Newbie to hunt tests.

L

llbliss

New member
I hope it’s ok to post this here. I signed up for a hunt test at the end of the month. My pup just turned 11m old. I’ve never done a hunt test. My pup is in the same boat as me. I’ve talked to the fella who started the group and he’s been super helpful. My fear is. My pup is good here at home with recall. But being she’s not allowed to wear a e collar and in a different environment. I’m not sure what she’s going to do. She’s also never ran with another dog. She’s not aggressive. But it does take her a couple mins to realize they aren’t going to kill her lol. I was told she will have to back the other dog. She’s never backed anything. Lol. I’ve had her on quail. But just her. Any advice on what I can do before this hunt test to get her ready. I appreciate all the help.
 
llbliss said:
I hope it’s ok to post this here. I signed up for a hunt test at the end of the month. My pup just turned 11m old. I’ve never done a hunt test. My pup is in the same boat as me. I’ve talked to the fella who started the group and he’s been super helpful. My fear is. My pup is good here at home with recall. But being she’s not allowed to wear a e collar and in a different environment. I’m not sure what she’s going to do. She’s also never ran with another dog. She’s not aggressive. But it does take her a couple mins to realize they aren’t going to kill her lol. I was told she will have to back the other dog. She’s never backed anything. Lol. I’ve had her on quail. But just her. Any advice on what I can do before this hunt test to get her ready. I appreciate all the help.
Click to expand...
If it's an AKC pointing dog hunt test the dog can wear a GPS collar...just not an e collar. Some handlers put a gps collar on a dog during a hunt test to make the dog think they have a collar on and thereby some level of control. Some dogs are collar savvy and behave a bit more when they feel the weight of a collar around their neck. If you go this route, check for approved devices.

Train your dog to recall to both a whistle and an e collar. Whistles are allowed in AKC hunt tests but it's helpful to have a dog trained to both IMO for hunting.

Find a local trainer to help you work your dog on backing (or all of the above). Consider putting your young dog in a JH hunt test which would not require the dog to be steady or back another dog.
 
You need to narrow it down a bit.

Spaniel, Retriever, or Pointing dog Hunt Test....
 
And there are different level tests in HRC, AKC and APLA for example. Not sure about other organizations. In these organizations listed, at the Started, Junior or Certified level, your dog would run by itself.
 
Sorry she’s a gsp. I’m signed up for the jr akc hunt test. I took her out today just to work on recall with no assistance from the e collar. She did great surprisingly. I have trained her to a whistle. I wasn’t sure if that was allowed to use that during the test or not.
 
I ran my Pudelpointer in the NAVHDA NA test 2 years with no experience prior. Best thing about it is the months we spent preparing for it really built a solid bond between him and I. Everyone will there will be supportive and your dog will be amazing no matter what happens. Have fun and don’t sweat.
 
I believe that the AkC junior test is 2 single marks land or water followed by two singles marks of the other, assuming you are called back for the second series. No dog honoring at the junior level. Your dog will run by itself. I believe you can use a whistle to handle the dog. Google AKC jr hunt test and I’ll bet you can watch one. You might get a live flyer for one of the marks. A duck or a pheasant. I believe that the dog has to retrieve to hand.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top