Springers and Cocker Spaniel working on an Advanced Upland Field Control Drill.

As trainers and handles of competition English Springer Spaniel and English Cocker Field trial dogs, control in the field is critical to success in the sport.
Competition dogs can sometimes become wise to the fact that birds are planted down the field and can develop the bad habit of punching down the field in a straight line, thus potentially missing birds that may be to either side of the course. It is the handlers job to keep the dog in control and ensure they are covering the ground before moving forward down the course. To be successful in the Field Trial arena, dogs must use the wind and cover their field, missed birds are a disqualification for the day, certainly not how you want your day to go. In the hunting arena, this kind of control is equally as important to ensure that the dog is flushing his birds within your gun range, missed birds are no fun. This drill is designed to address this potential issue.