Working Test Preparation

If you are thinking of running in a working test, ensure you have a good knowledge of the Kennel Club (KC) J Regs for the breed you want to run. The J Regs can be found on the KC website https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/media/3465/field-trial-j-regulations.pdf. Prior to entering a Working Test preparation is key, ensure your dog does not show any eliminating faults, noise especially, as you will be wasting yours and the clubs time. If your dog does show eliminating faults seek the help of an experienced gundog trainer to show you the right way to manage the fault. Most Working Tests follow a relatively similar format, for Spaniels mainly hunting onto dummies with blinds and marks thrown. For Retrievers, if your dog will run a line to a Blind with and without shot and take a line to a mark then you will be 75% of the way there. What varies between each of the tests is: the amount of dogs in the line (walked up) which generates excitement and must be practiced, the other is terrain, you must get your dog used to different terrain Whether that is different types of cover for Spaniels to hunt through, mark and handle beyond, or ditches, water and fences for retrieving across. To ensure success do not be afraid of upsetting your trainer to try different ground. The more experience your dog has over differing terrain the more confident they will be in tackling anything they haven't come across in your training.

If whilst conducting your preparation for a Working Test you identify areas of weakness, it is human nature to shy away from it. We all like the warm fuzzy feeling when our dogs succeed, you must practice and rectify any areas of weakness, in either your handling or your dogs understanding of what you are asking. Dogs generally do not mess anything up on purpose (although it does feel like it sometimes). It is most likely a handling error or a lack of understanding in what is being asked. Break the exercise down into bite size chunks layering each element until the full exercise is completed.

Finally - Everyone suffers from a degree of nerves, it is how you manage your nerves that is key. The pressure you will feel is all self induced pressure, I have never met a judge that has put me under pressure in fact, quite the opposite, they try to put you at ease as they want the best from you and your dog. If you do suffer from nerves and self induced pressure a good read to understanding your inner self and giving you the tools to help you is: The Chimp Paradox by Dr Steve Peters. It explains how to control the inner chimp that runs amok in all of us.