The tough part about training a dog to Senior Hunt level, successfully, the first time, is not fully understanding the many pieces that go into a SH dogs understanding.
To recap a dog being tested at SH level, in an AKC Hunt Test trial, must be able to perform as follows:
Link to AKC JH & SH requirements, pages 35-36. Please note the jump from JH requirements to SH requirements is HUGE and takes tremendous consistency in training a young dog to perform, 100% 'naked' in a high level of excitement.
The hardest part to train a Junior Hunt dog to compete successfully, at a Senior Hunt trial, is the necessity to be able to 'handle' your dog. Here is the sequence I use for training a dog to SH level, assuming your dog has been thoroughly trained in my FOUNDATION Course, my Retrieve Course (dog can pick up any dead or cripple bird on command and deliver to hand without damaging the bird), and Tech Savvy (dog must have Whistle Sit).
When training a young dog, be sure to mark your pile of bumpers with a white stick or white shirt, anything white the dog can visually see. Also, walk your dog out to where your white marker is, have dog beside you on left and send dog to the pile while close by, within 15'-20' approximately. Make sure the only 'white' your dog sees IS the white marker.
After a few successful warm-up tosses, send the dog, again to pile, but back up as the dog is going towards the pile. Increase the distance so dog is returning to you at a greater distance. Dog is to do a 'Swing' to return to your left side before your command, "Give". Remember, dog is to be under control from the car to the 'line'. Recommend you heel dog from car to the 'line' which may or may not have a Place Board or a mat or nothing. Do not send a dog to retrieve if they are not working FOR you and WITH you.
*Lesson 1: Dog learns to go to pile and pick up bumper always and no matter what else is happening and immediately return to handler and deliver to hand promptly with no 'stickiness'.
* Lesson 2: Dog learns to go to pile on Go-Out command and pick up as described in Lesson 1. Lesson 2 dog is sent out and from a Whistle Sit, faces handler, waits patiently for cast of "Back". Handler's cast is straight up beside their ear.
Handler's right cast + "Back-Fetch", dog spins to left to go 180 degrees towards pile, prompt pick up and return.
Handler's left cast + "Back-Fetch", dog spins to right to go 180 degrees towards pile, prompt pick up and return.
There are several ways to set up this training scenario.
1) Start by sending the dog to the pile, Go-Out, 2-3 times.
Send the dog, do a Whistle Sit, then cast back to pile several times. Use your body position, clean mechanics, and being s..l..o..w which will help your dog understand.
End with sending the dog to pile, Go-Out, 2-3 times.
* The emphasis is more on the Go-Out than casting.
2. Start by sending the dog to the pile, Go-Out, 2-3 times.
Now, have a mat or something flat on the grass that designates to the learning dog they are to go onto that item. I use a yoga mat as they are portable, easy for me to see, they are non-skid, and my dogs know they are to target them.
I heel the dog unto the mat and have them "Come" so they are facing me. I step to one side or the other and then cast them with a "Back-Fetch". Work both sides and start VERY close to your white marker, within 20' approximately, increase distance from white marker ONLY as dog is grasping the concept and being successful.
End with sending dog to pile on the Go-Out.
*The emphasis is more on training the concept by building comprehension, muscle memory, and skill set.
The setup
What can happen is 'popping'
Casting from Sit
Brad, Alice and Nate, this is Lesson 2 for SH
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