Bird Training

heathr · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:13 pm Post subject: Re: Bird Training

Here is Riddick point when he was only 4 wks old...

anne · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:32 pm Post subject: Re: Bird Training

One hour is nothing! I just made a 3 hour one way trip in order so we could run our pup off of horseback this morning! Smile

Yes NAVHDA tests are different from AKC hunt tests. AKC categorizes Weims as "pointing dogs" when in reality they are versatile hunting dogs, in other words, point, retrieve, track and swim. NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) is much more true to how the Germans test their dogs and test for all versatile hunting characteristics of the breed. Titles are awarded but they are given on a point scale. AKC hunt tests are pass or fail and you must have X number of passes in order to get the title.

Regardless of the differences, the field portion of training is the same (the hunting, pointing and retrieving on land part). NAVHDA tends to focus more on training the people to train their own dogs and most chapters have a monthly trianing session. Also at least in our chapter, many NAVHDA people are hunters. It's a good way to meet other people with versatile dogs and will probably lead you to other trainers and so on. The hardest part about getting into field is finding the right "network." ANother thing you can do is if there is a local hunt club, try talking to some people there.

emily · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 1:14 pm Post subject: Re: Bird Training

Thanks Anne, I'm so glad you made the trip over here. You have a wealth of information and I appreciate your help with my basic questions.

anne · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:23 pm Post subject: Re: Bird Training

I'm not sure why you didn't get more responses on the yahoolist. There are a lot of well respected trialers and hunters on that list. I wish I could help you more but I'm way more familiar with the West coast people being from California.

anne · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 3:24 pm Post subject: Re: Bird Training

Oops and make that 3 hours roundtrip. I don't think even I am crazy enough to do 3 hours one way!

emily · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 8:37 pm Post subject: Re: Bird Training

3 hours one way would be a long trip!!!!! Talk about a tired dog AND a tired owner!

Maybe I caught the yahoo list at an off time. Sometimes you have to hit it right or your post gets swallowed and left behind. If I dont' get some help from the local club I will post again there!

RK · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 12:53 am Post subject: Re: Bird Training

heather, riddick, schroeder, and i went out to sauvie island for practice tonight. once schroeder got away from the cow pats (mmm...yummy, dinner!), he did really well and has a very strong prey drive—we really had to restrain him while we went to hide the bird again. the first time schroeder and i went out a few weeks ago, his "point" was more of a frozen stand and stare. this time, he actually did the raised paw point (that we always think of as the "point") the third time he found the bird. it was really cool to see—i wish i'd had a camera to take a picture of it. it would have also been great to get a picture of him with a mouth full of feathers! Laughing

emily · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 5:17 am Post subject: Re: Bird Training

RK that is awesome!!!! Congrats to schroeder. I would have loved to see a picture. Next time!

anne · Posted: Fri Aug 12, 2005 1:16 pm Post subject: Re: Bird Training

One never seems to have a camera at the right moment!! Very cool to see your Weim do what it was bred to do and to see the instincts kick in.