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Obstacle Training on the Modified Double "T" DrillBy Jim & Phyllis Dobbs and Alice Woodyard In our last article, we covered the procedures that teach the dog to "take an initial line," using the four-, eight-, and 16-bumper wagon wheel drills. Now we can begin obstacle work, which teaches the dog the idea of holding the line. At this stage of the dog's training we teach him to identify a picture. The picture is: "Going straight over the obstacle to a mark, or on a line to a sight blind, will be the comfortable route. Going around the obstacle will be less comfortable by comparison." The obstacles you use for this drill should be low, and physically easy for the dog to go over or through. (Their role is to be a "mental challenge" to the dog, not a physical one.) To make the picture clear to the dog, we like to define the boundaries of the obstacles with stakes, as shown in the photos. This is especially important if you use something like a little brush piled up. Without the stakes, the dog cannot visually identify where the obstacle begins and ends.
Teaching the Obstacle Concept Send the dog, and if he runs around the obstacle, use your e-collar to apply brief, mild stimulation just at the apex of his route around the obstacle. Momentary stimulation is best for this purpose. Say nothing; don't "No" him or call him back, and don't handle him. Just let him get the bumper. Meanwhile, move up very close to the obstacle and encourage him to return over or through it. If, however, he runs around on the way back, again apply brief stimulation at the apex of his return route. Now you're going to give him a comparison by letting him find the more pleasant route: Over or through the obstacle instead of around it. Take him very close to the obstacle so he won't try to run around, and toss a bumper over it for him to retrieve. Repeat this sequence until the "light dawns"--deviating off-line to flare an obstacle is less pleasant than staying on-line and going straight over or through it. (Make sure the bumpers are in line with the obstacle when you send him. You are trying to teach him to go straight, not to go over things that are off-line.) Three Parallel LinesStart by setting up the Modified Double T, (The Retriever Journal December/January 1997) placing the familiar white markers at the piles. Obstacle training is usually done while teaching the Modified Double T. Obstacles can be most helpful in keeping the "banana" out of the back lines.) Place obstacles on the three parallel "back" lines as shown. Familiarize your dog with each obstacle by standing close to it and calling him over a few times.
Any time the dog deviates to flare an obstacle, apply brief mild stimulation just as he passes by the side of the obstacle. Say nothing. If he deviates so far that he switches lines to head for the wrong flag, just handle him to the correct flag. Don't attempt to handle him over or through the obstacle itself. After any correction for deviating, run that line again but start very close to the obstacle so that the dog won't be tempted to go around it. This shows him how to be successful immediately after any failure, and is essential for good progress. Now, return to your original starting point, and rerun the same line, giving the dog a chance to show you what he's learned. (If he flares again, repeat from up-close, and then repeat from the original starting point.) If he still flares the obstacle after two rounds of this sequence, try increasing the intensity of your correction slightly. Some "hard driving" retrievers don't really feel the low level when they're running hard. However, too high of an intensity can chase the dog away from the obstacle entirely, so be cautious as you increase intensity. If you get two more failures at the original distance, take about half the distance out of the line, and try again. After the dog fully understands, you can increase the distance.
Conclusion When the dog understands the concept of going over or through the
obstacle rather than flaring around it, you can use the location of
obstacles as an aid in teaching the dog not to succumb to the influence
of many other types of hazards such as side hills, cross winds, angle
entries into water, and to prevent squaring in or out of ditches.
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We
start by teaching the dog to understand the correction for flaring
an obstacle. Take the dog up close to the obstacle and call him over
it a few times, so he's familiar with it. Now move back about 15 yards
from the obstacle, and have the dog sit at heel. Toss a bumper over
the obstacle, or have an assistant throw a mark. The main thing to
remember is that the fall must land so that the dog, the obstacle,
and the bumper are all in a straight line.
Then begin lining him over each obstacle all the way to each flag.
At first, send him from about 15 yards from the obstacle. Add a little
more distance with each successful repetition. Repeat this
procedure with each of the three lines.
