Winter training

[Anna Scott]

Just wonder what others, who live in the land of ice and snow do to keep up with training at this time of year. We were able to train in the fields until after Christmas ( this is not always the case) but then the snow came. We have about 2 feet on the ground right now and it has been mild and then really cold so things are pretty hard and slippery. When I picked my young one up from the pro that was the one thing he warned me not to do, run on slippery snow. Snow in general is not good. After a month both the dogs and I are getting shack wacky so today my sister and I and two friends went training in a friends horse arena (not much warmer than out side but at least it was not slippery). We were able to set up a short tight double incorporating a "no no drill" and a blind between the marks. My pup turned one today and she was wired. Obedience has slipped over the month so it took awhile to get her refocused. I was really pleased with her. She got the 'no no' line and was steady for the double. The blind between the marks was new to her and really tight. She wanted to go back and jump the 'no no obstacle and then to the other thrower. We had to work on getting the correct initial line, so this is something to work on. After we did a lining and casting drill. She has retained what she learned so we will keep working on various drills and throwing short tight marks which will reinforce her steadiness. Not the most ideal conditions but we have access to two different arenas so it should keep us out of trouble

[IRISHWISTLER]

Anna Scott,
Granted we that live in northern latititudes share the commonality of shorter training seasons, but I consider that to be more specifically related to water work. I consider each day of the year a "training day" and there are always a multitude of things to work on.

For most of us that work with advancing level gundogs or those involved in competition with their dogs, obedience should be considered a way of life for such dogs. Foundational to all advanced training, obedience is critical and it must be both well honed and maintained. As well, winter is a time that like us, our dogs can suffer with regard to conditioning for lack of regular activity levels maintained during more moderate temperatures. Self discipline and motivation on the part of the trainer is an important factor in maintaining standards throughout winter months.

I try to incorporate getting out on long walks in the woodlands during which times I will bring a bird bag of bumpers along to run impromptu set ups that keep a retriever engaged and motivated. Even what one may consider rudimentary for a more advanced level dog will result in cleaner delivery to hand, better whistle stops, crisper casting, etc. I often do long memory blinds which require lots of extension while maintaining long lines.

I work TRAD on both upland and waterfowl and he gets lots of experiential training on wild birds throughout the hunting season. Again while doing our walks, we work on quartering and maintaining him not ranging outside of the range parameters I want him working at when hunting upland birds.

Just a few of many things I work on when the water is hard as a rock.

Cheers,
Irishwhistler

[michael m]

I live near Buffalo NY, so I understand what you face with winter snow and ice. That said, I tend to do the same type of work that IrishWhistler described above. Walk the woods with dog free and work on staying in desired range and throw a few dummies-- especially blind retrieves, if your dog is to that level in training.

Another option would be to use an ATV or snowmobile to break up the snow and ice in an area of your yard and training your dog there. Even the wheels on a riding lawn mower could be used to break up hard snow surfaces to insure proper footing for the dog.

Michael

[ChippieDog]

I live about two hours west of Minneapolis/St. Paul, so we have our share of snow and cold too. To be honest, my dogs have had extended vacations since the Hunt Test/Field Trial season ended in September. They did some hunting this fall, and now I'm starting to knock off some of the dust and thinking of the spring trial season again. We have been having spring like days in the low to mid 30's this past week and our snow cover is almost gone. I've been running some basic handling drills to remind both dogs what blinds are. We ran some poison bird blinds today. Both dogs are a little rusty, but I'm keeping the pressure off and keeping the fun level high.

I don't train if the snow has a crust on it. I learned that lesson several years ago with my first lab. He broke through the crust while running for a mark and got a soft tissue injury in his front leg. It took months to heal. I decided then and there that a few days training in the winter weren't worth the running the risk of injuries. Now we take things a lot easier on snow and ice.

[FOWLQUEEN]

Every day is a training day just run a little easier in the nastier weather...goose season doesn't end till Saturday so he's still get some activity that way..... If I'm running water drills I just keep a neoprene vest on him. Or if it's snowy/icy I'll keep a close eye on him to make sure he's not getting to cold....typically when running drills he keeps warm easy.

This was -7....2 weeks ago after training

[Coalman]

This is our winter training. We got 30" of snow Tuesday. It was good to be back on the trail.

[Anna Scott]

Was -19C or -8 F this morning so we used the indoor arena again at least there is no wind chill factor. Took a holding blind and had to use the sledge to drive it into the ground in the ring, frost is close to the surface. We used to train outside in the winter when we were getting ready for the Gold Whistle Event at the Toronto Sportsmans' Show. Once they dropped it we have done less. A friend would drag a railway tie behind his ATV to flatten the fields and we would use cedar rails and straw bails. One time it was so cold he got frost bite. You don't notice the cold when the sun is shining and you are moving. The last time we were preparing for the show one of my dogs tore a cruciate. I decided then and there that winter training outdoors was really not worth it.
Last night I watched the reverse lining drill on Dennis Voigt's DVD so today we set up a modified version of it. I was really pleased with both my dogs but especially the year old. She was able to focus on the long bumper and run passed all the rest. I even ran her at a tight angle. Afterward we ran a head swinging drill which my old girl need and built the concept of running tight to a gunner. The blind gave us the opportunity to work on line manners and blind manners. They may not be getting great distances right now but we are getting to lay the foundations for concepts that we can move into the fields come April. Will use the other facility on Wednesday.