[Angie B]

AKC Jr. won't be too painful. Just keep things moving. I'd chat with the person that asked you to volunteer and see if they can't help you out or have an experienced club member help you out for a few minutes in the morning.

Case in point...I don't marshall, but I do volunteer at our club's test (drinks n gopher). If they asked me to help a new marshall, I wouldn't have a problem (I don't like marshalling all day because I prefer to float around and watch my friends run).

On a side note...you say you've been training your dog for a couple months? You'll need a dog to retrieve the water marks that the competing dogs fail to pick up. If your dog is up to the task, it can be fun to send your dog on some water retrieves.

Junior needs the best, most skilled marshals. The handlers know nothing usually and need a lot of help....

A new marshal should never marshal the junior for their first time without a experienced co-marshal.

That's been my experience...

Angie

 

[TN_LAB]

Well, either ask your club to provide you an AKC HT rules & regulations booklet. Also read the booklet regarding unsportsmanlike conduct (don't remember the actual title). You can also download these booklets from the AKC website.

Get the names of other people who have marshaled HT for your club or other clubs in the area. Talk with them on the phone to get some info.

Basically, you will be jack of all trades:

You will help manage people who will be taking equipment out into the field before each stake. And make sure that all the equipment is taken out of the field at the end of each stake and placed on the right truck.

You will help provide any needed materials or equipment to the judges, you are at their disposal for the day. Your are the judges right hand!

You are responsible for distributing food and drinks to the judges and field help. The club person delivering lunches to the stakes will seek out the marshall for to find out how many lunches are needed and where to leave them.

The marshall is also responsible for test dog. You need to make sure that a test dog is available for the each series. And inform the handler to bring the test dog to the holding blind when the judges are ready.

Unless the Club has designated a Test Dog for the entire day, it is the Marshal's job to select the test dog for the next series. Usually, a handler who is not called back will approach the marshal. So, when you announce Call Backs, you can ask if anyone not called back wants to run test dog.

You will have a clipboard listing the running order of each dog/handler team. You will use this list to check-in the handlers. You will also pass out the catalogue. Make sure to know other stakes in which these handlers are also running dogs. Mark that down next to their names.

Your job will be to make sure that each handler is ready to come to the line when called. That can best be accomplished by keeping communications flowing.

Immediately after the test dog has run and as the judges are excuseing the handlers, the marshall should call out the first dog that will be running and the next 3 dogs that will be going into their respective holding blinds.

Throughout the day, the best marshals call out the number of the dog that is coming to the line, and the numbers of the next 3 dogs running that should be in the holding blinds. You can also call out the next 2 or 3 dogs that should will be going into the holding blind next.

"DOG 2 IS ON THE LINE, DOGS 3, 4, AND 6 IN THE HOLDING BLIND. DOGS 7, AND 9 GET READY"

Whenever possible, run in "catalogue order". Obviously, if you have dogs coming or going to other stakes you'll have to adjust the running order accordingly.

Be aware of re-birding. For instance, if you know that they will be re-birding after Dog#12 runs, you can announce that to the gallery and dogs 12 and 13 that fact. That way they can plan when they need to enter the holding blinds.

If a dog is given a "NO Bird" the judges will ask the handler to leave the line. The handler may be allowed to go back to the line immediately or be given the option to come back after X number of dogs. The judges may instruct the handler to come back after X number of dogs, or whenever he feels comfortable. The marshall needs to know how many dogs the handler will be coming back after and place that dog in the running order. All the handlers immediately following that dog team should be so informed.

Once a dog has entered any one of the available holding blinds (a holding blind can include a car), you cannot ask them to leave (AKC rules). For instance, if a handler arrives from another stake, you cannot make someone in holding blind 1, 2, or 3 make way for the newly arrived dog -- even if that dog has a lower running number.

If you have already notified people to get their dogs out of their trucks to get ready, but have not yet called them into the holding blind, you need to decide if that new handler can go in front of them. Personally, once I announce any dog number, I place any newcomers behind those dogs. So if Dog #5 arrives after I have told dogs # 7 & 9 to get ready, I usually tell dog #5 to run after dog #9. This is where you may get some flack - particularly if you are dealing with a busy PRO. But politely hold you own: you job is to keep things flowing and be fair to all the other handlers.

Once again communication is vital. You need to make sure that the handlers of next 3-5 dogs (dog 10-13) know that dog 5 will be running after dog #9.

If your club provides you with a White Board, USE IT!

Once the test begins, all communications with the judges should go through the marshall. For instance, if a handler wants to know why his dog was not called back, he should ask the marshall. The marshall, in turn, brings that question to the judges and takes their answer back to the handler. Obviously desecration is important. This is between you, the handler and the judges. No one else has to know.

One other thing: you need to know what type of collar and lead the dog can come to into the holding blind with and separately what they can wear going to the line. You need to know how the handler can behave when bringing the dog into the holding blind. For instance, it is against the rules for the handler to expose the dog to the marks going down. You really want to set up the holding blinds with this in mind. And you simply cannot allow a handler (who is not running (or has not yet run) their dog) to stand with their dog watching the test.

