Despite subfreezing temps, a stiff wind, and a wind chill of 25 degrees, Peter and I had a thawed duck to work with this afternoon and were determined to give Lightning a chance to try retrieving it. This would be Lightning’s first interaction with a duck. Here’s how it went:

• We tried a new location but something in the environment kept drawing Lightning’s attention. We only stayed for three trials, then headed back to the location where we had last had good results.
• We tried the red bumper from out previous session and Laddie ran a nice retrieve and return. I was satisfied he was ready to see the duck.
• Peter then executed our planned trial about six times. It went exactly the same every time: Peter would show Lightning the duck, he would throw it a few feet, Lightning would swoop down onto it, he would jump back a foot and begin to circle it with an occasional sniff, and after about three circles he would get distracted. I’d then say to Peter, Throw it again. After six trials, I saw no progress and the trial ended with me asking Peter to give me the duck.
• From my chair, I then held the duck up at Lightning’s eye level. He immediately ran over, grabbed it with his teeth, and pulled it out of my hand, then dropped it. So he was willing to attempt to carry the bird. That was progress. Was it repeatable?
• Yes, it was. I held the duck up again, and Lightning did exactly the same thing.
• We could have stopped there on a high note, but I just wanted to see if Lightning’s attitude about the duck had now evolved a bit. So instead of holding it up, I picked it up but then set it down on the ground. Lightning ran to it, grabbed it, and dragged it a few inches.

Yay! We can build on that. Meanwhile, the duck is back in the freezer till next time.