Its Fixed!

I believe you can now view the video

The Miracle Bug Repellent

CedarCide is an amazing product that I was introduced to by a client of mine about two years ago.  The product claims to be totally non-toxic, allergen free, and safe for pets. So I have been passing out bottles to some of the pre national training groups from outside the state who have never experienced the likes of the Texas pests. This product has saved the competing dogs from harm and allowed them to continue preparing for the National Retriever Championship....

Double Land Blind

The Gunzer group decided to do a double land blind for their second set up of the day.  The set had a blind off to the right about 50yrds through a group of trees in which a rooster pheasant was planted at the base of a tree and in no relation to the previous set of land marks. Then the handler and dog moved to a different mat for the second longer blind of about 325yrds. This second blind required the dog to cross the lines of the first short blind and the previous set of marks.  There were many great attributes to this long blind, up front the dog was required to jump a large downed tree about 65yrds from the starting point, from there the dog traveled into the valley where the lines to the previous set of marks were crossed, as the dog started up the hill side cover and the remaining flyers in the flyer crates from the hen pheasant flyer came into play in which the dog was required to maneuver threw heavy goat weed tight to the flyer station while maintaining a difficult angle along the hill side with the wind blowing scent off of the flyer crates.  The cover, scenting conditions, and visibility on the end of this blind became very tricky since there was a single hen pheasant planted for each dog from a holding blind down the hill side about 80 yrds away.  The blind planter's path and distance away was thought to be a possible factor of this blind however, the cover and visibility became the true challenges at the end of this blind.

The dog was required to jump the log on the long land blind

FC AFC Maple Creek's "Maddie" Mae & David McMahan

setting up for the long land blind

Technical Difficulties

I'm having some technical difficulties uploading videos to you tube. However, I know how to fix the issue but it will take some time. Please stay tuned as the videos are insightful.

Singles Vs Multiples

As mentioned in the previous post Andy Attar of Autumn Run Retrievers provided an explanation of why he felt some marks were more affective in training performed as a single vs putting the mark into a multiple marking situation. Many trainers share this philosophy however there is more than one way to skin a cat.  Andy's thoughts were that the handler involvement in a attempt to line a dog up for the memory mark in a multiple helped facilitate memory and takes some of the decision making responsibilities from the dog because of the ques being provided and a definite location in where the dog needs to travel to get to the bird in order to complete the mark with success.  Hence a more black & white picture in the dogs mind.  Another key factor to the ease of performing a memory mark as apposed to a well placed single is the dogs frame of mind and energy level after picking up the go bird.  Andy described that the dog maybe a bit tired and more willing to go where they are pointed thus bearing down on the memory mark and giving more effort to get to that bird.   He believes that sometimes the dogs are less likely to bear down and give more effort because of the minute handler involvement required in running a single and the responsibility being solely placed on the dog as he lets his guard down and discipline lax. Also because of the excitement level and minimal handler involvement on a single the opportunity for the handler to play on the factors of the test and the factors of mark is simply not presented. For example the ability for the handler to "No" the dog off an area or previous mark, and or false lining a dog in an attempt to play on the factor of the wind.  In layman's terms on a memory mark the handler is influential on queuing the dog where to go in order to get to the bird, on a single mark one is pointing the dog toward the field and saying there is your gun, watch the bird, now figure out how to pick up your mark.  So don't take a single mark for granted, all marks can benefit your training when put in areas the dogs instinctualy do not want to travel. This is the definition of good bird placement.  A good trainer will utilize all of these factors and continually keep the dogs mind stimulated and attitudes balanced.  Thank you Andy and all who have contributed to this blog!

