Award winners from Mistigri Gundog Training @ East Midland Gundog Club Puppy and Novice Working Test 6thJune 2010, originally uploaded by MistigriGundogs.
We had a great day out at the EMGC working test. Although the valiant organisers got themselves soaked whilst setting up; by the time we arrived it wasn't too bad and at least it was fairly cool for the dogs.
For four of us, all novice handlers with novice dogs, we had the opportunity to go around together whilst Geoff, being much more experienced, got to go off with those who really knew what they were doing :).
The tests themselves were straight forward. The sort where you look and think; he/she should be able to do that although a small fence at the first test we did was too much for my young inexperienced dog - as soon as I saw that I thought we were in for trouble. However, she had a go, didn't want to go over - though it was smaller than other jumps she had taken. However, she really wasn't listening to the whistle so with Gaynor and the judge's advice I called her in before she got too silly. The judge very kindly let me take her up and get her over the jump which was good for Teasle. That was a big fat zero then!
The other dogs had varying approaches to the jump and it was interesting seeing dogs I had seen in training working differently in the test, and that they did similar things that I wouldn't have expected.
However, our 7 dogs between them, apart from Teasle, did well, especially Trish with Jack.
The second test we did was, in fact, test 1. This was a heel, shot and mark then more heel, recall and then send, into a dip, for the mark. They all did this really well - even Teasle got 19 for that one. Her only mark, but, still a good mark! This was another test that, on the whole, they did well. I do need to tighten up my heelwork though.
The next test was a mark near some cover. Teasle went out well and I did think she should have been able to do this, but she still wasn't listening to the whistle and was called up again. The judge again very kindly let her have another mark and she eventually picked so had a little success. It was interesting watching the others, they all got similar marks with Molly certainly, a little sticky around the cover and taking a while to get her nose down. Eventually they did it. A second dummy was thrown and a shot was fired as they came back. Surprisingly Molly didn't look back to mark it. However, she went out quite well and picked it more quickly than the first.
The final test was on water. Since Teasle had taken time to get into water and had only swum for the first time the previous day, I was really pleased that she did go in after a tentative look along the bank - although we were close to a big gap with a clear view to the dummy - and she swam really well to pick it and bring it in. She was then redirected to go back a short distance through a fence to a dummy just behind. She had just got there and picked the dummy up. I was about to recall her when a shot rang out behind her at the top of the field - the second test where she hadn't actually picked and off she went at a rate of knots!!! nearly got it too!!! It took a few minutes to get her back but she cut across the lake and picked up the dummy so she did complete the test. Marks? That would be a big fat zero! The other dogs had a few hiccoughs with this; being a bit messy around the edge. I think I should have taken water with me. Although it wasn't hot I think that Molly was thirsty and that always throws her off a bit - maybe the others were too. However, they all did well and had a fabulous time.
The debrief: Things to remember: Me, heelwork, whistle, water. .. and carry on training!! :)
A big thank you to the judges: Mr Morris Sargeant, Mrs Chris Winfield, Miss Laura Marsh and Debbie Hall.
Thank you also to our long-suffering trainer Gaynor Gent for her well thought out and varied training, her advice and support!!! :)
Roll on the next session!
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