Digging into the Y Drill:

In today's check in from Spring Training Camp, I highlight the "Y drill". Fun fact, property owner and amateur trainer Alex Washburn, attributes much of her competitive success—including multiple Field Champions and a National Amateur Champion—to consistently practicing this drill!

This isn't just about running another drill; it's about understanding why it matters:

• Marking accuracy isn't simply innate; it's taught and perfected.
• Dogs competing at the highest levels master the fundamentals before putting them together.
• This drill teaches dogs to recognize the arc of the throw, pinpoint precisely where the mark lands relative to the gun station, and to hunt strategically in the fall area.
• The gunner’s role is crucial: they are responsible for the lessons your dog learns in this drill

At the end of the video, watch closely as a dog-handler team runs the Y drill:

• Two marks are successfully completed.
• One mark requires assistance.

Your challenge: Spot the exact moment we decide to help the dog—and use this example to get out and work on the Y Drill with your dog.