VJP TEST COMPLETED

Well the day finally arrived after alot of anticipation and training and Hessian passed the VJP with a 69! Figuring the reasonably highest score is a 77, I feel great about our accomplishment. We arrived in Malta, ID on Saturday morning to watch some of the dogs that were scheduled for that day. The weather was extremely windy and cold, overcast but dry. The testing area was high desert country, sagebrush,dry dry dry dirt and tons of cactus. Alot of dogs.
All the judges, handlers, spectators, helpers and breeders are great people, very informative and very helpful, one could just hang out all weekend chatting and socializing with everone.Thank you all very much! I know i learned alot. Alot about what judges look for, what handlers,hunters and breeders look for and how each dog though the same breed vary in their own little way, either in appearance or just style. Sunday was our big day, met with the judges and handlers at breakfast, 6 in the morning and the test started at 7. The weather was very cold, extremely windy,cloudy, even flurried for a minute. Brrrrrrr. Off to tracking we went, after a four hours at that it was off to another field,we did a field search with gunfire sensitivity, then it was off to another spot for pointing. Finally they checked the tattoos, teeth and entactness. Final judging, scores and Certificate in hand at 5. Not bad.
Came back happy with the results and that it was over, sore and less weight from all the walking and whole lot more educated from everyones info, most importantly a whole lot more Addicted!
Hessian is........... Goshen von der Salzmarsch
Track 8
Nose 10
Search 11
Pointing 11
Cooperation 11

Thanks again to everyone. Great job Judges that is a tough gig. Excellent work handlers those were some tough conditions. Good luck to all others, its (Test 2) the HZP or Armbruster from here!

Cost of Addiction

Just to be aware this is no joke, do not play around with Drahthaars. These are highly addictive dogs. It all starts with those cute little puppy pictures you see everywhere then next thing you know you are talking with breeders, driving endless miles to see the new member of your hunting party. Then it hits you a year later, YOUR ADDICTED! From having to buy new clothes to train in so your dog always recognizes you, to all the leashes, collars, dummies,bird launchers, bird traps, bird carriers, small furred game cages, training tables, and kennels.  You will rack up countless minutes on the phone and internet talking with other drahthaar addicts. Spending every weekend along with others in the fields. To the special call you make once every few weeks to your dog food dealer. Thats right! This is an addiction not to be taken lightly. If you think that spending most of your free time outdoors, walking fields, searching for fur and feathers, playing and bonding with a little whiskered puppy, visiting and socializing with dog lovers alike sound like fun then..... What are you waiting for? Get Addicted.

  ACQUIRED DRAHTHAAR OBSESSIVE SYNDROME (ADOS)

 This new disease ADOS has been identified by researchers. At first ADOS was thought to be psychological in nature, but researchers soon realized they were dealing with an infectious agent among Drahthaar owners. Epidemiologists have identified 3 stages of this disease. The associated symptoms for each stage are:

STAGE I- You have early symptoms if:

   * You think that any GNA test that is within 300 miles is nearby.

   * You begin to enjoy gettin up at 5 am to feed and water your Drahthaar.

   * Every gift you get has something to do with Drahthaars

   * You can't remember what it was like to own just one Drahthaar.

   * Nobody's feet is allowed on the furniture, but your Drahthaars are welcome to sleep on any piece of furniture they choose.

   * It takes an entirely separate trash can to handle all the poop.

STAGE II- You definitely have the disease if: 

   * The most important thing you factor when buying a new car is, how many crates can you fit in it.

   * When you look for a new house the first thing you look for is, how many Drahthaars you can kennel on the property.

   * Your Drahthaars food bill is higher than your families.

   * You and your family haven't had a check up in 3 years, but your Drahthaars are all medically up to date.

   * You can only remember a person by associating them with their Drahthaar.

   * You have more pictures of your Drahthaar than members of  your family

   * Most of your conversations revolve around Drahthaars

STAGE III- You are a terminal case if:

   * You wake up in the morning and find out that you put the kids in the crates and the dogs in their beds last night.

   * You've traced your Drahthaars family tree farther than you have your own

   * You start barking at your kids to "sit", "stay" and "heel"

   * Your cookie jar has never seen the likes of people cookies.

   * You rip up the carpet and lay tile to make clean up so much easier.

   * You readily allow your Drahthaars to give slobbery kisses, but you don't dare to wipe your toddlers nose.

   * Drahthaar hair in your food is just another spice.

   * Your family tells you "It's the Drahthaars or us!" and you choose the Drahthaars!!!

(thanks Jill)

VJP Test April 18-20 Malta Idaho

The final day is near our first breed test. The VJP (Verbands-Jugend Prufung) german to english translation would be Association Youngster Test. This is the first in 3 tests that the dog needs to pass 2 in order to be chosen for breeding. The purpose of these tests is to determine the natural abilities of a young dog as they pertain to the dogs suitability for use in versatile hunting and as a breeding dog. The tests also serve to recognize the genetic value of the dogs parents. Hunting especially for the germans is meant to be extremely ethical, therefore a dog and hunting tests just like this are required to even hunt there.

