Now I will step back to where I am at the home plate position. When the dog returns and Gives me the bumper, I will send him to second base. As he returns, stop him on the mound have him give you the bumper and then send him on a left "back". When he returns to the mound, send him on a right "over" or to first base. The important thing to remember, is to teach both "overs" during the same session. What you want to do is when you give a left "back", follow it up with a right "over". When you give a right "back" follow it up with a left "over". Also do not stop the dog on the pitchers mound everytime, mix it up and have him do a full retrieve now and then. After a few short session, I usually do this twice a day for 1 or 2 weeks. Remember to keep the sessions short. After the dog is confident on the back and overs, you can increase the distance and play some baseball.
Good luck and if you have any questons, please feel free to contact me.