Working Secretary’s Notes
                      Autumn at the Working Secretary’s Kennel

Well what a summer!
    All that can be said is that it can only get better. At the moment the weather is looking up, it stands need to after the floods, deluge’s, Foot & Mouth crisis, the cancellation and re-siting of tests & shows and any other minor crisis that could be thrown at us.
    The weather usually gets better once the schools are back, but aren’t the nights drawing in and the mornings getting darker? The fruit trees have done very well in our orchard as have the blackberries and we will be having a lot of jam/jelly over winter.
    The dogs do like helping pick the fruit and don’t think a walk is complete without returning with at least one apple to chew on during the day. Its amazing watching them select the best and juciest blackberries and carefully pick them from the prickly stalks.
    Most of the training sessions are now coming to an end as the trainers get ready for the shooting seasons starting and picking up on the estates is getting under way. If you, or your dog feel you need any further advice or practice to get up to standard, feel free to contact any member of the working team who will do all they can to help in any way.
    Our last working event will be the Cold game test near Lincoln and if you are interested do come along as after the test the judges are very willing to answer questions and the cold game will be available, along with the ground to try out your youngsters on or even familiarise yourself with ‘cold game’. Helpers are always needed from bird throwers, stewards, to coffee and bacon butty makers (yes, we usually start off the cold game days with a bacon sandwich) and everything else in between that needs a helping hand.
     We look forward to seeing you with your dogs on the 14th . .
Denise Jury.(Hon Working Secretary)


Where do Dogs Learn Best ?
    The gundog world is very split over whether a dog learns best if kept indoors or kennelled outside. There are positives and negatives on both sides of this argument and in the end it will be left to the individual, family set up, dog in question and the standard of training required from the dog.

    A puppy kept indoors brought up in a family, socialised and guided fairly and firmly could certainly develop into a lovely well adjusted dog who is a delight to have around. The new family who understand a little of canine behaviour, who, as a family attend good classes and all sing from the same hymn sheet will not confuse the dog as to its position in the household by allowing it to gain a higher status than some of the human occupants. A dog is a pack animal and is happy knowing its place in the ‘pack’ or household. It’s when basic instincts are ignored or conflicting orders given that accidents happen. A puppy coming into the house for the first time is a novelty and given a lot more attention than it warrants thus elevating it in its eyes from the bottom of the pecking order. New pups placed on furniture don’t understand when the novelty and newness has worn off, why it is suddenly evicted from the chair, after all the pup hasn’t changed, except to grow a little bigger. My Dachshunds love the big chair in the kitchen but the older ones soon retreat and lean over the edge to tease the new pups or slightly fatter dogs who cannot pile onto the seat and woe betide any youngster who approaches and tries to upgrade itself. It will be well and truly put in its place, but what a picture lights up the pups face when it can eventually jump onto the chair with the older dogs and hold its place against all comers.

    F/c’s are a very easy going breed and don’t get offended or try to push up the pecking order in an aggressive way as some breeds might but they can insidiously upgrade themselves before you realise what is happening or has happened. Even though they will take a push off they still have powerful jaws and big strong bodies especially where small children are concerned. This is why a cage is so useful. It becomes the dogs own retreat where it can escape the attentions of anything, especially children. Where it will not get stood on, accidently kicked, and where it can hide any of its favourite things.

    A dog kept outside in a kennel learns very quickly what you want to teach it, after all its main association with you will be in a learning situation. Housetraining though a little slower than with a house dog is not a problem as most dogs will soil at the farthest point from their sleeping area or nearest to the exit door and soon learn a routine. If the kennel area is big enough and some entertainment is provided chewing will not be a big problem once the baby teeth are shed, as all dogs have to learn patience and understand that they cannot be entertained all the time. After all a working dog is not running around ‘doing’ all the time and many hours are spent just sitting contemplating, this in some very active lines of F/c can produce behavioural problems. Kenneled dogs need other canine company and a fairly strict routine. This reduces stress, barking and other related antisocial habits.

