Hunt Test Simulation

Tuvuk will be entering the Seasoned division in UKC and the Senior division in AKC trials this summer. We are just now getting bare ground showing and I have been training very hard the past month with Tuvuk.  In this video we have set up a simulated hunt test with a double mark and a blind retrieve.  In this division there is also a diversion bird and a walk-up, which I will try and show in later videos.  Tuvuk is progressing nicely and we cant wait to get to the warm weather in Fairbanks.  Last week we saw the highs in the teens and lows were between 5-10 above.  It is forecasted to be in the mid-30's this week so we may see our first open water towards the end of the week.  Hope you enjoy the video.

Season 2012

Well we have made it through another winter here in Alaska.  We traveled down to Arkansas in December to visit with family and take Tuvuk on his first timber hunt.  He was a little green for his first year but we had a blast.  I have recently started training him for the upcoming trial season.  We will be competing in the UKC Seasoned hunt test and possibly Finished.  We will also compete in the AKC Senior hunt test and possibly Masters.  His first trial of the season will be May 25th.  I have been really busy this year and have not been able to take any video.  Tuvuk has progressed immensely in the past few months and is really becoming a real dog.  The training from last year is really paying off.  We are fortunate to have a spring bird season coming up in the next 2 weeks and this gives him a great advantage to be in live hunting situations before the competition begins.

I have also taken in 2 dogs this spring to train for people here in Nome.  It is nice to be able to train dogs again and it provides the funding for Tuvuk's travel and expenses since we have to fly to all of these events.  We will compete in 4 separate events this summer and will post videos as we can.  I look forward to another season of trials and training and I hope you enjoy this years posts.

Tuvuk's First Hunt 2011

If you would like to see the full screen video you can search it on YouTube.  

This was Tuvuk's first hunt and it was a great one.  As you can see I am not shooting most of this hunt so I can work on having complete control.  This is tough for some hunters, but it is a must when training a dog.  He definitely has some areas that we will continue to work on, but I was very pleased with his first day.  It will be interesting to see him progress through the season and you could even see the light bulbs coming on throughout the hunt.   The first group that came in overwhelmed him a bit, but by the end of the day he was spotting birds before I would even see them.  Hope you enjoy the video and I will keep you updated on his progress.  Thanks to the shooters Tony and Simon for knocking some birds down. Great Job Guys!!!

Double T Training

Here is an image of what the Double T should look like.  This video demonstrates our training on this drill after 2 sessions.  The first session you want to start will be to establish the straight line location at the end of the T.  As you progress each leg of the Double T will have a pile of bumpers.  You want to make sure that your dog understands and runs each drill precisely before moving to the next section.  We had a very heavy wind during the video so I had to do a voiceover.  Sorry if it is a little boring, but this video will show you the progression of this drill.  I will try and post multiple videos as Tuvuk progresses on this drill.  We will probably be working this drill for a 2 week period about 4-5 times per week.  Tuvuk had a little tough time with sitting immediately on the whistle before casting to the pile I wanted.  I will incorporate a 30 ft lead to fix this slight problem  Hope you enjoy.

AKC Junior Title

Tuvuk and I traveled down to Turnagin Pass this past weekend to attend an AKC Hunt Test. This was his last 2 test needed to obtain his Junior Hunter Title. He passed both Saturday and Sunday. I then travel down to Kenai for some Red and Kings salmon fishing. I shipped Tuvuk up to Fairbanks where we have a UKC Hunt Test this weekend. If he passes both days he will also have his Started Title with the UKC. Stay tuned and I will try to get some pics and more video posted.

Scotty

AKC Hunt Test this Weekend

Well we are done in Anchorage for another test. If all goes well Saturday and Sunday Tuvuk will have his Junior Hunting Title. I am also headed to the Kenai to fish this week. We will then be headed to Fairbanks for a UKC Hunt Test. Very busy week ahead, but we will also have some great time off. I will post information as I can.

AKC Junior Hunt Test (Successful)

(Happy Father's Day Dad)

Well Tuvuk has successfully completed a weekend of tests. I entered him into the Junior Hunt test this weekend which involved 2days worth of trials. He passed on Saturday and Sunday which brings him closer to having a title. Just for people who are unfamiliar with the process Tuvuk has to successfully pass 4 test in the AKC and 4 passes in UKC. He currently has 2 in each. The UKC is called a Started Retriever and the AKC is called a Junior Hunter. I will be traveling to Anchorage July 17-18 for another AKC test and then up to Fairbanks on July 23-24 for UKC. If he successfully passes these trials he will have a title in both divisions. 

Tuvuk's Sunday Trial 2nd Pass

This is the video from the 2nd UKC Started hunt test that was on Sunday.  We have another test coming up on June 17th in Fairbanks.  This test will be an AKC Junior Hunter Hunt Test.  We will be try and video some training that will be preparing us for this test.  The AKC tests are a bit different but it is mainly just the distance in the retrieves.  Hope you enjoy the video.    

Tig's Water Series

Here is Tig's Water Series from the UKC Seasoned Hunt Test.  This test included a Double Mark, Blind Retrieve, and a Diversion Bird.  I will post Tuvuk's Sunday test in a few days.  Hope you enjoy the more advanced test that Tig had to run.  

Tig's Seasoned Land Test

This video was made Saturday when I was a handler for my mother and father-in-laws dog Tig.  I was able to work with her as a pup on obedience training, but since she has been trained by Aliy.  I usually ship Tig out once or twice a season to hunt with me and she has turned into one heck of a dog.  She is running the Seasoned Trials this weekend and she successfully passed both days.  She needs one more pass to receive her Seasoned Title and start competing in the Finished Hunt Test.  This will also give you a look at many things that I will be working Tuvuk on in the next few months.  I will post Tig's water test in a few days.