TRAINING & TESTING EVENTS
WINTER OBEDIENCE TRAINING
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Each winter, the chapter holds a series of obedience classes geared toward versatile hunting dogs. The cost is $40/trainer and dogs should be 12 months or older with dogs that have applied obedience. It's a great way to continue working your dog in the off season and provide important socialization opportunities all dogs need (people too!). Dates for our 2020 Winter Training are coming soon. Contact Julie Dorfscmidt to secure a spot. A total of 20 spots are available.
Summer Training Grounds are open for Individual or small groups who want to train together. The grounds are used for spring/summer training for upcoming UT, UPT and NA Tests. Test information can be found here.
During the summer, training sessions are held every other Tuesday. The nights begin at 6PM with a time to run and exercise dogs. At 7PM with beging a specific lesson or topic or specific exercies. Each participant is encouraged to take part in the demonstration or discussion. Members may also work on other training (field or water work) with or without other club members after the training exercise starting around 8PM. Training dates can be found in the CDC NAVHDA calendar.
The Summer sessions are located at the chapter's Mandan Training Grounds and Minot Traiing Grounds and meet every other Tuesday. The Mandan Training Grounds are on the property of Dan and Julie Dorfschmidt and the Minot Training Grounds are on the property of Tom and Susan Davy. Directions to both of the grounds can be found here.
Training Ground Rules
See all training ground rules here.
For more information on the Summer Training, please contact the Director of Training - Jason Babinchak
SUMMER FIELD TRAINING
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NATURAL ABILITY TEST, UTILITY PREPARATORY TEST, UTILITY TEST EVENT
The chapter holds an annual field testing weekend that includes the Natural Ability Test, the Utility Preparatory Test, and the Utility Test. This is a great event, with opportunities to volunteer or handle your dog in the test.
Natural Ability Test
The Natural Ability Test is where most new trainers begin with their young dogs, as dogs cannot be older than 16 months at the time of the test. The Natural Ability Test consists of Search and Pointing, Swimming, Pheasant Track, and a Physical examination. The physical examination is part of the dog’s permanent NAVHDA record and is important if the dog is to be used for breeding. Besides the physical attributes, temperament also is noted. Additionally, the dog will be evaluated on Use of Nose, Desire to Work and Cooperation, based upon performance in the other phases. Also, two blank shots will be fired at the beginning of the search to test for any gun-shyness.
Utility Preparatory Test
The Utility Preparatory Test was created to evaluate the versatile dog at the mid-point of its training. It is the logical bridge from Natural Ability Testing to the Utility Testing of a finished gun dog. In the field portion of this test, the intermediate dog is required to find and point birds. The dog is expected to allow the gunner to flush the bird and to remain steady until the gun is fired. The dog is expected to retrieve within one step of the handler. The water portion of the test consists of a short heeling segment followed by a 40-yard retrieve of a thrown duck. Also included in the water portion of this test is an independent water search for a dead duck that has been concealed in vegetation. The last portion of the Utility Preparatory Test involves the tracking and retrieving of a dead bird that has been dragged 50 yards out of sight of the dog. This portion of the test is a test of the dog’s cooperation and obedience. Throughout the entire Utility Preparatory Test, the dog is being evaluated for nose, desire, obedience and cooperation.
Utility Test
The Utility Test is designed to test the finished hunting dog. In field work, the dog is required to search for, find and point game and to retrieve shot birds to hand. It is expected to be steady to wing, shot and fall. It is required to track and retrieve a 100-200 yard drag. In the water sequence, the dog demonstrates heeling through a serpentine course to a blind and then remains by the blind while the handler leaves, goes out of sight and fires two blank shots. After the handler returns to the blind, the dog must remain steady through a sequence of shots and then retrieve a thrown duck from the water. The final test involves a blind search for a live duck across water with emerging vegetation. During the entire Utility Test, the dog is scored on use of nose, desire, stamina, cooperation and obedience.
For more information on these tests or to register your dog, please contact the chapter's Test Secretary - Alison Stebbins and refer to the Test Information Page for registration information, fees, and forms.
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WINTER TRAINING PROGRAM
In the past, during the winter meetings in January, February, and March the chapter invites guest speakers to come and present information related to a variety of topics that may be of interest to members of the chapter. We also have Winter Training that is held to help keep your dog in shape and geared up for Spring Training that begins in May!
BUSINESS MEETINGS
Business meetings will be held throuout the year. Check the CDC NAHVDA Calendar for those dates. Meetings are open to the public and you don't have to be a member to attend. All those interested in versatile breeds or learning to train them are encouraged to attend. If you are interested in the meeting notes, they are recorded in the chapter's publication - The Pointing Dog Press. Email Meghann to be added to the list.
SOCIAL EVENTS
All work and no play? No way! The chapter holds social events throughout the year, as well. These include a Summer Training Kickoff & Potluck Social in late spring or early summer, a fall banquet the weekend of our testing event, a winter social, and annual meeting. Dates for these will be posted on the Welcome page and on the Calendar of Events as they scheduled each year.
