http://www.oakridgepointers.com/

The GSP Club of Pittsburgh and Oakridge Pointing Dog Club will be sponsoring a GSPCA water test at Sagulla's Hunting Preserve in Jackson Center, PA on July 17-18, 2010.  We will be running NRD, RD and RDX testing on Sunday the 18th.  On Saturday the 17th three professional retriever trainers will be conducting water retrieving seminars geared to all three levels offering hands on training to all dogs attending.  Please see the Oakridge website above for the premium or PM me. 

Good chance you'll see me for the Test Scott, but not definite yet. Parry's Ruby is already doing RD work easily and is able to do Blinds for RDX, but we're going to work with her more over the next 2 weeks to make certain she is up to the task before committing.
For anyone new that hasn't been to these Clubs Events, GOOOOO! Even if you don't enter. You'll have a GREAT time and be amongst GREAT company!

Great Bruce.  I had Torq out last night and he was doing doubles and it was his first time for doubles.  So gonna get Diesel out tonight and see how he does. 

For those of you that are interested we will be using mallards on both days and if your dog has never been exposed to ducks before, the training day (17 July Saturday) is a great way to expose them to ducks, which have a strong yet different smell for the dogs.

I will be there with both pups for the RD, Tara will be with pups so she'll miss RDX though.

Francine, you should try to come over for it, I had a great time at the last one I went to.

Test has been cancelled due to the number of dogs entered was not enough to offset fixed costs of the event. 

4evrhtn,

I believe there is a GSPCA Water Test coming up at Darien Lake, NY on August 14th and 15th, put on by the GSPC of WNY. Contact "Kathy Sadlon" gspkodak@yahoo.com, for info. Here is a link to the GSPCA Water Test where you can find the GSPCA Water Test Rules & Requirements

They can/do require substantially more than retrieving a bumper, just to make sure you are aware. The Novice Level(NRD) requires a single dead bird retrieve, the Retrieving Dog(RD) requires retrieving 2 marks of dead birds through decoys, while the Excellent Level(RDX) requires retrieving 3 marks of dead birds through decoys and a blind retrieve through decoys. You can find all of the info you'll require in the Rules on the GSPCA site.

I have tested with these folks and it is a great time.  First the dog has to be AKC registered and the owner a member of the GSPCA club for the title to be awarded to the dog. 

I am sure Francine that they will allow you to participate if not an AKC dog, as Oakridge was planning on doing, but no titles will be conferred on those dogs. 

As far as training I would tell you to have your dog exposed to mallards before they get to the test and if you are available take part in the training day they offer.  Having a dog started on bumpers is a great start but they are looking for marking and search at the novice level.  Please read Bruce's link above to understand the test. 

Have fun if you go, I would be there but our second baby is due around that date.

Thanks for the info.  My male retrieves live and dead geese from water dropped in sight and blind. Most of what he has become is from hunting in the field with him in real world scenarios.  I have found that has made him a better overall dog due to having to overcome and adapt to things not seen in a testing environment.   I think he will do fine, I just haven't run him in the water tests yet but plan on it as soon as I am able.

I see it is required to join the club holding the event in order to participate. And then I assume there is also additional fees for the actual tests, correct?