EVALUATING
YOUR DOG OBJECTIVELY FOR ADVANCED FIELD WORK
by Jackie Mertens |
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Many owners think their dog can be a great field
competitor. When asked why, they invariably say
he loves to carry underwear around the house, always
has something in his mouth, loves to play in his
water bucket, lays in any puddle he finds, retrieves
the family parakeet, or fights the water hose. None
of these statements mean anything in terms of potential
to compete successfully in the field. |
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Many owners think their dog can be a great field
competitor. When asked why, they invariably say
he loves to carry underwear around the house, always
has something in his mouth, loves to play in his
water bucket, lays in any puddle he finds, retrieves
the family parakeet, or fights the water hose. None
of these statements mean anything in terms of potential
to compete successfully in the field.
Realistically evaluating your dog's potential to
compete in field events takes some time and effort.
First your dog must be obedience trained enough
to be under control when not on leash. He must know
come, sit, heel, and stay and must retrieve to hand.
If you have done some training in the field, the
following list should help determine his potential.
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- Is your dog enthusiastic about coming to line
and looking out in the field for thrower stations?
Will he willingly look at a long station and
be willing to retrieve when the thrower is 200
yards away?
- Will he retrieve 3 or 4 times in a row with
equal enthusiasm or does he lose interest after
the first or second retrieve?
- Does he hunt up a bumper with enthusiasm or
is he laxadasical? Does he walk on his hunts
and get distracted if he doesn't find the bumper
in a few seconds?
- Does he remember the second bird of a double?
When he returns with the first retrieve, does
he come back to line and eagerly look for the
second thrower station?
- Is he willing to swim 100 to 150 yards for
a water mark? Will he hunt in the water for
a mark? Will he enthusiastically reenter the
water on a double retrieve?
- Is he willing to penetrate rough terrain or
cover and swim in stick ponds and lily pads?
- Will he hold his line on 200 yard crosswind
retrieves?
- Does he remember the area of the fall on marked
retrieves and go to the area and hunt there
with enthusiasm?
- If you have taught him to handle, will he
willingly sit on a whistle and take casts? Will
he cast into the wind and the water?
- On blinds is he willing to look out from your
side and take a line for 100 or more yards or
does he continually bug (look away or up at
you)?
If your dog does not pass the above requirements,
you can do one of two things. Either you can continue
to train and run him to his maximum level, which
may be a WCX, Senior Hunter degree or NAHRA title;
or you can retire him from field trial events and
search for another pup, in hopes of obtaining one
with stronger inherited field instincts.
There is nothing wrong with admitting that your
dog cannot do advanced field work. Don't make
excuses for your dog. Accept him for what he is
- a wonderful house pet, couch potato, or baby
sitter, a great therapy dog, or a terrific obedience
competitor. Be realistic in your evaluation. It
will save you many hours of anxiety and frustration.
Send any correspondence to:
Jackie Mertens
Topbrass
Retrievers
13 N 145 Randall Rd., Elgin, IL 60123-2308
Phone: 708-695-6789, Fax: 708-695-6897
Winter: 904-929-3086, Fax: 904-929-3087
E-mail: jackie@topbrass-retrievers.com
Copyright © 1995 of the Author
/ All Rights Reserved
Special to Working Retriever
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