First FT and First FT WIN

[chicken19590]

I and my son are new to Gun Dogs and went to watch one (FT), he was hooked and we found a Walking Trial that we signed up for. Signed up for Derby and Puppy. Dog was at trainers so we had to drive 100 miles on one direction and the drive 180 miles in other direction. Well she ran great in the derby but had no finds, driver of the bird buggy said she smokes all the other dogs but needed a find to win. Lacy was hunting the cover and tree lines 150 yards from handlers and not right at their feet. Well next day was the puppy and she ran great and bumped one bird. All the other dogs hunted right with their handler and had more finds and were more steady. Well I thought she may place but did not hold out hope for that. Sent son up when they were handing out ribbons and said she might get third, he has been handling her. Well he comes back with the blue ribbon and judge comes over and said dog will make a great all age dog and her desire to get out and hunt was far above and dog that run that weekend in the derby and puppy stake. Yes the training at the pro helped alot and we sent her to South Dakota with him and am awaiting her return so we can FT more. We will be up compeating with pro's and I feel that she can win even thou we are as green as it gets. Love the form, read it every night waiting for fall to come.

Tom

[Chukar12]

Wow...look at that! Congratulations it is nice to see a youg person running their dog. I hope he keeps with it, we need young people involved.

Regards,

[Wagonmaster]

Only 8 more points to that FC or AFC. You are in trouble now!

[mudhunter]

Now that's what its about!!! Congrats and have fun!

[tn red]

Congrats great to see you & your son enjoy the dogs together.

[Ruffshooter]

Thats a big congrats. Nice way to start.

Rick

[Hotpepper]

Just one word

S w e e t

Have some fun, seems she is a bird dog with ability, she does not have to be steady yet, she will find lots of birds it seems as well.

Just remember to have some fun, you and the boy and the dog.

Pepper

[Rich Heaton]

Real cool Tom, Congrats. Sounds like you have started the pup out right,,,,, Just a word of advice to your son,,,, Say No to Pigeons,, Not Even Once.

[chicken19590]

She dog has only been on pigons one time with trainer for into to gun and develope prey drive. I understand all about AKC FT and will continue with them but there are alot of US complete AF walking trials close by that are one day trials that we will enter. The dog has her FDSB # and that's all we need to enter. What are the main differances between AKC trials and US Complete AF field trials? Anyone on here do US Complete FT? Also we did one hunt test and had a qualifing score but they had poor flying birds and people said they will lead to bad habits with the dog, son likes the HT but I do not want to screwup things with dog and poor flying birds.

Tom

[slistoe]

Wait till the dog is steady and is placing in broke stakes at the trials and then take a couple of weekends to do the Hunt Test thing. Your dog will be better off for it.

[Chukar12]

why are we saying no to pigeons?

[Hotpepper]

Do everything in your power to NOT let her catch birds and feathers in her mouth, if you hunt her that is a different story but in training, no pigeon or birds in the mouth. It will cause them to want to catch rather than point.

Sounds as though she has plenty of prey drive. Most of all the dogs have the instincts to be what they are bred to do. Keep up the good work and I agree with the staying away from most of the HT stuff, points to a champion like she has already earned are way better

Pepper

[midwestfisherman]

That's a great start! Congrats!!!

[k2k]

Huge congratulations! You must be proud of both your dog and your son! Way to go!

[topher40]

Congrats!!! Your screwed now and there is no turning back!!!

[gar-dog]

Congratulations. That's really awesome that your boy is involved.