Questions about youths running Hunt Test

[Hunt'EmUp]

I have went to an event in MT this summer, where one young handler had to be maybe 6 was running his own dog, a pretty wild young & big dog in started. A very small young man, his dad asked the judges " well I can't hold the dog, but can I hold the kid?" the judges said sure. Pretty funny to watch a kid double handed hold on to a collar and a dad holding on to the kids belt, but they managed to keep the dog on the line, I wonder if anyone got a picture of that, great teamwork

[Melissa Page]

Firemanf21-- I see one BIG problem. And you're going to need to fix it fast!! And you need do it before you go much further.

You need to tell us where you're located!!!! Some of these RTFers are going to want to watch and cheer your son on!!!

[blinddogmaddie]

I say go for it, your son will love training and running a test with his dog. But be prepared for failure. Having judged young kids in hunt tests, I have had to fail some because the dog could not do the work. As adults, we sometimes take it hard when we fail a test, but young kids can take it a lot harder.

[Firemanf21]

UPDATE!!!!! 3/16/13

Well today was the day. My son has trained very hard for the last couple of week preparing for his first strated hunt test. Last sunday after a great day of training his dog came into Heat. Needless to say he was heartbroken. Thanks to a good friend and trainer we have spent coutless hours with, we were able to run another dog. He ran started today at West TN HRC in Alamo,Tn. We got 2 passes and a ribbon. I must say none of this would have been remotly possible without the time, help and dedication Mike Cox from River Bluff Rerievers has shown my son. As I promiced in november i am going to try to post some pics.

[Firemanf21]

We Will be back at it tomorrow. Wish us luck.

[grnhd]

I hate to hear his dog came into heat,I feel sorry for the little man. I can only imagine how excited he was to run his dog only to have that happen. Thats kind of a sad ending to this story. Looks like he still had fun though and thats all that matters. Congrats to you both!

[truka]

Congratulations and thanks for sharing the pictures! Looks like your son had a great time! -trudie

[Sundown49 aka Otey B]

I absolutely LOVE to see a young man or young woman come to the line to run a test. They are the FUTURE. It is hard as a judge not to try to help them out. BUT even after they have had a hard time with their pup encourage them,,,,a few KIND words go a long way. If their DAWG smacks the test .......encourage them..... we NEED to have more youngsters playing our DAWG GAMES........ The Junior Handler program is one thing I like to sign off on ...

[Eric Fryer]

He looks like a seasoned vet in those pictures! Great job!!

[smd13]

congrats, i am extremely jealous. my 8 year old will be running my BLF in an AKC junior hunt test the first weekend in April. i am hoping that the bug will catch him as well.