During the course of the summer, we had run various retrieving drills, but dogs are place aware. We had done our water work in nearby ponds, but not in a stream like we were hunting, and Doc had to re-learn retrieving and casting.
He was afraid to step off the ice, so I waded into the water for him to follow. When it was apparent that he wasn’t understanding my casting, I tossed sticks towards the ducks.
It’s a lengthy video but illustrates the kind of patience one needs to have with dogs. From this first retrieve in December 2013, Doc went on to become a fine retriever and relentless in his duck search.