VGP 2009 Video

Here is the 2009 edition of the Logan VGP video. I put one together last year and so i figured i would continue the tradition. To all those who were there, here are some memories. Those who weren't there can get an idea of the fun and comraderie. There are some more pictures floating around out there but i never got my copies and i know some of you were anxious for this video, so here ya go.Kick back and enjoy!

T Shirts have arrived!!!!!!

For all those who were at the HZP you already know, already bought and some were already sporting the Drahthaar Addiction T shirt! Well Done Folks

For all those who do not know.........now you do! What is the hold up? Get yours ordered now! Every order will include a free Drahthaar Addiction Get Addicted Its Legal Sticker with each shirt!

I have all sizes (S,M,L,XL,XXL) in white available now, and have a few Large Olive and a few Large Black available as well. The Olive and Black were a test run, and I am happy to say approved and more to be printed in the next week or so.

Don't hesitate, order yours and show your addiction!

I will be placing an order form and Pay Pal on the website in the days to come in the meantime......

Go to the HOME Page, click on Drahthaar Addiction Merchandise, click on T Shirts and follow those directions.

These won't last long, they are that cool!

HZP Logan 2009

Last time in Logan for testing this year. Went out to witness and participate in the HZP. The second of the 3 breed tests that we do as members of the VDD to look over the fine quality’s of our dogs. I went out to support a few local guys I have trained with all summer as I prepped Hessian for the VGP. Not to mention root for all other handlers that decided to test their wits, most for the first time. I myself was a second time runner,as I chose to handle Jager(Harley) vom Wasatch. A high drive dog with a lot of power that actually belongs to Mac, but he let me do the testing so he could enjoy his hunts and give me more experience!
I hadn’t spent much time with Jager in training. Only been out with him a few times, worked on some water work a bit, about 3 drags, 5 shot bird retrieves, and maybe 10 birds worth of pointing. Not a lot when it comes to how much time people put into training for the HZP. I think a lot of what Jager had to offer was his extra amount of exposure. Mac is a big hunter and gets out a lot too. I think that Jagers time spent out at the duck club and Utah Lake gave him just the edge he needed for this test. His amount of drive doesn’t hurt either!
It sure makes things a lot easier when there is no pressure to impress anyone, but found myself getting a little nervous never the less. No matter what there is always those things that make you nervous as you work your way to the end. I had a great time running Jager, he surprised the hell out of me and I’m sure a few others! I learned some more as a handler and feel good about it all. I would seriously consider handling Jager in VGP if it is an option,.....Mac? It just goes to show the true natural versatile ability of the Deutsch-Drahthaar. I could really get used to this kind of thing. I enjoy these dogs so much and although the training and testing is such hard work it is sure worth it and makes for one super great hunting companion.
My partners in crime from the valley did well. Zac and Lola (Ice) vom Wasatch pulled it off even with how nerve racked Zac was. Lola did a great job on all aspects of this test. Such a happy high drive dog. Still a lot of puppy, you have come along way Zac. I think you may be really figuring her out. Got one super dog and worked out an awesome score, coming out with a 182! Time to enjoy hunting this fall and when the snow melts we will be at it again to prepare for VGP!
Nik (Hank) vom Wasatch did a good job too. He completed every task he needed to, just had a hiccup on the rabbit drag, which unfortunately is one of the most important tasks in this test. It is the one thing that really gets to some dogs and there handlers. Not sure if Nik ever failed a drag in training but one thing I have realized is..... they need to. The dog most definitely needs to learn it MUST bring the rabbit to the handler. Still had some great scores on all other areas and I have seen Nik and Ron come along away over the last year. Regardless of any outcome they will make one great hunting team.
Glad to hear our new friend and fellow addict Kevin made it through with a 178….Wish we could of stayed to watch Archie do his thing,but imagine it all went well. Nice to meet you Kevin and keep it up. Armbruster just ahead man. See you there!
Congratulations to everyone. It is not an easy test. It takes a lot of work and dedication to even get this far. I commend all of you. Thanks again to all judges for the hard work. I think we should hold a clay shoot for the Chapter though! Some practice is needed by all…no?
Enjoy your dogs and hunting Gentleman! As we will all be returning to the testing circuit next year! Coming next..... Armbruster!!!!

