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  1. #1
    Senior Dog IRISHWISTLER's Avatar
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    Starting And Ending

    Aye Mates,

    Having established the SIT command and behavior, I quickly introduce the pup to the PLACE platform along with the associated command "PLACE", that meaning for the pup to get on the platform and SIT. The PLACE board serves as a concrete point in space for the pup that is defined and less abstract than the surrounding area. I find that the PLACE board serves well as a tool in prompting the pup to understand that it is time to work and that they quickly fall into a more focused state of being once they are upon it.

    Initially, I like using the PLACE board as an instructional tool to teach the pup where I want him or her when they recall to me, (at my side and seated, their head parallel to my knee). I quickly have young pups running to get on the PLACE board with my issue of the verbal command for them to "PLACE".

    When teaching the early mechanics of the retrieve, the PLACE board serves well in lining up the young pup spinally from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tail with the intended mark they are to be sent on. Add a short training tab to the pup's collar and that combined with the PLACE board soon has the pup learning to remain steady prior to being sent by the release command to make the retrieve. I quickly establish the concept of release using the pup's name (intonation utilized) communicates my exact in tension for the pup to leave the platform to make the retrieve. I gradually add random periods of delay that continue to increase in duration before sending the dog and this serves to build both desire / drive, and steadiness. As the pup comes bounding back I give the "PLACE" command as an indicator that I want the pup to get on the platform as a culmination of the retrieve. I generally use this moment as one in which to start instruction of delivery of the item retrieved to hand. Verbal praise and my human contact are used as rewards for a retrieve well done. Once the concept of the PLACE board as a starting and ending point of the retrieve has been solidly established, I will use a check cord to guide the pup back onto the platform using a "J-HOOK" motion to the seated position, this teaching the pup to HOOK, SIT, HOLD, and present to hand in classic style.

    Additionally, I find the PLACE platform to be invaluable whence instructing the STAY command and in reinforcing that command from increasingly remote distances.

    When hunting in above ground permanent waterfowl hunting blinds, I like to have a PLACE platform inside the blind. It keeps the dog from roaming aimlessly in the blind from occupant to occupant letting the dog know where he is expected to remain. As well, the PLACE board keeps the dog off of the cold and sometimes wet ground inside the blinding keeps them more comfortable during the hunt. Lastly, it elevates the dog so he or she has a more direct line of sight to birds being taken, that making for more efficient marking of birds downed and greater efficiency in the retrieves made. Add to this, the command "PLACE" conveys the message that the retriever is to get up onto something, to sit there, and to remain there and told to do otherwise. One can easily think of a number of situations where solid "PLACE" training contributes to the dog remaining at a specific location which will make the dog more safe and more comfortable, i.e., hunting from the top of a stump or a tree stand platform in flooded timber, elevating the dog out of cold and energy draining waters that could cause hypothermia.

    Conclusively, PLACE board training is a great tool for the trainer and highly beneficial for the K9 trainee.

    Cheers,
    THE DOG WHISTLER ☘️🇮🇪🇺🇸

    Four month old pup TTF JACKSON LAD O' CLOONFINISH
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    Jollymolly (03-02-2019), Snowshoe (03-03-2019)

  3. #2
    Senior Dog
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    Interesting! We use something very similar in Obedience to help with stays and occasionally other positions such as coming front on retrieves, etc (ours is a little lower than what you are showing, and is the exact size of the dog when sitting so they are forced to remain straight when on it). Since Obedience is so anal about exact positions on the dog, for correct heel position, we may start with a platform but for many dogs we graduate to a single board that they have to place their front feet on, which increases the challenge while building on the known behavior, weans off of the "prop" and is much more portable! I love to see the parallels in how different sports train similar behaviors.
    Annette

    Cookie (HIT HC Jamrah's Legally Blonde, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015
    Sassy (HIT Jamrah's Blonde Ambition, UDX, OM2, BN) 6/4/2015

    Chloe (HIT HC OTCH Windsong's Femme Fatale, UDX4, OM6, RE) 6/7/2009

    And remembering:

    Scully (HC Coventry's Truth Is Out There, UD, TD, RN) 4/14/1996 - 6/30/2011
    Mulder (Coventry's I Want To Believe, UD, RN, WC) 5/26/1999 - 4/22/2015

    And our foster Jolie (Windsong's Genuine Risk, CDX) 5/26/1999 - 3/16/2014

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    IRISHWISTLER (03-02-2019)

  5. #3
    Senior Dog IRISHWISTLER's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Annette47 View Post
    Interesting! We use something very similar in Obedience to help with stays and occasionally other positions such as coming front on retrieves, etc (ours is a little lower than what you are showing, and is the exact size of the dog when sitting so they are forced to remain straight when on it). Since Obedience is so anal about exact positions on the dog, for correct heel position, we may start with a platform but for many dogs we graduate to a single board that they have to place their front feet on, which increases the challenge while building on the known behavior, weans off of the "prop" and is much more portable! I love to see the parallels in how different sports train similar behaviors.
    Annette,

    The dimensions of this platform could certainly be made smaller and I use them with both full size adults and pups. This platform surface is 24" X 30" and is about 8" high. I like dogs to be able to see it on their approach in low cover from a distance. The pups are eventually expected to maintain a square and proper SIT.

    One other behavior I forgot to mention that I teach using the PLACE board is exiting the water without dropping the bumper to shake. I progressively move the board back from the very edge of the water, further and further back from the shoreline. The dog must exit the water, go to the platform, get on the platform and sit whilst maintaining hold of the bumper / bird, un til the GIVE command is issued.

    Cheers,
    Mike ☘️🇮🇪🇺🇸
    TEAM TRAD PRO STAFF
    DUBLIN DUCK DYNASTY

    Joanie Madden, Mary Bergin, Adrea Coor, and Nuala Kennedy, each an Irish whistle goddess in her own right.

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to IRISHWISTLER For This Useful Post:

    Annette47 (03-02-2019)

 



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