Team trad regroups

[IRISHWISTLER]

Recently, TEAM TRAD participated in a double HRC Hunt Test hosted by the Long Island Retriever Field Trial Club. It was our first time running in the SEASONED RETRIEVER stakes. At the end of each day of testing, we had not earned qualifying scores and rightly so. The tests were great, well designed, and the judging was both fair and accurate. TRAD had performed very well and up to standard on all aspects of the test with the exception of blind retrieves. On day one, we failed the water blind. The following day we did well on the water blind with me only having to give TRAD two casts to the bird. On day number two, we failed the land blind and it became vividly clear where we needed improvemnet and additional training. After returning from these tests which were held on 4/25 and 4/26, we went right to work in training on both pattern blinds and cold blinds with much improvement having been made since. We are entered to participate in our next HRC double hunt test in the Seasoned Retriever stakes on 5/30 and 5/31 hosted by the Yankee Waterfowlers Hunting Retriever Club and are training diligently in preparation for those events.

Last weekend, we attended a group training session hosted by YWHRC. We ran a total of 23 retrievers of varying skill levels and the session very much simulated the hunt test environment that is impossible to replicate when training solo. We had beautiful weather and ran dogs in a land series during the morning and a water series in the afternoon. A lunch break between series allowed for some social time between club members and for us to conduct an HRC meeting. I would highly recommend the benefits of such group sessions for those who are looking to run their retrievers in hunt tests.


TRAD was worked "off lead" throughout the training session providing a great opportunity to work on obedience / line manners, and honoring the work of other dogs during hunt test like conditions.


I write often about the importance of maintaining eye contact between K9 and trainer / handler as a critical component of communication as a team, that being exhibited here between myself and TRAD.


TRAD exhibits intense focus during a double marked retrieve drill. TRAD has learned to move with me and to mark off of the gun as I swing on each bird, an important skill for a retriever in both hunt tests and while hunting.


TRAD explodes off of the line with great acceleration, drive, and style after being relased by command to make a marked retrieve. I use TRAD'S name as his release command and he will remain completely steady on the line as a great non-slip retriever gundog should do until being issued the release command. I always try to delay him for random lengths of time before issuing the release command, that being conducive to a retriever that is reliably steady.


TRAD launches over some vegetation to make water entry after I release him to make double marked retrieves on the water.


TRAD exhibits staunch "off lead" obedience despite the flirtation of a young yellow Labrador female "on lead" in a holding blind with her handler just a few short feet away. This is a major distraction for a young intact male to resist and these group training sessions provide many opportunities to work on obedience issues such as this.

Once again, these group training sessions are great in that they can provide a simulated hunt test environment, the opportunity to work on obedience, line manners, and honoring with lots of distraction, and a numberr of other teachable moments with regard to gundog skills critical to both hunting and hunt tests. If you have the opportunity to participate in such sessions, consider doing so.

Enjoy ye dogs and training with them at every opportunity.

Faugh a Ballagh,
Irishwhistler and TRAD

[CraftHer]

TRAD is just a very handsome and talented dog! I love the picture where talking about the importance of maintaining eye contact. .

[POPTOP]

Fantastic seeing Team TRAD out in the field. While he did not qualify in the recent competition, what a great learning experience. And to have the opportunity to train with others is priceless.

So good to see both of you and TRAD learning and enjoying the training session.

[TuMicks]

Super photos. Loved the one where you're about to get smacked by spray from Trad's water entry. I'm sure it won't take you and the boy very long to catch up for lost time. At our AKC HT this past weekend, can you believe the Master handlers had to sit on a bucket??? Incredible. They still used the "Quaker Gun" however. We passed the Senior stake and probably shouldn't have. I pointed the gun toward the judges and had a wee dialogue with my girl during the walk-up. She did great. Me not so much, but they were gracious to me anyhow.

[IRISHWISTLER]

Thanks to all. These are not my first HRC Hunt Tests, but they were for TRAD. Tumicks, congrats on ye leg toward and AKC Senior Hunter Title.

I worked on pattrn blinds with TRAD on land tonight and he was spot on. I am sure we will be on a more solid footing come the end of May than we were for the Long Island HT's.

I will report on our outcome for the May tests. We are also already planning to enter the Granite State HRC double hunt tests on 6/20 - 6/21 and I am hopeful we will be reporting a new HR title for TRAD after those tests.

Enjoy ye dogs and good training to ye all!

Faugh a Ballagh,
Irishwhistler and TRAD

[Gibbysmom]

Thats great, glad you keep us updated and post pics.

[barry581]

TRAD you are becoming quite the skilled retriever!!! Keep up the good work!!!

[IRISHWISTLER]

Me thanks to ye all for ye most kind comments on TRAD. He's a good lad.

Cheers,
Irishwhistler

[Maxx&Emma]

I love the focus and connection you have with Trad as well as the other dogs you have trained and shared with us. What a handsome boy you have!

[IRISHWISTLER]

I love the focus and connection you have with Trad as well as the other dogs you have trained and shared with us. What a handsome boy you have!

That focus starts with early training and is maintained by keeping them motivated.

Cheers,
Irishwhistler