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erikacarrillo
La Honda, CA
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Posts:229
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| 05/11/2010 10:22 AM |
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| I don't expect to enter, just observe, until I know what to expect and what training I should focus on. I've given up on the wings, but I can't train Koda to do something I've never done or even seen before. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 05/11/2010 10:26 AM |
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| So if there are HT or FTs in your area then there have to be clubs putting on those events. I would contact the clubs and find out if there is anyone in the club close to you that you can call and talk too. They may have suggestions or even help you get your dog on birds. If the dog has never been on a bird he will not know what to do in a HT. It doesn't take much to introduce them to birds and even the gun, but you have to do that before running your dog in a HT (JMHO). Some clubs even offer Fun Hunt Days where the members help new people with their dogs and they run mock HT. That is how I got started with the HTs. Another option is to contact your breeder and see if they can also help you get started. Good luck!! |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
     
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3916
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| 05/11/2010 10:42 AM |
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In my opinion, the most important training for these tests is steadiness-whoa breaking, next would be the retrieve and then taking simple directional commands.
This is the training aspect of it - the most,most important aspect is natural ability. to bring this out, to make judgements on nose,drive,range,cooperation you must get the dog into hunt like situations. A dog who can pass a test is not necessarily a hunting quality nor breeding quality dog -sorry to say it. Take the time to hunt, evaluate your dog,then test.
Francine |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 05/11/2010 11:02 AM |
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Francine - The JH (Hunt Tests) and Open Puppy and Open Derby (Field Trials) do not require the higher level of training. They basically require the dog to find birds (Open Puppy does not even require them to find birds as they are looking at how the dog hunts) and point (just for JH and Open Derby). The dog does not have to hold the point, then can chase and even catch the bird. The four categories for the JH are Huniting ability, Bird finding, Pointing ability and Trainability. So, you do not have to do much training for JH, nor do you necessarily want to. Most people run JH when their dogs are puppies. Open Puppy and Derby have age ranges that you dog must fall into.
I personally think the JH is a great way to get new people involved. It is allot of fun for the handlers and the dogs and you do not have the competition of dog against dog. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3916
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| 05/11/2010 11:12 AM |
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I know, you're right. When I hear people want to do testing I think of actually proving of a dog, not fun puppy stuff to show a dog can make it's way thru a field,accidenally find a bird and flash point.
My bad!
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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erikacarrillo
La Honda, CA
MH
Posts:229
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| 05/11/2010 11:28 AM |
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I contacted the GSP Club of Northern Sacramento Valley, and they offered to show me around, loan equipment, etc. I just haven't had a free day to drive up to see a hunt test or field trial. She's heard gunshots from neighbors and doesn't react. One time they were shooting repetitively, and I got treats ready so when the shot went off she got a treat. My boyfriend has also done target shooting around her, and it didn't phase her. We have wild birds around the property (turkey, dove, quail), and she has stalked, pointed, and chased them, but we don't shoot birds around the house, so she has never retrieved one. I may or may not try to get her JH for fun, but would like to trust her with my boyfriend if he ever goes hunting. He's not that big of a hunter and not interested in training, so I have to find someone who can help me. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 05/11/2010 1:17 PM |
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Francine, sarcasm is ok, but really folks have to start somewhere. Not all of us are born with the knowledge or the land and birds, and the JH is a good place to start. If it hadn't been for the JH, and some great Hunt Test folks I would not have known how to get started either. So, lighten up a little. Erika is asking the right questions. Also, there is a bit more to the JH than what you describe. The judges are actually watching the dogs and evaluating their abilities whether the handler has done allot of training or minimal. Believe me the judges know and the scores will reflect it. That said they are also for the most part great people and ready to help as many of the JH folks are getting into the sport for the first time. I personally encourage novices in any dog performance event as we need more educated people participating with their dogs in venues they enjoy, whether kids or adults. Its just good for the dog fancy no matter how you look at it.
Erika to get started and understand how you need to progress I would suggest you go to the the Perfection Kennels website and buy Perfect Start, their DVD. It sounds like you just want to get the dog started and are not necessarily interested in more than that. If you are, then buy both Perfect Start and Perfect Finish. Anyway, it will answer allot of the questions you are asking. Also, if you visit a HT ask them if you can bring your dog and if there is anyone that can help you introduce her to birds. You might have to buy the birds, but would be a good way to get started. Usually folks stay after the HT and work their dogs or dogs that didn't get to run. I think the AKC rule says you have to wait an hour after the last brace, but after that you can actually walk the fields and/or train your dog.
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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erikacarrillo
La Honda, CA
MH
Posts:229
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| 05/11/2010 1:30 PM |
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| Thanks Bev, I appreciate that. I won't know if I want to get more serious until I start. |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3916
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| 05/11/2010 1:44 PM |
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You will achieve success in puppy tests. This is one reason I don't rely on them for an evaluation of ability. Anyone will be hard pressed to find a GSP that doesn't search and point and if you have a particularly intelligent one, they will also be steady to shot most of the birds w/o training. You may not know it, but your dog is more equiped to go hunting then you think.
testing is fun and it does get us out with our dogs in the off season.
