I am running gauge in a hunt test in the beginning of feb. I guess you could say I am nervous and excited all at the same time.

The hunt test is through HRC, and it is ukc sponsered. Gauge is AKC registered, and I am confused about getting his started dog title to be offical should he pass a couple of these tests.

I contacted the club that is holding the event, and i have trained with them a couple of days. There is such a wealth of knowledge in their combined experiences that i have learned a ton.

As for gauge, he has a great grip on basic obedience. He retrieves to hand, and he loves to retrieve! I have been following retrievers from the inside out, and I am up to basic casting! Which he loves!

Any advice or drills anyone has that would help prepare us better would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks, Josh

quote:

"The hunt test is through HRC, and it is ukc sponsered. Gauge is AKC registered, and I am confused about getting his started dog title to be offical should he pass a couple of these tests."

.

Josh,

You can run your dogs in HRC test withou being UKC registered, but if you would like to keep your points, you have 60 days to register your dog.

"In order to receive UKC Championship points recognition and titles, an individual must be in good standing with UKC, Inc. and all dogs must be permanently registered with UKC, Inc."

http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite...niChampionshipPoints


http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite...niChampionshipTitles

Most HRC hunt test premiums also have something like this posted somewhere:

FOR EACH ENTRY, ADD $3 FOR NON-UKC REGISTERED DOGS / YOU MUST PROVIDE THE R#
Add $5 for EACH Seasoned/Finished/Upland entry of Non-HRC member OWNERS

So it will cost you a couple of extra bucks if your dogs are not registered with the UKC.

Entire Running Rules are here:


http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite...ex?OpenView&group=HR

Registration here:

http://www.ukcdogs.com/WebSite...tionRegIndividualDog

And in case you are interested, Great Lakes HRC is having their spring HT on May 16 - 17. Come on up. Our premium is here:

http://www.huntingretrieverclu...05-16%20&%205-17.pdf

Thank you, maybe i will head up there! It would be a fun little vacation!

I should have asked in my last post, have you ever watched or entered a hunt test before?

no i haven't, but i have read a few books. And the retriever club i belong to hosts them

I highly recommend that you go watch one before you enter one to get an idea of just what is expected of you and your dog. Or even volunteer to help at your clubs function or training day.

To give you a very quick overview of what is going on:

You will get to the test grounds, check in with the Hunt Test HQ, find out where you are running and get your number, check in again with the Marshal at whatever stake you are running in(for your sake we'll say Started). The judges will call for a handlers meeting where the test will be laid out for you and where you can ask questions. A test dog will be run for the handlers to check out the mechanics of the test. You will be asked to move up into a series of holding blinds until it is your turn to move up to the line under judgement. Started tests consist of two single land marked retrieves and two single water marked retrieves. For Started dogs, you will be able to run your dog with a collar and to "gently" restrain him at the line. At the line, you will signal to the gun stations with a duck call, winger station will answer back with a call, the winger will be released and a gunner will fire a shot from the line. Your dog can be released for the retrieve anytime after the bird hits the ground(or water if a water test). At AKC tests, you will have to wait for the judge to say "Dog" before you can release the dog.

This is a very quick overview of an HRC Started test. Junior tests for the AKC are similar, but there are some differences. Just train to the highest standard and you should pass either one.

Wow, ton of good stuff from animalx1! Only thing I might quibble with is the suggestion to observe a test before jumping in. I believe one of the great things about the HRC Started level is that it's so "user friendly". If you take advantage of the allowances for handlers to hold their dogs and use a designated gunner, there's so little to it that might confuse a first time handler that it's easy to jump right in. And if Guage decides to show his puppy side, there's no sweat there, either. Folks will all be pulling for the two of you and empathetic, rather than critical, if things go south.

I would, however, strongly suggest that you take time out of your Started test days to go observe the upper level tests. Especially the Seasoned, which is a pretty big step up from Started, both in what's expected of the pup and the handler's responsibilities.

Being a HRC regular hunt test, as opposed to upland hunt, the birds will be killed before hand and almost certainly ducks. But having Pup accustomed to handling dead ducks and perhaps especially those that have other dogs' scent on them is an important point. That's something training with your club's members and their dogs can put under his collar.

(Between my blind and the others he's picked up for in his first two seasons, the coyote has handled way over 2,000 fresh ducks and geese - and still acted an arse over hunt test ducks a couple weekends ago. Grrr...)

You will be fine , remember to have FUN , thats why your there . I doubt you will see a Field Trial mark ,,,,and if you do it's just a single mark . If you have trained pup to mark and pick up the chicken you will not have a problem ,,,,,,,,,,and did i tell you to have FUN

It would be a lie if i said i was not nervous, but I am really excited at the same time. To me it is all about fun, I think it is going to be a great experience for myself and my pup! And thus far, I have had excellent help both online and here. For instance, the last two nights a knowledgable retired gentleman from my hunt club has been kind enough to meet with me for a few marks and a ton of tips!

Thank you all for your great tips, and thanks for the support! I will keep you all updated on his progress, and his results. And don't worry, I just plan on having fun with it

Josh

Started tests are fun. Just a warning, though, Josh... You might become addicted! My wife and I ran two of our dogs last year in started. Rick is right, the people are great. We have been training like crazy ever since! Hope to run one or both of them in seasoned this year.

Also, like Alan said, have fun!

Damon