Dog Blinking

[quigby979]

My dog went to a Junior hunt test this past weekend. On 2 land retrieves she "blinked". The first time I yelled fetch it up and she grabbed it and brought it in. The second time she stood over it and walked away without the bird. I had to handle her back which she did and she picked it up. Both birds were dead birds being launched with a winger. My dog was force fetched by a professional trainer and has never done this before. What causes them to start doing this?

[HNTFSH]

My dog went to a Junior hunt test this past weekend. On 2 land retrieves she "blinked". The first time I yelled fetch it up and she grabbed it and brought it in. The second time she stood over it and walked away without the bird. I had to handle her back which she did and she picked it up. Both birds were dead birds being launched with a winger. My dog was force fetched by a professional trainer and has never done this before. What causes them to start doing this?

First thing that comes to mind is a really slimy, stinking duck. Has she trained with those?

[gonehuntin1]

How long has she been back from the trainer?
Is this your first test with her?
I've also seen at this time of year, yellowjackets cover a stinking duck so the dog's got stung if picking it up.

[sprigs4days]

My dog went to a Junior hunt test this past weekend. On 2 land retrieves she "blinked". The first time I yelled fetch it up and she grabbed it and brought it in. The second time she stood over it and walked away without the bird. I had to handle her back which she did and she picked it up. Both birds were dead birds being launched with a winger. My dog was force fetched by a professional trainer and has never done this before. What causes them to start doing this?

Denverton?

[quigby979]

The CWA property between Rio Vista and Suisun on Hwy 12.

[sprigs4days]

Yeah, I was there, we ran 33. By the time I got to the line that bird was a ripe ball of slime with a few feathers. What # she run?

[quigby979]

Saturday we ran #8 and Sunday #13. She passed Saturday but not on Sunday. She didn't mark the first series land bird. She hunted past the bird and after 3 passes she did come up on the bird but she blinked on it. I let her come back about half way. Stopped her and gave her a back which she spun around straight back to the bird and retrieved it. I got a call back surprisingly. She did excellent on both birds. But we didn't pass.

[sprigs4days]

Lexie will get it done next time, bud.

[HNTFSH]

I got a call back surprisingly. She did excellent on both birds. But we didn't pass.

Did the judge explain the fail?

[quigby979]

She told me that because she received a score of zero in the morning that she could not get a passing score. The 1 judge gave her a zero in trainability due to the blinking on the one bird. I shouldn't of received a call back.

[HNTFSH]

She told me that because she received a score of zero in the morning that she could not get a passing score. The 1 judge gave her a zero in trainability due to the blinking on the one bird. I shouldn't of received a call back.

Ah, yeah...I could not figure out the fail with the callback. From what you said I'd have passed your dog. The blink happens with young dogs in junior tests but if they will take a handle back to the bird and pick it up, that doesn't deserve a 0 IMO.

[quigby979]

I was told the same thing in regards to having to handle her which she did without hesitation. But This judge didn't see it that way. We will get it but it will be after hunting season. She does excellent in the field which is what really matters to me.

[Rick Hall]

...We will get it but it will be after hunting season. She does excellent in the field which is what really matters to me.

After the hunting season is when you're most likely to encounter blinking on test birds, unless you've been training with something similar. And especially so if, like me, you'll fuss a dog for fooling with old kills encountered while hunting.

Once had to tell a youngster to fetch a HRC Seasoned test bird he front-footed and stood over, then watched in horror as he tossed it in the air two or three times while running in before delivering to hand. (But we got a break and pass from judges who may well have known he just finished a 1,000+ bird puppy season with our commercial camp.)

Our Rx was to wait around after the test until folks wanting them for training had divvied up the decent birds and take home a few of the worst that were headed to a dumpster to toss before subsequent tests.

[sprigs4days]

...We will get it but it will be after hunting season. She does excellent in the field which is what really matters to me.

After the hunting season is when you're most likely to encounter blinking on test birds, unless you've been training with something similar. And especially so if, like me, you'll fuss a dog for fooling with old kills encountered while hunting.

Once had to tell a youngster to fetch a HRC Seasoned test bird he front-footed and stood over, then watched in horror as he tossed it in the air two or three times while running in before delivering to hand. (But we got a break and pass from judges who may well have known he just finished a 1,000+ bird puppy season with our commercial camp.)

Our Rx was to wait around after the test until folks wanting them for training had divvied up the decent birds and take home a few of the worst that were headed to a dumpster to toss before subsequent tests.

Gotta 5-6 yr old shoveler that gets pulled out of the freezer for some of Macs training. Thing is damn nasty.

[quigby979]

I have some birds in the freezer too. Will have to bring them out to train. Lexie was FF and if you say fetch she attacks the bumper or bird. But I have noticed she has a soft hold. She is mouthing the bumper which causes her to drop the bird. So I have learned their is a difference in FF and conditioning her hold command. So I am working on that.

[Rick Hall]

If you have a bumper with a valve, pull the valve stem out to open it, squeeze some air out, hold it under water, let the pressure off so it sucks some up and close the valve. Won't take much and a little is better than a lot, as you want the water to slosh back and forth in the bumper as Pup runs with it to create the illusion of life/struggle and encourage a firmer hold.

[HNTFSH]

You'll know if it has too much water in it. It will sink after you toss out the 1st water retrieve.

[Rick Hall]

You'll know if it has too much water in it. It will sink after you toss out the 1st water retrieve.

Have done that intentionally, too: giving the bumper nearly neutral buoyancy for a slow sink to encourage dunking for ducks. Good way to lose a bumper if you don't pick your spots wisely and, I think worse, teaches Pup to expect divers to stay in place.

Better to let a wing-clipped duck show them the ropes:

[HNTFSH]

Better to let a wing-clipped duck show them the ropes:

CIMG0249a.jpg

Nothing better with a cup of coffee and popcorn. And of course, a witness if successful.

[quigby979]

Thanks for the tip. I will definitely give that a try. I have also left it in her mouth longer instead of taking it from her quickly. She has already improved.

[Rick Hall]

Better to let a wing-clipped duck show them the ropes:

The attachment CIMG0249a.jpg is no longer available

Nothing better with a cup of coffee and popcorn. And of course, a witness if successful.