This is an exercise that develops the dog’s ability to judge distances. This is where you will need someone to assist you. The “handler” will be the person in control of the dog. The “thrower” will be the person assisting with this exercise by throwing the training dummy for the dog. You will use the canvas dummy and scent bottle from your Remington® training kit. Apply a small amount of scent to the cloth of the dummy.

You will start by positioning the “thrower”, with the scented dummy, 50 yards away from the “handler”. The “handler” will have the dog at the heel position and will hand signal to the “thrower” to get the dog’s attention. When the dog is looking in the direction of the “thrower” toss the dummy at a 45 degree angle back away from the “handler” and the dog.

(See diagram.)

The “handler” will release the dog on command to retrieve the dummy. After the dog picks up the dummy, recall the dog to you. Do not forget to praise him for a completed retrieve. Rotate this exercise in varying areas with different grass and weed coverage; short grass, long grass, tall weeds, etc. Change your distances from the “handler” and “thrower” from 25 yards up to 150 yards. Set up this area so the wind is always at your back. This will give the dog a chance to see the dummy and learn how to judge distance and not just use his nose to find the dummy.