Grouse Hunting and HZP Preparation

Headed out to the Uintahs to chase after some grouse. A well deserved trip for me and Hessian as we just made it through the VGP. Not Prizing, but made it through. Training had been rigorous over the past few months and with the testing over for us this year I decided to get to hunting.After all that is what he is for!

So Biz,Hess and I went to the area we had been doing some forest work training and had actually seen grouse during that time. It is full of downed timber, lots of water and green wet vegetation. Just no grouse! Where o where art thou? It was the opener this weekend so maybe some one got there before we did. Never less it was nice to get out with no pressure from anything.

We hiked 4 miles with no luck but got some pics and watched a storm roll our way from atop mountain...what a site! I just love this area, it is always so gorgeous and full of beauty. Well maybe next trip we can bag some Ruff's or Blue's.

In the meantime I have signed up to run Jager (Harley)vom Wasatch through the HZP in Logan Utah this coming weekend. I am really curious to see how this will go as I have not spent very much time with him to prepare for this test. He is alot of puppy still, wild and full of energy that never dies. Sometimes he loses focus on the task at hand but during training yesterday was very impressive. That is one thing great about this breed, the fact of the natural versatile ability is just fantastic! We put down a rabbit drag for him that went very well. He pointed a pigeon he found hanging out by the trucks. Had an excellent point on a Chukar that was planted for him. Did some blind retrieve work, needs a little more direction here because his search is so big, but either way he finds it and brings it back. Going to finish up with him this week, just need to do a little more and it will be test day.

Lola (Ice) vom Wasatch is really coming along great from what I saw last night. She is getting in some good points, took the drag like a champ! She is really coming together to be one hell of a hunter! Good work Zac! Almost here bro, it will be over soon and you ca breathe and sleep again!

Haven't seen to much of Nik (Hank) vom Wasatch lately but hope all is going well. Test day is right around the corner for all of us! Oh boy just can't get enough! Get ready to hunt boys! Testing is almost over!

VGP 2009

The VGP test is finally over in these neck of the woods. It was 6 months of straight training trying to get Hessian and myself ready for this test. It really is the test of all tests. It includes Forest work,Field work,Water work and Obedience. All inclusive is Bloodtracking,Retrieving Fox over Obstacle,Fox and Rabbit drags including retrieving,Independent Forest Search, Dense cover search w/handler,Independent Water search,Gunshot soundness in water,Blind water retrieve in dense cover,Search for wounded duck,Retrieving of duck,Field Search, Pointing,Manners behind game,Feathered game drag,Search for fresh shot bird,Retrieving of feathered game,General Obedience,Drive hunt obedience,Heeling on and off lead,Down Stay with gunfire,Steadiness to wing and shot. Not to mention the manner of retrieve is judged on all retrieves.

It is no easy task and takes alot of work and dedication to get these dogs to where they need to be. My congratulations go to the 7 of 8 dogs who passed this test in Logan this weekend. Good Job you guys, you really made it! Time to enjoy the hunting season and your dog as you are done with testing. Except for maybe the few that are participating in the Armbruster next month.

Now lets discuss the ONE dog that didn't pass............ Ya unfortunately that is yours truly! I know i know...what happened? We worked really hard to make sure Hessian was prepared for all aspects of the test. In all our training i thought we had it for sure. Hessian scored 257 points but no prize....We were 4 points shy on obedience!

Well obedience got me! Hessian had a sloppy off lead heel, he wanted to heel with the judge in front of me at times as well as catching a scent on the ground and wanting to follow that, zigged when he should of zagged too. He moved a little on the Down Stay and the Drive Hunt once the gunshots went off. He really wanted to go see what everyone was shooting at! These are the things that ruined my chance to Prize and Pass this test.

A few quick tips for everyone....when teaching heel to your dog, do not allow the dog to sniff the ground, keep it's head up and correct any pulling away or sniffing the ground on or off lead. it makes that big of a difference trust me.

Also practice making your dog Down and Stay with you walking away and disappearing. Fire gun shots, yell, make lots of noise. Correct any movement or barking or whining. This too added to my demise.

