(another) AKC Senior Test Question

[stmasley]

I have a couple (more) questions about an AKC senior test. In a test I saw in the spring, a "diversion" shot was fired during the land blind (when the dog was about half way to the bird)

Is the dog expected to continue progress to the bird as if nothing happened?

If the handler blows a whistle right after the shot to try to maintain control (the dog is not off-line - the sole reason for the whistle is because of the "diversion" shot), will they be marked down?

Thanks in advance,

Masley

[cdwyer]

Ive never seen a diversion shot in senior while a dog was running a blind. There is a diversion shot usually fired on the last bird back to set up the blind and it could be shot from either gun station sometimes in the opposite direction of the blind.

If a shot is fired while the dog is in route to a blind, thats kinda cheezey for a senior dog. Thats real similar to a bulldog, the dog at senior level will of course be drawn to the gun shot. If you use a whistle and the dog remains under control and still making progress to the blind then there should be nothing to mark down. I would suspect you wont see many of those. Sounds like the judges didnt set up enough blind to get their answer?

[duckdawg27]

I agree with Charles (don't think you'll see it very often) but like you I have seen this one 2. The dogs that remained under control (stopped by whistle and then continued on back when cast) were OK and those who did not got to punch the clock early that day.
Marks were by invitation after the blind so it was pretty quick to know if you passed the blind or not.

[Copiah Creek]

Senoir at Magnolia on the water blind a shot was fired half way to the blind , with 2 decoys set in front of the gun at the waters edge . It was an angle enrty anyway so the dogs were not far off the decoys anyway ,,,,,Stephen i blew a whistle and gave a right back away from the decoys and the gun ,,,,and we passed so i dont think you going to be pencil whipped on it ,,,BUT if your dog heads to the gun she might be out of control ,,,,,,,,,You will do fine ..........i just want to see her HONOR

[stmasley]

Thanks guys - I hope we dont see it, but I'm going to train for it anyway ...

i just want to see her HONOR

that's just wrong CC ... we're working on that too

[beamer]

I had that exact scenario in a senior test.........The judges said you could stop your dog after the shot if you wanted.........They said just keep your dog under control!

[Damn_It_Boy]

That's total horse $#!+ if they do that in senior. AKC or not, that's finished work. Someone has to be a brutal "turd-cutter" to run that type of setup for senior dogs.

Big difference on diversion leaving the line, versus on the way back with the chicken. Difference being Senior vrs. Master work. Ridiculous.

[Lady Duck Hunter]

I'm with you in that assessment Damn-it-boy.

I guess it is a little bit forgivable since it was a shot and not a diversion bird...but still why muddy the waters of a senior test when control on a blind is difficult at that transition level anyway?

It is permitted in the rules...just pushing the envelope of what is expected for a senior dog to handle.

[red man]

stop stressing and run the dog!!!! She can do the work. Only a damn lawyer would analyze everything that could go wrong. Think POSITIVE!!!!!!! or have a Vodka shot before.

[stmasley]

stop stressing and run the dog!!!! She can do the work. Only a damn lawyer would analyze everything that could go wrong. Think POSITIVE!!!!!!! or have a Vodka shot before.

Kiss my @#% - If I wanted your opinion, I would have called you

[Copiah Creek]

Daaaaaauuuuuuuuummmmmmm i thought this was fose to be FUN

[Jeff]

I have seen some stout Senior tests in my day, but to date have never seen a shot on the way out on a blind. I think that's a bit much for a senior dog, but that's just an opinion. I would be more concerned if running senior for the first time about out of order flyers, cold blinds past the flyer station. a land water land water mark on water, that kind of thing.

I think for whatever reason AKC often gets a bad rap, and I guess in some instances there have been some odd AKC tests. However I find the majority of ones I have run have been sometimes on the difficult side, but straight up, ESPECIALLY in senior. For the most part if you are going to see something crazy it will be in master. But again for the most part expect difficult, concept oriented marks but straight forward.

[Copiah Creek]

Jeff your right ,,,,,i have managed to get the crazy test along with beamer ,,,,,,,i also think when only (2) dogs in the flight pass ,,,its a little over the top . BUT thats just me

[GulfCoast]

Oh, THAT test. . . . . I fondly remember the 3 minute delay on the flyer while booger and junebug figured out how to load a gun. . . . . . K9MELTDOWN. . . .