Clyde Vetter professional training clinic June 23 & 24

The board of RMC is excited to host a very special training clinic June 23 & 24 with Clyde Vetter, one of the country’s most highly respected NAVHDA trainers. Clyde and his wife Marilyn own Sharp Shooter’s Kennel. They’re very active in NAVHDA: Both are Senior judges, Invitational judges…Clyde has passed 28 Invitational dogs and handled hundreds of other dogs to a Prize I in NAVHDA tests. Nuff said.

This will be an interactive clinic. Clyde covers all aspects of training from puppy to Invitational skills, but most of the agenda is oriented to advanced handling skills, especially force fetch, obedience & cooperation, and advanced handling.

Clyde likes to work with a variety of dogs at different training levels to demonstrate different training techniques, so don’t be surprised if he asks to borrow your hunting buddy for a demonstration.

Preference for signup will be given to NAVHDA International members. Early signup was offered to RMC members – we have about 14 slots left.  The cost is $200 for RMC members, $250 for non-members. Send checks to our treasurer Scott Waggy at 11469 King Way, Westminster CO 80031.

This is a two-day clinic – plan to spend a very full, very productive weekend learning handling skills from one of the country’s best!

 

RMC sets test and training dates, elects board for 2018 – updated

About 35 versatile hunting dog lovers turned out for the 2018 RMC NAVHDA annual meeting, held Sunday Jan. 7 at the Blue Moon Brewery in Denver. At the meeting, the Chapter elected the 2018 slate of Officers and Directors, established test and training dates and amended Chapter by-laws and standing rules.

Here’s a brief summary of :

NAVHDA Tests
Test dates for 2018 were established.

Spring Test – June 1, 2 and 3
Fall Test – August 17, 18, 19

Test registration applications may now be submitted to the Testing Director. Fees remain unchanged from 2018.
Tests are held at the Cobb Lake State Wildlife Area in Wellington, CO

Training Days
The following training dates were approved.

February 24 – Indoor training day, Spicer Arena, Eaton, CO.
March 10 – Cobb Lake SWA
April 7 – Cobb Lake SWA
May 5 – Cobb Lake SWA
June 2 – Cobb Lake SWA
August 11 – Cobb Lake SWA

Participants in training days must be members of the RMC.
The Board opted to keep membership fees remain $40 for another year.
Training day signups will once again be managed through the Signup Genius app.

Board of Directors
Chapter members in attendance elected the 2018 Board of Directors at the annual meeting.

Officers

President – Theo Stein
Vice President – Dan Sprague
Treasurer – Scott Waggy
Secretary – Allen Kidd

Directors

Director of Testing – Sara Heesacker
Director of Training – Craig McLaughlin
Director of Judging – Brian Thoman
Director of Promotions and Fundraising – Denton Shaffer

Appointed positions

Bird Steward – Jake Heesacker
CPW Liaison – Craig McLaughlin
Webmaster – Steve Roberts.

The Board abolished the position of Newsletter Editor. To maintain an odd number of Officers and Directors, the Board established the position of Member at Large, who will serve as an Officer. Members will elect someone to fill that position at the 2019 annual meeting,

In other business, the Board resolved three motions related to the NAVHDA International annual meeting:

  • A motion to reimburse the registration fee for the Chapter’s delegate to attend the annual NAVHDA International annual meeting was approved
  • The Board voted to support a motion by the Central Minnesota Chapter to include the French Brittany as a recognized breed in the NAVHDA registry.
  • It voted to not support the Central Oregon Chapter’s motion to establish an annual Far West Invitational in a west coast state.

Several motions related to the Chapter’s by-laws and standing rules were also approved.
Revisions of these documents will soon be posted to the Chapter website.

Submitted respectfully

Theo Stein
President
RMC NAVHDA

You’re invited! RMC Annual Meeting – Jan. 7, 2018

The 2018 training season is right around the corner!

Dear RMC members

Hard to believe another hunting season is drawing to a close – with the start of our training year hot on its heels. Your chapter will be holding its annual meeting on Jan. 7 at the Blue Moon Brewery, located at 3750 Chestnut Place, Denver – just a couple of miles from the intersection of I-25 and I-70.

NOT YOUR STANDARD BUSINESS MEETING

As usual, at our business meeting we will set test dates, training dates and elect board members. After that, we’re doing something new – a presentation from Dr. Brianna Harris of Jasper Animal Hospital on care for your hunting dog. Bri will cover common injuries – and less common ailments that might need urgent attention. We’ll also have a selection of pet vet kits, in case you don’t have one, for you to consider. Then we’ll wrap up with a little social time – for us to hang out, brag about our dogs and get psyched for the coming year.

