Potential Hunt Test Schedule

2008-09

  • Danny Farmer Basics Seminar: Jan 30-Feb1 - Vinwood Kennels, TX
  • West Mississippi HRC Hunt Test: Feb 21-22, 2009 - Vicksburg, MS
  • Four States HRC Hunt Test: Feb 28-Mar 1, 2009 - Maud, TX
  • Central Louisiana HRC Hunt Test: Mar 7-8, 2009 - Pineville, LA
  • Amie River HRC Hunt Test: Mar 21-22, 2009 - Jackson, LA
  • Cajun Retriever Club HRC Hunt Test: Mar 28-29, 2009 - Esterwood, LA
  • Dallas-Fort Worth AKC Hunt Test: April 11-12, 2009 - Dallas, TX
  • Hurricane Lake HRC Hunt Test: April 18-19, 2009 - Griffithville, AR
  • Magnolia AKC Hunt Test: April 25-26, 2009 - Flora, MS

2007-08
  • HRC Hunt Test: Feb 9-10, 2008 - Raven's Way HRC - Madisonville/Houston, TX
  • HRC Hunt Test: Feb 16-17, 2008 - West Mississippi HRC - Vicksburg, MS
  • HRC Hunt Test: Feb 23-24, 2008 - Amite River HRC - DCI, Jackson, LA
  • AKC Hunt Test: Feb 23-24, 2008 - Port Arthur Retriever Club - Hamshire, TX
  • HRC Hunt Test: Mar 1-2, 2008 - South Mississippi HRC - TBA
  • HRC Hunt Test: Mar 8-9, 2008 - Northeast Texas HRC - Tyler, TX
  • AKC Hunt Test: Mar 8-9, 2008 - Brazosport Retriever Club - Montgomery, TX
  • HRC Hunt Test: Mar 15-16, 2008 - South Arkansas HRC - Smackover, AR
  • HRC Hunt Test: Mar 29-30, 2008 - Cajun Retriever Club - Estherwood, LA
  • AKC Hunt Test: Mar 29-30, 2008 - Shreveport-Bossier Retriever Club - Doyline, LA
  • AKC Hunt Test: Apr 5, 2008 - Greater Houston Golden Retreiver Club - Anderson, TX
  • HRC Hunt Test: Apr 5-6, 2008 - North Louisiana HRC - TBA
  • AKC Hunt Test: Apr 12-13, 2008 - Big D Retriever Club - Fairfield, TX
  • AKC Hunt Test: Sep 27, 2008 - Shreveport-Bossier Retriever Club - Haughton, LA

12 weeks




11 weeks



10 weeks

9 Weeks



8 Weeks









Training Flow Chart

This flowchart is derived from the Mike Lardy's Total Retriever Training and to a lesser degree from Smartwork/Smartfetch method by Evan Graham.

Basics:

  • Formal Obedience: Here, Heel, Sit, Remote Sit, Kennel
  • Sit to Whistle
  • Force Fetch: Hold
  • Force Fetch: Ear Pinch
  • Force Fetch: CC to Fetch
  • Force Fetch: Walking Fetch
  • Force Fetch: Stick Fetch
  • Simple Casting: 3-handed Casting (remote sit)
  • E-collar conditioning to obedience commands, debolting
  • Collar Fetch

Pile Work

  • Lining and Casting to the Pile (mostly from front/remote sit)
  • Stick to Pile (1 stick send for every 3-5 free sends; 20-100 yds; mostly remote sends)
  • Force to Pile with E-collar (1 nick for every 3 or so free sends; up to 100 yards)
  • Sit to Pile (on the way in and on the way out)
  • Come in from Pile

Double T

  • Teaching the line from baseline to back pile (100 yards)
  • Forcing the double T line, similar to Force to Pile
  • Stopping to Pile
  • Mini, Full, and Double T

Swim-by

  • Teaching and then forcing across water to back pile
  • Stopping, Over Casts, Exits

Basic Marking:

  • Singles, 50-100 yards, light cover
  • Hand Deliveries to heel
  • Strong Steadying w/ Honoring
  • Simple Land Doubles
  • Simple conventional De-cheating
  • Simple Water Doubles
  • Moderate-to-Long non-cheating Water Marks

Transition:

  • Pattern Blinds
  • Blind Drills
  • Pattern Blinds with Diversions
  • Elementary Cold Land blinds
  • Channel Blinds
  • 8-handed casting (Wagon Wheel)
  • Walking Baseball
  • Wagon Wheel Lining Drill
  • No-No Drill
  • Zig-Zag Drills
  • Chinese Blinds
  • Taught/Permanent Blinds
  • Simple Cold Land Blinds
  • Cheating Singles (Tune-up)
  • Taught/Permanent Water Blinds
  • Simple Cold Water Blinds
  • Diversion Marks: Four-phase Drill
  • Diversion Marks: Basic Diversion Mark Drill
  • Diversion Marks: Taught Blinds with Diversion Marks

Interim Field Work:

  • Marks in light to moderate cover at distances of 50-200 yards
  • Closer proximity Double Marks at contrasting distances
  • Low pressure handling on field exercises @ gradually increasing distance
  • Closer proximity, higher concept marking
  • Single diversion mark with simple cold blind (AKA Blind Drills)