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The HWVA held a successful novice/water training day on 16 August 2009 held by experienced trainers and Wirehaired Vizsla handlers Chris and Pater Guest (Bardantop).
There were eleven wires, a smooth and an 11 week old GWP (came along for socializing)and as they varied in age from 8 months to 5yrs and we had no prior knowledge of the dogs ability or their handlers we opted to split them into two random groups. All the dogs remained on lead and the session started with basic obedience and steadiness, next came a ‘seen’ retrieve using the steadiness training,then a ‘seen’ with a shot, finishing with memory retrieves and blinds. The morning flew by and it was soon time for a picnic lunch, with the family of one of the handlers joining us in the sunshine. It was then that our esteemed ‘chair’ decided to join us too! As it was a warm afternoon we all did water retrieves, some dogs were very confident in the water and good swimmers whilst others needed a little more coaxing. As this pool has a small island with a narrow gangplank to it one of our number was nominated to walk the plank with any of the reluctant dogs whilst their owners stayed on the opposite bank and called them and waved titbits at them! This seemed to have the desired effect and all of them gained their ‘width’ certificate.
Peter took the dogs in twos to hunt and point the quail. All had staunch points or firm indications of game, including a cracking point by one pup. By 3.30 we thought that all of the dogs and certainly their handlers had done enough for the day and it was back to Bardantop for coffee, cold drinks and homemade cake in the sunshine. For me this is the most satisfying part of the day………..people that start the day as strangers finishing it as friends, sitting and chatting comfortably in eachothers company.
Thanks must go to David Haywood for the use of his field, Peter Kirton for getting his hay off so quickly, Bernard Pound for giving up his Sunday to take photographs, Kevin for his dummy throwing and providing the quail and finally to Peter for being Laurel to my Hardy!
Chris Guest
Photos taken by Bernard Pound can browsed/purchased here http://www.photoboxgallery.com/Clifteme/collection?album_id=167354801
"Super day ,company and training were the best ,thankyou very much.
Roll on the next one....
Sue B"
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