experience that you must move the canine to facilitate the lesson. Simply pushing the dog's head in another direction seems to confuse the dog. It will take longer for the dog to understand the distinction between "no" and the "good" commands, and can lead to frustration. Once properly lined, go through the three commands. We are teaching proper ethics on lining.
After repeating these cold blinds many times, your dog should be able to run the four lines cold. Now, we can start to extend the line to 100 yards. All you need to do is move the flags out (slowly) to the 100-yard mark. Ten to fifteen-yard increments is acceptable. This stage must be completely taught before going to the next level.
Eventually, we will add some more lines. Put a pile at 60 yards between every 100-yard pile. You now should have a drill that is starting to look like a wagon wheel. Introduce these new lines one at a time. Always identify the pile as needed. The goal is to eventually run all eight piles cold. Here is where the young dog will be tempted to run an improper line. Should he leave and head for the wrong pile, wait until he is halfway to the pile and command "no; here." Bring the spaniel back and correct his line. You may have to move up. We now should have our spaniel running eight cold lines: four lines at 60 yards and four lines at 100 yards.
Next step we are going to choose the line we want them to run. Start out by sending on the first line. Then choose the next line and hup them. Give a "dead bird, no, heel" command. Move them to another random chosen line. Set him up and send them to a pile. We are now teaching them that "no" means not that line and "good" means that is the line I would like you to take. The final stage should be all eight lines run cold. You could even start to introduce a dummy along the way to a pile. This will teach them that there could be a bird along the way. Next month I will address the remote "hup" and we will start to put some of the puzzle pieces together.
About the Author: David Krassler is a native New Englander, who resides in the Berkshire Mountain Range of western Massachusetts. David and his wife Marcia have owned operated Citari Kennel since 1985. Together David and Marcia offer clients an impressive 35 years of professional breeding and training experience. As a professional trainer, active seminarist, and a member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association David consistently strives to take the mystery out of the training and breeding top performing field dogs. For more information on Citari Kennel visit www.citarikennel.com.

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