Test weekend with pictures

[mstand]

I have to break this up so it will fit. But here goes!

It was a very good day and we had a very good judging team.I also have a very nice dog to make me look good. But here is how the day unfolded. We were able to earn a 204 Prize I

Max and I getting ready fro the field

When I cut Max loose, he decided to make a 400 yard cast! Never had this happen before, and instead of cutting his legs out from under him right away, I froze. Judge asked if this was his normal run and I said "Yup!" It was hilly so this added to my anxiety. I have lost sight of my dog! Then I hear, "We have a point". Im not kidding, he was a good 300-400 yards. Now, I was praying that he held it! That is a long way and we are going up and down hills. SO I see him...........then I dont...............see him, he is still pointing. I am thinking that this could make up look real good or real bad! HE held it,as he should, until we go there!

Had 5 bird encounters. This is one of them. Kinda neat, you can see the chucker getting up. Funny thing is I was told to kick the birds up. Sooooo, I guess i took it to literal or I was just nervous. Because after the 3rd bird I was told to stop kicking them because they thought I knocked one or two out! :lol: When I got back there were some comments about some NFL teams needing lace kickers.

Retrieve. I wont bore you with all the field pics, you all have been there.

Duck search was next after lunch. Here we are just getting instructed.

The send off. What is the worst thing that could happen? Max found the duck in about a minute 30. They had to dispatch it.He brought it in and was resent. 5-7 minutes later, he found the other duck! :multi: :crazyeyes:

 

[mstand]

Feather drag, nothing out of the normal here.Judge did comment on how he has wheels when he does anything.

 

[mstand]

Last thing was the heel and the steady to blind and marked ret. I didnt really feel great about the stakes going down hill, was worried about slipping and also was worried teh down hill would make Max forge ahead. So I over compensated and almost cost us some points. But we got through it.

Pretty much glad it is over and we are all ready to hunt. The plan is to make a run at VC, if we get it great, if we dont Max is retired to the good life of hunting dog and family friend. He has earned it in my book.
I need to also thank the handful of more experienced trainers that helped give me the confidence to get this done. That also help guide me on how to handle my dog better and make us a better team. We also cant get this stuff done without the support of our spouses. I really thank him for the countless hours of driving, getting yelled out for not launching the bird fast enough or being captain obvious when things go wrong. :lol: OH, and my camera man rocks too! :lol:

I have to add, and I dont really brag about my dog but I will say this about him.
I think everyone gets blessed with that once in a life time dog. It doesnt have to be because of test scores or hunting ability. it can be just because it is a good friend.
Max is mine. I have never had such an animal and I am sure I will not again. Every time I look into this dogs eyes I FEEL him asking me what he can do for me.
This dog has taken 2 NAVHDA tests, 3 JGHV tests and 2 HRC tests. Every one of those tests he has taken just once and scored either the highest or with in a few points of the highest that can be scored. In the field he doesnt quit. He runs so hard that I just know I will lose him to an injury at some point. In the marsh he will not quit until he finds that wounded duck we lost. At home he is as faithful as a dog can be. With an injury from the military, sometimes I can be layed up for weeks. He is there to help steady me when I stand and pick items up I may have dropped.
He is truly MY life time dog and I thank God everyday to have him.

 

[BrownDogsCan2]

That's good stuff mstand. Congratulations to you and max
Thanks for sharing!

 

[Dakotazeb]

Congrats, mstand. Max is a wonderful dog and companion. You have truly been blessed. Have you ever thought about running him in some NSTRA trials? Sounds like he has the wheels and everything else it takes to make a great NSTRA dog.

 

[mstand]

Zeb. I dont really know that much about it. But I do know that because of my short comings as a rookie trainer, he is very flaggy. NASTRA doesnt really go for that, or so I have heard.

Everything else about him is clean. Nice and fast on the ret. Etc.

I have been looking for other venues for us to run since we do not do AKC. I signed up for a trail/hunt in Nebraska through a husker club. But had to cancel.

If you know of anything else we can try, I am game.

 

[small munsterlander owner]

very cool thanks for posting!!! congrats to you & your outstanding dog mstand happy all went well on test day & all the training payed off 4 u both...

did you run up at kelly farms with the st.croix river valley chapter??? i was going to run my girl in a N/A TEST on fri but decided not to a month or so ago...

i should head back up there & tighten up my girls point she keep crowding the birds i need running wild birds i guess???

congrats again to you both...

 

[Dakotazeb]

Zeb. I dont really know that much about it. But I do know that because of my short comings as a rookie trainer, he is very flaggy. NASTRA doesnt really go for that, or so I have heard.

Everything else about him is clean. Nice and fast on the ret. Etc.

I have been looking for other venues for us to run since we do not do AKC. I signed up for a trail/hunt in Nebraska through a husker club. But had to cancel.

If you know of anything else we can try, I am game.

You are correct. Flagging is a deduction in the "Find" score in NSTRA. I'm not a judge so I don't know how hard they would hit you for that. You could still run in NSTRA knowing you are going to get a deduction in points for the flagging. Perhaps with the help of a trainer you could correct that.

 

[HolyMoses]

very cool pictures. I would like to test my dog in navhda, but I don't think I will be able to find the time anymore. those pics and the story behind them, really make me wish I could. Looks like a great time and a good excuse to get in the field!

:coolpics:

 

[OKIEGunner]

Priceless!:10sign:

 

[mstand]

Thank you everyone!

Zeb. I wonder if his rets. are fast and clean and his finds are fast, if it is possible that we could survive the tail deductions?

There is no fixing the tail. These dogs know the planted bird game and this is where a lot of it comes from. It is as boring to them as watching golf i for us. Then they start to try and entertain themselves, make their own game and rules.
Max was brought around wrong by me, I had him steady to wing, shot and fall by the time he took his NA test at 6 months. WAY to much pressure for a pup. I took it out of him.
This new pup I have is now 15 months old and I have yet to do any field work but real hunting with her. Just trying to avoid the tail issue.\

 

[Dakotazeb]

Thank you everyone!

Zeb. I wonder if his rets. are fast and clean and his finds are fast, if it is possible that we could survive the tail deductions?

There is no fixing the tail. These dogs know the planted bird game and this is where a lot of it comes from. It is as boring to them as watching golf i for us. Then they start to try and entertain themselves, make their own game and rules.
Max was brought around wrong by me, I had him steady to wing, shot and fall by the time he took his NA test at 6 months. WAY to much pressure for a pup. I took it out of him.
This new pup I have is now 15 months old and I have yet to do any field work but real hunting with her. Just trying to avoid the tail issue.\

The only way you are going to know is to try it. Since he's only 15 months old some of the flagging may go away with maturity. You can hope! Where are you located in Iowa? The Mid-West Region (Iowa & Nebraska) have a lot of trials in Osceola and a few nearby in Afton. If you are on the eastern side of the state you could check out trials in the Northern Illinois Region also.

If you are really looking for a new venue I'd give NSTRA a shot. It's a fun event. The dog doesn't have to me steady to wing & shot but must be steady once he goes on point until you (the handler) flushes or moves the bird from it's resting place. Steady to wing & shot will generally get you a higher find score. If your dog can go out and find 3-4 birds, get good scores for retrieves, ground coverage and backing it will compete even with some deduction for flagging.

If you have any questions regarding NSTRA and their format please feel free to shoot me a PM and ask.

 

[mstand]

Thanks Zeb,
Max is actually 3year old Flagging will stay. But it doesnt on wild birds unless they are on the run.

I am game to give anything a shot once!