March 21, 2009Buckeyes Plantation
Jersey, GA
First training day with the local NAVHDA chapter. Some folks were preparing for the upcoming Natural Ability test and they invited us along.
We planted three quail. Although it seemed like Tessa searched forever, our mentor said she is clearly hunting and not just running around, so that is a good thing - she just needs more practice. She finally found one and froze for a brief moment, then flushed and chased it which is not a problem for the NA test.
In the photo above, Tessa is leaving the woods on the left to run to the field across the road. The next dog did the same. We later learned that one of our quail had flown over to that field.
This was also Tessa's first exposure to gunshots, and she was not bothered by them.
In the photo above, Tessa is leaving the woods on the left to run to the field across the road. The next dog did the same. We later learned that one of our quail had flown over to that field.This was also Tessa's first exposure to gunshots, and she was not bothered by them.
NAVHDA Test Rules - NA:
"The dog is hunted in cover where the presence of game has been assured by the releasing of game birds. At two random points along the course, a Judge will signal a gunner to fire one 
round of blank ammunition from a shotgun in order to watch the dog’s reaction to gunfire. The dog will then be marked as “Not Gun Shy,” “Gun Sensitive,” or “Gun Shy” as the case may be. A gun sensitive dog is one who, although obviously disturbed by the shots, is willing to continue the search without undue delay or loss of interest. This is a clue to the owner to use caution and judgment in further introducing the dog to the gun and may also impact future breeding plans. A dog is considered to be gun shy if it leaves the area in fright or returns to the handler and then refuses to hunt. Leaping into the air to locate the source of the shot, or checking with the handler for the same purpose are not judged as faults as long as the dog immediately continues the search. Dogs judged as being gun shy may not qualify for a prize classification, but are permitted to complete the remaining tests. Breeding of gun shy dogs is to be discouraged."
round of blank ammunition from a shotgun in order to watch the dog’s reaction to gunfire. The dog will then be marked as “Not Gun Shy,” “Gun Sensitive,” or “Gun Shy” as the case may be. A gun sensitive dog is one who, although obviously disturbed by the shots, is willing to continue the search without undue delay or loss of interest. This is a clue to the owner to use caution and judgment in further introducing the dog to the gun and may also impact future breeding plans. A dog is considered to be gun shy if it leaves the area in fright or returns to the handler and then refuses to hunt. Leaping into the air to locate the source of the shot, or checking with the handler for the same purpose are not judged as faults as long as the dog immediately continues the search. Dogs judged as being gun shy may not qualify for a prize classification, but are permitted to complete the remaining tests. Breeding of gun shy dogs is to be discouraged."
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