The Spotted Devil

What a wonderful opportunity for newbies to learn about field trials I hope you have a great turnout!

CleoJ - so as not to derail the thread I have a few videos of The Springer Devil training plus an explanation of retrieving trials in this thread. Feel free to ask any questions - there is quite a bit to grasp (and I'm only at the beginning of the learning curve!) In Victoria our trials are held on private farming properties so it's often a 3-4 hour drive and camping for the weekend so it's hard to find out about them unless you have entered. Spectators are generally welcome - you just need to contact the trial secretary.

Oh ye of little faith :laugh: Congratulations RS

RS that's awesome Enjoy the rest of your day and look forward to more details later. We've had 60mm of rain in 24 hours so it's not been easy fitting some training in!!!

OMG nodding off when placing blinds is my worst nightmare Glad you got something out of the day, RS - there really is a lot to train for isn't there!!!

TO - congratulations with Darcy! A pass is always lovely but to have extra pizazz in the ring is awesome amypie - she is such a cutie!!! I enjoyed watching your videos - great results too Definitely a tough weave entry for a green dog! Heh, heh.....full update (with pics) in the retrieving thread but we had a fabulous weekend. Finished both days (for the first time) which I'm absolutely delighted with - in Novice there are 3 runs and if the dog fails to pick up the game you are out for the day although the judges normally let you run your dog at the lower stakes for experience. On the Saturday Em astounded me by coming back with a huge dead rabbit she found on her way to pick up the correct game As she had technically retrieved "fur or feather" the judge allowed us a re-run but she had rabbits on the brain for the rest of the day so we owed the judge a few points even though she picked up all the game :laugh: She was so much better on Sunday and finished 5th from 9 starters - did some fantastic work, was so much more confident, hunted like a thing possessed and even surprised the judge who couldn't believe it was the same dog he'd judged only a month ago. We were both exhausted last night but she is firing again today and I'm really disappointed agility training was cancelled tonight!!!

Someone on my Dalmatian list mentioned a spray on type elastoplast they bought from the chemist that was wonderful for split ears and tails.

Yes, if you could call it that We just call it "paid training" :p I like to call it a "donation to the club" :laugh: I'm still recovering from "the rabbit incident" :D Did you learn much RS? What's next on the training list?

Congrats on the Rally result wuffles I spent the weekend camping with young Em at a retrieving trial. I have already waxed lyrical about it in the retrieving thread so will only say that I had such a lovely time and was thrilled that she finished both days - if you miss one item of game you are out for the day. But we need to win 3 times to get her Novice title so a long way to go yet!

Thanks gals - had a lovely weekend. Of course Em's improvement left me over the moon but the also the support and encouragement of so many people made it even better. Lots of interesting discussions on dog training, a fair amount of good natured ribbing over the rabbit retrieve :laugh: and offers of help at the camp site (special thanks to my caravan neighbours for turning their outside light on to help me set up in the dark as I arrived a bit late, for rolling up my annexe when it got very windy and for inviting me over for a drink and a chat ). From fur and feather in the field to cat toys over the central heating vent at home.....at least she's versatile!

Too funny :laugh: I had someone double take at the park when I commented on their lovely Curly Coat.....think they were sick of people thinking they had an 'oodle.

I believe Dallies took out Inter, Aus Bred (BIG), Minor and Puppy!

Oh well done Jess! Would have been a nice trial and I am yet to catch up on all the results - too busy retrieving trialling all weekend with The Springer Devil :D

