[brwndg/yelladawg]

Last month while at an AKC HT some other entrants informed me not to throw a bumper to loosen up my dog before running. We were not doing any commands, just a few fun bumpers away from the actual locale where the test was being run.
She was just burning off some of the excess energy she had built up and wanted to get her settled a bit.
I understand that the judges are not watching me all the time while doing this & therefore really don't know what I am doing. I could be training w/o their knowledge I suppose.
I see how a bumper is a training tool & can see the point. My question is it acceptable to throw a frisbee or something else to let her loosen up?

Here is the rule from Regulations & Guidelines for AKC® Hunting Tests for Retrievers:
Section 12. Training. There shall be no training of dogs on the grounds of a hunting test, either within 24 hours of the commencement of the event, or at any time during the event. Training for the purpose of this section shall be defined as any activity intended to strengthen or improve a dog’s abilities, skills or knowledge. The test grounds shall be defined in advance by the Hunting Test Committee.
Special training devices that are used to control and train dogs, including but not limited to, collars with prongs, electronic collars used with transmitters, muzzles and head collars may not be used on dogs at AKC events, except as allowed in the AKC Rules, Regulations and policies.

I can see how it is mostly left up to the judges interpretation of the rule.

 

[Mike Tome]

Throwing a bumper to warm up a dog is NOT training on the test grounds. Whom-ever warned you about this isn't really informed about the intent on the rule.

It's best to try and do this in an isolated spot just because of the above issue. If you can't, check with the Marshall... if he/she is also un-aware of the intent of the rule, then revert back to recommendation one.

These dogs are athletes, and as such, should be warmed up with loose muscles before performing. Just plain ol' common sense.....

 

[Buzz]

Yes, it's much better to just run the dog cold and stiff so they come up with an injury.

Just another case of completely ignoring the intent of the rule.

 

[Kenneth Niles Bora]

Your standing next to your truck, with bumper and dog.
A- you play fetch with dog, having him sit, and release on his name.
B- you play fetch with dog, ENFORCING sit, with E-collar or prong, and releasing on his name.

A is allowed and a friendly warm up but don’t let him romp round the grounds.
B is training with tool not allowed on grounds.

On occasion some helpful test workers have difficulty distinguishing between the two.






.

 

[david gibson]

also be careful not to toss a bumper in where a working dog can see it, or a dog headed toward the line. be well covered behind the line of trucks at least.....

 

[badbullgator]

Ken kind of hit a good point. I have seen people with breaking dogs throwing bumpers either to enforce sit/stay or to try to wear the dog out so it will sit still. This is training, what you describe is warming a dog up. Best bet is to take the dog some place else and toss bumpres for him. One of the first things I look for when going to a test is a church or school or something close by that I can take m dogs to and toss a few before running. This way there is not a question of training of warming up

 

[TN_LAB]

I just try to find a quiet corner and avoid other folks when I throw fun bumpers because you never know when you'll run into a marshall that is a lil bored or overzealous and misinterprets the rule.

If I wanted to truly run some drills, I'd do what badbullgator suggested and leave the grounds and find a park, school, church, etc.

 

[Buzz]

KOne of the first things I look for when going to a test is a church or school or something close by that I can take m dogs to and toss a few before running. This way there is not a question of training of warming up

I look for someplace like this to warm the dog up and just let him sniff around, air, and just relax and be a dog for awhile just before running.

 

[Cedarswamp]

I have a breaker that I make sit for all bumpers. At home I will correct her for "breaking" on trial grounds if she "breaks" she doesn't get a correction as much as I'd really prefer to do even just airing/warming up. (hubby lets her have true fun bumpers). I gave up on getting her steady enough...training, she's solid prob 99% of the time, tests (esp if hubby is running her) it's just a matter of which bird He wanted the "on the edge" with her, and that's exactly what he got. Personally, I want better obedience for dogs that I'm going to run.

 

[J. Walker]

Training for the purpose of this section shall be defined as any activity intended to strengthen or improve a dog’s abilities, skills or knowledge.

This part is really the intent of the rule. Throwing a few bumpers is no more training by this definition than is recalling a dog after being aired. It's just basic stuff that you expect the dogs to do. Good gosh, the dogs are usually cooped up most of the day. Athletes don't take the field without warming up and stretching a bit. If you had folks throwing bumpers for you and had a blind set up to run, that would be a different matter entirely but since you're not going to be personally throwing the birds from the line, how would hand-thrown bumpers strengthen or improve a dog's abilities, skill or knowledge of the test or the test grounds?

 

[Kevinismybrother]

Best line I've heard when tossing fun bumpers to loosen up a dog and being questioned about training on the grounds

"Yes, Marshall, I am training my dog to break. He is way too steady for this test."

 

[g_fiebelkorn]

Throwing a bumper to warm up a dog is NOT training on the test grounds. Whom-ever warned you about this isn't really informed about the intent on the rule.

I usually use a tennis ball. To my way of thinking, a tennis is more associated with play or exercise than a bumper.

George Fiebelkorn