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Straight Lines Straight from the Start  he old axiom that the shortest distance between two points is a straight line is as applicable to retrievers in the hunting field as it is to students in geometry class. The main reason for having retrievers, next to enjoying their company, is to expedite the retrieval of birds: The sooner the dog brings downed birds to hand, the sooner we get back to hunting. Unfortunately, dogs’ natural tendency is to quarter, roll off hillsides, avoid obstacles, fade with the wind, and demonstrate other natural aversions to straight lines. Likewise, delayed retrieves increase the dog’s likelihood of losing cripples, forgetting where the bird fell, and flaring the next flock while they search. If we want our dog to run a straight line, we have to teach them how. |
Aug
/ Sept 2007