Land Quad

The Gunzer group began their day by setting up in a field known as the tree pasture.  Their first test was a land quad with a hen pheasant flyer mid distance shot to the left up a hill in some descent cover, deep of this flyer and somewhat tight was a long retired gun throwing a dead rooster pheasant to the right on a side hill in heavy cover, then a shorter retired bird almost equal distance as the hen pheasant flyer was a gun station where the thrower walked out 20 paces to the right and threw a dead hen pheasant to the right in heavy cover, and the last bird was the shortest station standing out throwing (left) a dead duck pinched to the previous retired gun.  The test was performed as a quad for some, triple for others and singles for few. I arrived in the middle of the completion of the test and it was observed by Karl Gunzer of High Spirit Retrievers that the dogs who had performed the test as a multiple had a higher percentage of success to making it out to the long retired bird than the dogs who performed the triple and did the long retired bird as a single. Unfortunately, Karl was running a dog during his comment and I was unable to gather his thoughts on the reasoning behind this observation. Provided is a quick video of Karl performing the triple with Colonel. The video hopefully gives you some perspective of this effective test.  On the other hand, Andy Attar of Autumn Run Retrievers was available to provide his thoughts behind this phenomenon. I will provide Andy's thoughts in the next post.  Please note Colonel does a nice job on the triple and my phone went dead before I could video Colonel picking up the long retired single in which he also did a very nice job on.  It is also noteworthy to mention that Karl Gunzer has other dogs that he qualified for this National and felt it was proper to make mention that the credit for Colonel's titles and training go to Scott Dewey of Rock River Retrievers.  Scott Dewey as many of you know is not attending this National for he has left the field trial game to put forth efforts in an extraordinary cause.

Below is the link to Karl & Colonel's video of the Triple Land Test.  Good Job Colonel!!!

An Introduction.....

It has been brought to my attention that for a good number of folks reading this blog I have been anonymous. So let me properly introduce myself. My name is Tera Lanczak of Bay Blue Kennels, I am a professional retriever trainer that specializes in young dogs residing in Giddings, TX in the winter and Au Gres, MI in the summer.

I was honored to be invited to do this blog, and out of convenience of having the pre national groups train on my winter grounds I am able to report in detail about the pre national training.  However, this in not a one man (woman!!) operation, I will be meeting with the rest of the Retriever News team this evening to go over strategies of providing the best coverage we will be allowed to.  Tina Styan Managing Editor of R-News & Gwen Jones will be my partners in crime for the real coverage of the National beginning on Nov. 10th and dogs will begin to compete on Nov.11th.

I am not a writer, I am a horrible speller, and will probably use the rules of grammar incorrectly, although I will try to do my best to provide the info those who can not witness this event are yearning to see.  Please understand that I will not play favorites for the simple fact I personally know and greatly respect many of the contestants and passionately love all of these amazing Labradors. It may appear that there is more commentary or pictures of one group over another, this is because everything that I post I gain permission from those involved first.  Due to varying anxiety levels, time constraints, and people trying to concentrate on getting these dogs prepared for the upcoming National freedom with information may be limited and I may not be able to provide the depth I would like.  Please understand that I will not start making things up (fluff) just to provide entertaining reading and will be reporting just the facts. Enjoy the blog!!!

Day 3 Of Pre National Training

DANGER, WILL ROBINSON !!!

The fog Thursday morning was thick and visibility at 7:30 am was only about 75yards. The temp was 55 degrees with a light varying breeze out of the South Southwest. The troops in today's group included Karl Gunzer of High Spirit Retrievers, Andy Attar of Autumn Run Retrievers, Ray Voight of Handjem Retrievers, and Paul Knutson of Gunclub Labradors. The group also included some very accomplished amateurs such as Mac & Lynne Dubose, Chuck & Mary Jane Schweikert, David & Kara McMahan, Glenda Brown and Chad Baker.

Kara McMahan & Mary Jane Schweikert

Off To Work

As many of you may or may not know I am spending time reporting on the training groups, helping orchestrate the events on the ranch, and training a full string of 18 puppies under the age of 12 months.  Soooooo...... I'm taking a break to clear my head and train my pups, I will be back updating the blog late this evening. P.S. My Spell Check on this dang site is malfunctioning GRRRRRR!!!! I will edit mistakes later. Thanks for following.

Lunch Is Served



The Office

The site for the luncheon is known as The Office.  The Office was an original barn on the property converted to an office and entertaining area complete with a lime stone veranda. Here are a few photos from the feast. Enjoy!!

