Utility Gundogs

[RallyValley]

Ok so mabe a stupid question but as a few of you know my next dog will be a Utility Gundog, and I am hoping to train towards the Utility Gundog ability test. As I read through the requirements for most items I think ok I know how to train this or this book I have will help me train this but this part puzzles me:

FIELD

The dog will be required to hunt on its own, off lead for up to ten minutes in a suitable area

containing 3 or 4 items of game.

The dog must demonstrate:

Use of nose

Quartering and ground covering

Use of wind in all directions

Game finding ability – the dog must find at least two items of game

Pointing – the dog must scent point and be given the opportunity to point into the wind

This to me sounds like something you can't actually train, the dog either has it or not right? (Also any recommendations for good UG resources)

[RubyStar]

Can't help but just want to be nosey and see if you've chosen which UG yet? :hug:

Edited February 21, 2011 by RubyStar

[RallyValley]

It's a surprise

[RubyStar]

Awww that's no fun! Can we play guessing games and you tell us if we're hot or cold?

[RallyValley]

I dunno.. for some reason I want to keep it quiet until it happens I will let you know when I have a pup

[RubyStar]

Fairy nuff

[FHRP]

RalleyValley, I suggest you find someone involved in field trials to mentor and help you. To some degree, yes the dog has to 'have it', but even then some training is/may be required. For the Novice UG test, a 'natural' dog will need very little training, but some may need a bit more just to encourage the instinct. My youngest dog was introduced to planted birds (pigeons) as a young pup and his natural nose and pointing work was encouraged. Before that he had the 'wing on a string', just to encourage pointing. A couple of years later we went out in quail paddocks where things like quartering and ground coverage was again worked on. I am very lucky that he is pretty much a natural and I am just along for the ride really!! I am also lucky that I have found some very experienced field trial people to guide me, I don't think I could do it on my own. From my limited observations a lot of it comes down to control in the field. I have seen quite a few dogs with so much potential just running out of control, which will do them no good in either trials (field or UG) or as a hunting companion. It is a bit of a fine line though, as a pup you really don't want to squash their drive and ability!!

Interestingly my younger Vizsla had none of the early work my GSP has had. He has come along to quail paddocks with us, and lucky for me at 8 years old he is still a natural pointer in the paddocks, something that did suprise me a litte as he is not a very big 'sight pointer', I guess he knows when it's the real thing However, he does not have the natural ground covering, speed or style of my GSP. Both boys passed the field component of the UG, although Rogan received ratings of pass & good where Polo received all Excellents. I expect that the Open level of the test will be beyond Rogan though.

Edited February 21, 2011 by FHRP