Thoughts on backing – 9th July 2009
We went back up into the forest, only this time to a different patch. I ran each dog separately starting with Grace, who was fine. There was quite a breeze and this section of forest holds plenty of pheasants so both dogs were very motivated. After about five minutes I swapped dogs, sending Archie away along the track. As usual he thundered off in a straight line intent on creating a gap between us. At a good distance he started pulling to the right, obviously picking up sent. Every time he headed off into the trees I called him back. I didn’t want him disappearing. The third time he did this he didn’t turn on the whistle but carried on into the trees. I then set off after him. Running in boots is never easy especially when trying to feign terrible anger. Archie by this time had realised the error of his ways, returned to the track and squashed himself into the ground as I bore down upon him. I then looked him straight in the eyes and explained, as only a passionate pointer owner can do, that I was not happy. He just wagged at me looking slightly amused. This dog does make me laugh.
Grace later pointed a bird at the edge of the path that flushed almost immediately. I blew the drop whistle and made sure Archie dropped, looked up to see that Grace had chased after the bird. She only went about five metres before returning to the spot where she had been when I blew the whistle and dropped. The drop was fine, just about three seconds after it should have happened. This was turning into an odd session.
A few hundred yards on Grace signalled a bird. She slowed right down then went on point. What amazed me is that Archie backed her at the first sign she had given. There is a magic moment as a dog goes from full run to a point. It took me quite a while to be able to read Grace’s body language but I must have got the knack as I can tell before she slows to a point that she will point. At least this is how it seems. What amazes me is that Archie has got it already and he has had such little experience to go on. The photo says very little really as the impressive part is seeing both dogs go from moving fast to a synchronised standstill almost instantaneously.
Grace having pointed birds had her ‘bird head’ on after this, and whilst this meant that she went up a gear, strangely enough it also meant that she was more responsive to my commands. Both dogs had a good session, despite the two second chase of Grace’s. Roll on August.
July 11, 2009 at 9:18 am
Lots of dogs “Back Naturally” but there is no doubt that those that back most naturally are those that get most opportunity to back. What you don’t want, however, is a dog that gets so much backing practice that it starts to “run for the back” instead of actually hunting for the bird. That is why, if possible, training of juveniles is best done on a one to one basis.
July 18, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Ok, thanks Des, this is useful advice. I am looking forward to getting out on the heather next month. I live closer to moorland than any other habitat so have been having to drive to find spaces wide enough to train the dogs. Doing two trips in succession with one dog each time is just not possible. When August comes, and I can access closer ground this will change. I will be in a much better position to train on a one to one basis then.
Howard