Howard Simson, Rob Erhardt, & Dave Rorem enjoy lunch under one of the many live oaks on the property

Terri Curtis(not shown) , Wayne Curtis, Kenny Trott, Marcy Wright, & Bill Eckett filling up on some home cooking




Linda Bogusky,Sammie Thompson, Tom Bogusky, Marjie & Chuck Mize

The Homestead Photos

Royce & Rose Witte

 

The Hospitality At The Homestead

Royce and Rose Witte started this 1000 acres cattle ranch in 1996. They have dedicated their efforts toward producing the best beefmaster pedigrees and progeny of the breed. "Making the Best Breed Better!" has been their slogan since the ranches inception in the hope to bring all of those passionate about the Beefmaster breed together.  The Witte's felt that if their neighboring rancher succeeded then the breed would succeed and the industry would flourish if all worked together.  The Witte's know excellence and strive for it in everything they do so when introduced to the training of retrievers they were fascinated and embraced the trainers as they quickly saw the philosophies of the retriever enthusiasts were similar to the philosophies they shared in the beefmaster breed. It was a perfect marriage between cattle men and retriever enthusiast.

There are several homes on the property that are rented out for the winter months for clients of Bay Blue Kennels and other surrounding trainers that visit the Giddings, TX area. The Homestead now holds several retriever events a year and have welcomed the pre national training group with open arms. Along with the Witte's, Bay Blue Kennels is proud to be a part of this growing retriever community in Giddings, TX and are honored to share this amazing area with all.

The groups training here this week have enjoyed a luncheon provided free of charge by Rose and Royce and catered with food made from the heart by Rose herself.  They are one in a million and I pinch myself quite often and Thank God everyday that I get to call these people family and call the Homestead, home.

THANK YOU FOR COMING TO TRAIN & GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

If you would like to show your gratitude for this special showcase you may write to:
Bay Blue Kennels
C/O Royce & Rose Witte
3650 CR 118
Giddings,TX 78942
Tera's Cell 660-441-1605

Apple Pie Vs. Lima Beans

While observing and listening to discussion from those in the gallery on the water quad the question of "If you were a judge today how would you shoot the order of this quad?" Many answers were given and reasoning for the order was presented but the best analogy came from Dave Rorem of Rorem Retrievers. As stated in the previous post the test had a hen pheasant flyer as the left stand out gun station shot to the left, then a short retired dead hen thrown hip pocket to the flyer, next a long duck flyer shot to the right stand out, and the last bird was a mid distance shoreline retired dead hen pheasant (that was also a check down bird from the duck flyer) thrown to the right in some water grass. It was agreed the most difficult order would be shot from right side to the left side of the test ending with the hen pheasant flyer as the go bird. The analogy was if you had just gotten done eating a big piece of homemade apple pie would you want to then eat a plate full of lima beans? And this is how a dogs eye sees dead hen pheasants vs hen/duck flyers. Therefore, in short a mixed bag of birds can be very effective along with good bird placement in ones test.

Teacher (Bill Eckett) & Student (Lauren Hays) ponder Slider's reactions to the test

FC AFC Bayou Teche Eye On The Ball "Slider"

Alice Woodyard & FC AFC Star Spangled "Banner" Girl II

Review Of A Good Test

On March 16, 2012 South Texas Retriever Club held its inaugural field trial at its home base known as The Homestead Ranch.  The the spring Open was judged by Jason Flemming and Chuck Mize. The 4th series watermarks posed such a challenge then that the Rorem/Eckett group consensus was to run the test and practice it again. But this time with some minor upgrades. The upgrades were in the form of dead pheasants and an additional flyer station. A Water Quad with two dead retired pheasants, a hen pheasant flyer, and a duck flyer.  The order in which the test was shot varied from dog to dog such as singles for some, inside tight double checking down off a stand out gun as a very effective short retired, outside double with a duck flyer go bird that allowed the dog to square the pond and then required the dog to make a longer swim away from the test on a severe angle to pick up a dead hen pheasant. Memory, discipline in the water, angles along the pond, and the way the guns station influenced one another became a challenge not only for the dogs but the handlers too. 

