Keep talking, Mom! I'm coming to the sound of your voice!

The only time I panicked last weekend during the hunt tests was as Devon was coming in from her 100 yard mark on land on Sunday. As Devon came up the hill, she started to slow and looked like she was going to stop and drop the bird. She was about 20 yards from me. I gave her a firm “here, here!” and she started to me again slogging through the high cover. That’s when I realized what she was going to do. I'm sure she was planning to stop and reposition the bird. She had a very awkward hold on the duck and it was in very tall cover. She had picked up the bird by the breast, but at an angle with its head down and butt up. She had taken the straight line back to me through the tall cover, and as she came back, the bird had slipped so its butt was against the side of her head and one wing was covering her eyes. By the time she came to the top of the hill, she could barely see! I think she just wanted to reposition the bird so she could come in better and actually see where she was going! The poor dog was like, “Ok, Mom, but keep talking so I can come to the sound of your voice!” At that point I was feeling a little guilty for my firm tone with her!

Of course training buddy Steve was taking pictures and he knew the whole time what was happening because of the telephoto lens. He was able to get these shots and harass me about being mean to my dog. I guess that's what friends are for!

PA hunt test, day 2

Well the second day of our hunt test was truly a TEST! We were in a large alfalfa field where the cover was almost to our knees. The first mark was off to our left, about 60 yards. The second mark was 100 yards down a valley and up a hill, landing on the face of the hill near the top. When the judges set the test and scented the area on the second mark, they had the mark landing on the top of the hill. However, the test dog ran past the mark and disappeared of the back of the hill. The judges didn’t want our junior dogs out of sight, so they changed the angle of the mark lower so it landed on the front face of the hill. The only down side was this was not the area scented, and many dogs ran to the scented area and had a big search.

Devon acted like she did these marks every day! She put her two front feet on the first mark, retrieving it so fast I barely had time to remember to put my whistle in my mouth. On the second mark, she exploded from the line and down the hill at top speed. As she came up the hill she sucked into a row and was now headed more than 45 degrees off the line and to the left of the bird a good 30+ yards. I held my breath. As soon as she was parallel to the bird, she made a 90 degree right turn and put her two front feet on the duck. She picked it up and raced back to me.

As Devon came up the hill, she started to slow and looked like she was going to stop. She was about 20 yards from me and you'll have to read the next post to see what happened next. She did come into me with the bird and give a perfect retrieve -- she's such a good girl!

I was so proud of her on these land marks, that I had tears in my eyes! What an amazing accomplishment for the two of us to run land marks like this when I certainly had no idea what field was about before I got Devon. She has the ability, and it was just incredible to watch it come out. I put her leash on her and I’m sure I had a big stupid grin on my face. From behind me I heard, “good job” and “thank you” from the judges. “That’s it!?!?!?” I wanted to say. “You just saw a brilliant performance, and that’s all the enthusiasm you can produce!”

After I got her to the van and gave her some more kibble from her breakfast and toweled her off, I headed to the woman in the vehicle next to me. She ran a Golden earlier in the series and I could tell she knew what she was doing. I asked her if the judges always were this quiet! Basically she said yes unless you do something bad. She said she was a judge and she really enjoyed talking with the junior handlers, but not all the judges gave a lot of feedback.

In the course of the conversation, she said she was from Buffalo, NY. I asked if she knew Mary and her dog Brita. She grinned and said yes, and you could tell she was putting something together in her mind. I said that Devon and Brita were littermates. She said that as she watched Devon run her marks, she had thought how much Devon looked like Brita. Later as we were talking more, she said it wasn’t necessarily their resemblance, but it was their mannerisms and movement as they worked. It was so funny because that was the same thing I thought when I saw a video of Brita doing agility. It was like watching Devon even though the two dogs are different colors and have slightly different builds. They do share similar facial expressions.

Of our group, Zoe was the biggest heart attack of the morning. When she went to the long mark, she searched and searched. Being a Champion Tracker, we expected she’d nail the mark. However, this is one time her nose did her a disservice. Zoe marked every single bird fall there was in the junior test that morning, and likely the senior test the day before. She was so cute when she indicated, “oh here it is!” then would look down and no bird! After more than 90 seconds of searching, she stopped and looked back at her mom like, “Are you SURE something is out here?” but she went back to work. Her persistence paid off and she FINALLY found the duck. The judges said to Janet, “you can breathe now!” and she turned and said, “no kidding!” Janet was about to collapse from all the adrenalin that raced through her as Zoe searched!

