[Ted Shih]

To date, I have had three All Age Judging assignments - each with great people, all of whom are considered to be very good judges - Gary Ahlgren, Judy Powers, and Skip Cope.

I thought I would pass on some things that I learned from judging with them.

First, on each occasion, my co-judge and I spent a couple of hours just talking about what we liked and didn't in dog work, and in tests. Then we discussed what our parameters would be for line manners and the honor.

Second, when we got out in the field, we set up two or three different options - so that we would have a test ready no matter what the wind conditions were like. We marked potential problems for the FT committee to address the next day. We checked to make sure the whistles could be heard and the handlers seen. We marked gun stations and where we wanted the bird to fall.

Third, at 6 the next morning, we got up, had breakfast, talked about the wind, then went out in the field, got our workers set up. Got test throws, talked about no -birds. When 8 am rolled around, we were ready for a test dog.

Fourth, we decided on a cadence by which we would call the bird - which we would not vary (many times wild dogs get more time than calm ones, because the judges watch the dogs and forget to call the birds). We decided again what we would consider a no-bird. As the dogs ran, when we saw something unusual - we would talk with one another

What did you think about that mouth?
I don't like this dog's voice off the line? I think we should keep an eye on it in the next series.

Throughout the tests, we would be talking about what we considered superb work, what we considered abysmal work, and the work we thought we needed to look at more closely. At the end of each series, I don't think we spent more than 10 minutes on call backs. Because along the way, we had already decided who would definitely be back, and who would definitely not return - all we had to discuss was the dogs on the bubble.

By the same token, as we worked our way through the field, we would continue to discuss the merits of the work. As a consequence, by the end of the trial, we had really gotten to know what the other thought about the dog work. On none of those three occasions did it take any time to decide upon a winner. And even where we disagreed initially on the remaining places, because we had communicated along the way, it did not take long for us to sort through the work.

So, here's what I learned from these folks:

1. Communicate, communicate, communicate
2. Nothing beats hard work and preparation
3. Do your judging as you go

Ted

 

[Ted Shih]

Always be conscious of the presence and the movement of the sun; I'm sure this was included in your 'conditions' and just wanted to point it out further. rds, for example. After 40, 60, or 100 dogs, how can you really remember what each dog did? I've found it helpful to draw diagrams with significant terrain landmarks and etc. Also the gun stations. And notes when necessary. For example: Flyer fall very long, dog long hunt but tight in area, picked up 2nd.

Vickie

Yes, of course, I was waiting for the right moment to make ALL of those points. LOL

As for diagrams, I have seen judges use overlays, so that they did not have to draw the terrain over and over again. I am planning on doing that this year.

As for the tally and callbacks, with each of the above judges, even though we had discussed dogs along the way, we would go through our books dog by dog. Pull the sheets of those we knew were gone. Fold back the corners of those we needed to discuss. Discuss those dogs. Pull sheets of dogs that were gone. One person reads numbers of those left. Other writes on separate sheet. They trade. Other reads numbers off of callback sheet, while the judge who had been writing earlier now checks his book. If everything is confirmed, sign and give to marshall. Although this sounds tedious, it is not and reduces the possibility of dropping the wrong dog.

Time, there is a big subject. A few points. Have contingency plans for wind shifts. Try to eliminate as many moving parts as possible (especially in the first series when you have the most dogs). Place your flyer where pinpoint location is NOT necessary and where wind shifts will have the least impact. Keep the trains running.

 

[Ted Shih]

Re: More Stuff

I like to use a white towel to signal and I have a particular way of signaling.

Wait tell the bird settles - turn and face the next mark and repeat. I like to give PLENTY of time between marks.

GMan

I use a bright, large yellow frisbie. Hold it at my chest. Then put it directly over my head. Bring back to chest. Then do again.

I give a slow count of "thousand and one" after the bird falls before calling again. Nothing peeves me like a judge who calls the birds like a machine gun. Not only does it not give the dogs a chance to mark. It also reinforces headswinging which we fight so hard against in training.

 

[Ted Shih]

Yes. I was at the Sooner trial. Wayne Bleazzard was judging the Open. Zowie had run and moved into the honor. We were waiting on dogs. Dog finally comes up. Wayne says GUNS UP. Only one guy at flyer station. The other two had gone off without checking in.

Zowie and I chat with Wayne for 10 minutes while we herd the cats back.

Funny now. Not then.