 

Water Quad from STXRC Spring Trial

 

Mid distance (shoreline) retired right hand bird of the Water Quad

Wayne Curtis (aka Ol' Dead Eye #1) shooting flyer in the Quad

Kenny Trott (aka Ol' Dead Eye #2) shooting 2nd flyer in the Quad
 

 

Day 2 Of Pre National Training

The weather this week has been ideal for training cool in the mornings and warming up to mid to high 70’s in the afternoon. The wind was blowing steadily out of the east at 3-5 mph until about 4pm when it became non-existent. The late afternoon conditions made it near impossible for the dogs to dig out and scent the fresh dead hen pheasant and hen flyer pheasant in the last series for the day.

The training group we hosted today included Dave & Ty Rorem of Rorem Retrievers, Wayne & Terri Curtis of Fox Hollow Retrievers, Kenny Trott & Marcy Wright of Horsetooth Retrievers,Bill Eckett of Blackwater Retrievers, Randy Bohn of Rammin Retrievers, and Rob Erhardt of Silvertip Retrievers.  The Amateurs in the group included Tom & Linda Bogusky, Chuck & Marge Mize, Sammie Thompson, Lauren Hays, Alice Woodyard, and Howard Simson.

Howard Simson, Tom Bogusky, Ty Rorem, Linda Bogusky, Alice Woodyard, Marjie Mize, Lauren Hays, Chuck Mize

Parking Lot of the Water Quad on The Guest House Pond
 



At The Line Of The Water Triple

Jerry Patopea and FC Merlyn IV



Ray Vreeland getting a feel for the test behind the line.
Al Arthur and FC Escaleras Black Explosion"Nitro" 

Running is Ray Vreeland & Cowboy, honoring is Al Arthur & Pow, calling the dog numbers Jane Patopea gallery was Jerry Patopea



Handlers are Paul Sletten and John Stracka



a new calf nestled near the group

Freeway stretching out getting ready to go to line

Photos

I am taking and editing them all from my iphone with an injured right hand due to a dog bite. YUCK!  However, I felt you would appreciate any info from the pre-national week of training since this is said to be the most fun part of the National :) Enjoy!!!

Day 1 of Pre-National Training

Monday morning brought cool temps of 52 degrees with a light breeze out of the west.  The sun was rising in a clear sky and the dogs sounded ready to train.  The group did a set of land marks which was a quad with a hen pheasant flyer and two retired birds. The field was of ample cover of varying heights and rolling hills. For the second set the group separated and set up a water triple with two retired birds and a wiper duck flyer.  Ouch!!! The dogs had to practice discipline in the water, focus on their marks, and remember the retired guns in which the dog had to run tight to the flyer station.  The other set was a beautiful double land blind with a hidden dry pop in a field with a ton of terrain and character brought to life by the trees and mini horses.

Pre-National Training II

Good Morning!! The groups for the pre-national training began to arrive to the Homestead Ranch owned by Royce and Rose Witte on Sun. eve. On Mon. morning I had the pleasure to escort Jerry and Jane Patopea around this 1000 acre cattle ranch that Bay Blue Kennels calls its winter home.  It took us about an hour to view the entire property while Jerry munched on his breakfast. Once the group reconvened they were off to train on some great terrain and cover. The Mon. group included Al Arthur of Sandhill Kennel, Alan & Gwen Pleasant of Black River Retrievers, Paul Sletten of Pine Edge Retrievers, Jerry & Jane Patopea Utopia Retrievers, Alex Washburn, Jerry Kamphuis, Ray & Lou Vreeland, & John Stracka.  Today we are hosting the Rorem/Eckett group which is said to have 20 participants.

Pre-National Training

Training groups have converged down in Texas. Tera Lanczak is hosting three different sets of training groups this week on her ranch in Giddings, TX. She hopes to be able to post some photographs and more information later, but for the moment she is out helping them train.

Check back later today for more updates!