Activities to do with your GunDog
Showing
There are lots Shows each year at which there may be either many breeds represented, a group of breeds or a single breed, depending on the type of event. A dog show is an event where dogs are judged against the Dogs Australia Breed Standard.The many breeds of dogs, some quite rare, are a constant source of surprise to those who are not familiar with this quite fascinating recreation.
Most visitors to Shows are immediately impressed with the beautiful condition of the dogs being shown. An excellent hobby, pastime and or sport for you and your pedigree dogs. Shows give prospective puppy owners an excellent opportunity to view the many breeds available to them, and the chance to talk to breeders. This can help them to make a better informed decision when purchasing their next best friend.
Retrieving
Retrieving trials are conducted over the cooler months, late March to September each year. They are events for working registered Gundogs that test a dog's ability both on land and in or through water in the field under conditions which emulate as closely as possible those which would be found whilst hunting. At the same time bring the work of each dog within an ambit of equality where assessment may be fairly made.
Retrieving trials test the handlers and their dogs, and are an opportunity to see Gundogs doing the very work for which they were bred. The dogs love to do it, the handlers enjoy the social aspects of being with other people and their dogs, and all enjoy the competitive nature of this outdoor sport.
The Retrieving CLub of WA (Inc) hold beginner classes for people wishing to be involved in Retrieving.
Obedience
Obedience trials are a sport, and it is expected that all participants will be guided by the principles of good sportsmanship both inside and outside of the ring. Obedience Trials demonstrate the dog and handler’s ability to work together with precision and publicly showcase the training that has been undertaken to achieve this. Classes are designed to be progressive, allowing the dog and handler to grow in skill and experience as titles are earned. The performance of the dog and handler in the ring must be accurate and correct according to these rules and regulations. It is also essential that the dog demonstrates willingness and enjoyment while it is working and that the handler demonstrates smooth and natural handling without using harsh commands.
Obedience training is one of the best things you can do for you dog. The great personal satisfaction one achieves from turning an uncontrollable dog into a well mannered member of you family is tremendous. Thousands of people attend obedience classes every week. They are open to all dogs regardless of pedigree, breed, size and parentage and handlers come from all walks of life.
After a few weeks, the dog and handler may be promoted to a higher class. A few months pass and the owner and family have a happy, well trained canine friend. Most owners are content to use these training sessions to achieve a well socialised and obedient family member. Some owners enjoy their training so much that they go on to enter competitions and gain obedience titles with their dog.
Rally
Rally events should demonstrate a dog's willingness and enjoyment. To that end, Handlers may use verbal praise and encouragement of the dog on the Rally course. All participants in the Rally Classes are required to perform the same exercises in substantially the same way so that the quality of the various performances may be compared and scored.
The purpose of Rally is to demonstrate a dog’s usefulness as a companion of mankind, not merely the dog’s ability to follow specified routines in the ring. Dogs which compete in Rally are dogs that have been trained and conditioned to work with their handler, and in the presence of other dogs. The objective of Rally is to provide a fast-moving and motivational sport for both Handler and dog that demonstrates competency in basic obedience exercises without the precision of the formal Obedience Classes.
Trick Dog Tests
Trick Dog Tests encourage owners and handlers to teach their dogs skills and to display various behaviours in a positive and fun environment. The rules are designed in such a way that handlers and dogs of all abilities are able to compete on an equal footing. The objective in Trick Dog Test training and competition is for the dog and handler to perform a selection of tricks, presented with obvious cooperation between a dog who is willing and working well and a supportive handler. Tricks allow us to improve communication and thereby increase our bond with our dogs.
Field Trials
Field Trials are for Gundogs that are restricted to different categories, All Pointing Breeds, Pointers and Setters, Spaniels and Retrievers and Utility Gundogs. Each have their own set of rules based on the idea of friends going out for a day's shooting. The dogs and handlers work in braces (pairs) and the dogs work to indicate the game, with the second dog honouring, or backing up the first dog. The game is then flushed, shot and retrieved.
In WA as there is no shooting season, it is only possible to have Members' Competitions. However, in other States with shooting seasons, various types of Trials are held when game and conditions are favourable.
Agility
Agility is an exciting spectator sport which always draws large crowds wherever it is conducted with agility demonstrations held at many fetes, fairs and agricultural shows. Agility training and trials are conducted by many of the Dogs West affiliated clubs.
It is a dog competition open to all dogs. The aim of this competition is for a Handler to direct his dog around a course of different obstacles to assess and enhance the ability of the dog and Handler to work as a team. It is an educational and sporting activity intended to improve the dog's integration into society. The sport requires a good rapport between dog and Handler, which results in perfect teamwork. Whilst speed of the dog is to be desired, steadiness of work is essential to a faultless performance of the course.
Tracking
Tracking is an organised sport where it is vitally important that the dog and handler work as a team. The handler must be able to 'read' his dog's body language to know whether the dog is on the right track. It is a sport which involves a lot of time in setting up and laying the track before the trial. The dog is required to locate the Tracklayer at the end of a track up to 1.2 kilometre in length and after a time of up to 3 hours.
The idea of Tracking Trials is to encourage dogs to make use of their strongest faculty by emulating as closely as possible, the seeking and finding of a missing person while acknowledging that in the interests of a fair assessment, the tracks cannot be aimless wanderings more likely to characterise the trail of a lost person nor include the possible machinations of one deliberately trying to deceive any following dog. In all other ways sight should never be lost that it is a person being followed and every aspect of the track must relate to a person and, in the case of articles, must be items of personal possession.
Scent Work
Scent Work is a sport that is based on the task of working detection dogs to locate an odour and communicate to the handler that the odour has been found. Detection is done in a variety of environments and often during changing weather or environmental conditions. It is a positive, challenging activity that allows dogs the opportunity to use their strongest natural sense in a way that is fun, engaging, and builds and strengthens a foundation of trust between the handler and dog.
Dogs are trained to recognise specific odours, and to alert their handlers when the odours are detected. Dogs may paw, bark, point with their nose or body, sit, lie down, or use any other non-destructive behaviour to communicate the location of the odour. Handlers take their dogs through a search area which may be set up in a variety of environments.
The dog and handler must work together as a team. The handler is part of the team, using body language and verbal encouragement to ensure all sections of the search area are covered, directing the dog’s search only when necessary and indicating to the Judge when the dog has found the odour. Communication with and praise of the dog during the search are encouraged.
Please contact DogsWest to find your nearest club or training provider.