Dog training terminology defined
Those of us actively training hunting dogs day after day, often forget that not everyone understands the terminology we use. Sometimes it helps to take a step back and give some definition to terms, or at least put context around the terms we use so often. One set of terms that is often misunderstood regarding hunting dog training is marks and blinds.
A simple definition of marks and blinds
A mark is a retrieve for a bird or bumper that your dog watched go down. A blind is sending your dog to retrieve a bird that he/she did not see go down. For a mark, your dog will “mark” the fall and run to the downed bird. On a blind, you (the handler) must direct your dog to the bird using whistles and hand signals.
To do blind retrieves, a dog must be taught an extensive series of drills that enable the handler to communicate with the dog using voice, whistles, and hand signals. The training is extensive. It takes a lot of time and repetition to complete this level of training.

What does mark mean when training a dog?
Marks are used to train hunting dogs. It is a way to simulate a bird flying across a field and being shot down. It is done by using live or dead birds or using bumpers. The drills are designed to teach a dog to watch the field for a bird, wait for the shot and be ready to go retrieve the bird when sent by the handler.
Marking drills are essential for teaching hunting dogs how to watch the birds fall and run to the area where the bird fell. Dogs that mark well will find birds faster and more efficiently than dogs that have not learned to mark well.
There are different marking drills used to teach hunting dogs different scenarios. Some drills are very basic. One drill, generally called Bird Boy Marks or walking singles, is the most basic marking drill. It teaches a dog to mark by having the thrower (or gunner) move after each mark, so every throw (mark) is a new mark for the dog.
You can learn more about simple marking drills in this post.
There are also very complex marking drills for dogs that are more advanced in their training. This may involve multiple marks (doubles or triples) and blind retrieves in between the marks.
Why it’s important to teach your retriever to mark
When training hunting or competition dogs, a large percentage of the training focuses on teaching a dog to mark.
To teach a dog to mark the dog must be taught to sit steady (not moving) and watch for a shot bird (or bumper) to see where it lands. The best hunting dogs mark an area where the bird went down. They run out to that area using their eyes and then turn on their nose when they get close to the area. A combination of eyes and nose makes the best marking dog.
If a dog only uses his/her eyes, it can take the dog a long time to find the bird. Most hunting is done in some cover (weeds and grasses) so just using eyes will make the hunt very difficult.
If a dog only uses only their nose, they will often take a long time running to the area where the bird fell because there are many other scents in between that distract the dog from the bird they were sent to retrieve. These dogs may have trouble finding the bird simply because they never run directly to the area where the bird fell.
So, using a combination of both nose and eyes is ideal.

Command differences when sending a dog for mark or blind
Most professional retriever trainers send a dog for a mark using the dog’s name. This is important if a dog has been taught to handle, because different commands and ques are used to help a dog understand that he/she is doing a blind retrieve vs a mark.
When doing blind retrieves, most professionals send their dog on the command BACK. In addition, they use ques like saying “DEAD BIRD” prior to the BACK command to further communicate with the dog that they are going to be retrieving something that they did not see fall.
What does blind mean when training a dog?
Blinds are where many people get confused. As we have stated, a blind is a bird that the dog did not see fall. It is not natural to send a retriever for a bird that he/she did not see fall. This is not in their nature. As retrievers they are hard-wired to run after a mark, retrieve it and bring it back. But sending a dog for a blind requires a lot of training and conditioning.
Blind retrieves require an immense amount of trust between the dog and handler. The dog must trust that the handler is sending him/her to a downed bird that they, in turn, get to retrieve. The many drills and training used to train a dog to this level allows dogs to learn to trust the handler and get a retrieve each time they are sent out.

What can make marks difficult for a dog?
Not all marks are equal. There are various factors that can challenge a dog’s marking and finding the bird. Some of these factors are:
- Distance
- Terrain (hills, valleys)
- Wind
- Water
- Cover changes
It is important that you train your dog to deal with these challenges. If you do, your dog will learn to mark better despite the challenges and will learn how to resist variables like wind to find the bird.
Variables like a cross wind can easily push a dog off the line to the mark. Running into the wind can also be challenging if the mark is a long one.
What are multiple marks?
Dogs that have undergone some advanced training are trained to retrieve multiple marks. Multiple marks are when two or more birds are shot down and the dog can mark each of the birds. Teaching your dog to do multiple marks can help build a memory in your dog so that they are able to remember multiple birds and where each fell.

What is the line to the bird?
When trainers talk about the line, they are talking about if you were to draw a straight line from the handler to the mark. A straight line is the most direct route that will enable a dog to find the bird easier. Any time a dog gets off-line, they have a chance of not ending up in the right area to find the bird.
Many factors can influence that line, we discussed some earlier – wind, terrain, etc.
Many trainers will intentionally teach dog drills that help them stay on-line. One such drill is the No-No drill.
The line is equally or more important when sending a dog for a blind. The dog needs to run as close as possible to that line if he is to find the bird. The goal is always to handle less. Yes, you can direct the dog to the bird, but if the dog runs out directly in the direction you send him, you will not need to handle the dog much.
Most hunting marks will fall in the range of 20-50 yards away.
Lining, stopping casting
Running blinds is a team sport. It requires a handler and a dog, and both must work together to find the bird. The handler must line the dog up in the right direction, the dog must trust the handler and run out straight from him toward the bird. If the dog gets off course, the handler will use a whistle to communicate to the dog that he/she must stop, turn, and face the handler. Then the handler will cast the dog, tell him what direction to go. The dog again must trust the handler and take the cast in the direction communicated.
If a dog runs straight out and finds the bird, that is called lining the blind. The dog ran the exact route and ended up at the bird, no casting was necessary.
Stopping is anytime the handler blows a SIT whistle. The dog should turn to face the handler and SIT. This is taught using several drills.
Casting is when the handler communicates with hand signals the direction the dog should turn and run. There are OVERS, which tell the dog to go right or left of the position they are sitting. Or there are BACKs, which tell the dog to go behind the position where he/she is sitting. There are RIGHT BACKs and LEFT BACKs. These tell the dog which direction to turn before proceeding on the BACK.
A RIGHT BACK means that the dog should turn to his LEFT. And a LEFT BACK means that the dog should turn to the RIGHT since the handler is facing the dog.

How long does it take to teach a dog to do blind retrieves?
Training a dog to do blind retrieves is a lot of work! It takes a long time. A complete program can last 7 months to a year or more.
Our Advanced program takes 16 weeks (in addition to the 14 weeks for the basics program), but that is only the start. That program puts the dog through all the necessary drills and training, but the dogs are still raw at the end of that training. They won’t have the confidence that comes with lots and lots of blind retrieves.
Final thoughts on marks vs blinds
Marks and blinds are important concepts for hunting dogs. A basic program with teach your dog marking concepts but if you are an avid duck or goose hunter, it really pays off to have your dog also complete an advanced program so that he/she can do blind retrieves.
If you are looking for a professional retriever trainer with proven hunting and hunt test programs, check out our training programs or give us a call 651-303-6459. We also do one-on-one training to guide owners who want to do the training themselves.
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