Field Training at Delaney

Mission: To support the training, education,
and improvement of all dogs and handlers

The LRCGB Field Committee has secured Delaney Wildlife Area for field training on Tuesdays, from March 24 through Oct 6, 2015.  

This is a peer-to-peer training group that is not intended to provide 
formal instruction outside of the Beginners Class.  Everyone is responsible
for interpreting the curriculum and determining the set-up for the training group. 

The Tuesday night training group is open to LRCGB members only, with modest accommodation for guests.

Participation Fees & Policies

• Pre-pay for the season: $50 for first dog
• Pre-pay for the season: $25 each for 2nd and 3rd dog; no cost for each additional dog
• Drop In: $10 per dog per day

All Beginners Class participants are encouraged to join the training group after the class is over - even if you're not (yet) a LRCGB member. For those class members new to field work, the participation fee will be waived.  For repeat clients of the Beginners Class the fee for their first dog will be reduced to $25.

Drop-ins must sign up for that week in order to attend (see below).

Weekly electronic sign-up will be provided, both pre-paids and drop-ins should indicate their intent to attend, and the session they'll attend, by 5pm the day prior (Monday).   Please be accurate on your estimated arrival time.

While we strive for fairness, team assignments are never perfect. Please be flexible, open, and
supportive of throwing for more dogs than you run.

What You Can Expect

• The early training session will start at 3:30pm and run until dogs have completed their exercises or until dark.  If you arrive at 4pm, you'll have to move to the later group. For the span of the Beginners Class (Apr 21-June 2), this early group will concede grounds to the Beginners Class at 6pm.

• The later training session will start at 5:30 and run until dark.

• Each week's set up will follow a prearranged syllabus, and the group is encouraged to manage the set-up to accomodate dogs at varying levels.

• Weekly preregistration is helpful. Each week, please indicate your preference for early or late sessions.

• Adhoc training sessions are okay if you arrive in between the early and late sessions. Feel free to run drills with bumpers only and be sure to not disturb the organized training group. At the 5:30 witching hour, all adhoc training ceases and the formal training group begins.   

• Start times are important. Training groups create the best experience for all when folks arrive in/around the same time. As a courtesy to your fellow trainers, please plan to arrive within 1/2 hour of the designated start time. 

 

What's Expected of Participants

We frequently have many dogs to run before we lose daylight. The group needs to know the number of people and dogs coming so we can optimize the set-up and running order. Every Sunday, you will receive an email asking you to: 1) Register for that Tuesday's session; 2) provide the number of dogs; 3) choose your training session time. Please RSVP by Monday, 5pm. 

• All Delaney users are required to work at least one (if not more) official field events.

• You must register below in order to receive the weekly emails. Please register if you plan to participate at any time this season, even if you only intend to drop in occasionally.

• We should all raise our knowledge in bird placement and challenge our set ups. The group will intrerpet the syllabus togeher. If the group stutters, then swiftly "appoint" a leader by drawing straws. 

• Be prepared to work in the field and provide equipment.  The club will supply popper guns and gun stands, popper shells, and possibly wingers. Please bring holding blinds and other equipment. At a minimum, handlers are expected to have a duck call, whistle, working radio and a pistol.

• Ducks will be used every week. Bring 1 duck for every dog you run,- tag and label your duck for easy identification. 

• Please make sure your dog is ready to run when it is your turn. Ideally, there is always a dog in the holding blind. Air your dog in advance, pick up after your dog!

• Please be aware that we're sharing the grounds with other people walking their dogs. We’d like to keep a good relationship between our training group and the dog walkers. If someone complains, be courteous, offer to explain what we are doing, but do not get into arguments.

• On the grounds, never drive faster than 5 mph.  We’d like to keep a good relationship between our training group and the others using the grounds -- dog walkers, runners, horseback riders, etc.

• Finally, do recognize that we dog trainers are an eclectic group, and we cannot please all people all the time. To ensure a good time is had by all, please make an effort to all get along and accept the differences amongst each other; critical commentary to these agreed upon processes should be directed to the field committee chair (NFreitas).  Improvements that are in sync with these philosophies are welcome!

Keep This in Mind:

This is a training session, think about what you want you and your dog to LEARN.  Do not try to win the training session, you will have ample time to demonstrate your dog’s ability at the tests. 

All dogs learn at different rates and have different problems.  Do not feel your dog should be able to do the most difficult set-up or that a training approach used by one member is always the right approach for your dog. Know your dog's skills. If he's less experienced, simplify your run.

Don't hesitate to ask more experienced handlers for suggestions on how to simplify if you're in doubt. Ask questions!

While all dogs have bad days, if your dog appears to consistently have problems, then you may want to consider that the task you have asked is beyond the current ability of your dog.

You are encouraged to spend as much time as you need to help your dog deal with a problem you encounter while running a setup. At the same time, please be considerate of your fellow dog trainers - especially as daylight wanes. For example, if you worked 10 minutes on a tough blind, your training partners wouldn't be pleased if you tried to run a second, similarly difficult blind. Know when to quit. A happy bumper may be better for you, your dog, and your training partners than another frustrating mark or blind.

Ask! Our club has many knowledgable handlers who are all willing to help. Don't hesitate to ask more experienced handlers for suggestions how to simplify if you're in doubt. Ask questions!

 

Register Now!