Oh norty Polo He and Em need to swap stories over cheese and (dog) biscuits. I'll have the wine We finished off our third weekend of retrieving by completing all 3 runs again today - in much better style than yesterday I might add :laugh: Weather was fairly cold and the wind really whipped up but the downpour we copped overnight (very loud in a tent!) stayed away despite the ominously dark clouds. First mark was a land run in moderate cover - she anticipated the send but pulled herself up very quickly and stopped arms length in front of me. I sent her, she took a nice straight line, over ran the mark slightly but pulled up and quickly hunted and brought it back. She came back with a real loop because at least one eye was covered with a wing. Her deliveries yesterday were just perfect but they fell apart today - I think she put it down to readjust the bird and that broke her stride so to speak. It took a second command on each run so clearly some more training required. Second run was a nicely sighted mark but it was on the opposite side of a decent gully (with water) that the dogs didn't see until they were on top of. I couldn't see a thing but the judge tells me that Em tackled it head on, straight down, through the mud and water and straight up the other side. Like most of the dogs the strong wind pushed her left of the mark and she hunted like a thing possessed. I thought she was going to cross the gully again but she realised she wasn't in the right area and headed back towards the thrower, springing in the air and trying to get a whiff of the game. Then I saw her head go down and she picked it up and belted back over the gully. Steady as a rock on this one so all in all a great outcome. The third run was a water retrieve but the dogs couldn't see or hear that the bird had landed in water so I thought she might hesitate. Very steady, took a nice line and then I lost sight of her completely and had to wait her out. A few deep breathes, felt like hours had passed but the next thing this little wet dog came flying out of the cover with the bird I had a look at the water close up after we'd finished and she did a much better job than I thought she had - it was very deceptive from the pegs. So....I didn't blow the whistle once today and, although we lost 15 points for needing a second command for delivery and a few points for unsteadiness on the first run, she finished on 145 points ( our first qualifying certificate) and 5th place from 9 starters which I think is very respectable. Most importantly she has improved so much at every trial. Our judge today also judged us at the last trial and commented that he couldn't believe it was the same dog. This is her prize find from yesterday...*warning* picture of dead rabbit! All I can think of when I look at this photo is: Bugs: Duck season! Daffy: Rabbit season! Bugs: Duck season! Daffy: Rabbit season! Bugs: Rabbit season! Daffy: Duck season! *bang*

Em and I survived all 3 runs up at Pittong today. Runs were nice, marks were clear although Em made it as difficult as possible on the first run by retrieving........ .......a dead rabbit! The look on my face must have been priceless :laugh: SHE thought it was bloody Christmas!!!! We had another run after the next dog but she had bunnies on her mind and over ran the mark. I ended up owing the judge points after handling her to the mark but she did pick it up. Pulled left on the second mark - I reckon she knew EXACTLY where it was but decided to hunt up another bunny. Again I didn't allow her and she picked up the bird in resignation. Third retrieve was in water - a novice channel swim......fortunately rabbits were scarce in the water and she picked that one up with little trouble. Need to run her on shorter marks and do a little distraction training!!! Spent some time placing blinds at AA to finish off a lovely day. Perfect weather although it might be a bit damp tomorrow. A big plate of penne bolognese and a glass of wine and I'm ready to crawl into my sleeping bag for an early night. New camp shower works a treat and camping feels quite luxurious :D

Nearly forgot....the Dalamatian: Them: Do they moult much? Me: No, only twice a year. 6 months in the Autumn and 6 months in the Spring Them: What's his name? Spot? *laughs hysterically* Them: Do you have another 100 at home? *rolls about laughing at their own originally and wit* :D

Mmmm, not too sure about that. I've always heard that an Isa is from a RIR and White Leghorn. Wouldn't surprise me in the least that I'm wrong about that :laugh:

One other thing I loved about the video was that the Beagle's handler presented the dog beautifully until the announcement of BIS - even though the decision had already been made. Very professional.

Well this year's Dally club ET clashes with the Agility Nationals What a bugger as I really had planned to do it this year and I can't run him at a non-Spotty ET!!!

And just so my Welsummer chooks don't feel left out: You know the red rooster on the Kellogg's Cornflakes packet? Yep, a Welsummer :) And the prehistoric looking ones are Rhode Island Whites. No, a different breed from the Rhode Island Reds. But if you cross them you get an Isa Brown!

Dally: Watch the tail! It's deadly! Working ESS: No she's not a Brittany, different from a Welsh Springer and yes, much smaller, longer, less coat, shorter ears and crazier than a show ESS :D

That's EXACTLY the conversation I had with Mr TSD last night when explaining what a "Toller" is :laugh:

Working on laptop fine now.....

Oh great. Just what I need :laugh:

WorkIng fine on the iPhone - will check the laptop when I have a moment as that's where I was having an issue.