    Living in the house a dog soon learns who it can ignore, who will not pursue a command and it will ‘try it on’ with everyone thus making training that little bit harder. A kennelled dog with only one trainer may have fewer setbacks and therefore come on more quickly in some respects, but beware you cannot start a pup out in the house and then move it into a kennel, problems will arise and bring with them a really confused dog but a pup started in a kennel will when partially trained usually move into the house situation and settle in well. The only problem can be with older dogs who are established in their kennel and don’t take lightly to the more ridged discipline of the house.

    In the end it’s entirely up to you how you rear your F/c. They are a very social and people loving breed but it’s not always practical to have more that one or two in the house at one time but mine learn to come and go from house to kennel and vice versa once the pup knows and understands what a kennel is and who is top dog in the house.
Denise Jury.

                                             **************
                                 Working Test Report -
                                         from Denise Jury
.
      We have just had our first WT of the year at the lovely Wood Hall Hotel & Spa where Malcolm Pickard is the keeper and the hotel welcomes us, we use their loo’s and they supply packed lunches into the bargain. The weather was lovely but did deteriorate towards the afternoon though this didn’t put anyone or the dogs off .
      Special Puppy judged by Janet Allsop with 6 entrants was won by June Bickerstaff’s Garwill Green Bullet with David Showel Handling Dalbyglen Bold Venture by Cleovine to second place. Brian Shepherd our panel judge, see his report later, sorted out the 9 Open entrants but only 4 completed all the retrieves. Of these Peter Griffin was obviously first with Eskwinds Black Moss followed by Julie Matthews with Eskmill Nymph 2nd. Then Gary Ellison handling Blackflight Arrietta with Fred Newton’s Croftgun Imperial 4th. The 16 Novice dogs were judged by both judges and only one completed the 4 retrieves satisfactorily and it was decided to award Jackie Winder’s Windthor’s Charming Miss at Windstock a 2nd place thus not pushing her up into Open competition.
      A little confusion was caused by the panel judge (Brian) marking on Field Trial lines. He awarded grades ie A, B or C for retrieves. No C’s were given as neither were any A+’s. B’s were a failure. This didn’t indicate that the dog had not achieved the retrieve but that the time taken, or manner of the retrieve was not satisfactory for an A or A-. Working Tests are meant to be a preliminary or warm up to FT’s so it is good for people to know how they are marked.
      Another comment upheld by the shooters and dummy throwers was that the open appeared to be slightly easier than the novice, (there was no live game in the area of the open test) but at least everyone in each test started off at the same place so each test was the same for all dogs. Congratulations to those who were placed and lets hope everyone learned something from the days events.


Judges Report

    Brian Shepherd , our judge for April’s Working Test writes: -

      I was pleasantly surprised to see such a good turnout for the NEFRA Working Test and it was nice to be amongst the flatties again. The weather was kind to us most of the day, just a small shower in the afternoon.
In the morning I tested 9 dogs, whilst Janet Allsop tested 5 puppies.With the help of Malcolm Peacock I laid out 3 tests for open dogs which would be quite testing for them. Starting with the marked retrieve with shot on open ground and then to return for a blind 20 yards away from the mark.
      Most dogs performed well with few failures on the blind.
The next test was similar but in woodland, we had a marked retrieve down a ride and a blind at right angles to the descending place which caught some out. Some dogs got lucky as scent was very good, it was a joy to see them after scent 20yrds away. I wanted to see how dogs walked to heel for the 3rd test and how steady they were, 3 dogs in a line walked up at a time through a grass field with a retrieve , a shot and a blind in front. Most dogs did well on the retrieve and i was very impressed with their heelwork.
      Only 4 dogs had gone clean in their test and little to choose between them which meant I had to consult my notes and debate for a while, but Mr P Griffin with Eskwinds Black Moss was the winner, well done to other placed dogs.
After lunch we tested 16 dogs in the novice entry and whilst Janet Allsop did the water retrieve I tried them on two marked retrieves and a blind.
      Sadly the standard was not good with Mrs Winders's bitch, Wingthors Charming Miss at Windstock going clear to which we awarded 2nd place. I am quite sure handlers don’t need me to say that more work needs to be done on the whistle and lots more useful time spent on blind retrieves.