We only had 25 dogs on Sunday and with the scratches Devon ran 9th in the order when she was actually dog 12. We were done with our land marks by 9:40 a.m., and we were off to water. Steve wandered over and watched them set up the water marks. When I walked up and said, “How do they look?” He said, “Splash, splash.” Both were in the water! The first mark was 45 yards and the second about 50 yards.

We had to walk down to the edge of the bank and I set Devon up to the left of a bush on the edge of the pond so she could see the duck land. She looked straight out to the water, and then you could tell she was annoyed with my placement because the bush was in the way as she scanned the bank of the pond for the gunners. It’s amazing to see this dog work the set ups! I remember during her puppy testing, Gayle said she was equally environmentally aware as people oriented, and that the environmental awareness would help me in the field work. She wasn’t kidding. Devon heels to the line and her head is scanning the whole field. She picks out her gunners whether exposed or hidden before she even sits on the line.

For the water marks on Sunday, she looked past that “stupid” bush and identified the gunning station and you could see her relax. I took off the leash and called for the bird. She watched the bird from the time it was launched until it landed, then swam straight for it when she was released. She repeated this on the second mark. She never considered cheating the bank.

The only trouble she had on these two marks was at the bank going out. The long grass had been pushed into the water, and apparently it dropped off rather quickly. Devon didn’t like wading out into the wet, underwater grass, acting like she was stepping through oatmeal up to her body. She kicked free on the first mark and it looked like she had some problems kicking out of the grass into the water. Later Steve said Archie found a stick that was right in that area, and we decided Devon might have actually gotten tangled in that stick, too. However, she never turned back and kept her eyes on her duck the whole time.

Coming in on her second water mark, she was starting to sit in heel and she dropped the bird. This was shocking to me since she’s never done that before. I was about to scold her when she shook the water off. She usually holds her duck or bumper until I take it and then shakes. However, I wonder if she was getting tired after her second day of testing and forgot. I let her shake then said, “fetch it up” and she immediately did.

So this time after two great water marks, I put Devon’s leash on and told her did a great job and gave her a big pat. My effusive judges didn’t say a single word to me as I left the line – not even thank you! Luckily Janet and Beth were in the small gallery and they were cheering. The AKC rep who had spoken to me earlier also watched me run and said we did a great job and was all smiles for me.

After receiving our second orange ribbon, I went to the judges to check my scores. This was something the judges on Saturday seemed unwilling to provide me. I told them it was my first ever weekend at a hunt test, and I wanted to know if there was anything specifically I could work on. The first judge looked at me with a totally blank look. I told him I had a Golden, and we were dog 12. He went for his book because he didn’t remember us. He opened the book and said we scored all 9s and 10s and he had no notes on me at all, so we must have done a good job. The other judge over heard us and I repeated my request. He also gave me a blank look and turned to the first judge. When the first judge said my scores were 9s and 10s and he had no notes, the second judge echoed the first that we were doing fine.

Goodness! I guess if I want a judge to tell me I did a good job and clap for me, I need to go back to agility!

On Sunday, all four dogs got orange ribbons! We were so proud of our group and our dogs. We’ve worked hard and we really had fun. I was also able to say, “I TOLD YOU SO!” to Beth as we left the grounds. I told her Reba was ready for a JH and she just needed to work on her deliver to hand. Beth did an excellent job of catching this weekend!

Devon was exhausted, sleeping in a tight ball all the way home. She didn’t even want to get up off the floor to go to bed! She gets Monday night off for a job well done this weekend. I couldn’t be more proud of her!!!

Connor, the spokesperson of the group

While Devon and I had a “girl’s weekend” at the hunt test, my parents had Ian and Connor, in addition to Reece and their dog Holly. On Sunday morning, my mom (the main dog caretaker) woke up late. She quickly took the dogs out, got ready and was working on breakfast with my dad in the kitchen before heading out to church. Connor started barking at her from the living room. She told him to be quiet, his breakfast was coming. He continued to bark insistently at her. Thinking he was just demanding his breakfast, she scolded him again telling him he’d have to wait until they were done eating. As Connor continued to bark at her, she turned and realized Ian had peed from one end of the kitchen to the other, as he was running to the door having to go out. Apparently in their rush that morning, Ian hadn’t quite done everything he needed to do!

