[patm]

I would still love to try to get a WC on Emilu. She is a very good retriever, and loves water retrieves. I need to know exactly what they do at the trial - do they use live ducks, dummies? Emilu is used to me throwing something and then she goes after it. How do they do this at a trial. Gun shot, something falls from the sky? Gunshot, something is tossed from out in the field? I need to work her like the trial would be or she'll probably just look at me like "what? - you gonna toss something or what?" "and a bird? - I'm supposed to leave the neighbors guinea hens alone and you want me to go pick up that bird?"

 

[Belles mom]

Dead ducks are used. Typically hand tossed and yes there is a gun shot. The specifics are determined by the club, and generally are pretty loosed from what I have seen!

 

[nicole]

You'll see one land mark of 50yds and two water marks. Definitely get a training buddy or hook up with a training group because the throw won't be coming from anywhere near you and you have to get her used to looking "out there". If she isn't already, get her comfortable with gunfire.

If you get to it, come out to the Miami Valley WC on May 7!! I'll be there with at least Ditto and Spiel

http://www.mvlrc.org/pdf/MVLRC_2009_Specialty/2009_WC_Premium/2009_WC_Brochure.pdf

 

[patm]

I would love to come the WC at MVLRC this year, but that would mean one or 2 days off work for not even showing. I am still wrestling with whether to show in obedience on Saturday - we went last year - first outside show she's been to - wasn't our best performance to say the least. It's a little far for me to drive in one day and I don't want to spring for a hotel room - thinking about staying in the Element with Emilu - not sure yet.

 

[Amber The Duck Dawg]

In our WC we use 1 live shot pigeon at 50 yards (Land) and one live shot duck and one dead duck for Water. The dog must cross the line with the birds. We always encourage the judges to make the line the shore on the water retrieves because alot of dogs like to drop the birds and shake as soon as the come out of the water. We encourage the handlers to stay way back behind the line and even to run away from their dog to get it to cross the line. We encourage the judges to have the ducks land in the water on the water marks. We generally have blinds out for the gunner stations but have the gunners stand well out in the open and be very loud when shooting or throwing. Remember to hold onto your dog at the line and wait for the judge to send you. The order we do out WC in is live pigeon on land then dead duck on water then live duck on water. Distance for land is about 50-60 yards and then shorter for water.

Kelly and Amber

 

[patm]

Thanks Kelly - I think that I definitely need to attend a trial first and see what goes on. Emilu is also one to drop the dummy at the waters edge and shake before coming on in. I haven't really tried to "teach" her anything yet, because I didn't want to screw it up.

 

[Amber The Duck Dawg]

You might try and get to Coshocton OH on April 18th or 19th for the Ohio Valley Retriever Hunt Test. There is also two Hunt tests June 6th and 7th and June 13th and 14th at Hambden Ohio. The first weekend in June is the Cuyahoga Valley Golden Retriever Test (They have a much harder WC program) and the second weekend is the Buckeye Retriever Club Test. You might also contact any of the clubs (even the golden one) and ask if they offer training days near you or if they know of someone that might be willing to show you the ropes.
The basics that you need is a dog that will come, heel,Stay, hold, fetch. Once that is done then you introduce birds and decoys(not used in WC's) and other hunt test type things.

Kelly and Amber