Field Trials Bad Kreuznach, 3rd & 4th October, Irish Setter Club Germany

[Susan Stone]

Instead of visiting the ISAE Championship show this year Glen and I spent two days at the Field Trials of the Irish Setter Club Germany in Bad Kreuznach. Day one it was a dry sunny day with a strong cold wind, day 2 was overcast with more cold and moist wind. Especially on Sunday the birds were scarce (or knew where to hide) and many good dogs did not get a chance to point.
I was thrilled with Glen's result on the Saturday, in the Field Trial Solo he was placed second with grading very good (only two dogs placed) after an excellent point on pheasant within the first few minutes of his run. On Sunday Glen went extremely well and I was hoping for a grading excellent, but despite three excellent runs we did not come across birds.

more details and dog's names see the photo album

[colette tuite]

Dave,regarding training a pup, the one command you need to get firmly established at the outset is the drop command to whistle.The earlier you start this the more likely it will become a reflex action, which is what you want.I also hiss to make the dog drop if it is near me as this doesnt disturb the game.I have noticed that many people training their 2nd dog allow greater flexibility than their first dog who may be a little robotic due to too much training too early.You dont want your dog to be always looking at you ,you need the dog to have some independance,although My Mother found the red and whites to be particularly obstinant.So a well trained one will be the exception rather than the rule.It is important that you let your pup be a pup .The important thing is not to let it disobey your commands so in the early days the less commands it gets the less likely that it will disobey.Maybe see you at some trials next year,if i can get my two trained by then.!

There is a real danger of making a very