Southern Tier NY
Chapter News
July 2007
June training day was hot and dry. Because of Father’s Day, the attendance was light. However, because of the heat, there was not a lot of time to run more dogs. Larry had a number of shorthair puppies running the grounds to add to the training chaos. The dogs (and handlers) were dragging at the mid point in their fieldwork. The chucker flew well if the dogs could find them. Dan Kremer’s Max was steady in the field. Quill was braced with Guillie and was more interested in her than hunting. Give it up, Quill! Two birds were left in the field and were later found by Larry and Elvis along with Dick Rogler and his griffon during their runout.
The water work was much more pleasant even if the pond level was low. Pam put the ducks out with the boat because the guys were too heavy and the water too low to allow the boat to get over the submerged logs. There was introduction of puppies to the water along with advanced healing through stakes and duck searches. Mike Hubenthal used to have a white setter but not after the water search: black is more like it! Tom Snyder and Fritter did some healing work: Fritter did all of the stakes but Tom missed two. We discussed the e-collar for Tom! Melody got a 4 in her water work as she got right in to set a good example for her puppy. We should begin the practice of launching the dogs from different places on the pond when we work the duck search. This begins to address the issue of training at different places to get rid of familiarity and introduces slightly different scenarios.
Now is a great time to discuss hot weather training. I bring a lot of water and add Rehydrate mixture for both of our dogs. Watch for signs of over heating: excessive panting, tongues hanging out, desire to lie down, retching. Be sure to bring an extra water bottle into the field and use it on short intervals. Keep the training short, and do not forget to cool the dogs out before putting them back into their crates. At the end of the Long Pond field there is a stream that I frequently swim our dogs in after their fieldwork. Believe it or not, dogs can over heat in the warmer pond water so keep your search work short as well. I always bring a five-gallon cooler of water and extra bottles if you forget yours or run out.
July 22nd training day is at Tom Snyder’s training grounds and will in family picnic format. Bring a dish to share or some road kill to grill. This is a regular training day with field and water work so be prepared to get in some valuable training time. Sunscreen and insect repellant are a must for the field.
Directions: From Rt. 26: town of Maine look for Pollard Hill Road, 1.8 miles up the hill to Wyok Road intersection, turn right, cedar shingle farmhouse ½ mile on the left. From Route 17: exit 71 to Stella Ireland Road to intersection of West Chenango and Cross Road (near Airport Drive In), left on Cross Road, left on East Maine Road, right on Farm to Market Road ½ mile to a right on Wyok Road, 1 ½ miles up hill to the cedar shingle house on the right. From 17C: Hooper Road, right on Farm to Market Road for 41/2 miles to a left on Wyok Road. From Route 11, come in on West Chenango Road, cross Stella Ireland Road to Cross Road and follow the above. For those coming in on Farm to Market Road, after the turn on to Wyok Road, note the road splits after a small bridge: bear right up the hill. Address is 328 Wyok Road, Johnson City 13790.
Fall test date is approaching. I have been in contact with nine regional club test secretaries in an effort to coordinate the test dates. Many dates are fixed like ours by specific test ground availability. That being said, they know we still have room while some of them have waiting lists. The word is out, and we are getting more interest in our test. Enter now if you are thinking of doing so before we fill.