We need your help!

STEP UP AND HELP RUN YOUR CHAPTER

We know how talented our members are – now we need your help. This year we have some particularly pressing needs to fill vacancies on your chapter board.

  • Treasurer – Sara Heesacker has offered to take over from Phil Goodwin as Testing Director. Phil has done a magnificent job performing the most important role on the board. During his tenure, we have grown dramatically and added new training events, so having Sara as treasurer was an incredible blessing. Now we desperately need someone who can succeed Sara and competently manage our books.
  • Training Director – After many years of stalwart support, Craig McLaughlin will be stepping back in 2018. Craig will still be active, but just can’t commit to the responsibilities of running 6 training days this year. If you are an experienced trainer and can help us manage our training days, we would love for you put your name in the ring.
  • Promotions and fundraising – There’s good stuff out there that can really help our chapter better serve your training needs. We need a charming self-starter who can help us find and take advantage of opportunities that we’re missing out on.
  • Secretary – Every organization needs a scribe to take notes at meetings and record votes. Is that something you can do for us?

As always, we welcome nominations for all other board positions as well – including president and vice president. The strength of any organization is in the next generation, so we are always looking to nurture our next leaders. In 2019, this chapter will need to find a new president. It’s been an extraordinary privilege to watch the chapter grow, but it’s time for someone new to run the show. If you have leadership skills and are thinking about helping the members who have helped you progress in your training program, please consider volunteering this year in preparation for stepping into a leadership role in 2019.

One more thing – our chapter has been unable to take advantage of the generosity of numerous members because we are not yet registered as a 501c3 non-profit with the state. If you’re an attorney or have done this before and can help us through this process, we would be extraordinarily grateful.

So please mark your calendars for January 7 – and look for a Signup Genius invitation. Come join us for some important business, learn about keeping your dog healthy and enjoy the companionship of your chapter members.

And if you have questions, please email me: [email protected]

With gratitude

Theo Stein
President, RMC NAVHDA

 

 

 

 

RMC 2017 Fall Test Results

Here are the results of the Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Spring Test, held August 18-20 at Cobb Lake State Wildlife Area in Wellington, CO. Our thanks to the handlers who presented their dogs, the judges who assessed their performance – and our volunteer corps, who are the heart of our chapter.

ROCKY MOUNTAIN NAVHDA FALL 2017 TEST RESULTS
FRIDAY  8/18
Test Call Name Registered Name Breed Sex Points Prize Handler
NA Harley Dierenfields Testament 2 Harley Brown Take em Down GR M 112 I Jack Taylor
NA ZZ Aux Lake ZZ Can’t Top This GR F 45 NP Kim Jones
NA Rammstein Persigo Rammstein GS M 112 I Mike Clarke
NA Jo De Jae’s Maggie Mae GR F 112 I Chad Dare
NA Abe North Iowa’s Abraxos PP M 112 I Jeff Schmitt
NA Laska Laske Cobailey Saathoff GR F 112 I Jeff Saathoff
NA Bob Silvershot’s Oklahoma Ghost WM M 110 I Chris Roberts
NA Scotch Silverpoints Gunpower Rye WM M 112 I Brad Cunningham
NA Finn Foothills Finn PP M 112 I Mark Laurnen
Judges for Friday
Senior Judge: R. Tom Swezy Judge 2: Dan Wittman
Judge 1: Scott Wilkey Apprentice: Richard Sears
Saturday 8/19
Test Call Name Registered Name Breed Sex  Points Prize Handler
UT Roxie Wyowires’ Foxy Roxie GW M 146 III Terry Uhrich
NA Otto Shore Thing’s Mountain Hope PP M 102 II Blake Bienemann
NA Grissy Bluestem Lady Griselda GR F 110 I Jim Arnold
NA Aisha Atma Aisha vom Sylwann Forest at WyoWires GW F 110 I Terry Uhrich
NA Magni Herz und Seele’s Magni LM F 100 III Danny Sprague
NA Sirius Aux Lake Y Sirius Boogers GR M 90 NP George Ort
NA Lady Von Windswepts Bearded Lady GW F 102 II Brenton Howland
SUNDAY 8/20
Test Call Name Registered Name Breed Sex  Points Prize Handler
UT Chase Pineridge’s Ace of Spades PP M 146 NP Mike Autrey
UT Madi Madison Montana Gripfest GR F 150 NP Andy Leslie
UT Elsa Outlanders Noble Reflecstion GS F 160 NP Sara Heesacker
UT Cecil Bone Points Uno GW M 181 III Ben Oakleaf
Judges for Saturday and Sunday
Senior Judge: Karin Krautz Judge 2: Craig McLaughlin
Judge 1: Dan Wittman Apprentice: Richard Sears

Update: Proposed changes to CPW training regs

Following up on this week’s post: Here’s some additional information about the intent and meaning of the language in the proposed changes to Chapter 8 of the Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations involving hunting dog training.