 In the VJP test the dog will be tested, evaluated and scored on Tracking, Use of nose, Search, Pointing, and Cooperation. The judges will also evaluate Gun sensitivity, Manner of hunting and Obedience, there is no scoring on the last three.

                                                 

                                                           SCORE SYSTEM

 The 3 or more judges will be evaluating and scoring the dog on Tracking,Nose,Search,Pointing and Cooperation according to this score system:

                                                           Excellent - 12 points* 

                                                           Very Good - 11 to 9 points

                                                           Good - 8 to 6 points

                                                           Sufficient - 5 to 3 points

                                                           Deficient - 2 to 1 points

                                                           Insufficient - 0 points

(*The 12 points can only be given as an exception for truly excellent work, demonstrated under difficult circumstances.)

 Tracking and Nose get a multiplier of 2 so are worth double points. 

                                                                  EVALUATION

 Tracking: is tested on tracks which the dog is able to sense via it's nose of a hare that is not visible. The dog will be evaluated on the will to track and track sureness. The will to track is recognized by the way the dog adapts to tracking work, how it starts the track,if it works the track willingly and with self control, if the dog makes every effort to follow the track.

 Track sureness is in the way the dog shows mental stability by controlling prey drive, how the dog follows the track independently and confidently.

 This is evaluated by working the dog, handler, judges and spectators through rabbit rich areas in which when a rabbit is spotted and the track visualized a dog that did not see the rabbit will be brought up by it's handler and released on the track.

 Nose: is demonstrated during the search if the dog finds game frequently, catches game scent from long distances, marks scent spots of game and during tracking when it loses, crosses and relocates track. This will be evaluated by closely watching the dog and its scenting abilities throughout the test.

 Search: is industrious, persistent, and shows will to find.Dogs that just trot through a search will only receive a "good". This will be evaluated by watching the dog work through a field in search of game.

 Pointing: is evident when the dog locks up or points or lies down before game it has scented. It not need be a staunch point nor does the dog need to be steady yet. This will be evaluated by working the dog in a search pattern in a field that is rich with or has previously planted game birds.

 Cooperation: is the dogs desire to maintain connection with it's handler. How the dog makes eye contact with handler during leashing, release, search, pointing, how it desires a connection with its handler even at a distance. This will be evaluated by watching the dog and handlers connection during all aspects of the test throughout the day.

                                               UNSCORED EVALUATION

 The dog is evaluated but no score is given for, manner of hunting, gun sensitivity, and obedience.

 Manner of hunting: Scentloud, Sightloud, Questionable, or Silent, is evaluated during a search or track for a hare. If it barks upon scent or sight or if it is silent during this time. This will be evaluated during the tracking portion of the test.

 Gunfire Sensitivity: is fright level in response to gunfire. it shows in how a dog reacts to gunfire. If it continues on with its search, if it seeks out the handler, refusal to continue work or ignores the sound and continues on. This is evaluated by the judges firing 2 shots usually during the search portion of the test when the dog is searching within 100 to 150 feet. Severely gunshy and hand shy dogs cannot past the test.

 Obedience: is evaluated during the course of the test but not scored. Judges will be looking at the way the dog can be handled during it's work and by the fact the dog obeys when it senses a command from it's handler. Obedience in connection with game is not required. Dogs cannot pass if they constantly evade their handler jeopardize their test or the entire test.

 I have been trying to prepare for this test for some time now. I am very excited and anxious to get on with it. I think we will do well, Hessian really seems to be catching on. So off we go. Hope the weather cooperates and I wish all the dogs and handlers luck. Game On!

 

 

The Jaeger Lead

  The Jaeger lead is a German style 4 in 1 or the new 6 in 1 lead for the versatile dog handler. The most basic uses of these leads are: The long lead used for obedience and walking, an over the shoulder hands free lead, an around the waist hands free lead, a short lead, a heeling lead and a tie out lead. Not all Jaeger type leads are the same, they come in a variety of styles like the common leather model to the new nylon style with a few more options. When first getting mine i was a bit confused on all the different ways it could be used so after talking to a few others that had question too i decided to get the low down on these leads and try to compose a little instructional video on how they work. Keep in mind the only one shown in this video is the nylon kind and all Jaeger leads will not have these options, but it should be helpful to the curious wanderer. Click on the video below for a demonstration.   

Fish On!!!

Time for the annual Villa Fish Derby at Flaming Gorge!! May 19th -20th.Break out the boat, downriggers and tackle an prepare for one of the most exciting fishing experiences ever known to man. You can troll, drift, jig,spin, or fly fish your way to the top. All species of game fish count, you just have to bring in the biggest. Prizes are awarded and include but not limited to ATV's, fishing tackle, boats and float tubes. Spring is near and fishing has just gotten started. Gentleman start your motors, and go fish. Good Luck Fishers.

