He'll have a big cheering section, including Uncle Buddy.
Every one of my wirehairs deserved a NAVHDA Utility Prize I. None (so far) has even run that test.
It’s not their fault, it’s mine. In fact, most of their so-called weaknesses are “operator error,” not the result of their disobedience, or lack of intelligence. That’s why this is the time, and here is the place.
Manny is going to be a “finished” dog. And I’m not going to stand in the way. He has all the raw materials: incredible conformation, beautiful movement, air of confidence. But until he can fill out the entry form himself, I’ve got to do my part.
It will be in honor of all of his predecessors, from Bill (the first, who convinced me to buy a shotgun), to Yankee (who taught me to hunt), to his great-uncle Buddy (in his golden years now). They worked so hard for me, the least I can do is pay homage to them by giving their young protegé’ the chance to meet his potential.
Because I’m like that kid Mikey in the old cereal commercials, I’ll do anything on a dare. If there’s an audience, I’m waiting in the wings for my cue. This time, I’m daring myself … with your help. Or to use a music industry analogy from my past, all the practice and good intentions mean nothing if you never set foot on a stage and play for an audience (that’s you).
Whether you are a NAVHDA member or not, a flusher, pointer or retriever owner, you are now officially deputized to get us both to the finish line and reading of test scores. You may not be there in person, but in spirit every one of you will be sitting under the tent next to me, in an uncomfortable lawn chair, agonizing as the judges scratch their heads and glance surreptitiously at all of us handlers while arguing over scores.
I humbly seek your counsel, and best wishes. See you in the fall somewhere in the west. Until then, I’ll see you in the training field.
Next: what’s involved in a Utility Test, and the challenges I foresee for both of us.
Scott Linden Outdoors 
If you want the best performance possible from him hire a good pro trainer. Even have the trainer run the dog for you at the test. I have watched your older dog hunt on the program, and I agree that his problems are your training problems. He reminds me of my own dogs and their level of training. I am just not that good of a trainer. I learned last year the value of using a pro. I hired a pro handler to use in conformation. She finished the dog in two show weekends. It wasn’t cheap, but in fact I believe I saved money by finishing the dog in such a short amount of time. The pros and really gifted owners demand the best the dog is able to give and know how to train for it. Know your limitations. If testing really isn’t that important to you, just keep doing what you are doing and enjoy hunting with them.
All good points. But this test is for me as much as for Manny, Bob. I will be getting advice from pro’s and anyone else who wants to help, but hope to do most of the legwork (and actual testing) myself. It’s not the easy way, but it is the way I think will ensure Manny will work for me and vice-versa!
Scott venture forth. I was on the throes of that great adventure with NAVHDA until I found out that my wife’s Brittany did not give one hoot in a proverbial West Virginia hollow (holler) about swimming. The little Britt is now two years old, a great grouser and woodcock dog, but if I ever shoot a grouse or cock that lands in water–not likely here in West Virginia–more likely in Wisconsin–I had better be prepared to swim after it. I am traveling this last day of 2011 to pick up a new Brittany puppy for me and if she will swim then I will also be setting forth on this adventure known as NAVHDA testing. I can’t wait to hear about your pursuits in the meantime. All you need is the little green book and a passel of birds–quail, chukar or pigeons as Petey said–patience and time.
Thanks – water is one of the issues here too.
Scott, relax, you will not be alone in that tent. You will be surrounded by lots of friends( you just will not know all of there names). They will all be just as worried as you. If you ask Manny it will be just another fun day for him so you might as well join him and have fun on your journey. You talk about how much you have learned from you first wirehairs, just imagine how much you will learn with your youngest. Enjoy the ride my friend, keep notes, take pics.and share your stories with us. Good luck Manny!
Shon and Stormi (my GSP)
Shon, you are absolutely right. I remember when it hit me with Buddy at his NA … came to the conclusion that we’d done all we could and now it was time to encourage him, have fun, and watch the chips fall where they may. We got a Prize I 112. See you in the field some time!
Sign up for the test 6 months ahead of time. That will set your training timeline. Then have goals,objectives, and tasks planned up until that date. No excuses. Dogs live to please us so they don’t know that there is a deadline. Have fun.
Sir, yes sir! Thanks Rick. Have learned the hard way that signing up ASAP is critical.
Best of luck to you and Manny. I ran my first UT last spring with my Spinone, Omar. 166 Prize III. We are going to try it again this year.
Here are some of the things I learned training for and running a UT.
1. There is no such thing as enough birds. Find a reliable source of pigeons or quail, and ducks.
2. Find 2-5 training partners helpers. Get Manny used to having 5-7 people in the field (although this is probably less of an issue with your work with film crews, etc.) Otherwise, this is where a club or local NAVHDA Chapter are very helpful.
3. Don’t change your routine on test day.
4. Relax. If you stress out, Manny will stress out.
5. Don’t be afraid to ask the judges questions. They want to see you succeed and will give you a fair evaluation of the 50 minutes they actually see Manny that day.
6. The 10 minutes of the Duck Search are the longest decade of your life.
Finally, any dog which can earn any prize in an NAVHDA UT, is a fantastic dog worthy of great praise.
I look forward to hearing about your progress.
Good luck on your next go-round. I’m feeding way too many pigeons, so #1 is not an issue. #2 is a great idea – did it last year on his NA and feel it helped. I can imagine #6 is absolutely, agonizingly true.