As soon as mom realized the issue, she rushed Ian outside and then cleaned up her kitchen. Connor was now quiet. Connor tried his best to once again serve as spokesperson for the group. I can now translate Golden Retriever for you: “Hey lady, you better turn around and look at the black dog! You’re gonna be in trouble if you don’t look over there at Ian. I’m telling you, you really should stop eating and look at the stupid black dog. He’s running back and forth, and I know him and he can’t hold it much longer. Oh, I told you so! Hope you have some shoes on!”

Our first hunt test

Devon and I took a road trip to Pennsylvania this weekend with our friends Beth and Reba (Golden), Janet and Zoe (Golden) and Steve and Archie (Golden). This was a test Devon and I have looked forward to since we delayed her hunt testing last fall and her injury pushed it back this spring. Let’s just say the 6 hour drive was worth it!

Devon was 11th of 31 dogs in the Junior test. Our land marks were quite simple; I told Steve and Janet we’d set up training that was harder than this (and sometimes even on purpose). The first mark was about 75 yards up hill thrown by an exposed gunner (for those non-field people that means he was not hidden behind a blind, not that he was indecent). The cover was mowed tall grass and when the duck was thrown you could see it on the ground from the line.

The second mark was 35 yards just over the crest of a small rise next to a pond. The dogs couldn’t see the fall, and there was a set of tire tracks that drew the dogs up the hill. This was probably meant to be a deceptively hard mark. Most of the Junior dogs handled it well, but I could see a hard charging Lab pounding right past that fall on up the hill. Many of the Junior dogs did over run it but came back to it.

Devon handled these marks with ease, and she walked to the line pretty well. My only unease came right before the one judge called me out of the blind to the line. He looked me over, then turned and consulted with his co-judge and the apprentice judge. Then he turned and called me from the blind. Now this made me uneasy. Clearly something about me or what I was doing wasn’t right, but I didn’t know what it was. I walked to the line and set my dog up and they didn’t say a word.

As I said, Devon looked like a pro going straight to her marks and returning to heel position each time. It was done in a snap. I turned to put on her leash, and the judge said, “We think your shirt is too light in color. It’s OK for us, but other judges wouldn’t like it.” I had nothing to say. I had a light olive t-shirt on and it was the exact same color as the shirt the judge was wearing! I told him I could pull another shirt on before water, and he said no it was OK for today but I shouldn’t wear it again. Ok, I can follow direction! The weather turned cooler during the day anyway, and I put on my black pullover for the water series.

Speaking of the water marks, they were a little more complicated than the land. First, we had to sit on a bucket as the marks went down. The first mark was straight across the pond with the duck landing in tall grass on the bank. The second mark was angled to our right with the duck splashing in the water. The second mark was very cheaty (meaning it was tempting for the dog to get out of the water on the bank near the bird and run the bank back to the handler, versus turning in the water and swimming the line back to you).

We had to walk to the line and sit on the bucket with the dog next to us. When we signaled to the judges we were ready for the bird, one judge who was next to the dog also sitting on a bucket called to the gunner with a duck call. The gunner called back with a duck call, then threw the bird and made the gun shot as the bird was in the air. Once the bird landed, the judge behind us released us (called out our number) and we could send our dog from the seated position or stand to send the dog.

Since Devon had never been sent with me in a seated position, at first I thought I’d stand before sending her. Then I realized my standing could distract her from looking at the mark, and I didn’t want that. Considering how much she loves to retrieve ducks, I decided to stay seated. I got her out of the van a little early, and I sat on the edge of the van, called her into heel position and threw a bumper a few feet from her. Devon thought it was odd that I did this, but she retrieved the bumper fine about three times. This increased my comfort level with my decision to stay seated.

I should not have worried about Devon on these water marks! She was so ready to get more ducks that I had to hold the leash with both hands as she tried to drag me to the line up. To get to the water marks, we had to go through the woods and line up in the woods. Devon and I had quite the discussion about her remaining in heel position all through the woods. Coming out of the last blind, Devon tried to drag me to the line, but I hung on and demanded she sit in heel. She was somewhat controlled going to the line, but I certainly do not have a well-mannered dog any longer! She wants her birds!!

When I walked to the line, I walked in front of the bucket and remained standing, asked her to sit, took off her leash and put it in my pocket, took her collar and then lowered myself to the bucket. I figured if I was seated and I asked her to move into heel position she would be confused and it would stress her from her job. This was the perfect strategy, because other than a head check I don’t think she even realized anything was different.