Have fun and I bet if you're willing to go hunting your boyfriend we be more psyched about it. |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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erikacarrillo
La Honda, CA
MH
Posts:229
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| 05/11/2010 2:21 PM |
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| I am willing to go hunting now because I want to see Koda do what she was bred to do. I have shot a gun before, but not at anything living. My boyfriend usually goes with a friend who has tons of gear, but he moved away, so he doesn't have a hunting buddy to guide him. Maybe we'll go together for pheasant season in the fall. |
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Texas Belle
Austin, TX
MH
Posts:6748
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| 05/11/2010 3:23 PM |
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| Just so you know at the JH level you only use a starter piston with blanks. You are simulating the hunt and since the dog does not have to retrieve now birds are actually shot at the Junior level. There are safety considerations as well. That is not to say some birds don't die as many of the junior dogs will catch t he birds, but none are shot. Same with Open puppy and Open Derby in FTs. At the more advanced levels of the HTs there are gunners that shoot the birds. The handler only handles the dog. Again, safety considerations. I would have to look at the rules for FTs, but I suspect it is similar. If you want to read the rules for HTs and FTs go to the AKC website. They are online. Also, if you have any other questions, just ask. Desert Rose judges and so does Zodiak, and maybe some others. When I first started out with the JH I had a ton of questions and Jean (Desert Rose) patiently answered all of them. Seriously though, go watch a HT. You can walk in the gallery and actually see the handlers and dogs working. It is allot of fun. I am betting everyone will be super helpful and nice, and you will get a ton of advice. |
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Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna)
Yellow Rose GSPs
"A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato |
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singltrak
Las Cruces, NM
MH
Posts:1051
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| 05/11/2010 7:20 PM |
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Call GSP of N Sacramento Valley again. Lynn and Dom Pettinato are excellent and will be more than happy to help you....personally, I think hands on with a decent trainer is worth far more than a tape, but JMHO. I'll pm you with Lynn's email addy.
Phyllis and the Singltrak Furtribe |
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Look to the Past, Breed for the Future |
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boognish
Idaho
MH
Posts:105
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| 05/26/2010 1:31 PM |
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Posted By trueblushorthairs on 05/10/2010 3:56 PM
I am guessing this will really be a pet and not a hunting dog. But, I will still answer out of somewhat morbid curiosity. Dogs tend to crunch balls, so they tend to crunch game. Hard frozen quail are for retrieving and not for scenting, finding, or pointing. Wings are useless for anything at all. If you will use the dog as a HUNTING dog then please get help training the dog. If not, maybe do some agility or something and don't plan to hunt the dog.
My dog is a ball addict and loves chomping on them, but he has an extremely soft mouth when handling birds. Our labs growing up were also ball chasers, but never crushed birds. In fact, everyone I know with hunting dogs allows them to fetch balls for recreation. I don't think you're giving the dogs enough credit.
I like to attach wings to a canvas dummy and hide it in my yard while my dog is inside. Then I let him out and he searches for it, finds it, and brings it back to me. He loves the game, and I think that it has helped him learn to depend on his nose, vs. depending solely on finding things with his eyes.
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snips
n.ga.
MH
Posts:412
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| 05/31/2010 7:04 AM |
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Posted By boognish on 05/26/2010 1:31 PM
Posted By trueblushorthairs on 05/10/2010 3:56 PM
I am guessing this will really be a pet and not a hunting dog. But, I will still answer out of somewhat morbid curiosity. Dogs tend to crunch balls, so they tend to crunch game. Hard frozen quail are for retrieving and not for scenting, finding, or pointing. Wings are useless for anything at all. If you will use the dog as a HUNTING dog then please get help training the dog. If not, maybe do some agility or something and don't plan to hunt the dog.
My dog is a ball addict and loves chomping on them, but he has an extremely soft mouth when handling birds. Our labs growing up were also ball chasers, but never crushed birds. In fact, everyone I know with hunting dogs allows them to fetch balls for recreation. I don't think you're giving the dogs enough credit.
I like to attach wings to a canvas dummy and hide it in my yard while my dog is inside. Then I let him out and he searches for it, finds it, and brings it back to me. He loves the game, and I think that it has helped him learn to depend on his nose, vs. depending solely on finding things with his eyes.
This is not good advice if you plan on hunting a dog, as it encourages the dog to find scent and grab it (oppossed to pointing it). Dogs point because scent flys off. So unless you are just going to play games all the dogs life, and not seriously need the dog for hunting birds, I would not do this....
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brenda |
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snips
n.ga.
MH
Posts:412
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| 05/31/2010 7:09 AM |
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Posted By pixie bee on 05/11/2010 11:12 AM
I know, you're right. When I hear people want to do testing I think of actually proving of a dog, not fun puppy stuff to show a dog can make it's way thru a field,accidenally find a bird and flash point.
My bad!
Pixie, I encourage many puppy buyers to do JH to get into the field part of Shorthairs. It really gets many going on to more training and testing. I run some of my pups, 6-7 months in JH to simply socialize them...I do not like to do it past that age, as it can get them grabbing birds or learning they can run birds down and catch them...But young ages I see it as being very good for starting..They are around crowds, horses, other dogs, and can find a bird and point it...Hard for me to simulate here...
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brenda |
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pixie bee
MH
Posts:3916
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| 06/01/2010 10:17 AM |
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My general feelings on testing is to evaluate a dog's abilities and use testing to create a productive hunting companion. I understand not eveyone is a hunter or plans on becoming a hunter. A puppy test should be used for the reasons you said,more exposure than anything else. Some people place a lot of value on puppy tests, wrongly,IMO.
It's a fun way to start and I hope it opens up a whole new road. |
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"Time with my dogs clears my mind, renews my faith, and lets me see the world as it is. My only regret loving dogs as I do, is the misery of their early departure." Robert G. Wehle
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