Today I got smacked in the face with preconceptions: a) my pup now has 60' retrieves; b) my pup joyfully wades in the water and starts swimming; c) so does Stitch.

Yeah, well.

Those things DO happen - if I run through the entire training sequence, quickly, from the beginning when we start. It only takes 5 minutes, but we are DEFINITELY not past the place where it needs to be done.

We started with the underwater retrieve. No problem, Syn is glad to do that, partway up to her elbows in water and getting her face wet. OK.

So then I throw a bumper out about 40 feet. Um, what? But the water's cold. But I'm dry. But it's far away. But, but... I wade out towards it, she comes with me, and when she's almost swimming, she's wet enough to go get it. Duh.

So what do I do with Stitch? Same thing. I need a keeper.

Two good things about this. First, they both got back in the swing of things when I wised up. Second, this happened so I had a chance to learn the lesson. If it happened first the day of the trial, I'd be looking pretty stupid. Worse, the dogs wouldn't enjoy the outing. Older and wiser? I hope so.