10/09/2025
Some good training tips!
Training Tip: The Power of the Staggered Triple
The Staggered Triple is one of the most effective marking setups. This configuration includes:
🔹 A long center mark
🔹 A middle-distance mark on one side
🔹 A short mark on the opposite side
𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥:
✅ Develops communication and targeting skills to help your dog locate a longer, less conspicuous gun station between two shorter, more attractive ones
✅ Creates a habit of coming to the line focused on finding and locking onto the long center mark
✅ Reinforces commitment to fully watch and mentally focus on the long center mark
✅ Builds readiness to run the long center mark as a single first
✅ Sharpens memory while maintaining accuracy and confidence
✅ Teaches the key concept: “Do not return to hunt a fall area where a bird has already been retrieved.”
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐮𝐩:
🔹 Start simple: Use short distances, open marks, and neutral factors. The fall areas should be easy to navigate, with minimal cover to keep retrieves visible.
🔹Increase difficulty gradually: As your dog gains confidence, increase distances, tighten marks, and add factors like terrain or cover.
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐓𝐢𝐩:
Begin by retrieving the long center mark as a single. Over time, you can alter the order of retrieves (e.g., running the middle mark as a single first, and the remaining two marks as a double) to reinforce the concept of "don't return to the old fall".
If your dog tries to return to one of the previously retrieved marks while doing the long center mark, simply handle him out to the long center mark.
Continuing to expose your dog to this conceptual training will help your dog recognize the trap, and prevent him from making the mistake.
