Although most of the commands and terms are used in field events, they are still useful in all training.

Commands and terms

Back, Commands and releases the dog to go out in a straight line not stopping until told, usually on a blind retrieve. Also sometimes used with a back cast to communicate to the dog to go straight back or angling back depending on your arm movement until told to stop, by the whistle.

Back Cast, A straight up arm motion communicating to the dog to go back. A right arm back would tell the dog to go back slightly right, a left arm back would tell the dog to go slightly left and back.

Bird Boy, A helper that throws the bird or dummy for the dog.

Bird Station, An area a mark is thrown from or blind is planted.

Blind Retrieve, An object the dog must retrieve but hasn’t seen fall and may be guided by the handler using hand signals.

Breaking, When a dog leaves the line for a bird or dummy before being released by the handler.

Cast, An arm motion to a desired direction during handling.

Cold Blinds, Blinds the dog has never done.

Cold Honor, This is an honor done before the dog runs the test. The honor dog watches a dog run the test, than he himself runs the test.

Come or Here, Commands that call the dog to the handler. It also turns a sitting dog slightly to the "right" while at the line and sitting on the right side of the handler.

Confidence Blinds, Started at a close distance, than progressively getting farther away. Fairly simple with no factors giving the dog confidence in going for the retrieve without seeing a bird fall. These blinds often start out as sight blinds and turn into permanent blinds.

Controlled Break, When the dog leaves the line for a bird or dummy before being released by the handler but is able to be called back to the line after a few feet.

Dead Bird, Tells the dog there is a blind out there or a bird he hasn’t seen thrown or fallen dead. This is said prior to running a blind.

Diversion Mark, A mark thrown while the dog is returning with another bird.

Diversion Shot, Usually a blank shot away from the area the dog is suppose to retrieve a bird from. Usually done on the way back from retrieving a mark prior to running a blind.

Double Mark, Two objects thrown usually from two different locations that the dog watches fall.

Fetch, Commands the dog to reach for and pick up the object that the handler points or directs the dog too.

Flower Pot Mark, A double mark thrown to the outside of the bird stations. One thrown to the right and one thrown to the left of the line.

Give or Release, Instructs the dog to open his mouth slightly, maybe turning his head toward the handler so the handler can easily remove an object from his mouth.

Gunner, A helper that shoots the bird for the handler and dog, or shoots a blank shot for the handler and dog.

Handling, Using voice cue’s and hand signals to direct a dog to a object to be retrieved, usually on a blind or mark the dog can’t find.

Heal, Commands a dog to remain next to the handler. Sitting and walking. Also tells the dog to slightly move left while at the line and sitting on the right side of the handler.

Hi-On, Command that tells the dog to relieve himself. This commands the dog to go "now" instead of finding the special spot as with many male dogs.

Hold, Commands the dog to grip the object he is holding with enough force so as a wounded bird can’t get away but soft enough to not cause damage to the object.

Holding Blind, A place the dog and handler wait before they run the test at an event. Also refers to a piece of training equipment that conceals the dogs view of the test.

Honor, The honor test is done after the dog picks up the required birds than sits still and quite watching another dog run the same test. This is normally done off lead.

In-line Mark, A difficult multiple mark that the bird stations throw in-line or parallel to one another

Leave it, A command communicating to the dog to leave a bird lay on the ground, usually said after a test is over.

Mama / Papa, When one bird boy or bird station throws a double mark from the same location. Usually done when there’s limited helpers.

Mark, This instructs the dog that an object is about to be thrown or shot. It is also a term meaning a thrown or shot bird the dog will see fall.

No Bird, This tells a dog he is not to retrieve the object he is looking at. This is said while the dog is looking at a poison bird, sometimes a diversion and a bird left on the line after a test or bird you place down after a retrieve while hunting.

Over, A verbal command used with a sideward arm motion telling the dog to go over at a ninety degree angle from the handler.

Over and Under Mark, A difficult multiple marking test causing the dog to run through a old fall to retrieve a further bird or object. One bird is thrown deep, than another thrown shorter but directly in-line with the deep mark. The short bird is retrieved first and than the deep bird.

Permanent Blinds, Blinds that are always placed in the same spot. The handler and dog run these blinds from different locations and distances incorporating factors, marks, retired guns, poison birds and other elements teaching the dog advanced set-ups.

Pinched Mark, A difficult double mark thrown inside of the stations.

Poison Bird, A bird the dog cannot pick up until told. This bird usually is a close mark the dog sees well but can only retrieve after first retrieving a blind or other marks. It can also be in the form of a killed bird while out hunting and the dog must first retrieve a cripple bird so it doesn’t get away.

Place, Commands the dog to an area such as a mat to run off of in an event or an area to remain steady such as a decoy bag while hunting.

Primary selection, When the dog is sent for the longer of the marks second.

Quad Mark, Four objects thrown usually from four different locations that the dog sea's fall.

Retired Gun, A bird boy, gunner or both that hide after throwing a mark so to change the picture confusing some dogs. A field trial tactic used by judges to eliminate dogs.

Secondary selection, When the dog is sent for the next shortest bird on a multiple mark.

Sight Blinds, Blinds the dog can see laying in the field or on water usually used to build confidence and provide repetition hearing commands used for blind retrieves.

Single Mark, A single object thrown that the dog see’s fall.

Sit, Command to tell the dog to sit and not move until released.

Slipped Cast, While handling a dog (usually on a blind retrieve) in a specific direction the dog goes a different way than directed.

Slipped Whistle, The dog doesn’t stop when the sit whistle (a long toot) is blown.

Stay, An extra command that reinforces the "sit" command telling the dog to not move from its present location.

The Line, The area or spot that the handler and dog run a test from.

Triple Mark, Three objects thrown usually from three different locations that the dog see’s fall.

Two Sided Healing, A procedure to teach healing on the right side of the handler as well as the left.

Wipe out Bird, This is usually a closely thrown very desirable bird such as a shot flyer thrown after all other farther birds are thrown, making it more difficult to remember the previously thrown birds.