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Crash and burn test dog!

4K views 15 replies 16 participants last post by  Hunt'EmUp 
#1 ·
Any one have any crash and burn test dog stories?
I ran test dog awhile back and was thinking he was going to line the blind, but i sit him close to it and it was all a battle after that. At least we didnt get fired.
I also ran a junior test dog same day and made a good example for the handlers of what not to do
. No slip leeds wraped around the neck.
Youll have to ask Paul about the chock chains
 
#2 ·
One problem with running a test dog is that issues with test mechanics often haven't been worked out. New bird boys throw at the same time or out of sequence, flyer stations let birds loose, blinds don't get planted, etc. I've pretty much sworn off running test dog due to issues that really caused problems with my dog. The last time I did it, the flyer station (one shooter) had a gun misfire and then he and the thrower realized there was no more ammo. My dog was shaking while they walked over, dug through equipment in the Ranger and found the ammo. The bird was walking around in plain view the whole time. After a minute or so, they had the gun loaded and took care of the bird. My dog sat there but steadiness and honoring drills were interesting for a while after that.
 
#3 ·
in some ways its a no win situation with a test dog...last year in Utah in the Open the test dog absolutely steps on the triple, which leads to one veteran handler asking the judge"..you sure you got enough test there ? ", and sure enough the first six dogs either handled or picked up after that...:D
 
#4 ·
Sometimes I think the only thing harder than running first is running test dog...
 
#5 ·
yeah, just run first and be the second test dog...
 
#7 ·
Had a literal crash and burn test dog.

Spent 10 months rehabbing a shoulder injury on our dog from a ugly ditch incident. Dog doesn't do anything at less than 100 mph. Hubby stepped up to the line at his (and the dog's) first Master test. Colt crept so hubby told him to sit because Colt can't have any latitude on what's acceptable. Strike one, two and three all at once and they were done. Anyhoo, they were asked to run test dog at Senior. Colt took off in his usual full throttle manner, got two feet from hubby and dislocated his shoulder. Hit the water screaming, realized he couldn't swim to the bird and came back. Never took his eyes off the bird while they got his shoulder situated. I wasn't at that series but guess it didn't set the best tone for all the handlers to have confidence. I should mention that the test was just fine and not dangerous in any way. It's the dog that's dangerous!

If I have to pull anything positive from that day it would be that it might've been good for Colt to not get any birds!
 
#8 ·
Not a test dog crash and burn but I used me hrch as a pick up dog at started once. Lined him up on the bird that he could see. He took a terrible initial line. He gave me two whistle refusals and a cast refusal. Finally I just threw a rock at the bird. All that to swim 35 yards and pick up a drake that was belly up in open water.
 
#9 ·
Mine was the exact opposite situation. We went out in the first series of a Derby on a simple flyer. I stick around and run my dog in the next 3 series as a test dog and he did very very well. That 2nd series though I was pretty worried he'd crash and burn just like he did during the 1st series.
 
#10 ·
HRC Finished test - handler blows duck call, dog creeps way out, would have been a break if there was a bird yet. so they decide for test dog they won't blow the call and just do they marks. Dog hunts around for go bird. Dog has to be handled on both the memory marks. Line up for blind and we all lost track of whistle/cast refusals and eventually dog stumbles around deep enough to wind the bird.

Judges say "that's the test, any questions" and the best pro in the area asks the judges:
"Does that effort get us a pass?" :p;)
 
#11 ·
I do know this much- if you have never had your leg humped in public- just volunteer your dog as a test dog when you are judging.

EPIC FAIL regards

Bubba
 
#12 ·
I don't run test dog anymore. The times I have, if we've gone out on a previous series she ends up smoking the next ones as test dog. It aggravates me to know she was a bone head and would've done the rest of it. Ergo, I don't do it anymore.
 
#14 ·
My pro ran my pup in a derby last year. She went out in the first, ran test dog for the second and smashed the test. The next five or six dogs didn't do it and they scratched the test! I feel your pain.
 
#13 ·
Crash & burn as test dog? How much time do you have?

My latest was actually as set up dog for a Started test. First I must tell you about the good natured male beagle that enjoyed our test site both days. He was on lead most of Saturday but after chewing through it spent the afternoon lounging in the judges tent. The beagle never bothered to even raise his head as the dogs passed. Perfectly content to lay down behind the judges.

Our beagle was waiting for us Sunday morning. My brother in laws dog was brought out to run set up. He was very excited because unfortunately he got a workout Saturday as pick up dog. First mark, no problem. Brought duck to heel & delivered to hand. I can see the fool eyeing the beagle, who is now very active with the cooler morning weather. Next mark, out to bird & retrieved to waters edge. Spits duck out & runs to check out beagle. From there it is full out gay doggie porn. Complete with a full audience of ladies & children.

I quickly break up the show & place the offender in the dog box. As test dog comes to the line, the overstimulated beagle is now very interested in the other dogs. The only solution is to place him in another hole in my box. I can safely say this. Free ranging beagles are NOT crate trained. At the end of the day he was happy to regain his freedom & headed home with a purpose.

Maybe the all time epic test/setup dog fail!
 
#15 ·
I remember hearing something about this incident.:D

Lonnie
 
#16 ·
Try having a multiple time MH, very well trained dog, great blind running dog, run to the water on a SH blind, and decide not to get in; but rather turn, look at you, and act like a started dog that doesn't have any idea what's expected of him; Why? because it's cold; because you might've not trained-ran him since last hunting season; because dog's are evil and sometimes just like to thoroughly embarrass handlers. :roll: Top it all off you get the added benefit of having to go and retrieve your dog; cuz he's also forgotten the Here command ;). Can't have No Pride when your running the Dog Game
 
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