This weekend, you were flawless. One of the judges, Craig McLaughlin, called me while I was driving home Sunday and said this was not only the smoothest test he’s ever seen this Chapter run, it was one of the smoothest tests he’d ever participated in. He was very, very impressed, as were the other judges.

Super-volunteer Rick Huber of Cheyenne advises Distraction-Gunner- In-Training Trace Krueger of New Mexico as Derek Thompson and his wirehair Aspen wait to start their field run.

Two and a half years ago, I found myself somehow being the Test Marshal just before one of our tests. I was not prepared….a mental wreck. We cobbled together a handful of volunteers with no idea of how we were going to pull it all off. We did, barely.

This weekend, we had more volunteers than handlers. Going in I knew there was no question we were going to nail this thing. I know some of you must have felt under-deployed while you were out there and I want to make sure you know how valuable your participation was. With everyone there, it didn’t feel like volunteers hustling to put on an event. It felt like the chapter turned out to welcome handlers to a special day. To a person, the handlers and the judges were wowed. Given the turnover the chapter has endured over the past few years, it was enormously gratifying for many of us to see.

Theo Stein, President

COBB LAKE SWA – Nineteen handlers enjoyed ideal spring conditions and great cover May 21-22 during the Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Spring Test.  Scores are below.

The Chapter wants to thank the handlers who presented their dogs for evaluation as well as judges, Senior Judge Mark Krueger, Craig McLaughlin, Scott Wilkey and apprentice Cliff Fleming.

Aspen, a female German Wirehair, can’t wait to hit the field portion of the NA test. Handled by Derek Thompson, Aspen received top scores: 112 Prize I.

MW’s Blackberry Smoke rewarded all the training owner Scott Baysinger did with her by bringing home a 112 Prize 1 in the NA test.

TKO Running with Moxy splashed her way to a 112 Prize I for handler Chris Wagner.

Holly Binnian handled High Country Stella to a 106 Prize I.

We’ve been delighted by the turnout at our first two training days, but it has challenged us to make sure each handler and dog have productive days. With that in mind, Craig has planned a full schedule of training stations for NA and for UT with an eye toward maximum activity and minimum standing around. But for everything to run smoothly, we need handlers to be familiar with the plan, to know where they need to be and to be ready to pitch in when needed.

AS ALWAYS, PLEASE RSVP TO rmc.navhda@gmail.com WITH YOUR BIRD ORDER AND YOUR TRAINING LEVEL, NA OR UT – BY MAY 4.  Make sure you pack a lunch and sufficient water for you and your dog if you plan to work into the afternoon.We will need a few handlers to help us keep things moving.

Utility Dogs
For Utility Dogs, time to get serious. we’ll be running four stations during the morning session.

1. Training Table (set up in the parking lot)
   • Dogs at the start of the Utility training regime will begin on the training table for a review of obedience, including whoa, heeling,; steadiness in the presence of a bird and discussion (only) of force fetch process. Multiple reps per dog, emphasizing incremental approach to training each aspect. Handlers will then move to the back field for work on planted birds.
2.  Field
   • More advanced dogs will go directly to the field for work on search & range control/handling; steadiness; pointing/creeping; delayed chase; stop-to-shot; retrieve to hand; handling multiple birds; handling running birds. Plan on ordering 3 birds for the morning, more if you want to continue in the afternoon. Orange must be worn in the field during any exercise involving shooting. Break-action shotguns only.
3. Drag
   • Introduction to the drag, with an emphasis on successful track and successful retrieve.
4. Remain by blind/Steady by blind.
   • Drill one: line up all dogs-handler pairs, have dogs sit at heel, and then start short marked retrieves with each dog going in turn while the rest honor.
   • Drill two: Begin training remain by blind, then steady by blind, Note – we will emphasize an incremental approach for this test element: these can be trained at home/other locations on hard ground; adding gunfire and water entry after dog has mastered the obedience required.Remain by blind and steady by blind – Tests obedience and cooperation.
5. Duck work –  Introduction to ducks for UT dogs will occur after lunch on Cobb Lake. More advanced duck search practice will happen after lunch on the 2nd pond. Duck work will be supported, but plan to find a training partner during the morning session.

Natural Ability Dogs
This weekend we will run 3 stations for Natural Ability dogs, in preparation for the spring test.

