Training Forum - AKC / UKC Competition Training

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MULTIPLE MARKS
Multiple marks are a fundamental concept for any field dog to master. The ability to watch multiple birds fall, remember their location, and retrieve using marking and memory is a critical skill. In order to do this effectively a multiple shot launcher is a crucial tool. If you train by yourself the best scenario is to have two launchers. You put them in the field and shoot each one while the dog marks the fall. They go out and retrieve the first bird and come back for the second. What if when the dog looks out for the second bird they don't remember where it fell (this is very common with a young dog). If this "memory bird" was shot with a single shot launcher you don't have many tools to help the dog remember. If you have a Thunder launcher at that location you can shoot off another bumper to the same location. Showing the dog the mark again helps them to remember where the mark fell and builds confidence in their memory.

When teaching doubles a recognized method is to shoot the memory bird as a single, retrieve that bird, and then shoot the double. Unless you have multiple people in a training group at each station, a Thunder launcher shooting multiple shots is the only other way to repeat and train this concept by yourself. This is why 5 shots can be beneficial even if you have only one or a few dogs.

Another great method when training with a buddy before hunting season is to put the launcher on the long bird. Your buddy throws the short bird. It will save both of you time to have the long bird shot remotely and you can run multiple dogs before reloading. Your buddy can help the dog be successful on the short bird and then the dog can go long for the bumper. It really works well if you "seed" the area of the long fall with birds. Also, if the dog breaks down or has trouble remembering the long mark you can shoot off another bumper to help with memory and ensure momentum. This is a MAJOR benefit of the Thunder launcher.

LONG DISTANCE MARKS
Long distance marks are the cornerstone of a competition dog. The ability to look between 150 - 400 yards and mark effectively makes the difference between success and failure. Although distance is not a "factor" in retriever training, tha ability of a dog to understand distance, carry a line, and build momentum is critical. How do you teach and reinforce this concept with a launcher? One recoginzed method is to shoot an additional bumper for a young dog to help them remember the location of the fall and help sustain momentum. Let's say you have a young dog just learning long marks and you have provided the appropriate foundation for marking skills. You move your pup back to 200 yards and shoot the mark. You puppy runs toward the mark and then you read a little confusion or potential that the mark was forgotten. You can immediately shoot another bumper to help the pup remember the location and increase momentum toward their destination. This type of training scenario is impossible with a single shot launcher. Also, even if you only have a few dogs you can see why 5 bumpers would be necessary.



Training Forum - AKC / UKC Competition Training THUNDER EQUIPMENT TRAINING FORUM • Training Home • Launcher Operation • Foundation Training • AKC / UKC Competition Training • Drills • Hints & Tips MULTIPLE MARKS Multiple marks are a fundamental concept for any field dog to master. The ability to watch multiple birds fall, remember their location, and retrieve using marking and memory is a critical skill. In order to do this effectively a multiple shot launcher is a crucial tool. If you train by yourself the best scenario is to have two launchers. You put them in the field and shoot each one while the dog marks the fall. They go out and retrieve the first bird and come back for the second. What if when the dog looks out for the second bird they don't remember where it fell (this is very common with a young dog). If this "memory bird" was shot with a single shot launcher you don't have many tools to help the dog remember. If you have a Thunder launcher at that location you can shoot off another bumper to the same location. Showing the dog the mark again helps them to remember where the mark fell and builds confidence in their memory. When teaching doubles a recognized method is to shoot the memory bird as a single, retrieve that bird, and then shoot the double. Unless you have multiple people in a training group at each station, a Thunder launcher shooting multiple shots is the only other way to repeat and train this concept by yourself. This is why 5 shots can be beneficial even if you have only one or a few dogs. Another great method when training with a buddy before hunting season is to put the launcher on the long bird. Your buddy throws the short bird. It will save both of you time to have the long bird shot remotely and you can run multiple dogs before reloading. Your buddy can help the dog be successful on the short bird and then the dog can go long for the bumper. It really works well if you "seed" the area of the long fall with birds. Also, if the dog breaks down or has trouble remembering the long mark you can shoot off another bumper to help with memory and ensure momentum. This is a MAJOR benefit of the Thunder launcher. LONG DISTANCE MARKS Long distance marks are the cornerstone of a competition dog. The ability to look between 150 - 400 yards and mark effectively makes the difference between success and failure. Although distance is not a "factor" in retriever training, tha ability of a dog to understand distance, carry a line, and build momentum is critical. How do you teach and reinforce this concept with a launcher? One recoginzed method is to shoot an additional bumper for a young dog to help them remember the location of the fall and help sustain momentum. Let's say you have a young dog just learning long marks and you have provided the appropriate foundation for marking skills. You move your pup back to 200 yards and shoot the mark. You puppy runs toward the mark and then you read a little confusion or potential that the mark was forgotten. You can immediately shoot another bumper to help the pup remember the location and increase momentum toward their destination. This type of training scenario is impossible with a single shot launcher. Also, even if you only have a few dogs you can see why 5 bumpers would be necessary.
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