AKC hunt test question

[smd13]

can the handler say "heel or here, good" to their dog at the line, lining her/him up for the blind? can you say "dead, back" when send her/him to the blind? thanks

[steve schreiner]

After the judge has given you permission to run the blind , you can say anything you want to your dog...Steve S

[rbr]

But avoid saying no. Some judges have a pet peeve about the word even though there is nothing in the rule books that says you can't.

Bert

[Pam Spears]

can the handler say "heel or here, good" to their dog at the line, lining her/him up for the blind? can you say "dead, back" when send her/him to the blind? thanks

On marks, you can speak to your dog on the way to the line, and get them positioned with "heel and here" and even say mark. Once you have them ready, you signal the judge and THEN you may not speak to the dog again until the judge releases you after the marks go down. You can send your dog on their name or whatever command you use: I've heard a couple of people send their dogs with "take it!" (a carry-over from obedience competition.)

On blinds, you can speak to your dog all the way to the line, use heel and here, drop your hand and say dead or dead bird, and back.

It's imperative though that you do not appear to be intimidating your dog, so speak firmly but quietly. Some judges at the upper levels object to hearing a constant stream of "here! heel! heel! heel! here!" and mark you down for poor control.

[luvalab]

but avoid saying no, some judges havee a pet pieve about even though there is nothing in the rule books that says you can't.

Bert

Bert, I know where you're coming from, and this is a very practical approach, which is to be admired.

I guess I am not very practical, though, and I refuse to give in to this nonsense. If I tell my dog no, as in "no it's not there, look over here," and a judge drops me, I will have pointed him out as an ignoramus to anyone with any sense. This has not happened yet.

If I have to tell my dog no, as in "listen you, and listen good, it's not where you're looking and I am going to get angry in a second," and a judge drops me, then my bad. I may have come close to this once or twice--if I remember correctly, I failed those blinds anyway.

[badbullgator]

Speak all you want as long as you have not called for the marks and are waiting for the fall. No need to wait for a judge to ask you to run the blind, once you are released for the marks you can talk all you want. That also means you can say no to pull them off a mark to select a differnt mark. People need to read their rulebooks.

No is nonsense, Who here has been dropped for NO other than yelling "No Here"? Hunt test myth. I am sure people have been dropped for yelling no at their dog, but I bet not one person can say they were dropped for saying no bird, or no heel, or no sit... I tell my dogs no all the time, no bird, no heel. I have been doing this a long time and have never actually seen anyone dropped for NO other than when it is obviously used in intemidation or to pick up the dog. Somebody please tell me a story about being dropped for using no in any manner other than obvious imtemidation.

[gdgnyc]

Speak all you want as long as you have not called for the marks and are waiting for the fall. No need to wait for a judge to ask you to run the blind, once you are released for the marks you can talk all you want. That also means you can say no to pull them off a mark to select a differnt mark. People need to read their rulebooks.

No is nonsense, Who here has been dropped for NO other than yelling "No Here"? Hunt test myth. I am sure people have been dropped for yelling no at their dog, but I bet not one person can say they were dropped for saying no bird, or no heel, or no sit... I tell my dogs no all the time, no bird, no heel. I have been doing this a long time and have never actually seen anyone dropped for NO other than when it is obviously used in intemidation or to pick up the dog. Somebody please tell me a story about being dropped for using no in any manner other than obvious imtemidation.

How about a stay with a hand signal? Handler was warned to stop intimidating her dog.

[Thomas D]

In 25 yrs I have never been told I couldn't say a non intimidating "no" to a dog when lining up for a blind . As far as a hand signal, such as in front of the face, I would have to see that one.

To the OP, don't be influenced by HT myths from the internet. Rules do not say you can't. Just play by the rules and 99.9% of the time you'll be fine.

[smd13]

thanks for the responses. it cleared up some mis-conceptions that i had. have a good day.

[gdgnyc]

In 25 yrs I have never been told I couldn't say a non intimidating "no" to a dog when lining up for a blind . As far as a hand signal, such as in front of the face, I would have to see that one.

To the OP, don't be influenced by HT myths from the internet. Rules do not say you can't. Just play by the rules and 99.9% of the time you'll be fine.

I didn't see it but I know the handler, she is in my obedience class. She claims she gave an obedience type hand signal, the same one she uses in Obedience shows.