Brooks and I went to spectate at our first hunt test
One of the ladies I train with recommended we go check out a hunt test. There was a JR/SR/MH test where I've been boarding the dogs this weekend. Brooks and I went up there today to check things out.
We watched about 10 Junior dogs run water marks, and realistically, I thought it was pretty ugly. Not one of these dogs went straight to either mark. Several ran around the bank to the mark and back, never entering the water. 2 dogs NQ'd as they never found the first mark. I honestly thought that even Junior dogs would be capable of the basic retrieves they were faced with.
When the JR dogs broke for lunch we headed over to watch the SR dogs. A GREAT improvement!!! You could tell these were seasoned, experienced dogs. They were straight to the marks, and got the blinds with minimal handling. Very fun to watch!
Brooks did a good job. He watched the marks, and was steady to shot. He was quiet while watching the other dogs work, which really made me happy. The biggest take away is I learned a lot of what is needed for a dog to be able to do at the JR level.
Brooks turn 6 months old today, and real training begins!!!!