      I really enjoyed the day, good company, good venue and good food. Many Thanks!

*************

WORKING SECRETARY’S REPORT
   from Denise Jury

Woodhall Working Test 2007

Open:
Ist Mr.PeterGriffin with Eskwinds Black Moss
2nd Miss Julie Matthews with Eskmill Nymph
3rd Mr. Gary Ellison with Blackflight Arrietta
4th Mr. F.Newton with Croftgun Imperial


Novice:
No first awarded
2nd Mrs. J. Winder with Windthors Charming Miss at Windstock


Puppy:
1st June Bickerstaffe with Gaewill Green Bullet.
2nd David Showell with Dalbyglen Bold Venture

****************

      Hi again, this is the first from the Kennel this year from me, I wrote the last issue in December.I did think in January that spring was here but Im having second thoughts now as the weather is so cold and the wind chill so severe.
     The working classes have begun with a couple of clubs getting started in March on Sunday afternoons while others are starting in April on the evenings.
Remember if your dog has been in water to dry it off and don’t leave it in a cold damp car whilst you have a warmer in the local before going home.
     Our Spring working test is well under way ,so thank you all those who said they would help, please don’t forget if the weather isn’t good and don’t forget the raffle, we hope to have a good one, with prizes to die for, although we don’t expect you to go that far (our first aider is only so good)
     Don’t forget to support all the other events throughout the year, you asked for them to be put on and it is so disheartening to find everyone has other commitments on the chosen day and then have to be cancelled.
     The organizers know the calendar is full and trying to find a day for a fun event is nearly impossible, then theres finding a venue, another nearly impossibility , so please do try to support it in which ever way you can.
     Well, Ive had my Grouse now, I’ll Duck the returns from you all.
     Have a good season having fun with your dogs, that’s what its all about.

Denise Jury (Hon Working Sec)
     Please note that my telephone and e-mail address have changed. If you need to contact me my telephone number is 01246 856791 and my e-mail is
denisejury@talktalk.net

                            ************************

Advanced training

       Now working tests are becoming so popular especially the AV ones, (which now seem to be the way to go) and labs & Goldens are so good with people training them to such high standards I keep getting asked how to train dogs for various situations that are bound to be thought up by ever resourceful people setting tests to try and make them as different as possible but still keep within the remit of making the test as much like a shooting event as possible.
       One of the tests that has been used for a long time on the continent is the free search. This can take many routes but the essence is the same in all cases, ie a dog will be sent into an area again and again to search and retrieve without having a mark. This is a skill that must be practiced and the dog taught.
The easiest way to start is to place a pile of dummies in a place easily marked by you. Then, if the dog will go out on a blind direct it to the pile, try to check it does not swop dummies once one has been selected. To do this it is helpful if you have the dog in full view to start with and can encourage him back as soon as a dummy is picked. If the dog is not 100% on blinds throw a dummy to land near the pile you have left and send the dog. Again try to stop it swopping dummies but after a few times it will realise they are very similar and not ‘runners’ and with suitable encouragement will have confidence to return with the first picked and if sent back immediately with the usual commands for a blind will go out and pick another dummy. Keep sending it straight back so it goes out in quick succession until all the dummies are retrieved. If the dog forgets where the dummies are or does not believe you want them throw a mark into the area again to remind it. When the dog retrieves all these dummies with no hesitation and no thrown ones to start with begin after the first retrieve to go back from the initial spot about 10yds. Build the distance up till the dog is confident with any distance and will go out without hesitation for any number of dummies. If the dog falters go back a stage and work on it gradually building the distance up. Another variation is to leave the dummies go the required distance from them and sit the dog, then retreat leaving the dog on the sit and then give it a ‘go back’ signal. Finally introduce a direction by moving off to one side at a distance. Once all the variations you can think of have been learnt at one site repeat using different areas. Again if a clear marker was used initially to mark the dummies and the dog is used to looking for the mark this can be moved over a jump, water or any other obstacle where the dog can still see the marker. It teaches straight line retrieving and we all know the quickest way between two points is a straight line and the whole object is to bring shot game back to hand as quickly as possible.

