[DH]

I have a friend who's dog is running in Junior this weekend and he asked if I wanted to come along and watch. I've only been to a couple hunt tests and am thinking about joining him, not just to see Junior but to see the Master running on the same property.

My question is this, I hate to leave my 14 week old pup at home all day so I was thinking about taking him along. I obviously would keep in in the crate most of the time but would want to get him out to air and see some sights and smells in a new place. Has anyone else done this? What advice can you give me in terms of me getting to watch the test but still spend some time with the little guy without interfering with the folks running the test.

I'm new to this so I just want to make sure I handle it right.

Thanks in advance.
DH

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

Should not be a problem. Keep in mind parking is often times quite a ways from the test so leave the dog in a safe situation from weather and with water. Also make sure and keep him on a leash so he doesn't break away and interfere. there will be gunfire so keep an eye him for his reaction to gunfire, don't put him in a situation where that could become a problem. other than that, have a great time.


/Paul

 

[Mark Littlejohn]

Don't wear white.
.

 

[Eric Johnson]

Technically you can't have an un-entered dog at an AKC event.

That said, many people take puppies for just the reasons you mention.

However, I would not take the pup for another reason....health. At 14 weeks the pup is in the midst of the period between when Mom's resistance is ebbing and when the shots take hold. The puppy may be fine and then it's possible that it is completely unprotected.

My vote is to leave him home.

Eric

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

Technically you can't have an un-entered dog at an AKC event.



Eric

Can you show me where in the rules/guidelines it says this?

/Paul

 

[Ga Woodrow]

Not sure either way about the guidelines, but 14 weeks would be a concern for myself for health reasons. I know there are others who would disagree, but they are a few weeks out from those four month shots and a stronger immune system.

 

[NC Lab man]

Are you going to Lab Club of the Piedmont at Cooper Black? If so this is a really big area and you should not have a problem finding somewhere to air him out of the way.

 

[DH]

Thanks for the comments.

It is the labrador retriever club of the Potomac test in Cheltenham. I seem to remember that being a large location as well.

I hadn't thought about the health issue, I will give that some thought.

DH

 

[HuntinDawg]

Thanks for the comments.

It is the labrador retriever club of the Potomac test in Cheltenham. I seem to remember that being a large location as well.

I hadn't thought about the health issue, I will give that some thought.

DH

This is a legitimate concern. I know that many training books/articles/videos encourage you to introduce your young dog to as many situations and other dogs as possible, but for instance with the Parvo vaccination, they aren't truly protected until they have had the last of that series of shots somewhere around 4-5 months of age. My vet who is a lab guy, a hunter and hunt test competitor does not recommend taking pups where they will be exposed to lots of other dogs (and their feces) for just that reason.

 

[labman52738]

I personally love taking puppies to hunt tests. They get great sociallization, as well as getting used to the environment of hunt tests. Maybe a Nahra test might be a better atmosphere to sociallize a puppy though. Just my opinion.

 

[Losthwy]

Don't wear white.
.

Damn, I was going to tell him dressing in an Elvis jumpsuit is customary for new comers.

 

[Mark Littlejohn]

Don't wear white.
.

Damn, I was going to tell him dressing in an Elvis jumpsuit is customary for new comers.

Get real Losthwy. All camo of course: shirt, hat, shorts, socks and shoes. Maybe a camo cowboy hat, too.

 

[Jerry]

And finish it off with beautiful pair of orange camo chaps!!!

How many tickets do you want???

Jerry

 

[Eric Johnson]

Paul-

Durned if I can find it so you must be right. The rule is in place for dog shows and perhaps I just presumed that AKC was uniform thoughout it's programs.

However, we stand on our concerns about the health issues. Just because the adults don't get the infectious diseases that plague puppies is not reason to assume that the diseases are not present....either among the attending dogs or on the grounds themselves.

Eric

 

[Mark Littlejohn]

And finish it off with beautiful pair of orange camo chaps!!!

How many tickets do you want???

Jerry

:wink: Well, I'd have to be there to collect my prize & model them, wouldn't I?

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

Paul-

Durned if I can find it so you must be right. The rule is in place for dog shows and perhaps I just presumed that AKC was uniform thoughout it's programs.

However, we stand on our concerns about the health issues. Just because the adults don't get the infectious diseases that plague puppies is not reason to assume that the diseases are not present....either among the attending dogs or on the grounds themselves.

Eric

Well I admit you had me wondering on that. I went back and was trying to find that somewhere as I had never heard that. I don't disagree with the health aspect either.

/Paul

 

[JamieV]

Don't mean to highjack this thread but had a similar question. My dog is entered in the JH test this Sunday at the Mid-South trial. Neither one of us have been to a trial before....I was going to attend tomorrow and check out the SH and MH, and I was thinking about taking her to let her see it before Sunday. Do you guys recommed this?

Jamie

 

[Eric Johnson]

Well....

...since the dog must be six months to be entered, all the puppy shots have been given (we presume) so he should be safe.

Eric

 

[Guest]

Well....

...since the dog must be six months to be entered, all the puppy shots have been given (we presume) so he should be safe.

Eric

Except you don't know what "neighborhood" dogs have been around...

 

[RemisGunner]

I joined a local retriever club and took my blm to his first hunt test at just over 14 weeks. Of course I consulted my vet and she said because he had had two of his booster shots he would be okay. In my club they run two "puppy stakes"; junior (up to 6 mos.) and senior (6-12 mos.). They throw two marks on land and two on water. It was the first hunt test I had run a dog in and my pup took first. I think that experience has set the tone in his training and performance. I always make sure I stick around with him to watch the rest of the dogs run in the JH, SH and MH levels. I can't help but think he learns by watching just like people do. I think it also helps to let him know that not everything going on around him needs to have his input or assistance and it has really helped make him a patient pup. My opinion is that if your vet clears the pup, then take him.

Jason