Hand signals on release?

[happykal]

I just watched a guy on youtube using hand signals on release. I use hand signals for back, over, sit, down and point to her place but never on release. Does anyone use hand signals on release and would you recomend doing so?

[luvmylabs]

Other than putting my hand down over the dog's head just before sending, that is the only time I use my hand on release. Use it on both marks and blinds. All it does is confirm that the dog is to get ready to go. Tends to make them a little steadier on marks and confirms their line on blinds.

Anne

[EvanG]

As a regular practice I can't see any advantage to doing so.

EvanG

[just chessies]

Other than putting my hand down over the dog's head just before sending, that is the only time I use my hand on release. Use it on both marks and blinds. All it does is confirm that the dog is to get ready to go. Tends to make them a little steadier on marks and confirms their line on blinds.

Anne I do the same that's the way I was taught many years ago. Marv. Calhoun

[deb]

I only put my hand down on a blind. The only exception is when a mark goes down and I don't think my dog has seen it or remembers it I will use my hand then so they go on a straight line. I think this helps them distinguish between a mark and a blind and it also gives one more free hand if needed ie. gun, whistle, holding previous delivered bird etc.
deb

[krakadawn]

Discussing the use of your hand is a valid topic worth considering.We are reading variations already as to when and there has not been any suggestions as to where the 'hand' is in relation to you,certainly the dog's body as well.
Others are welcome to suggest but I'll start:

-hand always used on go birds as a sign of release.
-hand not always used on other marks for example on short retireds where the command easy and no hand is my send.
-hand always on blinds.

These are very basic in a person's repetoire of sending but there are additional more refined strategies to be used in connection.
Is the dog's body aligned prior to a send(spinal alignment-not just head).
Have you aligned dog prior to receiving bird or was it 'yanked' from his mouth as he returned?
Is the dog sitting?
How did you use your voice?Strong send? Quiet send?

Big question is where in relation to dog's body(head) is your hand?. Many people put their hand down behind the dog's head -out of sight and is completely useless.I like to have my hand above dog's head, slightly ahead of eyes and keep it still on send.Have someone watch you on your sends-do you do the 'bowling ball' send or is your hand kept still? The bowling ball send actually intereferes and distracts the dog so have someone watch you-I know I have been corrected on this even though I'm conscious of what a good send looks like.

To me these are the nuances/refinements of what good 'sends' should incorporate.

Jim

[deb]

The hand above the head and it can always be useful to send the dog with the hand going out in front. This can help the dog on a line to a blind, especially when you have had trouble lining them. They can even be pulled either way if they are leanidng the wrong way.
deb

[happykal]

-hand always used on go birds as a sign of release.
-hand not always used on other marks for example on short retireds where the command easy and no hand is my send.
-hand always on blinds.

These are very basic in a person's repetoire of sending but there are additional more refined strategies to be used in connection.
Is the dog's body aligned prior to a send(spinal alignment-not just head).
Have you aligned dog prior to receiving bird or was it 'yanked' from his mouth as he returned?
Is the dog sitting?
How did you use your voice?Strong send? Quiet send?

To me these are the nuances/refinements of what good 'sends' should incorporate.

Jim

Wow....I feel like an amateur.

I heel her to align her to the direction of the blind, mark or go bird.

I release her on an excited "TIKKA!" almost like a sneeze lol.

Never used hand signals, but I think I may start.

She's started force fetching August 1st, but she knows to return to heel and will deliver to hand, most of the time. The exception is her knobby bumpers. Her canvas, dokkens, just about anything I through it's returned to hand, I can grab at it and she wont let it go until I say give, but 9 out of 10 times she drops the knobby bumpers.

But I'm not too concerned like I said she just started force fetching and we're doing 1 or 2 five minute sessions a day, depending on the day. If I had a bad day at work I wont go near the force bench. I try to keep things positive and fun. Work on obedience instead, do a few fun bumpers.