Jumping for Joy

or the bird...same thing!

Reflect

Savi, candid swim shot from the DelVal/GSWC Retrieving Ratings, taken by Michelle Ostrander.

DelVal/GSWC WCA Ratings Test - Part 2: Savi's NRD test

As I had reported earlier, Savi was entered in her first NRD (Novice Retrieving Dog) ratings test but didn't pass.  The WCA Retrieving Ratings have two parts, a land retrieve and then a water retrieve.  At the NRD level, all dogs are tested on the land first and the dogs must retrieve the dead bird from a specific distance, 20-40 yards for the NRD test, and bring the bird back to the handler, who must remain in a circle with a diameter of 6 six feet.  No food or training collars are allowed.  The dogs that pass the land retrieve move on to the water portion of the test.  Savi completed the land retrieve with flying colors so off to the lovely pond we go.

Savi is quite the little fish so I was not concerned about her swimming skills and typically, she'll retrieve anything from the water, especially her favorite accessory, a bird.  Well, my fault for not properly introducing her to ducks, which is what they used for the morning test.  Savi swam out the distance but then, wait she said, something isn't kosher here, I didn't order the duck...her pup-a-razzi caught some video of her in the act:



Basically, no bird, no pass.  We patiently watched the rest of the dogs take their turn, some were successful, some were not.  Then the morning test was over and it was time for lunch...never one to miss an opportunity, we grabbed one of the used ducks and a teased Savi with it...hmmm, she thought it was time to play and the duck was much more her style...into the water it went and Savi followed for the retrieve.  We did this a number of times, increasing the distance and success!  Maybe we didn't get the title, but she is still a winner and we have the tape to prove it:

Novice Shooting Dog Title for Savi!

Savi with her new title ribbon - Novice Shooting Dog (NSD)

 We had a perfect weather day for the combined Delaware Valley & Garden State Weimaraner Club's Shooting & Retrieving Ratings tests at Collier's Mills Wildlife Management Area in New Egypt, NJ.  The Ratings tests are Weimaraner Club of America hunting tests that have their own set of standards, similar but different than the AKC hunt tests, and at the lower levels, test a dogs natural ability in the field.  Since there are no AKC retrieving tests for Weimaraners, the WCA has its own retrieving ratings, as they are called, to test retrieving skills on both land and water.  All of the tests are judged against specific criteria that the dog must meet and done a pass/fail basis.

Savi was entered in both the Novice Shooting Dog (NSD) and Novice Retrieving Dog (NRD) tests and we are pleased that she passed the NSD test to get her first WCA title.  She passed the land portion of the NRD but would not retrieve the duck from the water.  More on that later...

 

Savi in the Novice Retrieving Dog test

Savi had her own "Pup-A-Razzi" there to photograph her during the day!  Big thanks to Kel for all the awesome shots of her PBP!

Obedient girls

Savi and Jam at obedience class last week at Kathy Santo's Dog Training...practicing go to place, basically a send to the bed from a distance, and stays...my girls decided to share a bed, even if it was one of the smallest in the room.

GSWC Specialty

 The Garden State Weimaraner Club's Independent Specialty show was a nice place to show Savi as the Sweeps and Regular classes gave us the opportunity to go in the ring twice.  We are still working on getting her stack just right and standing for exam but it important to me that she has fun in the ring.  This show was her last in the 6-9 mo puppy class.

 Savi placed 3rd in her sweeps class and 4th in the regular class.

Savi also got to visit with many friends and even hung out with Kel and hubby Chris..I made sure I wasn't gone too long as they adore Savi and would make room for her on the couch next to June!

Thanks to Chris for capturing the day with his wonderful pictures.

Weimaraner Wednesday in the Field

 Savi's day in the field began with a romp with the Weims and she especially loves her brother, Monty.

 

and when you least expect it, POINT!  Savi found a wild pheasant running through the corn field!

 She turned on scent and then was zoning in on where the bird was planted.

 Check out the intense look in her eyes.  She's on point and Mike is going to put the check cord on her to prevent her from grabbing the bird as we teach her to hold steady.

 Another point!

 Yes, this is a point.  She turned on scent as she was hunting and turned into the wind.

 She naturally quarters the field, doing a zig zag pattern as she hunts and then her body language changes when she gets on scent.

Running through the thick sorghum, nothing stops Savi, our bold pup, from finding those birds.