Retrieving & Field Training Talk

[RallyValley]

Put "Cabela's" and "Clearance" in the same sentence and I am easily pleased :D

JEALOUS MUCH!!!

It's quite a crazy place! I've got a lot of photos of stuffed animals. Somewhat creepy. Didn't buy a thing for Em but it's a great time for clothes shopping as the stores have to pay tax on their stock at the end of January.

This is dear old Rolex - very likely in his final months. Cataracts and arthritis but he's still happy and bright with meds to help him through. Nothing wrong with his hearing either - yelled at me this morning for not letting him out as soon as I got up :laugh:

His young sidekick, Roxie - I thought RV might particularly enjoy these pics. She is full of hunt and endless energy at 9 months old. Her breeder is thinking of having a few litters from her (they live down the road). I've been encouraging her owner to train her up for a hunt test :)

"Where's that barn kitty got to?"

"Ah hah! There he is!" (Followed by a swift swipe from the disgusted black kitty)

How adorable is Roxy!! Yes those Britts sure do have hunting instinct in spades

[fetchindawgs]

Well, that's it. Our final training session for at least a month Off to the USA tomorrow to work on my PhD. Has to be done, though, so will try to catch up with the agility and ESS people I met last time I was in Ohio.

I really wanted to take the dogs out for water training this afternoon but a few things went pear shaped at the last minute (think the bank cancelling my "compromised" debit card ) and Mr TSD quietly suggested we do some drills at the oval instead.

Started with walking singles. One long, one long, one short. I think the first one was angled back and I saw her hesitate very sightly which makes me think she didn't trust herself. Marked the next two spot on. Made sure Mr TSD used a black dummy for the short mark as I wanted to see if she was marking the fall or spying it on the grass as she ran. Much improved so very pleased.

Mr TSD did some flat work with Zig for agility and then we got Em out again to work on the double (both marks being thrown to the right). Ran it as 2 singles first and her marking was spot on. Ran it as a double and, whilst she had a stickybeak at the memory mark once she'd picked up the second dummy, she didn't veer off course at all. Picked up the memory mark with much more confidence. The marks were all a good length and I was getting a bit antsy about finishing packing so just let the dogs have a good gallop. Thank goodness for Zig's great recall as I had to call him off a rabbit that ran straight in his path I'd been concentrating on keeping Em away from the forrest that borders the oval as if SHE had seen the bunny I'd still be out calling her :laugh:

Happy training everyone

Sounds like you're having a real blast with your training TSD

Everything is starting to click for both of us so it's a really exciting time. Plus it helps that our weather has been very mild and thus the dogs are jumping out of their respective skins! Unlike the stinking hot days you poor sandgropers have been copping

Yes, I have really been enjoying the detail in your posts! They are quite helpful actually!

Thanks BlackJaq! It's a nice way to keep a training diary - I've tried other types but I enjoy the interactive nature of DOL. Em is the type of dog who has 2 speeds - asleep or RUN - so training is the best way to keep her occupied. Poor Mr TSD will have his hands full. Again

You certainly are keen TSD. Good to see.

After a very full 2012 season of trialing, I gave my kids a couple of months off to recuperate. It was for me too ! Weather conditions have really impacted on my desire to start training again, with very hot days meaning the air conditioner on, and dogs and me spending the day inside.

But, at long last there have been some breaks in the heat cycle and a training day out with my training buddies & dogs, happened last week, and, a couple of cool mornings this week has meant some drillwork was accomplished on two occasions. Really happy with the dogs performance so far, so the break has done them the world of good. Even the "idiot", has shown some spunk in his retrieves; (maybe he will do AA after all this season ??!!) Ah, but really, Unfortunately I suffer from too many dogs, not enough money to enter them all in trials, and a shorter patience fuse with naughty golden retriever boys. Anyone want to take him on ?

[RubyStar]

He comes pretrained, I will :p

[BlackJaq]

So we've finally progressed far enough with our dummy work that I have introduced some jumps and also carrying of the dummy, both at home and in town (for distraction training lol).

I have not actually looked into field trialling too much so far o was wondering if anybody can give me a basic rundown on what the dog needs to be able to do?