I feel good that we made it to the end! We completed all tasks. We made it all the way to the end of the test. It was just points that hurt us and stopped us from passing.I will be back next year, you can count on that!

Unfortunately i don't think there is a puppy in my future this spring, as Hessian needed to pass this test for that to happen. All is well as I can concentrate more on Hessian and hunting.

Again Congrats to all handlers and dogs. Great Job guys!

I want to say thank you to all the Judges and test coordinators and directors. The judging groups were great guys. Very helpful and very informative. Never left me wondering on anything. Gave everyone an equal and fair chance to do what needed to be done. Also helped to ease the handlers in what is one stressfull time. Thanks again everyone.

I will be posting more on the VGP. I am working on a Slideshow as soon as i have all the pictures together. So keep watching for that. This post was just much needed as i know everyone wants to know the update!

VGP,HZP,Drahts and Brats

It has been quite the eventful couple of weeks preparing for the VGP. Apparently not eventful enough, as I took on preparing another dog and running in an HZP as well. I have been working with Jager vom Wasatch very little as I prepare for the VGP.
He is quite the little ball of fire! Young and full of energy. I remember Hessian at that age being just as wild and crazy.
I am excited to see how Jager will do at the HZP, with not near the amount of attention to detail as most of the dogs that run the test. Figured why not, do it to give myself the experience of running another HZP and experience working with another dog. It has been exciting and only a few short weeks to go!
With that I spent a day out with two others prepping for the HZP doing water work and field work and getting Hessian in on the action as well seeing how he does it all again in the VGP. That day was also the 1st Annual Drahthaar Addiction Draht’s and Brat’s training day. We all did some water work and some pointing. Moved on to grilling up some tasty brat’s and kicked back for a tasty lunch. We ended up our day with some drag work and called it good. It is funny how you can simply over train yourself and I think your dog too. We all have been working so hard to prove to ourselves that we can get it all done, but in the end always have something we should have worked on little more. It definitely is a chore training but worth it in the end. Imagine a year and a half old dog, retrieving all your small game! Swimming out for waterfowl, or tracking down a wounded rabbit or such to retrieve. Pointing out pheasants, chukars etc. and retrieving those to hand as well.
Even better, we all want to hunt ethically and have to admit searching the reeds or thick brush for that wounded bird to be disappointed upon not finding it. Not any more and with a young dog! Oh what can be done with even more training? I am in the process of finding that one out as I prepare for the VGP in the ultimate test of the finished dog.
I don’t think that Hessian is at all finished or broke to the point he should be for this test but I’m all in now. I feel good about the water work in all. Retrieving is not as methodical as I would like. The presentation isn’t superb but he gets it done. Searching water field and forest is great. Lots of energy and drive. Obedience is coming along good. Heeling is better. Drive hunt and down stay is a lot better too. Blood tracking was coming along nice until a few weeks ago. I didn’t trust my dog and took him off track when he was just working hard to find it. I have a done a couple since and we are clicking better but I can’t slow him down much more. I hope it’s not too fast for the judges. Been working real hard on the steadiness and that is coming along well so far. Seems we are pointing nice and steady to flush. Steady to shot so far but only worked on very few birds need more practice for sure. It all comes down to training and I think maybe I have over trained in a way. I think Hessian is getting bored with all of it and ready to move on. Suddenly he is doing weird things during training that I just can’t explain. All I can think is that the training is getting old and not as fun as it used to be. I know I am sure ready to take a breather and do some hunting. I am getting one hunt in this week. I think I can use this as an opportunity to focus on some steadiness; blind retrieves of fresh shot bird and even down stay and such too. Maybe I can find a rabbit or two, as we all need them for training and test day too. I hope all goes well in this last test. It is super hard and I took off all winter and last spring of training and used last fall and winter to build bad habits while hunting. I have had to try to work out the kinks now and it has not been easy. It will all be worth it in the end though. Either way I have one hell of a hunting dog, and I can be proud of that!
Proud to see Hessian’s photo and info up on the stud registry! http://vdd-gna.org/studdogs/salzmarsch_goshen.htm If all goes well with the VGP test and we make it through without too many issues, he may get his call this winter. I could do with another pup. I would sure do things differently. I have learned a lot about this breed and what it takes to get a dog prepared to the standards it has acquired. Just a couple weeks guys and our tests are done this year! Hope all is going well for everyone training and getting ready for hunt season. Thanks to everyone that has helped in my training, I appreciate all the tips and physical labor involved. It is hard work and we are all exhausted and ready I hope. Good luck everyone!
Next post should be all VGP info unless I can toss one in before test day.
Still working on shirts everyone hopefully before Armbruster we can be sporting our addiction.

