On Her Way

[ed]

Kabah starting her run for AKC Master Hunter,was high dog in her trial last week,score also qualfied for Master Hunter excellent.

[hicntry]

Great job Ed. Wouldn't expect less.

[deuce]

Nice work!

[ed]

Some details that explain the trial.
At the Master level the dog must be steady to wing and shot or in more basic English after hunting finding and flushing a bird he must sit until released. The dog is on full hunt drive the bird bursts into flight and he can not chase or break a sit. This would be similiar to a VPG courage test where dog in full run would have to skid to a stop and not grab the sleeve till released.
Other aspects like blind retrieve of a dead bird not dumbbell, dog is sent to retrieve a bird hidden before he arrives placed 50 to 100 yards away,and then handler points direction and can guide with hand gestures back left right etc untill it finds bird.
This is then repeated over a 40 to 70 yard stretch of pond with bird hidden on other side in my case up a slight hill from the embankment.dog must swim to directed part of distant bank,retrieve the bird,swim back and deliever to hand.Running the bank instead of swimmng is a no no,handler can use hand signals and whistle to direct dog.
Kas is a pwerful swimmer, and not really soft mouthed,which has been a challenge.

[deuce]

Ed.
I am just beginning my pups training. She has shown good prey drive on pigeons and is doing well on obedience. I may end up taking her for the AKC spaniel test. I first and foremost want her as a hunting companion. But I do think any tests that promote the hunting ability of the airedale is a good thing for the breed. Though I am first training her for birds, I plan on using her for fur as well and I believe that is the airedale's real strength as a hunter. I like their versatility but I think their main strength as a hunter is fur. I am actually training her as a service dog as well. They are that versatile. Good luck on the trials and let us know how it goes. I am interested in doing the trials as well and can probably learn a lot from you.

Deuce

[hicntry]

Ed, I noticed that was an AKC ribbon, have you ever done the UKC spaniel test. I would assume they are similar. Now, a question for you and I think you will understand. Does actually hunting with your dog help or hamper running in these tests?

[ed]

Deuce the only problem with an all " rounder" is the things that win in IPO or on fur, is a hard grip,natural for most Dales.
In bird work it usually doesn't matter in the field but in AKC tests they want a soft mouth ie no crunching.
With a lot of work I taught Kas the difference.
Also the fact I hunted her a lot worked against me in trial situation,as she was used to going hundreds of yards to find a bird in the field as opposed to about 10 to15% that in a test.
My recommendation,concentrate on obedience gradually extending your distance from her, with commands and working add two whistle signals one long to sit , then 2 short tweets to come.
When thats solid start teaching hand directions while she is sitting....you get my drift.Look up baseball method for hand commands.
Kas is a hard girl and I keep her away from situations that bring that out,one time a judge tapped me on the shoulder to send her and she told him to stop tapping.

[deuce]

Thanks for the advice Ed. That's funny about the judge.