FHRP

Congratulations to everyone for their successes over the weekend Bedazzled, another UDX pass, wow. There will be a title brag very soon, you're on a roll!! :D

Interesting mollipop. I don't see it as you disadvantaging your dog, but the judge giving the others dog an advantage for allowing bright dummies! The red ones don't worry me so much in that regard as dogs do not see red on green well. IMO that handler is giving their dog a disadvantage!

Currently your dogs must complete the poles completely or they will NQ when they do the next obstacle. So if they pop out, you can either go back to the start and reattempt, or put them back in where they popped out. Currently any incorrect entry into the weave poles is treated as a refusal, so an NQ if you 'fix it' and a DQ if you continue without fixing it and do the next obstacle. The new rules on refusals for weavers appear to be the same in both rules, so the entry must be fixed before attempting the next obstacle I assume?? As another obstacle would be deemed out of order?? But a dog can't repeat any gap... so?? Refusal rule: Attempting the Weaving Poles a dog runs past the first pole to the left of the Weaving Poles or past the second pole to the right of the Weaving Poles.

Under course faults: In the Weaving Poles, after the dog has entered correctly, the dog fails to negotiate a gap. No further penalties will be incurred for the dog not negotiating any other gaps Dog must continue after missing a gap. Repeating any part of the weaving poles will be judged as wrong course. And under disqualifications: d) in the Weaving Poles, if the dog repeats any gap either missed or completed. So as I'm reading it, you can no longer fully reattempt the poles if your dog misses a pole, and you don't have to/can't go back to where the dog missed a pole. You aren't DQ'd if you continue to the next obstacle if the dog missed a pole.

:cheer: Congrats mollipop!!! Well worth the long trip by the sounds of it :D So sorry to hear your girls aren't well though, really hope that Layla and Molly are all better soon. Might Molly have to be desexed? Have had a little look at the photos, although I think the link is http://www.thepetographer.com.au/ How lucky to have someone photographing, so nice to have the memory as a picture. A photographer was advertised for last years GSP Nationals and I stupidly assumed they would be there for the Friday of Obedience and GWT. They weren't, they only did the show eta. have looked a bit more at the pics, interesting that lots of white dummies were allowed to be used! I see you had two very nice judges :D

I'm so sorry pawsaroundoz RIP Carlin, such a handsome man both young and old.

You might like to drop in on the Retrieving & Field training thread :D http://www.dolforums.com.au/topic/210600-retrieving-field-training-talk/ There ceretainly are Retrieving and Field competitions for gundogs in Australia and Victoria is probably the numerically largest state for competitors. Most people train in small groups, however there are training days occasionally too.

No, not this time, only 2 7's It was out last run of the day and I wasn't up to covering that much ground

You're lucky TSD, a human thrower that can throw!! I'm hopless, even after all this time You'll be happy to hear that Springers won both Novice and Restricted in the Blue Mountains today My friends little girl now has two wins I hear that Rubyroo also got through the Restricted stake I have decided on my next breed for retrieving. It's ginger and purrs ;) My parents kitty is a keen retriever! So far it's only on fluffy 'my little pony' slippers, but I reckon I can get him on 2 inch dummies soon ;) He will play fetch and deliver (not quite to hand) for ages!! I'm a bit worried about his handling of the 'bird' though.

Did mollipop do the Goldie Nationals?? We want to know how you went mollipop :D Yes, Polo is fine thanks TSD, thanks for asking Feral as ever. Am trying to work out when I can get him out in the paddocks this weekend, and where....

Good luck to the DOL trialers (rubyroo, mollipop?, anyone else?) travelling to the Blue Mountains this weekend for the NSW Gundog Society Retrieving trials. Sounds like another great training session TSD. I can certainly see where the name Springer comes from watching the Springers up here!!

Zenith I'm so sorry to hear that Cash is having seizures It really is one of my worst nightmares. I have no first hand experience and can't really add anything helpful but from having friends with dogs that hae been diagnosed with epilepsy, the drugs have knocked the dogs around a bit until the right dose has been reached. But, when it's right the dogs have gone on to lead very active lives.

