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Tips for Handling in AKC Pointing Breed Field Trials
Handling the Retrieve Retrieving stakes are always exciting, sometimes too exciting for the handler whose dog is called back for a retrieve. While most clubs will specify in the premium list that the retrieve is to be on call back only, some will have retrieving in the birdfield for all dogs and some even have retrieving all the way around the course. How you handle the retrieve can keep your dog in the placements, or even move it into the placements. Tip #1: Try to be in the direct line between the flushing bird and your dog on the shot. Look directly at your dog on the flush. Your position between the dog and the flushing (and hopefully soon falling) bird acts as a barricade to the dog, inhibiting your dog from breaking on the shot. Any eye contact you can make with your dog before and during the flush should help your dog choose to remain set up. You cannot always get the bird to fly the direction you want, but this really helps keep your dog from any tendency to break on shot. Tip #2: After the bird falls, move out of the direct line between the dog and bird. You do not want your dog to have to move around you to get to the bird, or have trouble locating the bird. You do not want to be an intimidating presence on the actual retrieve. Tip #3: Let the first word out of your mouth after the shot be the retrieve command. Most dogs will hear that command regardless of what you say. So if your command to retrieve is the first word you utter, then everything works out well. If you show off, and ask the judges to send your dog, your dog may embarrass you. Tip #4: Use a directional hand signal when you issue the command to retrieve. Getting your dog used to such a directional hand signal amplifies the command to retrieve, and can be used to remind your dog to retrieve. Tip #5: If your dog has some trouble locating the bird, help with directional hand signals. If you use a directional hand signal on the retrieve command, when you use it to help your dog find the bird you in effect reissue the command. Of course, you should not reinforce the command verbally if you can avoid it. Tip #6: Don't move from the spot where you issued the initial retrieve command until the retrieve is complete. Any movement either towards the dog or bird can easily be interpreted by the judge as a lack of retrieving training and intimidation of the dog. Tip #7: When you take the bird from your dog, maintain control of your dog. A finished dog will not return to hunting until you direct it to do so. Plus, the direction the dog might choose to go hunt might not be the direction of the course. Tip #8: Hand the retrieved bird to the gunners. Often the judge will want to look at the bird to see if your dog was tendermouthed. Let the gunners hand the bird to the judges, you need to get your dog back finding more birds if this is not a recall. You and your dog can look really classy and finished on the retrieve, or look very sloppy. I have changed my mind as a judge on placements as a result of a recalled retrieve numerous times, placing the dog (and handler) with the better retrieve over a dog with a better race and more birds and sloppy and yet passable retrieve. Have fun and good luck at your next trial! Reprinted with permission from the Pointing Breed Sports in the Field Internet World Wide Web pages (http://members.aol.com/attwater/pbsports), sponsored by Attwater Publishing. Attwater Publishing is the proud publisher of QUALIFY! A Guide to Successful Handling in AKC Pointing Breed Hunting Tests by Mark Powell, available for $21.90 including first class shipping and handling (Idaho orders must include 85¢ state sales tax), 1-800-513-3772.
If you would like to publish this Field Trial Handling Tips Article in your Club Newsletter, you can download it already formatted for free (print this page first for formatting) in the most common wordprocessor formats, including plain ascii text. You can also request free copies of previous articles from the library of Pointing Breed Sports in the Field Field Trial Handling web page articles. Copyright © 1999. All rights reserved. No part of this World Wide Web Site in whole or in part shall be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or otherwise without written permission from Attwater Publishing, except for articles and QUALIFY! excerpts designated specifically for reproduction or reprinting in club newsletters. Disclaimer. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this website and these web pages, the author and publisher assume no responsibility for errors or omissions, either typographical or in content. Neither is any liability assumed for damages to any person or entity resulting from the use of the information contained herein, directly or indirectly.
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