It has been a fun learning experience, but making routine posts has proved to be more challenging. Blogging is a lot like exercising. Keeping up with both requires discipline. I’ll often find myself “thinking” about the next blog topic or run down the local trail. What is it that keeps me from doing either activity? (more…)
As I walked Angel off lead, in the morning in at a nearby park, I had her sit calmly for senior citizen approaching us. “You must be a professional dog trainer? She sure is a well-trained dog!”, the woman exclaims. She continues, “I’ve watched you train her in the field many times.” (more…)
After a sunny, summer day of boating and playing in the sand dunes at the southern tip of Lake Michigan, our family and dog would stop at a small ice cream shop in Miller Beach. Jack Spratt had the best selection of exotic favors not commonly found elsewhere fifty years ago.
Holly our black lab would sit in back of the station wagon, anxiously awaiting our return. Persuading a hungry, boy to surrender part of his pistachio cone wasn’t an easy task. But, she knew I’d cave into her big beautiful brown eyes and get a lick or two of my ice cream cone.
At some point, my parents caught on to it, and reminded me dogs lick more than one side of my cone. Still I couldn’t resist sharing with my best friend. I rationalized whatever didn’t kill me would make me stronger, but I did give up sharing my cone with future dogs to come and bought them their own instead as I got older.
Today, when one the dogs earns a qualifying hunt test score, we make it a practice to stop for an ice cone to take a moment to CELEBRATE. Just like my childhood days in Hobart, Indiana. Win a little League baseball game and it was off to the local DQ we went. Fortunately, mobile phones today make it easy to capture the moment and MEMORIES.
Perhaps, I’m not a good loser. I’ve seldom practiced the habit of stopping at the DQ after losing a ball game or failing a hunt test. However, I’ve have to admit when you really get your butt kicked in a game or failed miserably in a hunt test, a DQ cone helps to remind you of better days.
Now some internet experts may claim, ice cream isn’t good dogs! Well my initial response is it not like I’m feeding them a half-gallon of Blue Bell. Everything in moderation, including the germs dogs share with kids.
Over the decades, I’ve never had a Lab or Chessie that was lactose intolerant. Witnessed them eat items far worse than ice cream! At home, it’s routine for us to share a little ice cream remaining at bottom of the bowl. I view it as “breaking bread” together. Strengthening the bond between man and canine. A common practice that has existed for zillions of centuries.
However, if you find your dog is fumigating the house or making multiple trips to the outside door after consuming dairy products like cheese, milk or ice cream lactose intolerance might be the problem. Consider an alternative treat. Now, if you never give treats, I feel sorry for your retriever. They give us their heart and soul on the line. Give back, break bread together, take some pictures together. Life is too short, especially for good dogs!
Walk into any pet store across in America today, and you will find an abundance of dog collars to choose. Collars remain a popular sales item because they carry the traditional dog tag and make it easier to grab hold of and lead Fido around. In recent years, there has been a significant migration from choker collars to harnesses for walking/training.
Often, sales personnel and obedience trainers associated with the big box stores will automatically direct you to a “humane” collar. Should you choose a traditional choker or pinch collar you just might be an obstinate barbarian.
Unfortunately, it’s not the collar but the inexperienced or hotheaded “trainer” that is the problem. Frustrated novice trainers, with a bad temperament, and an equally frustrated dog, whom they have a “non-existent” relationship, is a recipe for disaster. In this case, a competent obedience trainer will most likely require a harness/muzzle combination to train novice handlers how to obedience train their dog. When the novice handler and dog graduate from doggie school 101, they sing out of the animal rights hymnal and proclaim to all this is the only way.
Despite the social stigma that goofy trainers and snowflakes try to impose upon choker/prong or e-collar users, business is business. Pet stores would lose millions of dollars in profit if they elected not to carry these tools a competing business that does.
Big Brother in Quebec recently solved this dilemma by banning the use chokers completely. The anti-choker sentiment is out there and growing. Recently Toronto, Ontario chimed in outlawing the devices too. Unsuccessful attempts to outlaw them in New York and Florida have been made as well.
Freedom to use the effective collar of choice is clearly under attack. Unfortunately, it doesn’t stop with just collars. Vocal animal rights advocates are pushing their agenda of how your dog should be cared for as well across the nation.
Nitwit politicians, often incapable of training their cat how to use the litter box, buy into this malarkey out of convenience. They don’t want to be portrayed in this politically correct world as someone who doesn’t care about stopping the “mistreatment” of dogs. All this activity takes place quietly “behind” the scenes while you are busy making a living, raising kids and training your dog.
At this writing, New Jersey is about to criminalize transportation of dogs in what they now deem as “undersized crates.” The animal rights folks prefer you place your dog in an oversized crate. If you can fit the crate in your vehicle, the huge crate will allow the dog to be dangerously flung about inside. Ironically, every animal control truck in New Jersey will be illegal.
