RETRIEVER AWARDS

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GUNDOG CLUB

SETTING NEW STANDARDS

FOR GUNDOGS

IN TRAINING

Grade One

Grade Two

Grade Three

Grade Four

Grade Five

Grade Six

Retriever awards are suitable for all gundogs who are being trained for retriever style gundog fieldwork. This award is also suitable for pet gundogs whose owners would like to teach them to retrieve canvas dummies.  No pedigree is required.  One field test pass at Grade Two is required for the dog to receive the award of Junior Retriever.

This grade seeks to establish that the retriever is able to mark with confidence at increasing distances, and is beginning to use his nose when necessary to help him find the dummy.  It also establishes the beginnings of memory work and of growing partnership between the dog and the handler.  Check below to find out just what is required.

THREE CATEGORIES

Retriever

Hunting Retriever

HPR

NEW AT GRADE 3

REMOTE STOP

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TURN WHISTLE

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QUARTERING

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CROSSING OBSTACLES

Six Grades

Three Categories

More Information

How to Enter

Section One  - Heelwork::

The handler is required to walk his dog at heel without a lead from the line to the 30-yard sit marker. Points will be lost for repeated commands from the handler, or poor positioning of the dog.

Section Two  - Sit and Stay: 

The handler is required to sit the dog at the 30-yard marker with a single sit command and to return to the line without the dog.  Maximum points for the sit - 5. Points will be lost for a slow response, or multiple commands.  The dog must remain seated for three minutes. Maximum points for the stay - 10.  Points will be lost if the dog stands up, or creeps. No further commands may be given.

Section Three  - Recall:  The handler whilst standing at the starting post, will be required to recall the dog by whistle from the sit marker by whistle.  The dog must return to the heel position on recall without fuss, delay or excessive commands.  Points will be lost for repeated commands from the handler and for slow or erratic returns, or for any lack of control on arrival of the dog.

Section Four  - The stop:

The handler is required to walk to the 30 yard stop marker with the dog at heel. As the pair pass the 15 yard stop marker the handler must blow the stop whistle and carry on walking  without a pause.  The  dog must drop promptly into the sitting position when the whistle is blown  and remain there as the handler walks on to and around  the 30 yard marker and returns to the dog.  The handler then heels the dog back to the line.

Each obedience section is worth 15 marks  -  total 60

TRAINING SCHEME  

Courses

Field Tests

Graded Training

Instructors

Key Skills

Section One  - Memory

A single 'Go-back' retrieve is carried out at the end of the Obedience section.  The handler is given a dummy and walks the dog at heel from the starting post to the 30-yard marker.  The handler drops the dummy at the 30-yard marker and returns to the starting post.  Without undue delay, the assessor will instruct the handler to send the dog for the retrieve.

Section Two  -  Marking

Two marked retrieves  Mark 1 A single retrieve on land and in clear view at 50 yards.   Mark 2 A single retrieve on land and in short cover at 50 yards.

Section Three  -  Directions

A single 20 yard  retrieve either  right or left:  two dummies are thrown, one to either side of the dog who is facing the handler.  The dog must remain steady whilst the dummies are thrown and must fetch the dummy requested by the assessor on a hand signal from the handler.  The handler is situated three to  five yards from the dog. The dog is positioned with his back to a fence, hedge or similar barrier.

The dog must remain steady at the handler’s side whilst each dummy is thrown. The handler must not move around during the retrieve.

Each of the retrieves is worth up to 15 marks  -  total 60

 ENTER GRADE TWO

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