We will be starting off lead training within a week or so, depending on how Foxy goes for reliability

I am mostly training for her to retrieve shot game when we are actually hunting but figure we might as well give field trialling a go if she is any good ;)

Edited February 23, 2013 by BlackJaq

[JRG]

Briefly for Utility Field Trials, she has to be able to:

Range and quarter the ground in front of you at a distance of up to about 100 meters and not get put off by her brace mate.

Stop and hold point on locating game. Not to flush unless told to do so by you.

Stop to flush. Stop to shot.

Retrieve (to hand) when directed to do so by you. Not "crunch" the game

Stop and honour her brace mate when he finds game and goes on point

Perform a water retrieve (similar to a retrieving trial retrieve)

That's about all I can remember and, since I do not have a Utility Gundog, I think that's not too bad!

The Rules are on the ANKC web site

[BlackJaq]

Ah so she would be trialling with another dog (brace mate?)

I assume this would be a dog unknown to her most of the time? Interesting, but probably achievable lol!

Looks like the retrieving might be the easiest part :laugh:

[JRG]

That's right.

The dogs run in pairs.

The "draw" for brace mates and position on the card ie order of running, takes place before the trial begins and (sometimes) at the beginning of each subsequent round - rather depends on the Judge and what/who he wants to see again after the first round is completed.

[BlackJaq]

Wow, I had no idea!

I am looking at going to an introduction day near Lake Macquarie (NSW) in March, is anybody else here going by any chance? Would love to get some professional training but the closest clubs seem to be in the ACT, which is a good 5 hr drive so not really a thing I would be able to do regularly

[rubyroo]

Hey blackjaq, put a post up on:

http://www.australianworkingretrievercentral.org.au/bb/

There are plenty of retrievers up Newcastle way. Just ask if anyone is around and available for help to get going, I'm sure they would be very helpful.

[BlackJaq]

Thanks :)

I am near Orange in the Central West, so Newcastle is still a bit far or me but maybe I will get lucky and find somebody a bit closer at least

[rubyroo]

Ok. I'm sure someone will know someone who can help you out your way! Best of luck. The first trial for NSW is in march in the blue mountains around Hartley area, if you have a chance you should head over and have a look. Details of trials are also on the link.

[BlackJaq]

Awesome, thank You! (still waiting for my account to be activated lol)

[RallyValley]

I have not actually looked into field trialling too much so far o was wondering if anybody can give me a basic rundown on what the dog needs to be able to do?

We will be starting off lead training within a week or so, depending on how Foxy goes for reliability

I am mostly training for her to retrieve shot game when we are actually hunting but figure we might as well give field trialling a go if she is any good ;)

Ok in Australia we have Retrieving Trails, open to all gun dog breeds and for Utility Gundogs like Weimaraner's you are eligible to compete in Utility Gundog Field trials.

Retrieving trials are not something I know too much about but they involve a series of challenging water and land retrieves with game.

Utility Gundog field trials are pretty much like a day hunting where you are judged.

The dogs need to hunt in braces (so pairs), how far dogs range out depends on breed - as each breed has a diffrent style - but about 70-120m is standard. The dogs should quarter over the ground and work with the wind. If a dog finds a bird it must point and hold steady, the bracemate must also go on point or 'honour' the pointing dog without any command from the handler. If your dog fails to go on point and runs past the dog on point 'stealing' their bird you are disqualified from the trial.

The handler will then walk calmly to the dog on point and the judge will instruct them to allow the dog to flush the bird. Sometimes when the handler tells the dog to flush the bird has moved, the dog will not be penalised for roaring up on the scent however if there is no bird the dog is penalised. Once the bird is flushed the dog must stop still, the handler or a gun steward shoots the game (in some states, in others a blank is fired) and if there is a downed bird the dog must retrieve on the judges command, present the bird to the handler then heel to the judge who is presented with the bird to inspect if the dog has caused any damage. While all this is happening the bracemate must stand still.

To pass a trial the dog must both find, point and produce a bird, honour another dogs point and complete a minimum of two retrieves.

At the end of the trail the dog must complete a water retrieve to show they are capable of retrieving in water too.

[BlackJaq]

Wow that is great info, thanks RallyValley!

[The Spotted Devil]

Good on you BlackJaq I'm sure you'll find someone who can give you a hand - you don't need to meet up with someone every week either. You will get lots to work on!