The duck call from next to her to start the mark also didn’t faze her, especially when she heard the call from across the pond. She nailed this mark, barely off the line going out by more than 1-2 feet. She also nailed the more cheaty mark and only shored up 4 feet from where she should have on line. I thought they were excellent marks! When Devon moved into “heel” to give me the second bird, she sat on my feet facing out clearly suggesting she was willing to get more ducks if someone would just throw them out there for her!

Of our group, the girls ruled the first day. Devon, Zoe and Reba all passed their test. This was Zoe’s fourth pass since she had three from last summer, so she earned her JH on Saturday. This was Reba and Devon’s debut and they both did great. Unfortunately Archie had problems on the first water mark. He was confident on land and dragged Steve to the line on water. He worked hard to find the bird, but in the end never did. None of us can figure out what happened, but we all know things happen at a test that throws the dogs. Archie is still a winner according to Devon and probably Reba. I think his sister Zoe will never change her mind that he’s a “dumb boy.”

After receiving Devon’s qualifying ribbon, we headed back to the hotel. Reba, Devon and Beth napped and I showered. I moved Devon over on the bed and she laid her head on my stomach. When we got up for dinner, I had a small drool mark on my shirt – she was really sound asleep! I brought back some of my steak from dinner as her reward, and she loved it. A very successful first day and I’m sure she was dreaming of more ducks the next day!

Connor's awesome track -- there is hope!!

Connor had the best track ever tonight! It rained here this evening, a nice thunderstorm after 20 days without measurable rain. I took the opportunity to try a new field I suspected would be awesome. The grass was over my ankles, and with the fresh rain was great. I hadn't planned on a full length track, but when I saw how good the field was, I went for it!

The track was just 440 yards long with 4 turns. I laid articles after the first and second turns and rewarded him with treats from me for finding them. Connor was so excited to track, he was bouncing out of the van! He was so wiggly I had to struggle a little to get his harness on. This was new! He tracked me to the start line, which worried me a little since it was a long walk to the start!

Also, I tried something new carried over from my field lesson this week and picked up from Steve and Archie. When Connor didn't nail the turn and showed the first sight of loss of scent, I asked him, "Where did it go? Where's your track?" in a fun, silly voice. This really made him search like it was a game. On the second turn he took two clockwise loops before he came up with the track. I was really able to read him tonight, which was awesome!

Connor lost some of his bounce halfway down the third leg, but he never gave up. He actually settled in and tracked. He found all of his articles and just did a super job. I think this was the best track I've ever seen him run! I was so proud and I'm now quite hopeful for a certification!

Devon's field training

Our hard work on lining drills paid off today in our lesson with Mitch. He set up three sight blinds for us in his big field with varying cover. He had two on the sides that were about 35-40 yards and one down the middle at 50 yards. Devon came out, saw all three buckets and lined every one of them! Mitch's response was, "Well, I should have made that more challenging for you!" From there he showed me how to set up more sight blinds, teach blinds and set up permanent blinds. We also did some "over" drills that Devon nailed so he said for me to work out to piles that were 40 yards on center.

After seeing what Devon could do, Mitch told me to get my paper, and he'd list out my homework for this month. Here's the funniest part of the conversation from there...

Mitch: Ok, we'll get her Junior this month, then get her Senior in the spring.

Deb (slight panic in her voice): SPRING? How about next FALL?

Mitch: Spring. She'll be ready.

Deb: June?

Mitch: Ok, at the June Hambden tests, but I want her to be done with her Senior in June so she can work Master set ups through the fall and do her Master the following summer.

I felt like I was negotiating a new allowance or taking out the family car! At least I think I remember that part about working the Master set ups right. I was still in a little shock about her being ready for Senior by spring! In fact, Mitch went on to say that if for some reason she doesn't get her JH this month, it's really not worth getting since she's already working Senior stuff.

Wow! I know we've been working hard, and I know she's really eating this stuff up, but I'm just thrilled Mitch thinks she's doing so well! Oh, and I told Mitch he couldn't have her for her Master because I couldn't let her go. His response? Through a hidden smile he said, "Yeah, I already figured that out!"

Ian's back to being Mr. Consistent!

Clearly the weave pole issue has been our Q rate problem. Ian was 5 for 6 this weekend and never missed a single set of weaves. I could not be more happy!! Other than falling off the dogwalk on Friday morning, he was dead on. This is when he's super fun to run. This is what a "post-MACH" dog feels like. You're a team, you know how to handle and you're confident in each other. Ian earned 30 MACH points in three days and we only have 52 more points to go to qualify for the 2009 AKC Nationals. We have 5 more weekends (two of them being 3 days) to earn those points and I think we will do it just fine!