[Chris Videtto]

My pup and I a running our second and third JH test this weekend. On Saturday we are running 2nd of 47 dogs and on Sun we are running 1st of about 40 dogs. What are the advantages or disadvantages of running so early!

 

[Jeannie Greenlee]

Advantage= less chances for drag back scent
Disadvantage= less scent in the area of the fall

I like running early personally. If you puppy marks well you should have no problems. Watch the test dog and make sure you ask questions if you have any. At least when you get to water you won't have to stand in a mud hole.

 

[Gun_Dog2002]

My pup and I a running our second and third JH test this weekend. On Saturday we are running 2nd of 47 dogs and on Sun we are running 1st of about 40 dogs. What are the advantages or disadvantages of running so early!

Very few advantages frankly. Disadvantages include little scent down, mechanics of the test with helpers not smooth, judges not waiting to see how the overall test goes before making decision on scores.

One advantage is you can hit the road early if the dog bombs.....

/Paul

 

[Chris Videtto]

Very few advantages frankly. Disadvantages include little scent down, mechanics of the test with helpers not smooth, judges not waiting to see how the overall test goes before making decision on scores.

One advantage is you can hit the road early if the dog bombs.....

/Paul

That thought crossed my mind.......but thinking positive!!!!

 

[Guest]

from my little experience i doubt you will run in that order.Most likely the pro's will run first and you will be somewhere in the middle.I think you can even ask the judge to move you down the list if you like.

 

[Squirm88]

Another advantage of running early is the ducks will float a little higher in the water series.

 

[savage25xtreme]

Is there a live flyer? I prefer to run in the first 10 when there is a live flyer. The scent area can be HUGE after 70 dogs.

The good news is its a junior. Mark the birds and bring um in, easy as that.

 

[tim bonnema]

I like running early for one reason. My dog does not have to sit around getting bored. He seems to do better in the top 10 compared to 45. Funny the afternoon never bothers him either way but I have a CBR and that is when the water is run.

 

[Hotchocolate]

If running early ask the Marshall if the area has been scented,sometimes it is overlooked,and could be detrimental to your sucess.

 

[Laura Heyden]

The birds aren't as gross. Less time for your nerves to ramp up to overload.

 

[TN_LAB]

from my little experience i doubt you will run in that order.Most likely the pro's will run first and you will be somewhere in the middle.I think you can even ask the judge to move you down the list if you like.

That's been the general consensus at the tests that I've seen, too.

Running order is merely a suggestion for Jr & Sr level tests. However, if you have a good, take-charge marshal and nobody volunteers then you just might find yourself having to run early...soooo don't get frazzled if it happens (happened to me one time and it was kinda nice being able to slip off and watch some of my buddies run at the other stakes).

There will be a test dog, so you'll have at least one chance to watch another dog run.

 

[Howard N]

from my little experience i doubt you will run in that order.Most likely the pro's will run first and you will be somewhere in the middle.I think you can even ask the judge to move you down the list if you like.

Do not bother the judge with running order questions. When I'm the judge, I've got things on my mind. I do not want to be bothered with questions of who's here and where. Take any question like that to the marshal. They're the one who sets the running order or out of order usually.

 

[Guest]

Do not bother the judge with running order questions. When I'm the judge, I've got things on my mind. I do not want to be bothered with questions of who's here and where. Take any question like that to the marshal. They're the one who sets the running order or out of order usually.

To the OP,when the test dog is run there is a handlers meeting where you can ask questions to the judges.Most are willing to help! and will send you to the marshall if you would like to change your running order.As a newbie too i remember this question being asked.The judge was very polite in answering the question and pointing out who the marshall was.

 

[Byron Musick]

I would not worry too much, chances are they are running the JH test in the same location they ran a huge Master test the day before! All kinds of scent trail to choose from!

 

[hotel4dogs]

if there are a lot of pros running, your #1 can easily become #21....

 

[captainjack]

Like others have said, the running order is likely to be changed because of pros or other amatuers with dogs in multiple stakes being inserted early or possibly moved to later so that all stakes run effeciently.

What I'd encourage you to do is be at the stake and ready to run in order. If you are bumped down the list then relax and watch at least a few other dogs run.

But, please don't become a sand bagger. These are the folks who try to manipulate the running order so that they get the perfect lighting, the best wind, the freshest ducks, enough but not too much scent down, etc... at the expense of other dogs. They will also cry like a baby if someone else is a bigger sand bagger than they are and they end up having to run earlier than they were listed in the running order.

Everybody you talk to at a test or trial agrees that this is despicable and agrees that these type people should be shunned for their unethical or unsportsmanlike behavior. Yet, this happens at every test or trial (minor stake) that you go to.

The running order draws are random, show up on time and be ready to run in order.

 

[firehouselabs]

Make sure that you thoroughly air your dog before running! More tests are failed by this (dog dropping duck to poop, then coming back in to you and not returning to pick it up) then I can count! Usually at least one dog a weekend Don't trust husband/wife either when they say that they did!
Shoulda beena title, regards......

 

[Ron in Portland]

One big advantage to running early that no one has mentioned is that YOU don't have time to work yourself into a nervous frenzy.

Watching thirty or forty dogs run (sometime more in Junior), every time one has a problem, it will give you something else to worry about, wondering if your dog is going to do that.

Watch the test dog, take a deep breath, go get your dog (or have it in the blind while the test dog runs if the line is a hike from where you parked), and have fun.

What's that line I've seen here, "it's just dogs picking up marks...or not"

 

[Chris Videtto]

Thanks for all of the good info and thoughts......I'll let you know how we do!!!!

Chris

 

[Chris Videtto]

Pup ran great and came away with 2 passes. One more to go for first JH. Pretty tough test on Saturday and very easy test on Sunday.