Huge congratulations on the UDX passes!!!! Congratulations also to everyone elses weekend results. Not one of our best weekends of trialing, but Rogan did manage to win Masters Snooker in his Q's. Polo was a new level of feral, again Pairs suited his three obstacle attention span and he got 3rd in SPDX

Great stuff RubyStar :thumbsup: Awwww, what a cute pic of Em TSD. I am still trying to get my parents cat used to my boys (one at a time!), but my Dad is super protective and I'm unsure we'll ever get there Also love the big black and white retriever Sounds like you and LL had an interesting training session. I 'lost' a dummy in a paddock today at our own eventful training session!! After working with Polo on his quartering and handling for field we went and did a few retrieves with my friends ESS. Polo had just returned with a dummy when we heard a bang and a car had run off the dirt road into a ditch near where we were training!! The driver took ages to emerge from the car, one of our party had managed to scale a very difficult fence to check her, and thankfully she was OK although very rattled. A tractor was required to get the car out thought. After that excitement I then worked on some water swim blinds. I gave him some fun dummies on the land to warm him up afterwards but he wasn't enthusiastic and then stared crying, was all hunched and then lay on the ground I was convinced he was bloating While working out how to get him to the car and then finding the nearest vet (we're out of town of course) he seemed to get better and by the time I walked him back to the car he was back to normal. I think he may have cramped up from the cold water, I'll be bringing out his wet suit for water work in future!!! I lost one of the fun dummies I threw for him, but it was the last thing on my mind at the time. RallyValley there is also the NFD title. From the rules: The title of NOVICE FIELD DOG (NFD) may be awarded to those dogs which are no longer eligible to compete in Novice Stakes because of wins in Novice or wins or placings in higher classes. and A NOVICE STAKE is a Stake confined to dogs that have not won any Stake other than one Novice or have been placed Runner-up in an Open Stake. So basically if a dog wins two Novice Stakes or places or wins an Open Stake it can get the NFD title Like retrieving, there is also CM (Certificate of Merit): A CERTIFICATE of MERIT is not a prize, but may only be awarded at the discretion of the Judge to any dogs, including prize winners, in an Open Stake or an All Age Stake for outstanding work during the Stake. The letters “CM” will be added after the registered name of the dog. and DM (Diploma of Merit): A DIPLOMA of MERIT is not a prize, but may only be awarded at the discretion of the Judge in a Championship Stake and the letters “DM” be added after the registered name of the dog. A dog can also be awarded a Qualifying Certificate, although this is not a title. Polo has received one of these. A QUALIFYING CERTIFICATE - a dog may be awarded a Qualifying Certificate in a Field Trial Stake at the discretion of the Judge of the Stake, if the dog has been shot over and shown it is not gun shy, that it will hunt, face cover, point and retrieve tenderly (i.e., with a “soft mouth”) from or across water and swim, steadiness not being essential. These Certificates are awarded for work during and not after the Stake.

She doesn't look too impressed in the pic! What's with the coat on a tough working gundog ;)

Bummer about not getting to the trial, but I'm sure you'll have other opportunities. It's great that you've got someone else in the same situation as you that you can train with. I know when I started Retrieving Trials that it was nice to have another newbie with a UG there ( gspmadhouse) Thanks RV. A dog needs 10 Championship points for their Feild Trial Champion title, however they must gain 5 of those at one trial. 2 points are awarded for a 1st in Novice and 1 point for 2nd. 5 points are awarded for a 1st in Open and 3 for second. 10 points are awarded for a 1st at a Championship and 5 for second. So a dog must either win an Open or place 1st or 2nd at a Championship at some stage. Polo's litter sister made up her title at the last trial in Vic I did read some books and watch some DVDs, but they were mostly American, which are not completely appilcable to our situation. Remember our dogs have to flush the bird I remember watching one USA DVD and the heavy handed methods used on a Pointer and nearly being in tears I find I learn best by doing and talking with people than trying to apply things from books. I did some early pointing stuff with Polo on planted homing pigeons with his sires owner and then later I went along to Field Trials and watched and asked lots of questions. I was then lucky to be able to take Polo to a very experienced trialer and judge who saw lots of potential in him (not so much me ;)) and have been training with them since. Last night we had our remedial plan set out, to rein Polo back in now he thinks he's out there to hunt for himself I really don't know the answer to this but Polo has chased rabbits since he was young. I am not confident I will ever get him fully steady to the flush of a rabbit now I have him to the point that I can call him off a chase, if I'm close and he hasn't gone too far. I had that tested last trial My next pup will not be given the same opportunities to chase fur when young. However you want to encourage interst in game and with birds it seems to be the norm to let them chase to start with. Rabbit is just so much more tempting to keep chasing though...