Like you, I was concerned about how the intent to exclude “exercise and conditioning” from the definition of training would affect us. So I called Tom Kroening, Deputy Regional Manager for the Northeast Region ( and my last supervisor while I was working at CPW).

To recap – the proposed language reads:

“Training means the act of a person instructing a hunting dog to follow scent, point, flush, retrieve “and respond to related commands to improve the dog’s performance in hunting wildlife or for field trials.” ( emphasis mine)

CPW has long struggled to manage non-hunting dog use of some state wildlife areas. In 2011, the then-Division of Wildlife wrestled with excessive use of two Loveland state wildlife areas by dog walkers. It was a messy public process and generated a lot of ill-will by non-hunters who had come to view these wildlife properties – bought with hunting license fees – as their local parks. So this is not a new issue for Colorado’s wildlife managers.

Tom said the language for this proposed revision to the regs was selected with our needs in mind. It allows handlers to train their dogs to be responsive in the field – which is a necessary skill for a finished hunting dog. The key, he said, is the regs would allow training  a dog to respond to … commands to improve the dog’s performance in hunting wildlife or for field trials.”

In practice, what that means is a handler needs to be commanding his or her dog while it is in the field.

I specifically asked Tom how District Wildlife Managers and Wildlife Techs would apply the language to the training we do for cooperation while hunting – and specifically to encourage a dog to actively and productively search while remaining in range of the gun. Tom said so long as a handler is commanding the dog, such as with voice, whistle or collar, they are within the scope of “training” as contemplated by the proposed revision.

Tom added that CPW recognizes that young dogs may not actually respond to commands. The test for law enforcement will be whether the handler is actively commanding the dog or using other training techniques to establish cooperation.

Bottom line – If you’re just letting your dog run around, uncontrolled, not caring where it goes or how far out it goes, allowing it to chase wildlife without attempting to call it off,  then you may not be within the scope of “training.”

So don’t do that. Bring a whistle, fit your dog with an e-collar, use them to keep your dog in sight while you teach it that the two of you are a team and it needs to pay attention to you and respond to your commands.

We’re lucky to have state properties where we can train our dogs. In some other states, chapters spend thousands of dollars every year to lease training grounds.

It’s pretty clear to me that the intent of the language is to permit the training activities that we use to train our versatile hunting dogs. The key is to be controlling your dog in the field. Which is what you should be doing anyway.

As always, I’m interested in hearing your thoughts.
Email them to [email protected].

Thanks

Theo Stein
President
RMC NAVHDA

CPW proposing changes to dog training regs

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is proposing to change regulations involving dog training. These changes will be discussed at the September Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting in Steamboat and would be finalized at the Commission meeting in Yuma in November.

The key changes appear to be:

  • You will need to be actively training your dog for hunting. “Exercising” and “conditioning” will not qualify as training. The language of the regulation does not specify whether training for “search” and “range” is covered.
  • Permits will be issued on an individual basis, though permit holders may train with up to 9 friends. “Subpermittees” are eliminated. If you will be releasing birds on your own, you’ll need to have your own permit.
  • The annual reporting requirement is dropped.

    I’ve posted below the letter from CPW outlining the proposed changes, and the actual language in Chapter 8 of state wildlife regs.

    While the changes may appear to be minor, it’s unfortunate CPW did not reach out to us or to any other dog club that I’ve spoken with in the past few months to notify us about potential changes to dog training rules, let alone solicit input.

    We will seek to get some clarity from CPW on the impact of these regulations. In order that the RMC chapter can best represent our shared interests, let’s please get information before we respond to CPW or the Commission, and we’ll take it from there.

    Thanks and stay tuned,

    Theo Stein
    President
    RMC NAVHDA
    Dogs with Altitude

    Chapter W-8 Letter

    REDLINE CHPTR08

RMC FALL TEST SLOTS AVAILABLE

All
Due to recent churn in the test roster, the Rocky Mountain Chapter has a very few Fall Test slots available.

  • Two NA slots are available for Friday August 18.
  • One UT slot available for Saturday August 19.

Don’t wait! Contact Testing Director Phil Goodwin: [email protected]

Theo Stein
RMC President

Call for volunteers

RMC members

RMC tests usually have a long wait list. So as you may have heard by now, the RMC Board decided this year to expand our fall test to 3 days – to give our members a better chance to test their hunting companion close to home. With our final training day now behind us, it’s time to get ready for our test.

