**BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND**

We are asking participants to take more ownership of making the training group a success. Thus, each of us will lead at least one weekly training session -- which means each of us will be responsible for the set- up. If you're the boss, please arrive by 4:30pm. Don't sweat it -- someone will mentor you.

Arrival times will define the teams, not number of dogs, as in years past.

Ducks will be used every week – please bring 1 duck for every dog you run, if you need a duck, you can buy one. If you can't bring a duck, please note that in the weekly sign up sheet.

Handlers are expected to bring a radio, duck call and have access to a pistol (meaning you need to have one to use; they will not be provided).

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Contact:

Margaret Stubbs 
LRCGB 
mstubbs222@aol.com 
(781) 894-4315 

Where

Delaney Watershed Area 
314 Harvard Rd
Stow, MA 01775 Stow, MA

 
Driving Directions 

ABOUT DELANEY

Delaney is a coveted Massachusetts Wildlife Management Area (WMA), managed jointly by the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife (DFW, known as Mass Wildlife) with other agencies.

Hunter retriever training access to WMA grounds is becoming more and more rare and we are grateful to the DFW and supporting agencines for granting the LRCGB a permit for Tuesday training.

DELANEY Subcommittee

J.Edsall - chair
J.Lyons
D.Bierer
M.Stubbs
M.Bush
K.Kase
R.Fuchs
K.Fisher
D.Tucker
N.Wolston
M.Wilcox

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 18 through Oct 7, 2014.

There will be organized set ups, under the following guidelines, however please note: this is a peer-to-peer training group that is not intended to provide formal instruction outside of the Beginners Class.   We expect the training to be as close to a hunt test as possible and people should expect to bring equipment and contribute to the training group.  

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 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 training session will start as close to 5:00 as possible and run until dark.  If you arrive late you may not be able to run all the set-ups.
  • Each week will have a pre-arranged set up  which will be designed to train dogs of different levels.
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  • Each week, we'll establish work teams and running order, based on arrival times. The weekly preregistration helps us with preplaning. While we strive for fairness, these team assignments are never perfect. Please be flexible, open, and supportive of throwing for more dogs than you run.
  • As always, the Beginners Class will have first priority for grounds selection for the duration of the class. After the Beginner Class ends, the primary training group will have first priority for selection of grounds.
  • Participants  can form ad hoc training groups but will have to work with the available grounds, making sure not to disturb the organized training group
  • You may also use the grounds on your own on a per day basis, provided you do not disturb the organized training groups.

 

 

What's Expected of Participants

We frequently have many dogs to run before we lose daylight. We need 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) estimate your time of arrival. Please RSVP by Monday, 5pm. 

  • All Delaney users are expected 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.
  • Be prepared to work in the field and provide equipment.  The club has some equipment, but is dependent on others to provide starter pistols, wingers, etc. At a minimum, handlers are expected to have a duck call, whistle, and working radio. And access to a pistol (pistols will not be provided).
  • Ducks will be used every week. Bring 1 duck for every dog you run, you can purchase ducks if you need them; If you aren't able to bring a duck, please note that on the sign up sheet.
  • 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

  • Accept the set ups as a strategic decision made by the more experienced; 
  • 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 us 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!