Utility Test

[RichK]

Must a dog take the utility prep test before taking the utility test?

[mtlhdr]

Nope. It's an (optional) opportunity to help you evaluate where your dog is at and provide an opportunity for feedback from the judges.

[RichK]

What exactly is required for the Utility test? The NA test today went quite well so we need to start training for his Utility test this fall.

[Fun dog]

What exactly is required for the Utility test? The NA test today went quite well so we need to start training for his Utility test this fall.

I'm also training for my first UT test. Get the NAVHDA aims book and read it. It will tell you most of what you need to know. I wish that I had watched at least one UT test. I'm fairly certain I will be the week link in this team.

[moxie]

What exactly is required for the Utility test? The NA test today went quite well so we need to start training for his Utility test this fall.

Hi Rich,

The Utility test is the natural progression of dog to a pretty capable Versatile Dog.
The official description is here: http://www.navhda.org/testing/utility-test

Roughly it is a 30 min field hunt, the dog should display a good search, good cooperation, be steady through wing, shot and fall, and retrieve the shot bird to hand.
There is also a drag retrieve section where the dog is also expected to retrieve to hand.

The water section can definitely be one of the more difficult things to prepare for, particularly the Duck Search, especially the first time. The dog is expected to search a pond for a Duck for a minimum of 10 minutes. It's a pretty incredible site to see.

All the nitty gritty can be found here:
http://www.navhda.org/sites/www.navhda. ... 2-2014.pdf

[moxie]

Also, I highly recommend seeking out a chapter that you like in your area. The NAVHDA organization has been instrumental for my family and our dog
http://www.navhda.org/membership-chapte ... nd-members

One more, if you get a chance the Handler's Clinics are a great way to learn about the goals and aims of the test, as well as learning about testing procedure from the judges perspective.
You might even get some training tips, the clinics are lead by Senior Judges so they usually have a great deal of experience handling, training and judging.
http://www.navhda.org/news-events/handler-clinics

Good Luck! We will be started down the same road when we finish our NA test in a two weeks!

[RichK]

Also, I highly recommend seeking out a chapter that you like in your area. The NAVHDA organization has been instrumental for my family and our dog
http://www.navhda.org/membership-chapte ... nd-members

One more, if you get a chance the Handler's Clinics are a great way to learn about the goals and aims of the test, as well as learning about testing procedure from the judges perspective.
You might even get some training tips, the clinics are lead by Senior Judges so they usually have a great deal of experience handling, training and judging.
http://www.navhda.org/news-events/handler-clinics

Good Luck! We will be started down the same road when we finish our NA test in a two weeks!

Thanks for the info!