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3/16/23
The linked worked for me but maybe because I posted it. He is a still from the video.
3/17/23
The link would work but the domain is blocked from my network.
3/27/23
Some pic preparing for level 2 OB. The tarp is change of position scenario. Decoys are active around the dog flapping the tarp and handler commands dog into a sit and back into a down from a distance. Dog cannot bite decoy. This is more than what a dog will likely see in a level 2.
Retrieve is one of five items chosen by judge and item is tossed between two decoys.
Tunnel is after dog jumps 1 yard hurdle while decoy runs in front of hurdle just a dog jumps. Decoy is over tunnel with streamers and dog cannot bite.
Mar-29
It is a lot to teach and a judge can set up variations of exercises so that you can’t train specifically for any exercise. With the tarp, the decoys held it up and we heeled under it and Geist did a down in motion while I continued to walk forward about 40’. The decoys we flapping the tarp over his head and he had to do a change of positions from a down to a sit to a down on my command. A judge would use a tarp in level 2 to block the dog from seeing the handler but would not have the decoys flapping it over the dog’s head. You might see that in level 3 where the judge can set up just about any scenario such a sending a dog into the back of a U-Haul with two decoys in the back with one having a running chain saw minus the blade and the other decoy having a 5 gallon bucket of water to throw on the dog when he enters the U-Haul to engage and the decoys are both screaming at the top of their lungs and hitting the dog with the bucket and clatter sticks while revving the saw.
Mar-29
What’s the command you have when he’s going through the tunnel? What are the criteria they judge it on? I’m assuming with that much control you reward the dog with a tug or something frequently which the decoys on the field.
Mar-29
They have to be prepared and trained for anything. It must be challenging training.
Mar-30
In the obstacle exercise, there can be several variations, such as the tunnel first, then the jump and finish to heel or jump, tunnel, finish or use of an open hurdle with no solid bottom. If the jump is first, I heel him about ten feet in front of the hurdle and sit him and walk to the end of the tunnel. My commands are hup, tunnel and fuss. I introduced the whistle for the command to come to heel or out and come to heel, but dropped it because I found the verbal command of fuss was more effective in the call off exercise. Judging is simply based on did the dog jump the hurdle, go through the tunnel and finish in the correct position with speed, while not biting a decoy who can be moving around and shaking a clatter stick. I use a tube tug that I carry in my right hand. Most of my training is off leash with an e-collar. Rewards are frequent and timing of the reward is important. For coming into heel or heeling, I reward with him coming behind me to my right hand. That is a direct reward so my marker is yes. If I use an indirect reward with the tug on the ground I mark with free. I also use a continuous marker of good or good boy. Training the obstacle exercise is fairly easy. He loves to jump and go through the tunnel. Early foundation training involved him learning that when a decoy was on the field and I was heeling and I marked for the reward, he had to take the tug or get no reward. That was all on leash so he could not self reward to the decoy. Initially the dog wants to reward to the decoy for a bite, but they learn there will be no reward unless they take the tug. I see more issues with Mals DQ'ing by biting the decoy when they are not suppose to because they are not as clear due to spazzing out due to so much drive.