Denise Jury

                            ************************
Disappointment.

     Just because you want an all purpose, all round dog, and do all the necessary homework and reading up etc, go to the best kennels, check all health certificates, see the parents, check out as many relatives as is easily possible etc doesn’t mean you will naturally get an all purpose dog!
      Nowadays we live in a throwaway society and if something isn’t what we hoped it would be, or turns out unsuitable for any reason we get rid of it. What would we do without E-bay? The various Add Mags, or just the corner shop weekly adverts window that has yellowing handwritten adverts crinkling at the edges until another takes its place? But what do you do with the dog who was bought with such high hopes a few months back and now you find he is not completely what you had hoped , or even been promised, he would be. Yes they are usually males. A bitch that isn’t quite up to expectations can be slotted into the background with the thought “At least we can breed from her”! But what of the misfit male?
      Disappointment is not descriptive enough of the feeling you have on finding that the pup you spent good money on buying, feeding and cherishing to the best of your ability is not what you want it to be. The working dog that turns out to be hardmouthed, the trialling dog that can sing ‘God save the Queen’ when in line or the beloved pet that tries to rule you and worst of all the children and no-one wants to have anything to do with and turns you and your family into the local family from hell.
The average dog from a suitable background (and what F/c isn’t)? Has inherited all the genes to make it the ideal family dog that can be come a beloved pet, housedog, or general retriever extraordinaire, but you and your family may need help to consolidate it and gel everyone together. Yes we know the family is very excited at the beginning when the new pup arrives and the pup will need help settling in. Everyone fussing over it can lead the pup to feel it is more important than it is, thus elevating its position in the pack in its eyes. It must learn its place, and that is the bottom of the pack. After all if you elevate it above the children there will be some complaints soon.
      You must learn to think like the dog. Remember a pup grows and understands much more quickly than a child/baby and you cannot bargain with it. A dog lives in the here and now. It is therefore essential you take your new pup to socialisation classes. Even the best trainers have to socialise their own pups. It may meet other dogs on walks, etc but there is nothing like variety in socialising young animals. If you ‘think like a dog’ perhaps socialisation classes will be enough. If you are not so competent or even just like to go to classes yourself for the social event that they are further training is both educational and fun. There is always something to be learnt from a new trainer. A new perspective on an old theme, or perhaps the dog has thrown up some different action you haven’t come across before. It is always useful to pass the problem in front of new faces and they will invariably come up with new remedies. Some will work and some won’t but at least you have new ideas to try. Perhaps it is you getting sloppy in your training and because you know something expect the new dog to as well! If the problem is serious then a one to one with a trainer is good, usually you need the whole family there. In that case it is often best if the trainer visits your house and sees the problem in ‘situe’ as it were and can offer real concrete advice. Remember everyone has to learn and a few minutes time spent in the early stages can save hours of heartbreak and frustration later on, and remember you always take home the best dog to the best household and family.

Denise Jury.