Test days are Friday Aug 18, Sat Aug 19 and Sunday Aug 20 at Cobb Lake State Wildlife Area in Wellington.

Our chapter is known for hosting smooth-running tests, but these three days will test us, for a change. Friday is all Natural Ability. Saturday has a mix of NA and utility dogs, so we will need to set up and support the maximum number of test events. Sunday is all UT, so it will feature the maximum run time.

We need help setting up and packing up, bird planters, pheasant runners, someone to manage lunch for judges and volunteers and good-will ambassadors who can make sure handers’ questions get answered quickly. In short, we need your help.

For those who have volunteered before – please see if you can pitch in on at least one day. If you are testing with us in two weeks, please consider volunteering on days you are not running. If you have not volunteered before, here are several reasons to come out and help.

  • Volunteering gives you a great opportunity to watch other dogs and learn from other handlers.
  • You’ll hang out with experienced chapter members – and pick up valuable observations about dog behavior and tips on handling skills while you build friendships with fellow chapter members that you’ll be training with in the years to come.
  • By watching dogs in the field and later hearing their scores, you’ll better understand judging criteria.
  • Chapter events you’ve participated in have been run by volunteers. Pay it forward.

If you’ve volunteered before, please indicate your experience. Don’t worry if you haven’t volunteered before – you can learn on assignment!

Click on the Signup Genius link to help us give a bunch of handlers just like you a day they’ll always remember.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044fa4aa2ba5f85-call

Thanks and hope to see you there!

Theo Stein
RMC President

A special thanks to our volunteers

Director of Testing Phil Goodwin waits with Milburn Markle and his Pudelpointer Levon before the NA water event.

Running a volunteer organization like the Rocky Mountain Chapter of NAVHDA takes – you guessed it – volunteers who are willing to give their time and their energy to help others succeed in training the hunting dog and companion that will be with them for years in the field, and give them memories for a lifetime.

RMC NAVHDA’s tests are always full. We feel a responsibility to run NAVHDA tests that take the pressure off handlers and give their dogs the best chance to perform. And we could not do it without the selfless help of volunteers. So thank you Rick Huber, Dan Sprague, Jake & Sara Heesacker, Don Andrews, Michael Autrey, Ross Sibley, Andrew Hoezel, boatman Allen Kidd and Tom Swezey.

Judges prepare the drag event for Sunday’s UT handlers with the snowy Front Range foothills in the background.

A special thanks to:

  • Test Secretary Phil Goodwin, for doing all the hard work behind the scenes that make a test run smoothly,
  • Colin Hornbeck, for taking photos on Saturday and
  • Sheryl Dierenfield, for throwing down two absolutely scrumptious lunches for the judges and volunteers.

And a puppy picture, just because.

Ridiculously adorable German wirehaired pointer.

RMC SPRING TEST RESULTS

Here are the results of the Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Spring Test. Our thanks to the handlers who presented their dogs and the judges who assessed their performance.

SATURDAY MAY 20
TEST NAME BREED SCORE PRIZE OWNER
NA GALEWINN RAMBLIN MAN IS 100 III Pat Skavlen
NA HIDDEN ACRES CYDNEY PP 92 III Dan Lucchesi
NA DREAMWORKS FUZZY PP 106 I Michael Autrey
NA JASPER OF THE BEAR RIVER CLAN PP 78 NP Seth Gallagher
NA SNOWBIRDS OUTLAW KIDD ROCK GR 96 III Shona Welle
NA AGNES HOLD YOUR POINT GR 88 II Kurt Streweler
NA HIDDEN ACRES COLT PP 93 NP James Arnold
NA OUTLANDERS DAUNTLESS O’DELL GS 112 I Tim Griffin
NA SNOWBIRDS STORY GR 112 I Pete Palmer
NA AUX LAKE’S ZMOKE & MIRRORS GR 79 III Nancy Savidge
  SUNDAY MAY 21
TEST NAME BREED SCORE PRIZE OWNER
UT BONE POINTS UNO GW 176 II Ben Oakleaf
UT BONE POINTS UKIAH GW 147 NP Bob Schweikhardt
UT JACKSON CREEK BRAVEHEART PP 165 NP Kevin Boswell
NA TREILBER’S HIGH COUNTRY ZEKE GW 90 NP Don Anderson
NA MUELLERS DACHS GW 112 I Scott Baysinger
NA KILLBUCK II LEVON PP 108 II Milburn Markle
NA NORTHERN EXPOSURE DARK PASSER GS 112 I Brian Thoman
Judges
SR Keith Kemmer Apprentice Keith Barr
J1 Steven Buck Apprentice Richard Sears
J2 Craig McLaughlin