TEAM MAC - TITLES! RESET

Irishwhistler · Jun 3, 2019

Aye Mates,
I ran my gun dog trainee MAC in an HRC licensed double hunt test this weekend. MAC ran in the Started Retriever stakes on both Saturday and Sunday as he needed two more qualifying legs to earn his HRC Started Hunting Retriever title (SHR). MAC had previously earned two qualifying legs at an HRC Licensed double hunt test held on Long Island, NY on May 4th and 5th. This weekend's test was hosted by my home retriever club, Yankee Waterfowler's Hunting Retriever Club. I thought it would be nice if MAC made title at our own club's HRC hunt test event.

Blind Faith ~ Team MAC in the holding blind waiting to run marks in the water series. MAC maintains eye contact with me as his trainer / handler. He has faith in me, a trust built through continuous work together.

"MARK" ! ~ Under judgement from the time we leave the holding blind, Team MAC is seen on the line whilst shadowed by the judges watching vigilantly to see that we meet the standards prescribed for qualification. I issue the command "mark" to MAC so that he is alertly watching for the flight and subsequent fall of a bird. One can see that MAC is responsive as he intensely scans for a bird.

Flying Dog ~ The MARK (bird) launched and having hit the water, I delay sending MAC momentarily letting his steadiness build whilst intensifying his drive (desire to make the retrieve). I release MAC to make retrieve of the first mark thrown during the water series by using his name "MAC" to communicate that I am sending him. MAC is seen making a dynamic water entry as Hunt Test Judge Dennis Berthiaume is seen watching MAC'S entry.

On Return ~ MAC pinned his marks making a quick and efficient return back to the line to make final delivery to the hand of his trainer / handler. Though not required in the Started Retriever stakes, I train and expect my retriever to be steady on the line without my physical restraint of him, and to sit and deliver the bird to hand upon his return.

"GIVE" ~ As I reach down to accept the bird from MAC upon his sit on return at my left side, I issue the command "GIVE" for him to release his hold of the bird. MAC gently releases the bird into my hand. It will immediately be checked by judges, Dennis Berthiaume and Bev Heckrotte, for any indication of rough handling by the retriever, that can be grounds for disqualification / failure of the test. MAC has been trained to carry birds with a firm but gentle carriage and no extraneous mouthing of the bird.

Every required element of the test performed on the water must also be performed on land.

Irishwhistler · Jun 3, 2019

Team MAC ~ Having successfully qualified in a total of four consecutive Started Hunting Retriever stakes during the last month, MAC's registered name now includes the prefix SHR indicating that he has earned the HRC title of Started Hunting Retriever. MAC is now SHR LAKE CHAFFEE'S AUTUMN LEGACY O' TRAD FINIAN MAC.

Ribbons and titles are nice, but more importantly are indicative of standards of proficiency having been met or exceeded by methodical and diligent training. I am very proud of all of the progress made by MAC during his having come into my ownership and started his training with me in April of 2018. MAC's bird drive, focus, steadiness, and love for the hunt are most admirable and I am blessed to have him as a companion along with his sire HRCH UH TTF CRAIGHORN KIFFIN TRAD SH.

TEAM TRAD - RESET ~ A new Started Hunting Retriever title earned, we will now reset the training objectives having been met by MAC both as identified in hunt test and in his applied field work as a gun dog. The bar will be raised as we will campaign MAC toward his AKC Junior Hunter Title and expand his skill sets to meet the elements required for retrievers to earn their HRC Hunting Retriever Title (HR) and AKC Senior Hunter Title (SH). Additionally, we hope to take advantage of any HRC Upland Hunter tests in the region toward gaining qualifying scores toward MAC earning an Upland Hunter (UH) title.

Training for hunt tests certainly keep my retrievers sharp, well conditioned, and expanding their skill sets toward greater proficiency during the "off - season". Truth be told, I love shaping and watching their K9 athleticism develop whilst we train for hunt tests and participate in them, but the proficiency it brings to their hunting abilities as gun dogs just keeps me coming back for more.

Our sincere thanks to all that have faithfully followed MAC'S development as a gun dog and hunt test K9 athlete and to those that have joined us in training efforts, throwing birds, setting up equipment, letting us do honoring drills as their dogs work, etc. We are truly blessed to have so many grand friends in the hunting retriever community.

Cheers,
THE DOG WHISTLER