Split Retrieve and 'Out' command

I haven't practised split retrieves with Olive in ages, so wanted to have another go and see if I can start progressing to teaching her directions when doing a retrieve. I haven't done directional work with her at all so this is something completely new. To begin with I just want her to concentrate on going in the direction she has been sent by my hand.

I started off with some VERY basic split retrieves...

2 dummies and going to the last one thrown first (in the books it says this is the easiest option for puppies) http://www.youtube.com/watchv=TCE_84FkG8U&feature=youtube_gdata_player

2 dummies and going to the first one thrown (I told her to leave the one I didn't want her to go back too, not sure if this worth doing or not?!) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2UltuFVyqk&feature=youtube_gdata_player

3 dummies and going to the first one thrown. Happy with this as she is always following where I am directing her. Put a rabbit dummy in there to make it a bit more tempting as she loves that dummy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRuHG0DkPNM&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I was happy with this so thought I would try facing her and starting a left and right direction to see if she would get it. I used the command 'out' for both sides with an exaggerated hand gesture in each direction. I am not entirely sure if this is right as I haven't been to a group class in so long, I am just training her from books at the min!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2S_DTN8qy8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I left it at that as it had been a good session and wanted to end on a high note.

From here I think I will try stopping her to whistle. Throwing a dummy left/right and directing her 'out'.

Went to the beach this weekend so mostly concentrated on having fun!

Taking it up a notch

I am trying to really push Olive and perfect everything now, as we are planning to do Working Test next month. Had a great session with her today doing different types of retrieves, trying to incorprate stay, sit to whistle, recall away from dummy, back command, into the the retrieves so we are perpared for whatever comes up in a test. She is doing well, if she's hot and tired she will concentrate a little less but generally I am so pleased with her retrieving at the mo.

Today I tried setting her off running, and then dropping the dummy down when she wasnt looking. I would then continue walking for a while, stopp her to whistle, recall her and send her back. She was super at knowing she is meant to be going off to look for something, and really eager. She found the dummy everytime and good delivery too. Very pleased :) :) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7aClhg2JA2Q&feature=youtube_gdata_player

I am hoping this is the start of her learning blind retrieves.

I also tried putting her in a stay, walking off and putting dummy down in woods, returning to her and sending her. Again she did super. I was really impressed as I tried this when she was a little younger and she struggled to concentrate on using her nose to find the dummy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3LLRG0X79w&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Next water retrieves!!