This is a two for one day!  The first video is not really training related other than Flash showing Lincoln how to swim.  I’ve been blessed with a few really solid swimmers who have taught most of my pups how to be calm swimmers.  You would think it would be natural, but it is not.  The dogs need time to relax and learn it is better to relax and float instead of fight the water and attempt to swim up and climb out.  I think by the end of this week, if we can go most mornings to the lake, Lincoln will be a strong, calm swimmer.

In this second video, we took a short break from water play to demo some distance retrieving with Flash.  My home yard is small and the front isn’t really suitable for a good long off leash throw.  This was the perfect setting to show how your dog can work with some training.  Flash will demo both Sit and Down at a distance.  Note how he turns to me and waits after I call the command.  This is useful in competitive high level Obedience and also in Hunting.  I never showed Flash in either of these venues, though as you can see, he would have excelled.  I’ve toyed with the idea of getting a hunting title on him, he is a very driven retriever.  I just have zero experience hunting waterfowl.  I suppose I should add it to my ‘to do’ list.  🙂

Also, note that Flash IS wearing an electronic training collar.  The collar is NOT on for retrieving and I have never used it to force train Flash in any way for either obedience or retrieving.  The reason Flash is wearing that collar is because he has an issue with deer… a serious issue with deer.  Maybe, after all these years, and those extra pounds he is carrying I wouldn’t have to worry about him chasing wildlife clear across the county.  However, I did not want to risk his life and my sanity on a maybe.  Around here, deer are as thick as rats during a plague.  Better safe than sorry.

~Becky