Retrieving

The breeder of your pup talked about all the field titles his dogs had - field events that tested the dogs natural desire and trainability - who knew! They sounded like fun and the pup as it turns out likes to retrieve, well, "like" may be a bit of an understatement, he is a bit obsessed and if you trip over one more tennis ball that is dropped at your feet... So just how do you go about getting started in the world of field?

Those interested in obedience have a wealth of information available to them and depending ...

There you are at your very first Working Certificate test, your number comes up and you run your dog, you are elated, both birds come back to you, eventually to hand, it's hard to stop smiling! You wait anxiously for the call backs (when the marshal announces which dogs are "called back" to run the water tests), certain that your number will be included, they are finally read out and ...

Woo Hoo! You've passed your very first Working Certificate (WC) test, you are now the proud owner of "Toller WC", ah what a day that was, watching him retrieve those birds on land and in the water. He has such fun when you are training him and the day at the test was a blast, it's obvious that you can't stop here, after all, if you are resting on your laurels you are wearing them on the wrong end! So now it's time to look at the Working Certificate Intermediate (WCI) test.
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You are still in shock. It's been a week already and still you sit and stare at that beautiful brown rosette with "WCI" emblazoned on it, it doesn't seem real. Amazed doesn't even begin to describe your feelings. You are so proud of this accomplishment. Who would have known that the maniac you started training just 2 seasons before could actually learn to sit and watch marks ...

I'm working on putting together some tips on how to start working your dog a bit in the field. Whether you are eager to get your dog in the field trial game, or to run a working certificate or junior hunter test, or if you just want to have some fun with your dog ...

CKC Hunting tests offer three levels of testing - Junior, Senior and Master Hunter. Dogs must pass three tests at the Junior and four at the Senior levels and five at the Master level to earn titles. The tests are non competitive so the titles earned (JH, SH, MH) follow a dog's registered name.
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The ultimate challenge for retriever owners are the Field Trials! These tests are designed to test both the dog and the handler. Differing from the Working Certificate tests, the Retrieving Trials are competitive, meaning the dogs are competing against each other. It works as a series of eliminations until the best dogs are remaining to take the award placements.

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The Working Certificate trials are designed to be somewhat 'easier' than the Hunting and Field trial competitions, as they realize that most Retrievers will not be as thoroughly trained as those who compete in hunting trials. The Work Certificate trials are devised to be simple land and water tests using ducks, game birds, or pigeons. These tests are designed to demonstrate the following natural abilities of a retriever: accurate marking and memory of falls, intelligence, attention, style, good nose, perseverance, desire and trainability.

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