I'm writing this, because, well, let's just say Harv was not on form today. 
The general concensus seemed to be that there must have been a bitch in season in the field where we train earlier today. Harv would not stop sniffing. To be fair, the trainer said he managed everything that was asked of him, just not on the first attempt (or second!). @UncleBob tried everything to get Harv's attention, but, today, Harv was having none of it. Smells even trumped sausage! Final straw, on the last retrieve, while waiting his turn, Harv cocked his leg up my leg. Thank goodness for wellies. 
Oh well, onwards and upwards.
In the interest of full disclosure, a quick run down of what Harv was supposed to have been doing:
Revisiting hold. This, he was actually good at.
Go back using cones.
Memory retrieve.
I don't know what this one's called. @UncleBob threw the dummy with Harv watching, then he took Harv away while the trainer dragged the dummy to a different spot. @UncleBob and Harv then returned to where @UncleBob threw the dummy from and sent Harv to retrieve it. No further instructions from @UncleBob, Harv just had to use his nose (not really a problem given all the aforementioned sniffing!
)
We also had a quick lesson on how to humanely despatch a bird. As far as I can tell, you need a big stick, and good aim.
The general concensus seemed to be that there must have been a bitch in season in the field where we train earlier today. Harv would not stop sniffing. To be fair, the trainer said he managed everything that was asked of him, just not on the first attempt (or second!). @UncleBob tried everything to get Harv's attention, but, today, Harv was having none of it. Smells even trumped sausage! Final straw, on the last retrieve, while waiting his turn, Harv cocked his leg up my leg. Thank goodness for wellies. Oh well, onwards and upwards. In the interest of full disclosure, a quick run down of what Harv was supposed to have been doing:
Revisiting hold. This, he was actually good at.
Go back using cones.
Memory retrieve.
I don't know what this one's called. @UncleBob threw the dummy with Harv watching, then he took Harv away while the trainer dragged the dummy to a different spot. @UncleBob and Harv then returned to where @UncleBob threw the dummy from and sent Harv to retrieve it. No further instructions from @UncleBob, Harv just had to use his nose (not really a problem given all the aforementioned sniffing!
)We also had a quick lesson on how to humanely despatch a bird. As far as I can tell, you need a big stick, and good aim.
Better luck next time, tomorrow is another day. xx
