General NSTRA procedure and edicate HELP !!

[Wilderbirds]

I got around to asking this a little late. I am entered in two runs tomorrow, and would appreciate a general how-to run through. The dog I'm running is 4 yo and has good manners, but has only hunted with our pack members.

I just want to make sure I come across as being as well mannered, as him. And don't want to screw up a brace mates score.

Is it proper to whistle, or call him back in bounds?

If he appears about to bust another dogs point, do I call, or whistle him off, or whoa him? I realize that would not be a scoreable back, but is there anything else wrong with it?

If my dog goes on point, I call the point, and move to the bird? If honored by the other dog, I wait for _____ seconds, minutes for other handler to reach his dog?

If my dog backs, must he remain in same spot, until retrieve is completed, or can I lead him off in the opposite direction?

Any other hints about beginner screw ups? Especially those that tick you off?

[kninebirddog]

I got around to asking this a little late. I am entered in two runs tomorrow, and would appreciate a general how-to run through. The dog I'm running is 4 yo and has good manners, but has only hunted with our pack members.

I just want to make sure I come across as being as well mannered, as him. And don't want to screw up a brace mates score.

Is it proper to whistle, or call him back in bounds?

Yes you can whistle scream yell to get your dog back in...Generally your bracemate will more then likely be someplace else in the field this is why they have the Blaze orange rule in the field

If he appears about to bust another dogs point, do I call, or whistle him off, or whoa him? I realize that would not be a scoreable back, but is there anything else wrong with it?

Do what ever you need to do to try and prevent him form taking out the bracemates bird should the occasion arise

If my dog goes on point, I call the point, and move to the bird? If honored by the other dog, I wait for _____ seconds, minutes for other handler to reach his dog?

You have to wait till the handler or if the judge will collar the dog..The judge will tell you..Also ask the judge if your unsure about something

If my dog backs, must he remain in same spot, until retrieve is completed, or can I lead him off in the opposite direction?

Yes you must hold your dog until the retriev is completed OR if the handler missed and elects to stay for the retrieve your only to be held up for no more then 3 minutes unless something happens and your dog rebacks..look at your judge ..when the judge says you can lead your dog out of the area head off besure to get your dogs attention on a new direction so that he doesn't chase after the same bird the other dog is going for..but again Look to your judge

Any other hints about beginner screw ups? Especially those that tick you off?

SAFETIES and HAve fun don't get hung up in corners and Lord knows there will always be the would ahve should haves and Handler errors...
Besure Not to move once your dog has gone for the retrieve you can reach for a bird but you must remain in the same spot

[jlmyers]

I'm a bit of a newbie to the site and in my first year of NSTRA, but I can provide some insight to your questions.

Whistling is fine, pretty much any time during the brace. You can whistle a dog back inbounds or even to call him to come to you or to call him off a bird that he's bumped and may be chasing. I have heard that excessive whistling or yelling by a handler will lower your obedience score.

You definitely want to prevent your dog from interferring with another dogs point. Whistle him off or whoa him. Then go to him immediately take ahold of his collar until your bracemate has flushed, shot and retrieved the bird.

If your dog points, raise your hand and call the point. You are expected move to the bird. (make sure the judge is near by to score the point.) If the other dog is backing, you are expected to give the other handler time to get to his dog and get him under control. I would ask the judge while you are in the field, to be clear, what he expects you to do.

If your dog backs you are expected to go to him and take control of him. Most people will get a hold of the collar and kneel down next to their dog. You should control your dog until bird is flushed, shot, and retrieved. The back will be scored based on what happens up til the time you take control of him.

The best thing to do is ask the judges any questions that you have. Let them know you are a newbie and they will cut you some slack. For example at my first trial, my dog went on point and I forgot to call point. The point was pretty obvious, but the judge reminded me that I needed to call the point, before whoaing my dog. As far as I can tell, the judge didn't dock us any points for that transgression.

One newbie thing that annoys me a little is when the other handler and dog hunt the same patch of ground as my dog. Another dog running around my dog definitely distracts me and alters the way my dog hunts. There will be times that the two dogs are hunting near each other, but when the other dog spends more time hunting in front of me than hunting in front of the other handler, I get a little annoyed.

Hope you have a great time! Remember that trialing is a different game from hunting, so don't be surprised if your dog doesn't do as well in the trail as he typically does hunting. The other thing to keep in mind is that as confusing as this new hunting format may be to you, it will probably be equally confusing to your dog. (Your dog doesn't have the advantage of reading the rules before hand!)

Let us know how it goes.

Jim Myers