Legislation has also been introduced in Texas to make it illegal to stake out your dog on anything other than a 15 foot, no-chain line and only when you are in the dog’s presence. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Proposed laws aimed at restricting your rights as a dog owner are too numerous to list here.
Clearly, dog owners/trainers must stay alert to proposed laws. When chokers, crates, and tie out stakes are successful criminalized, how far behind or long will it before the use e-collars, healing sticks, dog trailers, shot flyers domino in succession?
We are going to dread the day when our retriever events can’t be legally held in certain jurisdictions. And certainly, no one wants live in fear of having their dog confiscated at home or during travel by ‘animal rights police’ empowered by bureaucrats. Seem far-fetched to you? Clink on the attached links and let me know. Join me and these organizations in staying forever vigilant in protecting our sport, our dogs and individual property rights!
AKC Legislative Action Center
National Animal Interest Alliance
Sportsmen’s Alliance
A dozen Chessies all handled by amateurs have qualified for the inaugural Master Amateur Invitational to be held near Cairo, Georgia. To my knowledge all the dogs have been trained by amateurs. This is an accomplishment given the complexity of today’s AKC Master Hunt test. Good luck to all in Georgia!!!
| Females | Owners/Handler |
| RIPPLING WATERS SHORE BIRD MH29 | Mary & Sidney Williams |
| SUGARFOOT LADEN TO THE GUNWALE MH16 | David Phillips |
| ROUGHWATER STACKED & PACKED MH21 | Pam Spears |
| RIPPLING WATERS MISS FRANCINE MH12 | Caroline Davis |
| SPINNAKER’S JETTY SLOUGH MH7 | Kenneth Butler |
| SUGAR-TWIST ANGEL OF MARKS-A-LOT MH23 | Daniel & Carla Epperson |
| BLACKWATERS BREEZIE ON THE RIVER MH6 | Richard Gardner |
| Males | Owners/Handler |
| SUNSHINE JOLIET JAKE MH20 | JB & Pamela Spears |
| CAVALIER MOSBY OF PARKER’S CREEK MH22 | Scott & Christina Repass |
| HIGH TIDE NOR’EASTER MH27 | Mary & Sidney Williams |
| TIOGA’S OZZY WAZZY MH6 | Scott Shannon |
| GIT R DONE LUTHER MH7 | James Dean |
| NORDAIS PIXEL MH MNH | Theirry LeFrancois |
| GOSLIN’S KONA GMH MNH WCX | Gary Charchalis |
| FOX ISLAND RAY OF SUNSHINE BY RED BRANCH MH | Beth Coleman Trudel |
…….millions of Americans participate in the annual of game of drawing a line in the sand and erasing a weeks later. Some make a commitment to stop eating cookies or a more aggressive plan to start exercising. Meanwhile, others go way overboard by planning to cut back on dog expenses.
As for me, I plan to become a better dog trainer! You might ask, what makes me a dog trainer? Well I’ve got a dog whistle around my neck, lots of dog equipment and a couple of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. My office wall is covered with ribbons. Nevertheless, I’m not one who believes in resting on one’s laurels.
I must be willing to temporarily set aside what I know and entertain new training and handling concepts. Nothing worse than becoming a ‘know it all’ stuck in a rut. I plan to read or watch one training article, video, or book every week.
It’s easy to follow a solid retriever training program in sequence as laid out by top-notch pros. However, tailoring and applying it to a youngster is still necessary on a day-to-day basis. Older accomplished dogs need memory refresher on different concepts. Walking out the door to do “whatever” often results in over duplication of drills or concepts for both.
Hard to place necessary emphasis on improving a dog’s weaknesses when they aren’t documented. I plan to review each dog’s log weekly and adjust the training sessions accordingly.
Time to immerse myself in a variety of retriever games. I’m bound to learn additional training tips by participating in other retriever venues. Field Trial Derby/Qualifying or Super Retriever Series here we come.
Numerous retriever topics go through my head unpublished. Many thoughts are about training. Subject matter tends to stick in my head when I take the time to write it down. Articulating it requires an even more thorough understanding. Stick with me and let’s see how many New Year’s resolutions I keep.
Not surprisingly most of the gallery, participants and observers, are fans of pro sport teams too. Presumably, many are baseball fans. How so you ask? Well, baseball is known for its superstitions. Watch baseball fans turn their hats inside out and backward to “rally” a comeback win at a ballgame. Listen to the stories of players who don’t wash a piece of clothing during a winning streak, change a hat all season or go without shaving in October playoffs.
Baseball’s biggest superstition is the famous curse of the Chicago Cubs, “Billy Goat”. This curse has prevented the Cubs from winning a World Series for a hundred years! Statistics are another area of common ground for baseball and retriever fans too.
Naturally, some dog handlers have lucky objects which bring good luck. But, you seldom hear many handlers say openly this is my lucky “whistle lanyard” or “hat”. Nevertheless, its still easy to confirm superstition is alive and well on any given weekend. Just make the following proclamation to the gallery. In between dogs running, say with a voice loud enough to be over heard, “My dog has NEVER ___________”.
