Beanwood
Administrator
We had our first working test for Bramble today. I can honestly say I was terrified! I entered it months ago, really to just highlight our gaps in training. When the day arrived, it struck me how serious everyone was. So...here goes...
We arrived early at the venue, a glorious day, which promised to be very warm. Tbh, I was completely in two minds, because of the op Bramble had on Thursday, combined with the anticipated hot temperatures. But well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. We weren't in competition, just there to have fun. If I was at all worried we could withdraw at any time.
It all looked very "official" lots of people, judges, competitors, helpers all milling around. We made our way to the start, signed in and received our armband with our running order. In total, there were 11 retrievers. All apart from one other had already competed, and a number of times. OK...I thought at this point struggling with a serious bout of nerves!
Test 1
Our number was called, and we made our way on lead to the starting point. We met the judge, who described the task. Two marked retrieves, fairly close together (for us anyhow!). The judge would indicate which one he wanted Bramble to retrieve. We made our way to the starting point, my legs are like jelly! The test starts as soon as you take the lead off. Two dummies were thrown, and a pause. Which seemed like an eternity! Then ( phew..) were asked to retrieve a dummy. The aim is to handle quietly, no fuss, or talking apart from the minimum of cues. No rewarding, until the lead is back on the dog. Everything has to be smooth. Hmmm... a big ask for me as I am usually sooo kack-handed! Total marks for the completed 2 retrieves were 20. Bramble ran out nicely, picked and delivered to hand neatly. Back into heel, waited, and then sent out for the second dummy. Perfect! We scored full marks 20/20.
Test 2
This was a toughie. Two true blinds, no marker, into cover. Blimey! Again, a quiet walk into position then, the judge explained there were two dummies "somewhere" out there, pointing vaguely between two posts. Hmmm. OK, off with the lead, and sent her out for a blind. Out she goes, straight as a die, I gave her a quick hunt cue, and she finds a dummy, brings it back, perfect hand delivery. The second one and it goes a bit wrong! She catches sight of the dummy thrower and ambles towards him, eyeing him somewhat suspiciously. I managed to handle her back to into position, but she is distracted. So I make a big mistake, instead of keeping her out, I recall her back, and send her back out. In training this would be perfectly fine, in a working test, nope this signals the end of that particular test. Oops! As it was, I managed to stop and resend her, docked a LOT of marks ...12/20. But blinds are our downfall. and tbh, I was overjoyed that she went out in the first place!
Bramble though, was acutely aware that something went "wrong" and looked upset...oh dear..
Test 3
Fairly straightforward, but Bramble by this time was stressed. Very hot and a bit down. As we were ahead of schedule, it was decided to crack on with test 3. I sighed, Bramble needed a boost, and a break but it was not to be. I was in a bit of a turmoil, but we headed out anyway.
So, test 3, a seen retrieve into cover, when the dog was retrieving, another was thrown out, so in effect, the second dummy was blind. No problem, out for the first seen into cover, then out for the blind. She normally hunts well, but not today. She got there in the end with some heavy handling by me. I guess it didn't help at this time the temperature was soaring, the air was still, deadening any scent. Bramble again was mystified by the dummy thrower! 13/20 points scored. A shame as this test she would have nailed in more comfortable circumstances.
Then it was a break for lunch. One of the competitors, also a judge, popped over to check Bramble and gave her some gentle massage and encouragement. After some rest, a frozen kong, spritz of water and she was good to go! Just as well as.....
Test 4
Another toughie! Oh God! I thought. I had to walk up to the judge...then walk Bramble off lead, with the judge, Only perhaps 15 metres, but felt like forever! Bramble walked beautifully, slow measured steps, just getting a little ahead of me just at the end. Then into a neat heel. Then a marked retrieve. Again, she nailed it. Followed by a second throw of the dummy. But wait....I had to retrieve it...leaving Bramble in a sit, walk 10 metres, collect dummy and return to the judge. I shouldn't have worried, she sat quietly waiting for me. 15/20. Docked points because I rushed a bit...heck I was more than happy with that!
So that was it, we weren't in the running for prizes, but we didn't care, I was thrilled that we did it, under fairly challenging circumstances.