                            ************************
2007 working dates to hand at the moment . . .

      The Spring Working Test is again being held at the Woodhall Hotel near Whetherby just off the A1 on the 15th April 2007. The management are delighted to have us again as is the keeper Malcolm Pickard and we are very grateful to them for the use of the hotel for both the super loos and freshening up facilities, such a boon if the weather is inclement, the lunches etc and perhaps most importantly, if the weather is not so good the hard standing for cars away from the hotel so dogs can be exercised easily. The new cup donated by the hotel ( The Ceilidh Cup) for a complete working dog, i.e. with points in both WT’s and on the shooting field, will have been donated previously at the AGM, but the new cups donated by Qwen Knight in memory of Dr Nancy Laughton will be ‘up for grabs’ by the judges choice.
      The autumn W.T. will be held at Home Farm, Foremark hopefully on the 9th September but as our host Stewart is away in China the date has yet to be confirmed.
      The Cold Game Test again will be near Lincoln at the Riseholm Farms on the 14th October.

      After the great success of the training day in 2006 there will be two held in 2007 One in August at the shooting ground near Preston and the other at Farnsfield near Mansfield. These dates will completely fill your diary, even if you don’t show your F/c because to get full pleasure and develop your dog to your and his best potential you should also be a member of an ‘any variety, gundog group, of which there must be one in your area. If you contact any member of the working committee they will hopefully be able to tell you of clubs near to you. Being a member of an AV club helps you to see at what stage your F/c is actually. We as owners who perhaps are not into shooting etc are a little lax on the obedience side of our training.

Denise Jury (Hon Work Sec)

                                           ****************
Growing up ‘Will he grow out of it’
      We all know the nursery rhyme about ‘How does your garden grow’ we all know, or can find out very easily how fast our ‘garden grows’. We are also bombarded with advice about how our children develop or ‘grow’. In fact there are official tests set out testing our children and us to ensure they are ‘growing’ in the official manner. These change with the generations but never mind, progress has to be made. The same is true about dogs.
     The optimum age for pups to join their human families used to be 7 weeks of age. I remember at one time it descended to 6 weeks now it is up to 8 weeks. It is known that dogs develop more rapidly than humans and that by 5 weeks of age a pup’s brain is similar to an adult dog. He is capable and does learn, note that by 3-4 weeks of age a pup will leave its sleeping area to relieve itself and by 8 weeks of age, when he joins his human family he has already certain facts imprinted in his brain. It is therefore very important for socialisation and training to begin as soon as the pup joins its new household. We used to leave certain training till a pup was 6 months old but by that age it will have learned a lot about you and be behaving in ways that may produce problems for you in his later life that were not necessarily problems when he was 5 weeks old. What happened to the 8 week old pup that followed you everywhere and always came as soon as you called? Where is he at 12m playing chase with you and keeping just out of reach so he cannot have his leader put on?
     We have all come across the pup who nips, does not come when called, will not be left on its own without showing distress or chewing, the pup who tries to dominate its family and even its environment to the upset of all. Excusing a small dog or pup because he is just a pup is fine but what happens when he is adult and continues with the unacceptable behaviour just because he has never been told it’s unacceptable? It’s not his fault, he’s never been told. How do you cope? How do you teach him to become a much-loved member of your family? Relying on the fact that he’ll grow out of it hasn’t worked. So what do you do?
     The new pup should be well settled in his new home and well into the routine of the household by 12 weeks of age. Guide dogs for the blind are sent to their walkers at 6 weeks of age and the association feels it’s worth while to get the pups injected early and exposed to as many situations as possible as early as possible to imprint on young brains what is acceptable and what is not.
     Training sessions will be brief; pups do not concentrate for long and need, like all young things, to sleep as that is growing time. People seem surprised when they find that after a couple of meals the pup comes on hearing the refrigerator door, sits and waits for his food. He has learnt so quickly it is in his best interests to be on hand when the fridge door opens. Think about it? If everything you want to teach him is put into this line of thinking he will learn very quickly. Remember he will also learn less desirable things just as quickly. Once a routine is set, be it good or bad, it’s very hard to break and relearn.
     Fear is also learnt and you must be very careful that a pup is not traumatised by a bad experience. Here plenty of fuss and attention and treats can distract a pup from letting such a situation develop and turn it into a learning time ensuring that the pup knows you are its safety and it will responds to your call because a bond and trust have been built up between you.
Denise Jury.