Why is steadiness important?

1. Pin Oak HRCFundamental Retriever Etiquette- Steadiness - The Line- Drill- Training Day September 2007

2. Why is steadiness important? • Keeps your dog out of the line of fire • Helps preserve your dog’s hearing • Doesn’t disrupt the shooter (can prevent an accidental shooting) • Doesn’t disrupt the hunt (maybe you’ll get invited back)

3. How steady?(rulebook) • …is required to be steady at the retrieving line. • …the dog may be touched to steady, but when the Handler signals “ready”, it may not be touched… • …may be failed for a “controlled break” • …may be failed for excessive, consistent creeping. • …the Finished dog may be placed a reasonable distance from the retrieving line.

4. How steady?(rulebook) • Controlled breaks, poor obedience and poor manners should be noted and when excessive or repeated, should be cause for failure. • …look for the dog that walks obediently to the line, sits obediently and exhibits an attentive attitude.

5. Steadiness and Honoring(rulebook) • During the hunting tests, a Finished Hunting Retriever must be required to honor another hunting retriever at or near the retrieving line. • When the Finished Hunting Retriever is honoring, its view of the hunting test cannot be obstructed.

6. The Line Can Change Everything

7. Drill Work • Several on-line (yard work) • Close marks • Add calls • Add shots • Add birds • Add voices • Add remote sit • Add dogs

8. Training Day -Steadiness/Honoring • Drill close water marks • Add calls • Add shots • Add birds • Add voices • Add remote sit • Add dogs