[Colonel Blimp]

Guys,

I'm sure all the advice given about posture, position, verbal commands and other physical cues are fine in a Hunt Test or US FT, and no doubt they will work, but they aren't going to get you too far in the hunting field when a lot of birds are falling or ground game is running about.

For my own part I just don't have the time or ability to issue commands or place my body at defined angles when we are in a hot corner, there isn't time enough sometimes to even watch or look at him. I just want the dog to stay put until I send him.

That's why I suggested that training (ie rewarding) for the absence of the behaviour was a possible way forward; the handler doesn't have to give a command other than "sit", and can get on with marking birds and possibly handling other dogs.

Some of you may remember the video I posted some time back of a number of dogs on a driven shoot just "being steady" when birds are dropping all round them; I think that's the standard to aim for; through training make the dog take responsibility for his own actions.

Here's a nice drill by Heather Bradley, casting off individual dogs by name to a nearby mark (note the hand signal too ..tricky!)

Perhaps Byrons group could set up something similar; maybe even give Launcelot Gobbo a job chucking bumpers? ;-)


regards
eug

 

[tracyw]

I guess I need to learn the various stances, as an example the Ted mentions, my being at 12 O'clock, pup @ 9 O'clock, Have judges ever considered the position of the handler being in a "Intimidating" position for the dog and cause problems? Is that what you mean about careful about stance? I mean like if I lean over her in such a way that she may think I am about to use my "Heeling Stick"!

It is an intimidating position but as long as your dog can see all of the marks; I have never seen a judge say anything about it. (nothing wrong with it)

But be prepared for...

I just want you to think about the other positions you may have to honor in.
The first walking honor I ever did was in a test! She did fine but I had not trained for it...newbie!
Although I have not seen it done (yet) in AKC, there isn't anything unrealistic about a walking honor where you both shoulder the gun when appropriate.
Very common in HRC is both the working dog and honor dog handlers are shooting from the line...you can not face toward your dog!

I have had judges tell me NOT to take a knee when honoring...others did not care. I politely ask the judge that is watching the honor dog if he/she minds if I take a knee. Response is usually "go right ahead"...sometimes "I would rather you stand". -yes, sir/ma'am.

 

[Hunt'EmUp]

If I recall It goes like this; No Bird, Heel, Sit, Down. DOWN!! Stay (Honor Dog Ready, sure), sit, Sit SIT!!!, NO HERE!!! HERE!!!

 

[mwk56]

I put my dog in a DOWN for honors. He knows as soon as he is down, the play is over. Often he doesn't even watch the birds go down for the next dog. Works great.

Only MH test where he worried me was when the honor was out on a little platform, right on the water and the "go" bird landed right in front of him. He went from a down to a sit but held the honor.

Meredith

 

[Happy Gilmore]

I think of it this way, if you're teaching an honor/doing honoring drills, and your dog breaks, what are you going to say? "NO BIRD"?

I think most here will agree "sit" is the only word you'll mutter

 

[Dave Plesko]

I think most here will agree "sit" is the only word you'll mutter

Usually followed by "Goll Darn It!"

Whatever you do, don't say the dogs name and don't ask how I know.

DP

 

[Buzz]

Usually followed by "Goll Darn It!"

Whatever you do, don't say the dogs name and don't ask how I know.

DP

That right there is funny...

 

[Howard N]

Originally Posted by Dave Plesko
Usually followed by "Goll Darn It!"

Whatever you do, don't say the dogs name and don't ask how I know.

DP

That right there is funny...

Yup, I laughed.

I've said their name on a break too. Wasn't laughing then.

 

[DarrinGreene]

I do that only on the honor. I have a different set of cues for poison bird blind.

Thank you!

 

[DarrinGreene]

Here's a nice drill by Heather Bradley, casting off individual dogs by name to a nearby mark (note the hand signal too ..tricky!)

regards
eug

We're going to need some better pictures of the trainer here Eug!

And BTW you're right, it's hard to position yourself standing next to the dog while laying down in a goose blind with birds falling all around.

Sit has to mean SIT in that particular instance...

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Usually followed by "Goll Darn It!"

Whatever you do, don't say the dogs name and don't ask how I know.

DP

sorry guys I meant to include and "H" in sit......wrong word.....

 

[cwilson]

Consistency is key.

You could say "Ketchup" on the honor... as long as that is the command you consistently used in training.

Judges might give you a funny look, tho.

This is a great point. As long as you and the dog know what is going on the people in the gallery should can it. I have a 9 year old cousin who is teaching his dog to sit by saying titanic. Again he's 9 and its his dog. That said I use "no bird" just as something to differintiate honoring from a normal retrieve.