Jordan River Trail Fun.

Went out for a little walk on the Jordan River trail system today, a little spot i like to go just off 7th west and Sandy Parkway. Didn't really have training in mind except the basic obedience commands but Hessian decided he was gonna show me what he's made of. Turned out to be a very productive walk after all. He got to play around in the water,harass the ducks and geese that hang out here, chase leaves and tweeters and well to my surprise point staunchly on some doves that were out too! I was just wondering to myself if his nose worked because he was just running around acting crazy busting and chasing birds when all of a sudden BAM he locked up in his tracks. In a massive panic i hurried with the camera to get some pics, luckily he held all point long enough for me to snap some photos and still get to him, praise him and flush the bird. On one point he must have locked up 100 yards or so away and stayed still till i could reach him. All this work is finally paying off! Bring on our first test we are ready!

Pointing Drills

Pointing= To indicate the presence or place of game by point. When a dog goes on point it will usually lock up tight to indicate to the handler that game is present. In our world of drahthaar it is the handlers job to flush the game so the hunters or self can  shoot and then dog is sent to retrieve game. In the VJP test pointing is one of the areas the dog is judged on so we like to work on this alot especially myself because this is what i will be using Hessian for most.

 To train or condition the dog to pointing the best thing to do is get the young pup accustomed to field searching and using its nose preferably where wild game is present. Sometimes this is not as easy as it sounds so we are reduced to planting birds. This is where extreme caution comes into play. Never plant birds free (without devices to keep dog from getting bird) unless you are sure that either bird will flush before dog gets to close or handler is close to and in control of dog via checkcord or something. It really slows things down if your pup catches birds, This i learned the hard way. So these are the two most common ways we train.

 First is a Bird Launcher or pop box. These come in both manual and remote versions the latter being the most expensive from 2 to 4 hundred dollars, but well worth the investment.Locate where the launcher is to be placed, do not walk straight in to the spot instead walk in from a side and after placing launcher walk out the same way and try to work dog into launcher staying away from your path in, we do not want the dog to cheat and follow your scent trail to the bird. We place the launcher near or in moderate cover so the dog cannot see it, we want the dog to use its nose not it eyes. We mark the area with colored ribbon or tape so we can work the dog into the launcher. Once the launcher is in place we put a bird into it, close it up and walk away the same way we walked in. Continue to place launchers in this same manner. Once all launchers are in place it is time to get the dog and work him slowly into the area where the launcher is placed using the wind to your advantage. More than likely the dog will catch scent of the bird and lock up on point. At this point calmly praise the dog and try to get hold of dog before releasing bird. The young pup may just run in on bird or after point creep in on bird at which point you launch the bird eventually teaching the pup it can not catch birds.

  The other way we work on this is free planting birds which is most likely the same thing the judges will do at test time. This is when you want to be sure that the pup already points, you do not want the dog to get this bird. We locate an area to plant bird again do not walk straight in, walk in from a side, walk out the same way. Mark the area with tape or ribbon, clutching the bird in your hands extend arms straight out from your body and rotate your arms in a small circular motion for at least 30 seconds. Then tuck the birds head tightly under its wing, grab its legs and pull straight out for at least 10 seconds. At this point the bird should be very calm if not start over. Once the bird is dizzy, head under wing, and legs stretched out place bird in light cover so it still has a escape route. When all bird are placed it is time to get the dog and work the dog into birds always working into the wind.

 Things to remember are: Know your dog before choosing to free plant birds, Always walk in from a side where the dog can see you before flushing bird, Never walk directly in to plant bird, and do not rush let the dog soak up the point. Take pictures. By the way thanks Zac.

Still preparing.

Went out this weekend for the regular dog training session. Still preparing for our VJP test.Hit a little spot we enjoy out near Eagle Mountain. Weather cooperated for most the day, storm came in on us late in the afternoon. Not that the dogs mind the weather but we sure do! We were looking for some rabbits to train on, and we did run in to a few. We were able to do some tracking work with both Hessian and Grizz, able to get both on multiple tracks. Hessian once again got loud (barking) on chase of a rabbit. This is the fourth time he's been loud on game, I hope he keeps it up i really like that and it a little extra something on his pedigree if he does it at a test in front of a judge. We also worked on some pointing drills planting birds with the use of launchers and free planting too. Both dogs did there job well on point. Conditioning both dogs to being handled by strangers checking teeth and tattoos. All in all it was a great day, we didn't get to bring any rabbits home but the dogs got to socialize and so did the owners and our helpers(thanks Biz and Cody). The weathers getting better maybe next time we can break out the BBQ and brewskies. (pictures compliments of Zac. Thanks Zac)