Diary of a Squealy Spaniel 18th Nov 21

The novice test was interesting, I was not told how many tests there would be, what we would be doing, what time we would finish or even if the field was enclosed as it was next to the motorway. I was simply told that it is based on shoot day scenarios which was obvious as it’s a gundog test. Trying to go with the flow I decided we would go and see, letting everyone know we didn’t know what we were doing, and they would have to forgive us our indiscretions. The tests were simple enough and even though he didn’t take the lines or properly mark the dummies he eventually brought me each one to hand. Delivery to hand was a huge problem for us so it was wonderful to have a delivery in a new place. I wasn’t expecting anything of Thorn I just wanted to see how he would cope. He was a bit whiney but it wasn’t too bad. Then the last test, they used a blank. Walking over the moment it went off Thorn tried to shoot off on the lead. Once he reached the end the scream rang out again and I simply walked him back. A circle of dogs and handlers all looked over to us and I didn’t acknowledge it, I just tried to calm Thorn. We were then shouted it was our turn and he was quiet as the judge explained the test. Lead off, sit, bang and off he flew in a random direction. At least he was quiet though, I took him to the area to find the dummy and he hunted it and brought it to me. I know he screams and he’s not steady to shot but he’s got so much potential I thought. The lady judge was encouraging saying he’s a lovely young dog he just needs a bit more work and calmness.

One of the male judges was telling me I needed to stop Thorns whining, he said “stop that, stop that” pointing at Thorn and looking at me and I was silent. I wanted to scream at him “OH REALLY! YOU DON’T THINK SO!? I THOUGHT IT WAS TOTALLY FINE IN FACT IT’S A LOVELY NOISE” obviously hypersensitive to it as he’s my dog.