Brooks and I went to spectate at our first hunt test

[TuMicks]

What I've found is that if a Junior dog picks it up and delivers to hand, and if the handler doesn't screw up (like by touching his dog) then they get the ribbon. I'd estimate that 70% or so of the failures are failure to bring the bird to hand. I agree with what others have said... these sound like fairly salty (old Navy slang) marks for beginners. I think the judges at Rose City (where Labradorks and I attended) were very good... as were the grounds. By contrast, I thought the tests at the first day of our double header were lame. I was apprenticing at the second one and we tried to use some terrain features to make the marks a little tougher. But to be honest, again, most of the failures were (1) dropping the bird rather than delivering it or (2) not picking it up at all ("blinking" the bird.)

Barry... you have a pup with the juice to do this. Give it a try. It's a hoot. (Though IW was correct... it is a wonderful addiction.)

[barry581]

Barry,
WARNING MATE - T'is an addicting journey ye and BROOKS are embarking on. Enjoy it all Lads! :-)

Regards,
Irishwhistler

Realistically, I know I'm the weak link in this team. But I'll tell you this, I'll do my best to take this guy as far as I can.

What I've found is that if a Junior dog picks it up and delivers to hand, and if the handler doesn't screw up (like by touching his dog) then they get the ribbon. I'd estimate that 70% or so of the failures are failure to bring the bird to hand. I agree with what others have said... these sound like fairly salty (old Navy slang) marks for beginners. I think the judges at Rose City (where Labradorks and I attended) were very good... as were the grounds. By contrast, I thought the tests at the first day of our double header were lame. I was apprenticing at the second one and we tried to use some terrain features to make the marks a little tougher. But to be honest, again, most of the failures were (1) dropping the bird rather than delivering it or (2) not picking it up at all ("blinking" the bird.)

Barry... you have a pup with the juice to do this. Give it a try. It's a hoot. (Though IW was correct... it is a wonderful addiction.)

Thanks. Brooks is developing exactly as I hoped he would. He's got a ton of drive, but is very controlled at the same time. I can tell he want's to GO. But I can also tell he want's to please me in the process, which I think is the key to the human/K9 connection. As I said, I'm the weak link, but I've got the desire, and a good mentor that will help me as I need it.

[IRISHWISTLER]

GO TEAM BROOKS!:-)

Cheers,
TEAM TRAD

[windycanyon]

What I've found is that if a Junior dog picks it up and delivers to hand, and if the handler doesn't screw up (like by touching his dog) then they get the ribbon. I'd estimate that 70% or so of the failures are failure to bring the bird to hand. I agree with what others have said... these sound like fairly salty (old Navy slang) marks for beginners. I think the judges at Rose City (where Labradorks and I attended) were very good... as were the grounds. By contrast, I thought the tests at the first day of our double header were lame. I was apprenticing at the second one and we tried to use some terrain features to make the marks a little tougher. But to be honest, again, most of the failures were (1) dropping the bird rather than delivering it or (2) not picking it up at all ("blinking" the bird.)

Barry... you have a pup with the juice to do this. Give it a try. It's a hoot. (Though IW was correct... it is a wonderful addiction.)

I'd agree with those stats. I have seen dogs never leave the line-- scared to death of the gun stations or live flyer-- but that's rare and really a shame since those dogs aren't close to being ready. With Ruby, I am teaching her she's out there to do a job, not socialize w/ the gunners after she gets her bird, because she's one of "THOSE" labs! The rally and obed work has really helped her mature though, so we should be in much better shape by spring. Kanzi is all about her work, but again, she has been since she was a baby!

If you can, offer to marshal a test or 2 next spring. You'll see a lot more from that perspective and it'll be an eye opener on holding blind manners etc too. A lot of dogs are just so juiced up, you wonder how they'll ever hold it together to mark.

JH test set ups can be all over the board. I'd rather NOT see the "plop plop fizz fizz" set ups. Too cheesey... Many of the W. WA folks like coming to E. WA for the rolling sage brush terrain etc, and we like going west for the lily pads, islands and lush grass. I like my view to be different from the line and watch how the dogs work through it. Really looking forward to next year!!!!

[TuMicks]

So our terrain is rolling to hilly, it is studded with sage brush and all sorts of bushy-tree type things, not to mention it's two rocks for every dirt. This is where our dogs train most of the time. It was fascinating to me when we went to a ranch where is was flat for almost miles, and the pasture of hay had been mowed. The only variation in the terrain was the occasional cow pie. I thought it would be a total waste of time. Holy smoke... our dogs did horribly. I realized that they were accustomed to orienting themselves and their relationship to the mark by the types and location of bushes and obstructions. It was a real eye opener.

One of the toughest junior marks I ever saw was in a similar field, only the grass was about 8 or more inches high. There was one little toller that went all over creation looking for his duck. I don't think any of the dogs could air-scent it. This little toller just dissapeared and all you could see was the white tip on his tail zipping 30 yards in this direction and back 20 yards in another and back and forth. This went on and on and ON. But that little dog did not give up. He brought in "the chicken" to wild applause from the gallery. He had to have scored a 10 plus, plus, plus on perseverance. That was one of the most fun Juniors we ever went to.

[windycanyon]

So our terrain is rolling to hilly, it is studded with sage brush and all sorts of bushy-tree type things, not to mention it's two rocks for every dirt. This is where our dogs train most of the time. It was fascinating to me when we went to a ranch where is was flat for almost miles, and the pasture of hay had been mowed. The only variation in the terrain was the occasional cow pie. I thought it would be a total waste of time. Holy smoke... our dogs did horribly. I realized that they were accustomed to orienting themselves and their relationship to the mark by the types and location of bushes and obstructions. It was a real eye opener.

One of the toughest junior marks I ever saw was in a similar field, only the grass was about 8 or more inches high. There was one little toller that went all over creation looking for his duck. I don't think any of the dogs could air-scent it. This little toller just dissapeared and all you could see was the white tip on his tail zipping 30 yards in this direction and back 20 yards in another and back and forth. This went on and on and ON. But that little dog did not give up. He brought in "the chicken" to wild applause from the gallery. He had to have scored a 10 plus, plus, plus on perseverance. That was one of the most fun Juniors we ever went to.

Have to agree-- flat terrain stinks too, esp if you are the unlucky sucker to get drawn w/ an early number on a foggy morning!!! Does that ever screw w/ marking abilities!!!!

[GregD]

If you were unable to find a pond with islands in it what would be the best way to train for this scenario?

[IRISHWISTLER]

If you were unable to find a pond with islands in it what would be the best way to train for this scenario?

Join a retriever club and network with members and training groups with access to technical ponds or natural ponds with desired features. You won't regret it and will learn much.

Regards,
Irishwhistler

[Java]

Join a retriever club and network with members and training groups with access to technical ponds or natural ponds with desired features. You won't regret it and will learn much.

Regards,
Irishwhistler

How well-trained should your lab be when you join? Is nine too old?

[IRISHWISTLER]

How well-trained should your lab be when you join? Is nine too old?

Java,
NO, nine is not too old and your dog would not need to be highly trained to participate at the entry level.

Irishwhistler