• Field – We will be planting birds in the field to simulate the field portion of your NA test. This session will expose your dogs to birds and allow handlers to work on your dog’s search and range and observe your dog’s exposure to gunfire ( a blank shotgun round). NA Handlers, plan to purchase at least 2 chukar each to evaluate your dog’s point (more if you plan to work into the afternoon).  Remember, the ability to recall your dog on command is important.
• Track – We will be laying down more challenging tracks with pheasants that the chapter will provide.
• Puppy Water – finally: We’ll help you introduce your puppy to water.
• Training table: After the UT group is finished with the training table, NA handlers are encouraged to use it on their own for heeling, whoa training,& steadiness in the presence of birds.

Handlers of NA dogs are requested to plan to stay for the entire morning, to help staff the stations and assist in running other members’ dogs.  This help will allow us to efficiently move a large number of dogs through the NA testing environment. New members, and those needing experience in handling their dogs, working with birds, and general help in understanding NAVHDA testing and training, will benefit greatly by volunteering to help with their fellow members’ dogs.

Volunteers
Help needed: Bird field: 3 bird planters, 1 field marshall to oversee training runs; water: 2 volunteers, including 1 with pickup dog; track: 2 bird stewards to supply pheasants and assist with running tracks.
Please RSVP to rmc.navhda@gmail.com by__Weds. May 4_ to reserve birds. Indicate the number of chukar and or ducks you’d like us to purchase.

The weather is warming and training/testing season is in full swing.  I hope your spring has been productive and fulfilling!

Our Spring Test is scheduled for Saturday May 21^st and Sunday May 22^nd.  At this point, the test has a full slate of dogs running with 10 Natural Ability scheduled for Saturday and 6 Natural Ability along with 2 Utility/Utility Prep on Sunday.

As you all know, our organization runs solely on volunteers from within our membership.  Visiting judges have given us high marks for our past tests because of how generous our membership has been with their time.  Our goal is to put together the best possible experience for handlers and spectators.

And for that we need your help.

If you are able to volunteer for one or both days, please reply to this email and indicate which day and role you would like to fill so that we can contact you.  This is an excellent opportunity for newer members to see some great dog work and learn about what to do/not do as a handler.

Also, please do not worry if you have never volunteered before.  Experienced members will be there to help guide and support you in your volunteer role.  We are really excited to see the chapter continue to grow and we hope that everyone gets and stays involved in our chapter.

If you have any specific questions, please feel free to shoot me an email as well.

Respectfully yours,
Danny Sprague
Vice President\
RMC – NAVHDA

Yes, this is Test Director Phil Goodwin’s adorable Pudelpointer pup. Cuteness overload.

HERE WE GO….

RMC Spring Test: Testing director Phil Goodwin reports that the Spring Test is full. However, there’s only one dog on the wait list and we usually have a couple of last-minute dropouts. So, if you feel lucky and you need to test your dog this spring, go ahead and get on the wait list.
Spring Test Volunteers: Look for a message requesting volunteers for our Spring Test soon. We’ve gotten high marks for how our tests have been run the past couple years – and it’s entirely due to our selfless volunteers.  If you’ve never volunteered before, don’t worry. Most of the tasks are simple – it’s just that we need several folks to make sure everything is done on time. Volunteering is a great way to get to know other handlers and see a test up close, so you can learn about how to handle your dog successfully.
RMC Fall Test: Believe it or not, our Fall Test is just about full already. There’s only one NA slot open for Saturday, August 20, so if you want in, don’t wait. Sunday ought to be a blast to watch, with 5 UT dogs and 1 UPT dog entered.
Handler’s Clinic: We were blown away by our solicitation of interest on the Handler’s Clinic, so we’re moving to secure a trainer and finalize a date. This is a two day event – with lunch served. The cost will be $125 per person. We’re shooting for July 9-10.
We received more requests to participate than we have slots, so we will be running registration like we do tests. That is:

• Registrations will be secured by your check.
• I will email invitations to people in the order that they responded to our request of interest.
• Chapter members will get preference for two weeks after we secure a handler and a date. After that, I’ll be emailing invitations to non-members in the order in which they expressed their interest.

Chapter Wish List: It’s a sad fact of life is stuff breaks or wears out. The Chapter has several items we need to replace or secure this spring and in an effort to be frugal with your membership dollars, one of our Board members suggested that we solicit donations from you. Here’s the list. If you’ve got something on this list that still has some life left in it and you would like to send it to a good home, we’re happy to accept it.

• Bird bags – can’t have enough for test day.
• Camp chairs – judges need to sit when they come in for lunch during the test.
• EZ-Up/Shelter – a malicious wind pretzled our big EZ up on the second day of our Fall Test last year.

If you’ve got something that fits the bill, please email me through the contact form on the Board of Directors page.

That’s all for now. Look for info on our May training day soon and a formal call for test volunteers after that.

Doggedly yours,

Theo Stein
President