Lone Duck Courses/Advanced Retriever Program: Handling and Blind Work for Dogs Over One Year Old

  • $350 or 5 monthly payments of $80

Advanced Retriever Program: Handling and Blind Work for Dogs Over One Year Old

  • Course
  • 43 Lessons

This course explains advanced retriever handling and blind retrieve skills for dogs over one year old. It covers key drills like T-Pattern, Wagon Wheel, and Three-Handed Casting, progressing to advanced water work such as channel blinds and swim-by. Each lesson builds precision, control, and teamwork to prepare dog and handler for reliable hunt or competition performance.

Contents

Whistle Sit and Casting Drills for Retrievers: From Foundation to T-Pattern Mastery

This module explains how to teach, refine, and master the whistle sit and casting skills that form the foundation of advanced retriever handling. It begins with early whistle sit conditioning using leash, collar, and verbal cues, then progresses through precise drills such as Mini T, T-Pattern, and Three-Handed Casting. Each lesson focuses on improving communication, timing, and control, helping handlers build fast, confident responses to both whistle and hand signals. By the end of this module, dogs will demonstrate reliable obedience, quick sits, and accurate casts essential for blind retrieves and advanced fieldwork.

Introducing the Whistle Sit: Building the Foundation Through Heel Work
Building Fast Compliance: Stick Pressure Fundamentals for Whistle Sit Training
Foundational Whistle Sit Training: Pairing Leash, Collar, and Verbal Cues
Whistle Sit Foundations: Pairing Commands with Pressure for Reliable Response
Developing Control and Responsiveness: Whistle Sit with Body Language Cues
Building Speed and Precision in Whistle Sit Responses
Building Precision: Combining Pile Work and Whistle Sit for Blind Retrieves
Teaching the Whistle Stop on the Return: Control and Precision in Pile Work
Mini T (Three-Handed Casting): Foundations for Whistle Stops and Precision Casts
Teaching Early Casting Skills: Using Place Training to Develop Handling Precision
Three-Handed Casting: Building Precision and Confidence in Retriever Handling
Intermediate Casting Drill: Bridging Mini T to Full T-Pattern Training
Teaching the Whistle Sit in T-Pattern: Building Control and Confidence
Advancing from Mini T to Full T: Teaching Precision Casting and Whistle Control
T-Pattern Training: Teaching Whistle Stops and Directional Handling
T-Pattern Troubleshooting for Retrievers: Simplify, Correct, and Regain Control
Disciplined Casting: The Final Step in T-Pattern Training

Blind Retrieve Training: Building Confidence, Control, and Line Precision

This module explains how to teach and refine blind retrieve handling skills to build confidence, precision, and teamwork between retriever and handler. It introduces key drills such as Wagon Wheel, Walking Baseball, and Big T to strengthen communication, line accuracy, and casting control. Lessons progress into advanced concepts like angle backs, lining paths, and correcting “popping” behaviors, helping dogs learn to run straight, consistent blinds on land and through varied terrain. By the end, handlers will understand how to read their dog’s body language, apply corrections effectively, and maintain smooth, confident performance in blind retrieve work.

Wagon Wheel Drill: Building Line Precision and Handler Communication
Walking Baseball Drill: Building Casting Confidence for Blind Retrieves
Big T Drill: Building Confidence and Carrying Casts on Blind Retrieves
Lining Path Training: Building Confidence and Straight-Line Precision
Blind Retrieve Confidence: Fixing Popping with Distance, Landmarks, and Handler Timing
Angle Back Casting Drill: Advancing from T-Pattern to Blind Handling
Prerequisites for Blind Retrieves: Building a Solid Foundation
First Blind Retrieve: Building Confidence and Control in Young Retrievers
Effective Handler Skills for Confident, Straight-Line Blind Retrieves

Advanced Swim-By Training for Retrievers: Building Confidence, Control, and Water Precision

This module explains how to teach, refine, and complete the Swim-By program—an advanced retriever training system for building confidence, control, and precision in water work. It covers essential drills such as Runaround Sue, force-to-water, and the water whistle sit, guiding handlers through each phase of developing disciplined water entries, casts, and re-entries. Lessons focus on correcting common issues like bank running, hesitation, and poor momentum while reinforcing clear communication and consistent performance. By the end of this module, handlers will be equipped to run confident, straight water blinds with reliable whistle control and casting precision.

From T-Pattern to Swim-By: Building Confident, Straight Water Lines
Advanced Water Work: Completing the Force-to-Water and Swim-By Program
Teaching the Water Whistle Sit: Building Control and Precision in Swim-By Training
Casting in Water: Introducing Runaround Sue for Swim-By Training
Completing the Swim-By Program

Retriever Marking Drills: Building Precision, Depth Perception, and Line Control

This module explains how to develop advanced marking skills and line manners that prepare retrievers for realistic hunting and test scenarios. It introduces key drills such as the Holding Blind, Inline Y, and ABC Marking exercises to build precision, depth perception, and control. Handlers will learn how to refine their dog’s focus, steadiness, and confidence when approaching the line, reading marks, and navigating complex visual setups. Each lesson emphasizes patience, communication, and consistency to create a disciplined, accurate, and reliable marking dog in both training and the field.

Holding Blind Drill: Teaching Patience and Control at the Line
Advanced Inline Y Drill: Building Precision and Depth Perception in Marking
Inline Marking Drill: Building Depth Perception and Precision in Young Retrievers
Understanding the ABC Drill: Marking Concepts for Accurate and Confident Retrieves
ABC Marking Drill: Teaching Depth, Accuracy, and Confidence in Marking

Advanced Water and Blind Retrieve Drills: Building Control, Focus, and Confident Lines

This module explains how to refine advanced blind retrieve control, focus, and precision through drills that strengthen water handling, marking distinction, and teamwork between dog and handler. It covers key exercises such as Channel Blinds, Down-the-Shore Blinds, and the Key Relationship Drill (KRD), each designed to improve a retriever’s decision-making, line control, and responsiveness around water and distractions. Handlers will learn how to teach straight water entries, prevent bank running, and maintain focus during complex setups involving multiple marks and blinds. Each lesson emphasizes clear communication, confidence building, and consistent correction timing to develop a polished, reliable advanced retriever.

Channel Blinds: Teaching Straight Water Entries and Confident Lines
Down-the-Shore Concepts: Teaching Water Line Precision and Decision-Making
Down-the-Shore Blinds: Teaching Water Line Control and Casting
Key Relationship Drill: Teaching Control and Focus Between Marks and Blinds
Teaching Early Blind Retrieve Communication with the KRD Training Method
Key Relationship Drill: Building Focus and Control During Blind Retrieves
Improving Blind Retrieve Finishes with the Box Drill Training Method