Posted in News, tagged Boyce Corral, field trial, German wirehaired pointer, GWPCO on September 21, 2011| Leave a Comment »
I do give a damn, about the EPIC Game Fair outside Atlanta. Clarke Gable got it wrong in the movie – there are a lot of good people down there, and I hope to meet some this weekend. If you’re going to Foxhall, stop by and say hello at one of my Bird Hunting Boot Camps. If you’re not, enjoy these pix from last weekend’s German Wirehaired Pointer Club of Central Oregon field trial:
Posted in Bird hunting, hunting dog, News, tagged AKC, Athena, bird dog, Bird hunting, Blitz, dog training, field trial, German wirehaired pointer, German Wirehaired Pointer Club of Central Oregon, hunt test, hunting dog, puppy on May 22, 2011| 3 Comments »
The sun broke through this morning, bringing smiles to everyone. Sure, it got warm as the day progressed, but a breeze stirred the sage and the chukars seemed to cooperate. Here is Day Two of the hunt test.
If you’re intimidated, don’t be. Simply go, introduce yourself and stake out your dog. The experience will be good for both of you. Eventually, you’ll be hooked.
Kudos to all who organized this test, and the many others out there that help us make better dogs. Thanks.
13-week-old Athena meets 13-month-old Manny. We are already negotiating a dowry.
We wanna play too!
Nice honor on a squirrely chukar that liked to run instead of fly!
Another good showing for Blitz and John ... three or four finds, retrieves, and a back.
Posted in News, tagged bird dog, dog training, field trial, German wirehaired pointer, hunt test, hunting dogs, NAVHDA, North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association, versatile hunting dogs on April 26, 2011| 4 Comments »
Dear Manny,
You are so much better than I let you be at your first NAVHDA Natural Ability test. So many distractions that you hadn’t been prepared for, a driving, drenching, bone-chilling rain, and stressed owner who let it show. I’m sorry.
We'll do better next time, Manny
You did your best, when you could figure out what I wanted from you. But when your pent-up energy and my tension met, they created a perfect storm on the field. Judges called it “willful mutilation of a game bird as to be unfit for the table” and we were out. They judges did their best to help you – and me – do things right after that, but we weren’t in the running for any kind of prize after you reduced that chukar to its component parts.
Yes, it is a test of your genetics, designed to find out if your family tree is fruitful. But more training from me would have helped bring out your instincts, or at least insulate you from the distractions. You shone in so many areas: searched in that high-energy balls-out way that shows so much joy, pointed like a champ in that downpour, tracked a pheasant 50 yards then pointed it. But one slip and we were off the “A” list – for that day.
I could have been a better cheerleader when you hesitated at water’s edge, maybe focused you more when that woman came along the dike, and when the gallery looked so inviting. But you eventually swam the requisite two times. Again, the judges did their best to help you succeed, and to relax when they checked your eyes, teeth, and coat. Even when one judge had to jog back to the gallery to catch us and count your testes, you were calm.
If it’s any consolation, you weren’t alone that stormy day. Your packmates were also troubled by the pelting rain, cold, and crowd. Commiseration was thick as we shivered under the tents, dogs and humans alike wishing we could have a mulligan on this dreary day.
It’s true that on any given day any dog can pass – or fail – this test. And I know you will pass next time. I’ve learned what needs work (obedience, especially to “here”) and promise I will help you become a great versatile dog with the test scores to prove it. Thanks for trying so hard.
Your hunting partner,
Scott
