German Test AZP Prize 1
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2004 9:30 am
Yesterday was my first experience with the German Test AZP. Even though Retta's shoulder wasn't 100%, we participated in the test. I was willing to pull her if she showed signs of pain and tenderness.
We made it through the field portion, searching, use of nose and manors on pointing for 20 minutes. She pointed and held steady on two chukars. NO ADDITIONAL PAIN YET.
We made it through the hare (rabbit) drag of 500 meters. This was only the 3 rd time she had been asked to retrieve a rabbit. STILL NO ADDITIONAL PAIN.
We made it through the duck seach, 15 minutes in heavy cover. I thought that this would be the portion that would cause the most pain for her. Several times when she was in the rushes we could hear her wimper as she got hung up. She emerged and finished this portion. When she hit dry ground that was a moment of hesitation as she tested her shoulder. STILL NO APPARENT ADDITIONAL PAIN.
We made it through the blind retrieve of duck and the gun sensitivity on the dead duck retrieve. STILL NO APPARENT ADDITIONAL PAIN.
Next came the last part, a 150 meter feather drag. She was slowing down, but still made a great retrieve.
Her final score was all 4's (4 being the highest) with a three in the retrieving catagory which was entirely my fault (handler error). Retta received a final AZP Prize 1 score.
I learned yesterday that Retta has a great deal more heart and drive than what I gave her credit for. She is stiff and sore this morning, but otherwise herself. I will be taking her in for an xray tomorrow to make sure that there is nothing seriously wrong with the shoulder. Gotta get her back to 100% since our grouse season will start in two weeks.
Hope everyone else's weekend was as good as Retta's and mine.
We made it through the field portion, searching, use of nose and manors on pointing for 20 minutes. She pointed and held steady on two chukars. NO ADDITIONAL PAIN YET.
We made it through the hare (rabbit) drag of 500 meters. This was only the 3 rd time she had been asked to retrieve a rabbit. STILL NO ADDITIONAL PAIN.
We made it through the duck seach, 15 minutes in heavy cover. I thought that this would be the portion that would cause the most pain for her. Several times when she was in the rushes we could hear her wimper as she got hung up. She emerged and finished this portion. When she hit dry ground that was a moment of hesitation as she tested her shoulder. STILL NO APPARENT ADDITIONAL PAIN.
We made it through the blind retrieve of duck and the gun sensitivity on the dead duck retrieve. STILL NO APPARENT ADDITIONAL PAIN.
Next came the last part, a 150 meter feather drag. She was slowing down, but still made a great retrieve.
Her final score was all 4's (4 being the highest) with a three in the retrieving catagory which was entirely my fault (handler error). Retta received a final AZP Prize 1 score.
I learned yesterday that Retta has a great deal more heart and drive than what I gave her credit for. She is stiff and sore this morning, but otherwise herself. I will be taking her in for an xray tomorrow to make sure that there is nothing seriously wrong with the shoulder. Gotta get her back to 100% since our grouse season will start in two weeks.
Hope everyone else's weekend was as good as Retta's and mine.