Watch the heads turn to look at you. Your friends who aren’t totally embarrassed will shush you, “Don’t ever say that, you’ll jinx yourself today.” Strangers will shake their heads and scoff, they know your days of “never-ever” are about to come to an end. See superstition is alive and well at both sporting events. No one bats one thousand or always picks all the birds up. Play-ball, I mean Fetch it Up!
“I assume your question is hypothetical because your dog has not qualified to run the 2016 Master National, MN. Perhaps you are trying to set a goal of running the MN or American Chesapeake Club Field Trial Specialty, Chessie FT in 2017? There isn’t a simple answer as to which event is “better” to run. Let’s look at some of the factors which can influence your 2017 choice.
To run the fall Master National Hunt test Chessies must pass 6 Master test between Aug 1 and July 31. CBR Specialty field trial dogs on the other hand do not have to pass any “qualifying everts” to participate. Obviously, those who really want to compete for placement should be training well in advance and enter several field trials prior to the event.
Having to travel from coast to coast is a haul and can take days! Naturally, having either event close to home can heavily influence your decision. Got vacation time? If not, then you most likely will need a Pro or competent amateur to run your dog? Don’t let the “classification” amateur fool you.
The FT Specialty is less than 5 days and can be sandwiched between local FTs. What a great opportunity to run a couple FTs in a week when available. A dog can enter the Qual and Amateur both for under $250. Your motel cost will lower if you are just there for the Specialty, less pre-training.
Note: The 2017 ACC FT is tentatively scheduled to be held in Virginia, and the 2017 Master National be held in Texas next fall.
The Master National (MN) is a much more drawn out or lengthy event. Thus, your lodging and meal expenses are higher. Some handlers also attend the pre-MN training (5 days) and stay through the duration of the MN (10 days). Entry fees run $400 per dog.
Are you pursuing one or more of the following titles on your dog: MH; MHxx; MNH; QA2; AFC; FC? There is a world of difference between the requirements to earn a MH and FC title. Every person has to decide where they realistically fit in event wise. By all means experience both on your journey. Handler skills, availability of land and tech water, and finances come into play.
The ACC Field Trial Specialty wins this category hands down! Where else can you get together with so many field trained Chessies? Many wonderful people committed to the breed. A great place to earn FT points and size up potential future breeding prospects.
Chessies at the MN typically make up only 2% of the dogs entered. You feel like a lone wolf among a zillion labs. Still it offers you an opportunity to participate alongside hundreds of hunt test folks dedicated to the advancement of all retrievers. A great place to learn and make new friends.
Deciding which is “better” is a personal choice. I encourage anyone with a Chessie to train and participate in either or both venues. I’ve never understood the mentality of criticizing or tearing down one venue to promote the other. Our energies would be better directed combatting the anti-pure bred and anti-hunting hordes who seek to destroy our pastime.”
A big thank you to the Bryan-College Station retriever club members and judges for another great hunt test! BCS holds some special memories for us: Angel’s first junior pass, her senior title, qualifying for the MN for the 2nd time, and now our first MH pass toward the MARC invitational. None of those memories would have been possible without the countless volunteer hours put in by the special people at BCS. We appreciate you. Thanks again!
Angel – Series 2 Triple – go bird pick up
Angel – Series 2 – Eraser bird pick up
Angel – Series 3 – Double – go bird pick up
Angel – Series 3 – memory bird
Note: No video of the 1st Series triple.
Sure felt great to be back running hunt test (HT) again after a six month absence. Rose Country Retriever Club held their Spring 2016 HT on a horse riding ranch near Tyler, Texas. The scenery was beautiful, temperatures mild, and the sky overcast. As usual the club did a great job putting on the HT despite having to adjust to a new location. We entered the test with the intent of just enjoying the weekend, and enjoy we did!
Rose Country’s HT is the first AKC HT of the spring Texas circuit, and dogs are typically rusty coming off duck season which ended just a few weeks earlier. A solid performance is a good omen. Angel did a nice job. We have some things to fix, but not too shabby for our first test since the early Oct. Videos of her running all three master series of Flight C have been uploaded on YouTube. (click on underlined blue links below)
Angel -1st series marks 2.20.16
Angel -1st Series blind 2.20.16
Angel – 3rd series final blind 2.21.16
As you can see from the videos, the judges did a great job of utilizing the area and setting up challenging Master level scenarios at the ranch. It was a pleasure watching dogs run; and visiting with old and making new friends. Honestly had we gone out on the very last blind I’d still been pleased. It was good to be on the saddle again after a hard fall.
On a final note: Congrats to my Dad and Maple on their first Senior HT pass at Rose Country as well. We’re all tired today but there isn’t any shortage of smiles. Brown dogs, ribbons and DQ ice cream pics will be posted soon.
