Started running the Y drill with Idgie yesterday morning, and combined a send back to the line as part of the deal. She caught onto it pretty quick although she didn't catch onto the drill.
If you don't know what a Y drill is, you have a thrower sitting about 80 yards away from the dog and handler. First throw is a flat throw with an orange bumper 90 degrees to the dog's right. Send dog on the single. Next throw is almost straight angle back to the dogs left (bird boy's right shoulder. Send dog. next throw is a 45 degree angle throw IN, to the dogs left, bird boy's right.
I had to help her on the angle in throw and she over-ran the flat throw. All three times I sent her back to the line which was the top of a mound where I put a white bucket.
Repeated the same thing today in a different field. She again over ran the short bird but did well on the other two. She was looking over her shoulder on the send back to the line on the first one and then popped. I called her back and forced her with a back Nick back with a number two momentary. She quit looking and picked up speed! Excellent!
Did it with Jefe and he overran the short in bird also. This was his first time with a send to the line and he was hunting all the way on the first time, but quickly caught on and lined fine for the second and third time.
I will continue to do this each morning for the summer, as it gives them a little marking drill, is quick and limbers them up. I'll transfer to many locations and then to water as part of the process.
Later....