Thanks rubyroo, I love watching them work I might go to one more Field Trial this year, in July. The next three weekends are Open, All Age and Championship stakes (including the Nationals) trials in Victoria, and we're not quite ready to play with the big boys yet No, you won't see me in the Blue Mountains. I have no intentions of going to any Retrieving Trial again this year, apart from the ACTGS trial to steward. Not sure when/if I'll be back. I hope that Stingers sholder holds up, I look forward to hearing how you go in the Mountains!

My first dog was a very active Labrador (a choccie too ). He was a lot of work, but I have found my GSP to be more work. They are even higher energy and are higher strung, not as laid back as Labradors generally are (once mature). My GSP however is no where near as destructive as my Lab was, but that could have a lot to do with some knowledge and prevention GSPs are smart dogs that want to please and are quick learners. They really do need an outlet both physically and mentally to be happy. My vet recently commented on Polo that it was so nice to see a 'happy' GSP who has the right outlets for his breed, rather than the frustrated dogs she sees that verge on hyperactive Obedience, agility, tracking are all great for the breed but nothing beats the enjoyment they get out of field and retrieving work IMO, doing what they were bred to do. Not to say that GSPs can't be happy if they don't 'hunt', just be aware they need something.

I stayed at Ardeanal Motel in West Wyalong last weekend with two dogs. I stayed in their 'pet friendly' room which although basic was nice and clean with tv, microwave, fridge, some crockery etc. Very comfortable and the people were very nice. They did ask several times if my dogs barked, which they don't (unless provoked). I would recommend the Motel for anyone with well behaved dogs, and I'll probably be back!

I have been to one Spaniel and Retriever field trial and enjoyed watching the dogs. I did not enjoy all the walking up hills and over rocks. At least quail paddocks are usually flat :D Are you going to the Vic Gundog Clubs S&R field trial at the end of August with the international judge?? I'd imagine that would pull quite a few entries and be one to watch. If you trial in a shooting state, you do need to be a good shot, or have a gunner who is a good shot. That's what I do eta. Thank you for the congrats

THanks RubyStar! So, RallyValley, did you get out to the Field Trial you mentioned earlier in the thread? I'd love to hear what you thought/saw! OK, so I'll bore you with an update on our Field progress :D Polo and I have now been to two weekends of ANKC Utility Field trials, in Melbourne. I am very chuffed that he has placed second at each Novice event and already has two Championship points I did pull him from the Open event we did, even though the judge put us through to the second round. He seems to lose his brain a bit completely on the second day We have also competed in a local club Field Trial, open to all Pointing breeds, with entries mainly made up of Pointers. No points were awarded at this trial. It was a 'non shooting' event as it was held in NSW and I even entered Rogan, but it was the start and finish of his field trial career Unfortunately, although Polo was 'in the box seat' going into the 3rd and final round, he ignored a dog on point and "blinked" a back This seems to have become a bit of an issue and I'm now working on consistent backing from him. I have thoroughly enjoyed my foray into the Field Trial world and hope to continue next year, but I've also learned what a huge disadvantage it is for both myself and my dog to come at the sport without the shooting background and experience, especially entering trials where birds are taken. Lucky I'm a pretty determined person ;) A few pics from the club trial. We almost look the real deal!! ;) Me firing a blank over Polo who has pointed and flushed a quail. A lovely English Setter is backing Polo Polo on point Again about to fire a blank over Polo, you can see the bird in this one, between me and Polo Rogan on point. This was taken the day before during training.

You're definitely one of us :D

Congratulations on everyone's weekend results! Some great stuff in agility and obedience Huge congratulations to RubbyStar! A perfect score is fantastic and then two CDX passes :D

What's scary is that I didn't include myself in that category. I just thought I was normal You're not normal... just ask your work mates after you've told them that you're driving 8 hours (one way) for the second time in one month to compete with your dog, and you don't make any money out of it! They'll tell you you're crazy :D

Hey RubyStar, as you're the creator of this thread do you think we could edit the title to be Retrieving & Field Training Talk or prehaps just Gundog Training Talk? I'd love to post some more pics and chat about my boys field work, but feel like I'm always hijacking the thread. I fear a thread dedicated to Field work would just be myself and RallyValley though If you want to keep it to just Retrieving, then no worries :D