UPCOMING LITTER!!!!!

I just have one more test. The VGP to pass, and it is on! I am looking forward to working with a new pup of my own. There are alot of things i would do differently now. Matt Norman from Vom Coldwater Canyon likes what he sees in Hessian so we are planning on this match up to have pups on the ground in February!

If interested in a puppy from this litter, just follow the link to his website for more information.
His site is still currently under construction but you should have no problem getting in touch with him.
vom Coldwater Canyon Drahthaars

"A" vom Coldwater Canyon

Bryndis vom Uintah
DOB 24.07.2007
Color Brsch
Zuchtbuch-Nr.: 204775
Form / Hair 10/8
Height / Length H-61 L-61
VJP 62 pts 20 Apr 2008
HZP 159 pts 27 Sept 2008
VGP 12 Sept 2009
Other HD Frei

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Expected February 2010

Goshen v.d. Salzmarsch
DOB
Color schwsch
Zuchtbuch-Nr.
Form/Hair 10/11
Height / Length 65/64
VJP 69 pts 20 Apr 2008
HZP 178 pts 28 Sept 2008
VGP 12 Sept 2009
Other HD Frei

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Lola's Blind Retrieves

Just watch Lola go.........2 weeks ago she was hesitant to go in the water on just a command. She always wanted to see the fall. Well 2 weeks later she'll jump right in on the "fetch" command!

We headed out to Lee Kay (of course) for some training last night. Had to work with both Hessian and Lola on some test related subjects. Zac was a little hesitant at first when i started walking to the other side of the pond to toss a frozen duck or 2. Wasn't positive she would do it. Well to his surprise, she nailed it! These were farther than she had ever done before and hard. These were nestled in some good cover. She jumps in the water and starts her quest. She needed a little help on the way back, with ONE command to "come". Thats all she gets, no problem,she comes in and deliveres duck to hand! We did 3 of these and she shined on every one!

We worked on the Gun Sensitivity in water. That too went well. She heads right out for the duck, i fire at the duck, she stops for 1 second to stare at the duck and keeps on going. We need to do some more of this, as this was really only number 2 for her.

This is where the story gets good. If you know anything about Lola then you know that rumor has it " she doesn't like rabbits". This has affected her tracking scores. So we are on a mission now to change all that. This is a dog that hasn't seen one drag since VJP training. No drags during the FF training. No drags since completing FF. So we did 3. The first one was off. Zac showed her the start...."suk,suk,suk"....releases the slip lead and off she goes. Ignoring the track and finding my return scent,followed that to the rabbit. Got reminded once to fetch and here she comes,delivering rabbit to hand.Next drag, i placed two markers. One for the start of the track, the second marker was for Zac. He started her on the track and walked with her on the sliplead to the second marker and then released her. She followed for a minute than ventured off, only to be called back and restarted again. Much better this time, except a little cheating. Again picking up my scent and finding the rabbit. One reminder to fetch and again rabbit in hand.

So number three is a little different. 2 markers, one for the start and one for Zac to walk with her to and then release her. Up to the line, command given, her nose is down she's pulling Zac along the track. Second marker, Zac releases her on her own. She follows the track a few yards, bails off it,sniffs around a bush, begins to go into search mode...........then suddenly, she whips around, nose back down, finds the track again and follows to the end where the rabbit is placed. Without any hesitation or reminders she picked the rabbit up and delivered to Zac! Hell Ya!

We did a little field search with her, fired a couple shots during. Did a fresh shot bird,blind retrieve on land scenario. She nailed it all. She is becoming quite the superstar. It is always nice to see the light really come on, especially when the dog is so amped and ready to do it all.

Did some water work and steadiness work with Hessian but this is Lolas post so i will post on Hessians progress another time.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LOLA!!!!!!

Sorry these are camera phone videos......but you get it...