[taddy1340]

Gents,

Well, after 5 years of training my labs and those of other's I'm thinking of undertaking my first HT. In the past it's not that I was against them, but they just didn't interest me. My mind has changed for a few reasons which leads me to my first question (please keep in mind I've only attended one HT as a spectator, but have been in retriever training for 5 years and have read/watched a lot so I have a basic understanding...I think :wink: ).

1. How family friendly are the events/people? I know when it comes to the actual tests, it'd be me and the dog, but overall how are they? I ask because I have 3 young children (girl age 3, two boys - 2, and 4 weeks) and it means everything to me they are involved with my dogs. In fact, the two older ones get up in the morning at about 0600 to come train with me. They can be an added distraction, but the enjoyment on their faces says it all. The fact that I want to pass on something to my kids (other than hunting and the obvious of love, morals, etc.) brought me to consider HT. I thought, how great would it be to get involved with HT and offer the kids the opportunity to be around great retreivers. My father didn't pass anything on to me...other than the alcoholic gene...which I've overcome! It pains me to not have "shared" anything with him. Keep in mind I do have the common sense to balance the family, training and events...not saying they would be greatly involved at this young age, but over the next 15 years...

2. Can a 5 yr old dog get into HT at this point in the game? Maggie is a 5 yr old BLF with a ton of drive and great marking...marks birds out well over 100 yds. She hasn't been FF, but a conditioned "hold." (I know she'll need it if we want to do a HT.) She is CC'd. She has a good pedigree...actually comes out of Black Forest lines...several MH and a few SH on the sire's side. Thankfully, she didn't carry on the acclaimed "pointing" instinct of Black Forests line! :yes:

3. I'm concerned about her lining...she's hunted for 4 years and has a great nose/hunting instinct and uses the wind very well for finding birds, but will that hurt her in HT? We do about 75 yd cold blinds without issue and she handles quite well...as long as I keep the training up!

4. She's proficient up to 4-5 marks and again, good marking and good memory.

5. I know the best advice is to get with the local retriever club...which I will when the Air Force moves me to Mt Home, ID later this month. Just thought I'd ask in the mean time...

I think she could pass the JH test now, except maybe she needs to be FF'd first as she might drop the bird after coming out of the water.

Thanks...

Mike

 

[harvey1b]

Mike,

Sounds like you guys are ready to start testing. As long as your dog is registered with AKC you can run AKC events. The tests I have been to are a lot of fun and the people are very friendly so I think your family would be welcome. I would tend to leave the baby at home, or better yet would be if your wife could be there watching the kids. While the people at the tests are pretty chill, a fussy baby making a ton of commotion in the gallery would not be well received, and trust me, you are going to be very focused on the dog.

It sounds like your dog has all the skill required of the JH test, and no, there is no age limit.

Delivery to hand is required so you want to make sure the dog able ot bring the bird to you.

Otherwise, sounds like you're good to go. Good luck!

 

[taddy1340]

Mike,

Sounds like you guys are ready to start testing. As long as your dog is registered with AKC you can run AKC events. The tests I have been to are a lot of fun and the people are very friendly so I think your family would be welcome. I would tend to leave the baby at home, or better yet would be if your wife could be there watching the kids. While the people at the tests are pretty chill, a fussy baby making a ton of commotion in the gallery would not be well received, and trust me, you are going to be very focused on the dog.

It sounds like your dog has all the skill required of the JH test, and no, there is no age limit.

Delivery to hand is required so you want to make sure the dog able ot bring the bird to you.

Otherwise, sounds like you're good to go. Good luck!

Thanks Harvey...I should have been clearer. I see how it could have been confusing...I don't plan on bringing the kids to the events at these young ages. My question was just the overall "atmosphere" of the people and events. Just hear bad stuff of the FTs...not saying it's reality, but you hear things in regards to "snobs" and "elitists." I haven't heard that about the HT folks...

Thanks!

Mike

 

[Goosehunterdog]

1) We have ran field trials / hunt tests since all of our kids were babies..They are now 10 , 5 and 2....After trips of my wife sitting with them in the Trailblazer we bought a camper (after I had to sit with them once) :rofl: ..I have ran many tests where there were kids as long as they are in the right place all is fine..People have been wonderful in all venues!!!!
My oldest daughter went 4-4 in NAHRA and the AKC at the age of 9 to title a dog in JR and SR...Some venues offer a Beginner stake as well...

2) I ran a 5 year old dog in its very first test a few years ago and it ended up getting its SR,JH & SH.....So GO FOR IT!!!!

3) Train and extend the pattern blinds etc to 100 yards plus..As long as the dog enjoys it GO FOR IT!!!!