So become very familiar with the rules.

The Marshal is responsible for getting the callback sheet from the judges and announcing Call Backs to the gallery. You then need to update your clipboard.

At the completion of the test, the judges will probably give the list of dogs they have qualified to the Marshal. You need to guard this list with your life and deliver it to the club secretary. Nobody but the club secretary should see this list.

As you can see, you will have a full day. It is a good thing that you will have someone to share the work.

Marshaling is fun! If you do your job, don't play favorites, and come with an open, helpful attitude, you'll find the experience incredibly rewarding.

Expect to have a great day! :razz:

Did you write this?
If so, you might want to contact some of the mags about publishing it

 

[Kenneth Niles Bora]

Isn’t kind of bizarre that we (collective we) take a position that is the position of key communication between judges and workers. A position of communication between disgruntled handlers and judges. A position that will make a testing series run smooth, or be one of the talk of Monday morning rtf posts. A position that is the mouthpiece for the club and the parent organization at large.
And we take this position and toss it to anybody?

Just a general, why do we do it?

I was first tossed the clipboard at the second day of an AKC master. Had to take part in a misconduct report, and put all the equipment from the field into my truck. The cold beer at the end was hard earned, that day.


.

 

[Peconic Baypeakes]

Don't sweat it Becca...everyone has given you such great advise. If it makes you feel any better, last spring I made my daughter marshall for D and Q of our clubs FT and she will be marshalling our upcoming HT in Jr. She's only 11yrs old (looks like 16yrs old, very tall) but very smart.

I find marshalling to be the keystone to a smooth running FT or HT, without them it can be slow and torturous. Communication between marshalls at all running events is key.

It will be ok and you'll have a great time. I love marshalling but I'm the live thrower for our club so that's why she's marshalling as well as my son (8yrs) working as a bb planting blinds, restocking winger stations, my youngest daughter (5yrs) planting blinds and my husband a gunner and thrower (the only one who runs a dog ).

Be well and have fun

Katherine

 

[HiRollerlabs]

I have not read all posts, so someone may have suggested this.

Clubs in this area have a Stake's Chair person who takes care of rebirding, getting equipment and workers in the field, etc. The Marshal's job is to keep dogs lined up to run. I agree--the job as outlined in the rule books is pretty overwhelming for one person! We also typically have more than one Marshal so you can take a break, or the other Marshal can round up handlers who are "hanging out" somewhere.

Check if the club has a large erasable board. If not, ask them to get one for you or borrow one or buy one and hang on to it. If you're any good at the job, you'll be asked again.

On the board, write the scratches, the rotation (if there is one) at the top, and then start listing the running order numbers with the handler's last name behind the number. I don't list more than 5 or 6 numbers at a time. That way you can add people to the running order list who are moving between multiple stakes. It's nice to be able to drop in handlers who are running multiple dogs and need to get back to another stake. If you write down 20 numbers, it makes it hard to drop in handlers. Ask whoever is doing the rebirding how many dogs will run before a rebird, and use a different color pen to write "REBIRD" after the dog where the rebird will take place. This helps handlers know what to expect.

Once you have placed a dog/handler in a holding blind to run, the rules state that you cannot put others in front of these folks. Sometimes handlers think that once they see their number on the board, that is the "set in stone" running order. That's another reason not to write down more than a few numbers at at time.

As soon as the test dog has run, announce to handlers to 1)Please check in now if you have not already done so. 2) If you leave this stake, please let me know. If the first 10 or so handlers have not checked in, start calling them by name and asking for them. That helps (somewhat) to keep "sandbaggers" in line. (If your club uses Entry Express, the reverse side of your running order list/Marshal's list shows the handlers names and what stakes they are running to help you know where people are.)

If someone who is close to running leaves, you can start another column with number/name/note the stake where they went so you know they are MIA--if you want to track these folks.

I leave the numbers on the board and just cross through the number as dogs run. That way you can pretty quickly count how many dogs have run when someone/judges want to know.

The erasable board is a great tool. People can see when they run without constantly asking you. And, they seem to do a better job of lining themselves up. Marshals work very hard.....some people seem to think it is your job to babysit them.

If you can do the job calmly and quietly, you will gain respect from the handlers and the best part is you get to know a lot of FUN and nice people.

 

[ErinsEdge]

Ann, she's marshalling Junior-no rotation and not that complicated.

 

[Kenneth Niles Bora]

Ann, she's marshalling Junior-no rotation and not that complicated.

What if some new handler asks a question about a choke chain on the grounds?








.

 

[just me]

ken you say on your children yes on your dog no..and please crate your children <G>

 

[ErinsEdge]

What if some new handler asks a question about a choke chain on the grounds?

You know, that's a good one because I see pros use them all the time on dogs that are not brought to line on lead. I've never heard anyone tell a pro they can't use them but I've heard people told in the gallery with a non running dog they can't have a choke on. Go figure.

