AKC Hunt test question?

[swamprooter]

For seniors and masters, can the handler snap his fingers anytime when handling the dog before he kicks him off the line on a blind or mark? thanks for any info

[Copiah Creek]

Yes if you want to fail the test . Now the answer your looking for , once you tell the judges your ready ,,,,walk up or not your allowed to either blow your whistle or say sit . Then you say nothing ,,,,voice or whistle or finger snap until judge's call for dog .

[Duck Chaser]

like said, on a walkup, you either blow sit whistle or say sit. this is similar to a ready signal in a non-walkup scenario.. nothing else until released.

now, this is only before go-bird, while marks are being thrown. you'll have some semblance of a gun in your hands, and how you handle it will vary depending on the judges.

say its a standard multiple test. you've signaled ready. safe bet is not do anything but point the "gun" at the marks as they're thrown. doubt you'll need a snap here, as there will be attention getters in the field for the dog to follow. judge calls "dog/number" most send dog for go-bird, I guess you could snap if ya want.. after released, your free to communicate however you want, blinds too.

[Cuivre Dog]

Yes if you want to fail the test .

[swamprooter]

Nope.........I didn't ask this right.........Let me ask this another way, AKC Senior and/or Master....Example Walk up Double mark with a blind........we walk up, marks are shown....Judges let me kick dog off.....Fido runs out there and gets go bird and brings back......NOW...can I give him a snap or two when lining him up for memory? ( if he needs it) i think so ..........Now we walk over to the blind....can I give him a snap before I kick him off for the blind?..............

[GulfCoast]

AFTER the Judge releases the dog, yes you can snap.

[swamprooter]

Thanks GulfC......My dog has the tendecy to set up on a blind right in front of my front foot. ( just 12" futher out than I want him)My problem has been when I start patting my leg to move him back , his reposition is bad. But now I have been giving him a snap or two he backs straight back. I cocke him with the words "right there" then immediately kick him off. He doesn't break or creep, just he likes to set up ...jjjjuuussttt in front me like I'm going to race him to the bumper...maybe I'll demo the snap technique at the MsDucks hunt test!

[Glenn]

Once the dog is released you are given some leeway as a handler. If your snapping is intiminating to the dog thats another thing. Just do not over do it with the snapping. It really depends on the judges.

[gator]

rooter, i have to do the same thing at times...never had a problem.

like glenn said, be careful not to overdo it, but given the example, you should be good to go.

gator

[swamprooter]

Thanks guys, didn't want to start something I would have to fix later. He's a one Snapper!