Titles and Ages.......
Posted: Sun Mar 24, 2024 12:36 pm
For those who run hun tests, as an average, what would you say you have seen for ages for earning titles at the various levels (JH, SH, MH)?
I say this, with us knowing it is all dependent on the the dog and the training.
I think a bit pitfall many fall into (include me), is putting a timeline out there. I think it is a good idea to have a timeline as a way of setting goals to work towards. However, I think a timeline is a catch 22. It can force us to push the dog too fast, advancing to advanced topics before they are truly ready.
Our youngest picked up her JH at 9.5 months. My goal for 2024 was SH. She has breezed through yard work and some field work. To the point that I started thinking, heck, SH in spring and some MH passes in the fall may be possible. Could she reach MH before she was 2 in December?
Well........
We hit some major road blocks when we started transitioning to Quail and SH type runs.
Dog is steady to wing, shot and fall, all day long on pigeons with the blank pistol. Thought, nice. Well, transitioned to a "hunting" type of field, with quail and the 20ga and she went knucklehead! It only took one session before she was steady to fall with the quail (reasonably well), but not reliable and she started to lose focus and creep.
So, we are going back to a CC, launchers and birds in the air at the slightest movement.
For the steadiness, we are taking the launchers and quail to the "hunting" field. Bringing her in on the CC. Then having one person hold the CC with very little slack. I launch the birds and shoot. If she moves, I play dog and go get the bird. If she stays steady, I'll send her.
Long story short, she was entered in SH tests every weekend in April.
Based on where she is however, I'm pulling her from all tests. I pains me to do it. But, I want to go into the tests knowing she can do it (also knowing she may have a bad test or two), rather than wondering!
SH this year will still happen. Just not on my timeline!
The joys of trying to steady a Ferrari, at such a young age. LOL
I say this, with us knowing it is all dependent on the the dog and the training.
I think a bit pitfall many fall into (include me), is putting a timeline out there. I think it is a good idea to have a timeline as a way of setting goals to work towards. However, I think a timeline is a catch 22. It can force us to push the dog too fast, advancing to advanced topics before they are truly ready.
Our youngest picked up her JH at 9.5 months. My goal for 2024 was SH. She has breezed through yard work and some field work. To the point that I started thinking, heck, SH in spring and some MH passes in the fall may be possible. Could she reach MH before she was 2 in December?
Well........
We hit some major road blocks when we started transitioning to Quail and SH type runs.
Dog is steady to wing, shot and fall, all day long on pigeons with the blank pistol. Thought, nice. Well, transitioned to a "hunting" type of field, with quail and the 20ga and she went knucklehead! It only took one session before she was steady to fall with the quail (reasonably well), but not reliable and she started to lose focus and creep.
So, we are going back to a CC, launchers and birds in the air at the slightest movement.
For the steadiness, we are taking the launchers and quail to the "hunting" field. Bringing her in on the CC. Then having one person hold the CC with very little slack. I launch the birds and shoot. If she moves, I play dog and go get the bird. If she stays steady, I'll send her.
Long story short, she was entered in SH tests every weekend in April.
Based on where she is however, I'm pulling her from all tests. I pains me to do it. But, I want to go into the tests knowing she can do it (also knowing she may have a bad test or two), rather than wondering!
SH this year will still happen. Just not on my timeline!
The joys of trying to steady a Ferrari, at such a young age. LOL