 

[john fallon]

What if some new handler asks a question about a choke chain on the grounds?








.

Tell us more about this choke chains on the grounds thing.......

john

 

[Becca]

Hi Becca:

There is an article about being a marshal in the Nov/Dec 2007 issue of the Golden Retriever News if you get that. If you don't, I can try to track it down and send it to you although it may have been lost when my computer crashed and burned. If you don't get the GRN, borrow an issue from a friend.

PM me a private e-mail address for you and I will see if I can find this article to send on to you.

I don`t get the GRN yet but will be soon, I will send you a PM if i have enough posts.

Glenda

I have not read all posts, so someone may have suggested this.


Check if the club has a large erasable board. If not, ask them to get one for you or borrow one or buy one and hang on to it. If you're any good at the job, you'll be asked again.

On the board, write the scratches, the rotation (if there is one) at the top, and then start listing the running order numbers with the handler's last name behind the number. I don't list more than 5 or 6 numbers at a time. That way you can add people to the running order list who are moving between multiple stakes. It's nice to be able to drop in handlers who are running multiple dogs and need to get back to another stake. If you write down 20 numbers, it makes it hard to drop in handlers. Ask whoever is doing the rebirding how many dogs will run before a rebird, and use a different color pen to write "REBIRD" after the dog where the rebird will take place. This helps handlers know what to expect.

Once you have placed a dog/handler in a holding blind to run, the rules state that you cannot put others in front of these folks. Sometimes handlers think that once they see their number on the board, that is the "set in stone" running order. That's another reason not to write down more than a few numbers at at time.

As soon as the test dog has run, announce to handlers to 1)Please check in now if you have not already done so. 2) If you leave this stake, please let me know. If the first 10 or so handlers have not checked in, start calling them by name and asking for them. That helps (somewhat) to keep "sandbaggers" in line. (If your club uses Entry Express, the reverse side of your running order list/Marshal's list shows the handlers names and what stakes they are running to help you know where people are.)

If someone who is close to running leaves, you can start another column with number/name/note the stake where they went so you know they are MIA--if you want to track these folks.

I leave the numbers on the board and just cross through the number as dogs run. That way you can pretty quickly count how many dogs have run when someone/judges want to know.

The erasable board is a great tool. People can see when they run without constantly asking you. And, they seem to do a better job of lining themselves up. Marshals work very hard.....some people seem to think it is your job to babysit them.

If you can do the job calmly and quietly, you will gain respect from the handlers and the best part is you get to know a lot of FUN and nice people.

If my club does not have a dry erase board what size board should i get?

What if some new handler asks a question about a choke chain on the grounds?

That`s one of the things i`m worried about, If someone asks me a question i most likely will not know the answer.
So, i guess choke chains are not allowed... I did not know that

I compete with my dogs in obedience so i have stewarded in Obedience

Thanks to everyone for all the advice and info.
I need all the help i can get.










.

 

[Kenneth Niles Bora]

...on your children yes on your dog no..

You know, that's a good one because I see pros use them all the time on dogs that are not brought to line on lead. I've never heard anyone tell a pro they can't use them but I've heard people told in the gallery with a non running dog they can't have a choke on. Go figure.

Tell us more about this choke chains on the grounds thing.......

john

you know my point already John,
See through me you can......;-)
but it makes my case........ we let new folk do this.

 

[HiRollerlabs]

If my club does not have a dry erase board what size board should i get?

I am guessing the one we have used is about 2 feet wide x 3 feet long, and be sure to get the dry erase markers for it. You can erase with your hand, or a paper towel or whatever, or get an eraser too. The board is about the best addition to marshaling that I've come across.

In Junior, it's hard. You have so many people who've never run a dog at a Htest and they really don't know what to do. You'll be herding cats all day long!

Junior dogs are allowed to come to the line with a flat buckle collar and leash, and can run with the flat buckle collar, but are NOT allowed to come to the line with a slip lead or choke chain. I am guessing it is because some junior-level dogs are a "bit" out of control and would be choked quite a bit.

I typically ask the judges to have a demonstration on how to use the leash slipped through the flat buckle collar and to talk about basic "do's and don'ts" for Junior handlers. Most Junior judges realize that the handlers may not know what is right/wrong and are very good about having a little seminar before the action starts.

It isn't your job as Marshal to explain the rules to the handlers.....it is the handlers' job to read and understand the rules. However, most handlers have never seen a rule book--hunting test or field trial.

 

[Steve Kelley]

Call my wife she does an awesome job . she handles the job for a couple of clubs and has helped some others when needed. She was taught by the best Sue G. so she knows how to deal with all the issues that always come up.

 

[BirdNMouth]

Becca
My first Hunt Test me and another green friend had our dogs entered.. Wasnt even our club but we ended up marshalling JR one day and running the bird station the other. We were both pooped from that weekend but learned a lot. Most of the exhibitors are very nice and as everyone else has mentioned other experienced club members can help you if you have questions. Good Luck and have fun!