So I've been back a week and Em has been out training nearly every day :laugh: She nearly wagged her tail off when I arrived home and will not settle unless we do some sort of training - we've made several trips to the water and a few to the oval to review what we were working on before I went away. She is super keen and I've never seen her run or swim faster than at our first water training session :laugh: Surprisingly her marking skills aren't too bad considering the break and her handling is pretty good too. Just a bit slow on her sits and trying to pre-empt my handling but that's to be expected as she is just bursting with enthusiasm. I've tightened that up through the week and she's improved quite a bit. On the oval we worked on 3 leg lining blind (stopping and casting) plus steadiness in the hide. She took the left/right backs really well but wasn't keen on casting right (no doubt due to me emphasising casting back) so I whistled her in a metre or two to stop her "sticking". She was happy to cast right and later cast left without a problem which was great. Steadiness has been really good - couldn't trick her into breaking no matter what I tried so need to up the ante. During the water sessions we worked on stopping and casting back (has improved during the week but still pre-empting the cast back), water memory mark and hot blind on land or across water plus anti-cheating. Last night I was really pleased with her progress - tossed a dummy into the water, had her sitting on land facing me and then cast her back. The line was through heavy cover but there was a suck of clear bank either side which she really wanted to take. After 3 retrieves I had extended her distance from the water and my distance from her and she was taking the line on the first cast. Still needs work but it was another "penny drops" moment.

Mr TSD let her run hard up the back of our (steep) block and took she and Ziggy for lots of walks when I was away so she is still reasonably fit. Just as well, because she just counter surfed and gobbled up my peanut butter and jam sandwich before I could say "Oi! You little $h!t" Looking forward to the training day this weekend!

[Staff'n'Toller]

Which water source do you use TSD?

[The Spotted Devil]

Which water source do you use TSD?

Either KCC or out at Narre Warren. KCC is pretty bad at the moment so I've heard - very poor water quality and cracks in the ground that can injure your dog - so I won't be going there for a bit. I know there is water near you (the biggish lake?) but it's not much use for retrieving training - not enough entry/exit points and way too many dogs running riot for my liking.

[Staff'n'Toller]

Which water source do you use TSD?

Either KCC or out at Narre Warren. KCC is pretty bad at the moment so I've heard - very poor water quality and cracks in the ground that can injure your dog - so I won't be going there for a bit. I know there is water near you (the biggish lake?) but it's not much use for retrieving training - not enough entry/exit points and way too many dogs running riot for my liking.

Ah, right. Yeah, such a shame about that dam, I can remember being down there for hours with my first dog/s and sitting at the creek and never being disturbed. Now there are so many rude dogs there, can't go at all.

[The Spotted Devil]

It was awfully humid last night but Miss E was driving us a little crazy so took her out for a brief session.....3 leg lining drill on novel ground. Not too bad actually, considering we were interrupted by a very rambunctious Lab who wanted to jump on Em and then steal all her dummies! She was NOT impressed but she bounced back to pick up the last dummy. Also did a wagon wheel with 6 dummies, so 3 were at right angles to each other and the rest were at 45 degrees. Easy peasy, she really enjoyed that!

[RubyStar]

Nice to read your updates once again, TSD :)

I'm focusing most of my training efforts these days on getting Ruby's UD title, it's something I would be so over the moon to achieve! That being said, I would still love to return to retrieving to at least get our final 2 finishes for her QND title. It's something that tugs at my heart every time I think about it and how much I want to get back to retrieving.

However, I am extremely terrified about doing this More so than I was last year when we were still yet to enter! We have quite a mouthing behaviour going on She's a bit of a stress head, and while I noticed her marking skills were starting to get SO much better from the trialling experience, I think I was putting too much pressure on her and she was taking it out on the bird. It got worse as the trialling season went on. I pulled her from a trial and never returned

She's never going to be anything but a novice dog, and I'm ok with that. She just doesn't have the drive to take repetition so trialling for restricted would be an uphill battle. In a few years when it's time for another dog, I will aim for bigger and better things in retrieving, but for now, I would just really love to give novice another bash! (TERRIFIED!!!!!!!) I'm hoping to meet up with some more experienced folk to get some more help this season, but in the meantime, I am chugging along, back to basics with holding frozen birdies and heeling with them. I have my own thrower now, but noone to operate it for me So it's gathering cobwebs!! Hope it starts to cool down soon so I can get back to some work with dummies on the local oval. It's just been WAY TOO HOT!! Stupid Perth weather!