#TeamGunner sally forth again

View of Boughton House across the park

Sunday dawned dry and clear, if somewhat cloudy, as #TeamGunner sallied forth for their second appearance at a Gundog Working Test. This time the destination was the impressive Boughton Estate in Northamptonshire at the kind invitation of the Duke of Buccleuch.
Arriving in good time shortly after 9 0'clock we collected our 'card' and found that we were numbers 3 and 15 of 24. By the time we started at 10 a.m. that had been reduced to 19 by 5 no-shows and we were advised that the dogs would get a 'run' in front of each of the Judges and that any dogs eliminated in the first run could use their second as a 'training' exercise! And off we all went into the wild woolly woods of Boughton. The Big Boss recorded our departure on his new mobile - sadly  by the time he got organised, he had a very good picture of where we had departed from!!!!
For the next four hours the dogs (and handlers!) were put through their paces. Same format as before: hunt; shot fired; dummy thrown in sight of dog (if he happens to be looking); retrieve; hunt on; shot fired, blind dummy to be retrieved from behind; hunt on and finish. What could be easier? The terrain was perfect for spaniels - thick woodland with a good ground cover of fallen trees, mixed herbiage and brambles. The weather was equally suited to the event - dry, cool, cloudy with a light breeze. We couldn't have ordered better conditions.

"It is no laughing matter" said Gunner

Bugler was first of our pair to go, in front of the A list judge. After his performance last time I had high hopes that he would do well. They were soon dashed! The highly scented woodland combined with the stresses of the occasion must have gone to his head (or his ears). I'd been worried about his lack of attention to the "shot and drop" bit, but his retrieving was very good. His hunting on the other hand was uncharacteristically erratic and off the whistle.
"You need to work him in a tighter pattern much closer to you and get him to pay more attention to the whistle" was the judge's conclusion.
Jaunty had plenty of time to absorb the atmosphere before his first run. I expected the worst but was hugely impressed with his work. He was on the whistle (admittedly I had to use it a lot), eye-catchingly enthusiastic in his hunting and sharp with his retrieves. I was delighted. Then, just at the very end of his run he flushed a pheasant, I was too slow on the stop whistle and he was eliminated for giving chase! He didn't run far but the damage was done.
"He's a good dog" said the judge "Persevere with him and for goodness sake, get a quieter whistle!"  I've been using the same whistle for 8 years and now I find out it is "too loud". Well!
Both dogs got to run in front of the second judge. Neither covered themselves in glory but there were no more misdemeanors. His general advice was to "keep up the good work" and "work them in a tighter pattern and much closer". He was particularly taken with Jaunty, calling him stylish and eye-catching.Small crumbs then...............
As for the whistle........... I'd never realised that it was particularly loud. Rory-the-trainer did mention it once but I thought having trained the dogs to a certain tone, they wouldn't listen to another. I've now bought a different one. If I blow it as hard as I can it is still quieter than my original as its quietest!
Do the dogs respond to it? Gunner looks at me quizically when I use it as if I'm doing something quite bewildering but he's prepared to humour me, albeit in slow motion! The youngsters took a short while to get used to it but after that are, if anything, a lot sharper on it than the original. Perhaps they are saying "Thank goodness She's stopped shouting at us".
Meanwhile, we have our final working test of the 'season' on Sunday. Paws crossed that we've all learned some lessons........................ and that we can do Gunner proud!