Hunt Tests (esp. Master) can run you $70-75 to enter. I think at our Retriever club the entry is the same for our Field Trial. And yes, traveling to a HT out of town ain't cheap, nor is a motel. It is fun, however to pull into a motel parking lot and see a bunch of dog trucks (or trucks and mini-vans with crates in the back) and know you have a bunch of friends around you that you just haven't met yet.
I'm guessing if you run Fly ball, or Agility or Obedience or Rally-O, it's not free to enter. And of course, travel costs are the same.
What gripes me is that out West, the number and location of Retriever Clubs... they're just not that dense, and it's not unusual to drive 4-500 miles to run. So, you gotta make sure you have a dog ready and worth the effort.
Evan, I think if I still lived back East and could run my dog in a dozen FT's from the Finger lakes to Lake Erie, I might be more inclined to play with the big kids in white jackets. But to drive that many miles to go out in the first series... whew. That would bite.
Thank you everyone. I am excited to try this out. I am really excited to see what Hope knows. She is so eager to please & such a joy to have. I am sure we can find something that is fun for both of us.
Are you on the Island or mainland? I have many friends in BC. In fact I've done a seminar there each of the past 10 years.
EvanG
Hi again: I live in Vancouver but I grew up in Victoria. It's a beautiful part of the world.....minus the rain. I am excited to try the beginners Field work next weekend. I will just do as I'm told. Hope will know what to do. I watched the video you mentioned.
I wish I knew all her commands. I have emailed the breeder several times with questions but I know she is super busy. Lovely person. What is the command when you tell them to go find something? Is there a common command? The one thing she doesn't know is lie down. It's funny trying to teach her. she looks at me like "huh, what you doing to me"
The command the dog learned for "lie down" might be a hand signal with no spoken command. When you are with the group, you may want to ask them about hand and whistle signals, to see if your dog already knows them. There are common, standard whistle, verbal and hand signal commands used in retriever training, so it should be easy for you to find someone who can assist you.
Good luck and I hope that you and your dog have as much fun as possible.
Michael M.
Michael M.Hidden Content
The breeder; would that be Anne? Do you live near Abbotsford? I can hook you up with a couple first rate trainers. I mean this in the most constructive way. You need them.
EvanG
Hi Evan; No the breeders are from Washington State. Cindy & Bryant Meyer of Rocking M kennels. Lovely people. Yes I would be interested in your fiends who are trainers I would never be a bird hunter but I would like to work my dog as I see her drive & her intelligence. I want to bring out the best in her.
thank you for all the help. It's really nice. As someone said: dog lovers are almost always nice people
thanks for the info. I will ask for help & ask lots of questions.
Contact Janice Gunn at TNT Kennels in Abbotsford. TNT Retrievers - TNT Kennels Jan is a friend of mine, and knows her way around virtually all the dog games, including fieldwork. She and John have trained numerous field champions in the US and Canada. Be sure to tell her I recommended you to her.
EvanG
Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet? | |
|
|