Would I do it again....hmmm....ask me in a week or two!
We arrived early at the venue, a glorious day, which promised to be very warm. Tbh, I was completely in two minds, because of the op Bramble had on Thursday, combined with the anticipated hot temperatures. But well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. We weren't in competition, just there to have fun. If I was at all worried we could withdraw at any time.
It all looked very "official" lots of people, judges, competitors, helpers all milling around. We made our way to the start, signed in and received our armband with our running order. In total, there were 11 retrievers. All apart from one other had already competed, and a number of times. OK...I thought at this point struggling with a serious bout of nerves!
Test 1
Our number was called, and we made our way on lead to the starting point. We met the judge, who described the task. Two marked retrieves, fairly close together (for us anyhow!). The judge would indicate which one he wanted Bramble to retrieve. We made our way to the starting point, my legs are like jelly! The test starts as soon as you take the lead off. Two dummies were thrown, and a pause. Which seemed like an eternity! Then ( phew..) were asked to retrieve a dummy. The aim is to handle quietly, no fuss, or talking apart from the minimum of cues. No rewarding, until the lead is back on the dog. Everything has to be smooth. Hmmm... a big ask for me as I am usually sooo kack-handed! Total marks for the completed 2 retrieves were 20. Bramble ran out nicely, picked and delivered to hand neatly. Back into heel, waited, and then sent out for the second dummy. Perfect! We scored full marks 20/20.
Test 2
This was a toughie. Two true blinds, no marker, into cover. Blimey! Again, a quiet walk into position then, the judge explained there were two dummies "somewhere" out there, pointing vaguely between two posts. Hmmm. OK, off with the lead, and sent her out for a blind. Out she goes, straight as a die, I gave her a quick hunt cue, and she finds a dummy, brings it back, perfect hand delivery. The second one and it goes a bit wrong! She catches sight of the dummy thrower and ambles towards him, eyeing him somewhat suspiciously. I managed to handle her back to into position, but she is distracted. So I make a big mistake, instead of keeping her out, I recall her back, and send her back out. In training this would be perfectly fine, in a working test, nope this signals the end of that particular test. Oops! As it was, I managed to stop and resend her, docked a LOT of marks ...12/20. But blinds are our downfall. and tbh, I was overjoyed that she went out in the first place!
Bramble though, was acutely aware that something went "wrong" and looked upset...oh dear..
Test 3
Fairly straightforward, but Bramble by this time was stressed. Very hot and a bit down. As we were ahead of schedule, it was decided to crack on with test 3. I sighed, Bramble needed a boost, and a break but it was not to be. I was in a bit of a turmoil, but we headed out anyway.
So, test 3, a seen retrieve into cover, when the dog was retrieving, another was thrown out, so in effect, the second dummy was blind. No problem, out for the first seen into cover, then out for the blind. She normally hunts well, but not today. She got there in the end with some heavy handling by me. I guess it didn't help at this time the temperature was soaring, the air was still, deadening any scent. Bramble again was mystified by the dummy thrower! 13/20 points scored. A shame as this test she would have nailed in more comfortable circumstances.
Then it was a break for lunch. One of the competitors, also a judge, popped over to check Bramble and gave her some gentle massage and encouragement. After some rest, a frozen kong, spritz of water and she was good to go! Just as well as.....
Test 4
Another toughie! Oh God! I thought. I had to walk up to the judge...then walk Bramble off lead, with the judge, Only perhaps 15 metres, but felt like forever! Bramble walked beautifully, slow measured steps, just getting a little ahead of me just at the end. Then into a neat heel. Then a marked retrieve. Again, she nailed it. Followed by a second throw of the dummy. But wait....I had to retrieve it
...leaving Bramble in a sit, walk 10 metres, collect dummy and return to the judge. I shouldn't have worried, she sat quietly waiting for me. 15/20. Docked points because I rushed a bit...heck I was more than happy with that! So that was it, we weren't in the running for prizes, but we didn't care, I was thrilled that we did it, under fairly challenging circumstances.
Would I do it again....hmmm....ask me in a week or two!
