Directional Marked Retrieves

This exercise builds on your directional retrieve work and introduces more decision-making for your dog. The aim is to teach your dog to take direction from you and run directly to the retrieve you have selected, rather than hunting and searching for the dummy.

Start with your dog sitting at heel. Throw one dummy out in front to the left and another dummy out in front to the right.

Before sending your dog, take time to correctly line yourself and your dog up. Look at your foot position and make sure your body is aligned towards the dummy you want your dog to retrieve. Your dog will take a lot of information from your body language, so clear positioning is essential.

Once you are correctly lined up, send your dog for the retrieve.

When your dog has completed the retrieve and delivered the dummy back to you, reset and line yourself and your dog up for the second retrieve. Again, take your time to ensure your positioning is correct before sending your dog.

If your dog does not run straight out to the dummy you have sent them for, do not allow them to hunt around and find it. Call your dog back to you, reduce the distance, walk closer to the dummy and resend.

The purpose of this exercise is for your dog to learn to take direction and go with confidence directly to the retrieve you have indicated. They should not be relying on searching to find the dummy.

If your dog is not achieving this, simply go back a stage and reinforce the previous exercise before progressing again.

Remember, accuracy comes from clear communication, correct positioning and building success step by step.