4) Great!!!

5)A Retriever Club is an outstanding choice and be sure to follow a good solid program in training...

I would work the "hold" & "walking hold"..... Fowldawgs 1 DVD and Smartwork Obediance / SmartFetch DVD's would walk you right through all that you would need to know! Looking forward to seeing some ribbons!!! :thumbsup:

 

[Labs]

Hunt tests are a completely different atmosphere than field trials. In hunt tests, you are competing against a standard, not the other dogs....so everyone else is pulling for you to pass. It is very family orientated. I have seen many youngsters getting involved with the hunt tests, and NAHRA actually gives entry discounts to junior handlers. AKC, NAHRA, and HRC are all great venues to run hunt tests in, however, I think NAHRA and HRC are a little less formal...JMHO, though...

Labs

 

[crackerd]

Very good post, Labs.

"Completely different atmosphere" at field trials isn't necessarily hostile, snobby or elitist--it's just the nature of competition. And the Jekyll-Hyde aura of rooting for everyone else to succeed but hoping to hell your dog succeeds "better."

HRC is "by hunters for hunters" or some similar slogan, and NAHRA ain't far off. Both espouse making retrievers a family affair. AKC at the lower levels, perhaps, but not so much because master tests usually run two days.

Good luck, Taddy--I'm sure you (and yours) will enjoy any of them you run.

MG

 

[fireman1]

If you are looking for a truely "family oriented" hunt test venue, then go with HRC. It is easy to single reg. your dog with UKC and the people are some of the best around. Once you get the feel of testing, go for the AKC venues as well. Many AKC and HRC members crossover back and forth and that way you will have friends wherever you go! The kids are definatly more welcome, as are new comers, in HRC over AKC (at least in our area ). HRC also has banquets and award ceremonies on Sat night which is a great time to socialize and get to know people. Many clubs have puppy and junior handler stakes so that the youngsters can give running a try. Join a local club! They will appreciate your contribution of knowledge and future "bird boys" :biggrin:

 

[taddy1340]

I appreciate all of the feedback! Keep it coming if you have more...

Mike

 

[HNTFSH]

Mike - all the comments above are great. I finally got involved over the last year and it's been great. Clubs are the way to go. They are family oriented and the only way you'll figure out the deal to train and test.

With the ages of your kids...more chance you'll get family time doing this moreso than sitting in a blind at darkthirty in sub zero temps. :yes: (although still do this!) :thumbsup:

Your dogs current marking ability will be a big advantage. While you can hold the dogs collar I'd still work on steady (if not already) and yea...work on hold before you test. It doesn't have to be picture perfect to hand by any stretch but you have to take the bird from the dog without touching the dog.

Go for it...I have never talked to anyone that regretted it. And people are very helpful when you're new.

 

[taddy1340]

My oldest daughter went 4-4 in NAHRA and the AKC at the age of 9 to title a dog in JR and SR...Some venues offer a Beginner stake as well...

That is exactly what I'm shooting for...in regards to the involvment and opportunity to do so!

 

[HNTFSH]

My oldest daughter went 4-4 in NAHRA and the AKC at the age of 9 to title a dog in JR and SR...Some venues offer a Beginner stake as well...

That is exactly what I'm shooting for...in regards to the involvment and opportunity to do so!

Just what my ego needed - another 9 year old girl at a test out-handling me! :yes:

 

[Goosehunterdog]

My oldest daughter went 4-4 in NAHRA and the AKC at the age of 9 to title a dog in JR and SR...Some venues offer a Beginner stake as well...

That is exactly what I'm shooting for...in regards to the involvment and opportunity to do so!

Just what my ego needed - another 9 year old girl at a test out-handling me! :yes:

She is a MUCH better handler then I am..She takes after her Mother and is very calm and patient! :smile: All of our dogs respond to her VERY well!! I hate when she shows me up! :rofl:

 

[DEADDUX]

We recently had the opportunity to see a boy about 6-8 handle a boykin at our HRC in the started test. It was awesome! I think there were 7-10 junior handlers over the two days, and a bunch more came to watch. Personally, I would go to a UKC HRC with young kids, but they would be welcomed at all.

 

[Canuk]

In my experience..

1) VERY family friendly... quite a bit more so than FT.

2) Absolutely.. you will always challenge yourself at the level you dog and you are at. I doesn't matter a hoot how far ahead or behind you are from other dogs.

3) 75yd cold blinds will serve you very well in Sr.. and get you started in master blinds as well.

4) super

5) FF is handy but if you get get a delivery to hand without... it's not a whole lot of fun to do.. and might be more of a chore with an older dog (from my limited experience)