Newbie to hunt tests.
- Thread starter llbliss
- Start date
LC Smith
Well-known member
Congratulations!
Thanks guys. I know I have to work on her whoa. As she’ll point. And as soon as that bird flies she’s chasing them down. I’ve been told to let her chase. Then I’ve been told not to let her chase. At our next pheasant hunt challenge I’ve signed up for. They deduct points if they chase.
Quailnerd
Well-known member
Take your time… it’s a marathon not a sprint!
Thank you.
I will for sure.
Weimdogman
Well-known member
When starting bird work some believe letting them chase helps to instill "drive". It may well do that but it is also one thing to correct later.
So many things in dog training have positive and negative effect. One has to decide how to go about everything. And then after all is planned and put in place something unexpected happens.
I really like Perfection Kennels take on training whoa. Quite a few of their YouTube and Facebook videos should get you going.
I went to a hunt test that was very poorly ran and had a dog charge in trying to catch a planted bird. Bird was sitting in plainview. Dog charges in and bird flies off. Dog stops and watches it fly away. Judge yells grab your dog. I stared at him and ask why should I grab my dog? Judge says so he doesn't chase. I replied dog is steady to wing and shot. Told him I hunt pheasants and won't allow a dog to go chasing hens. Judge looked at me like a had 3 heads.
Now that hunt test was down south and the good old boys had been partying the night before.
So many things in dog training have positive and negative effect. One has to decide how to go about everything. And then after all is planned and put in place something unexpected happens.
I really like Perfection Kennels take on training whoa. Quite a few of their YouTube and Facebook videos should get you going.
I went to a hunt test that was very poorly ran and had a dog charge in trying to catch a planted bird. Bird was sitting in plainview. Dog charges in and bird flies off. Dog stops and watches it fly away. Judge yells grab your dog. I stared at him and ask why should I grab my dog? Judge says so he doesn't chase. I replied dog is steady to wing and shot. Told him I hunt pheasants and won't allow a dog to go chasing hens. Judge looked at me like a had 3 heads.
Now that hunt test was down south and the good old boys had been partying the night before.
Thank you
So I’m finding when I put her on a check cord. It’s like she thinks we are on a walk and has little drive. If I take her off the check cord. Her drive comes back strong. Her whoa is getting really good. And she’s pointing like a machine. But as soon as that bird shoots up and you’re saying whoa. She’s like I hear nothing boss. And goes full throttle after that bird. Which being a puppy and she’s learning is understandable. My question is. I’ve had guys tell me they want their dogs to do that exact thing. Then I’ve had guys tell me. They should point. Bird flys up. Shoot. Then they go after the shoot. So should I focus on what she’s doing or do I make that change and have her go after the shoot?
LC Smith
Well-known member
It really is amazing to see how differently the hunt tests are run between agencies.
It truly is. I had almost the same thing happen to me. Except they didn’t tell me to get my dog. It was like it was ok for the other dog to ruin it.
LC Smith
Well-known member
I have only run my Lab in American Pointing Labrador Association (APLA) or regular AKC hunt tests. It was interesting to sit back as an observer or handler to see the difference. I have never run HRC or Field Trials and I know they are really different as well. I have not run Master level dogs, so I know right away Junior dogs are given a bit more freedom in handling, etc. I took notice of things like in APLA they don't run with a collar on, but AKC they run with a flat collar on. Retrieve to hand was pretty much the same and both judges give the handler a pretty good step length if necessary. LOL. The water series for both were basically the same with no bank running going for the retrieve, but it is ok on the return.It truly is. I had almost the same thing happen to me. Except they didn’t tell me to get my dog. It was like it was ok for the other dog to ruin it.
Weimdogman, I have seen something similar to your experience. We were all standing int he back, looking at each other, and asking what the heck are they asking the handler to do???
I really like the level of appreciation and respect the dog owners and handlers have for each other. I have had some most incredible tutelage and assistance from pro handlers that was so valuable to me as a first time handler. Even though I have not run a dog in five years, I still keep in contact with them and chat dogs from time-to-time.
I think Field Trials would be the most difficult to place in, as I believe the judges actually pick the “best” dog, HRC Grand, in my opinion, is the second most difficult as it’s a 5 day test and the scores carry forward. 2 mediocre days and you are done. AKC master national and AOLA triple crown start fresh each day, I believe. Master national is 5 days and TC is 3.
LC Smith
Well-known member
I believe there are internal discussions within the APLA leadership to bump up the level of difficulty in the Triple Crown to provide higher levels of challenges to those classes of dogs.