Fun Bumpers

Used properly, fun bumpers help maintain good a training attitude and keep dogs interested in drill work. To throw a fun bumper, give a release cue (hup, hup, hup, or hey, hey) that tells your dog it’s OK to break and charge about while you swing the bumper. When you’ve teased his interest to a peak, throw the bumper. Dogs love them. But, fun bumpers are like seasoning in cooking — used properly, they enhance the flavor and essence of a drill; applied too liberally, they overpower it.  

Field work has many motivators built in for retrievers. Each new setup involves the excitement of novel sights, smells, and sounds. The dog gets to see throws, hear shots, and carry birds. Most retrievers enjoy the challenges of running, jumping, swimming, and hunting for their marks.   

Contrast this with a yard drill. The drill takes place in one small area, often the same yard day after day. Many drills require lots of repetition and present no physical challenge. They require retrieving placed — not thrown — bumpers, not birds. All action is in response to command and is not self-directed. It’s easy to see how some dogs can get a flat attitude about drill work.

A well-timed fun bumper is a reward for good effort, but don’t be predictable in its use. A fun bumper is more effective if your dog is never sure when to expect it. This mystery is a powerful motivator. Your dog will work harder, hoping that the next task will result in the big payoff. 

For the wild Indian always on the verge of breaking, use fun bumpers sparingly. The wilder dog needs the calming effect of the increased concentration that results from methodically working through drills. A good rule of thumb is that the calmer and more cooperative your dog, the more beneficial the fun bumper.  

With all dogs, use fun bumpers during training as a reward for effort. Do not throw a wild fun bumper party at the end of training. When you do, you are teaching your dog to look forward to and celebrate the end of work.

Pat Nolan