GLOSSARY OF TERMS

AKC: American Kennel Club

Area of fall: the general area of a fallen bird that one expects a retriever to enter, establish a hunt within, and find the bird within.

Balk: a refusal to leave on a retrieve when sent.

Baseball: A drill for teaching directional casts for the dog to take right and left “overs” and straight “back casts.

Birdiness: A dog with a very high desire to retrieve birds.

Bird boy: the person who throws birds or bumpers during a trial, test or training session.

Bird station: a combination of bird boy and gunner (may be one person) that throws a mark during a trial test, or training session.

Live Gun Station: This a bird station that is shooting live birds for a trial test, hunt test or training session. Normally there a 3 people shooters and bird thrower.

Blank pistol: a pistol with a solid or plugged barrel, designed for firing blank rounds only. Also referred to as training pistol or starter's pistol

Blind: 1) a blind retrieve is where the dog does not know where the bird is located; the handler guides the dog to the bird by a combination of hand, whistle and/or voice commands. 2) a structure used by hunters to hide themselves from game.

Blind, holding

A fabric (usually) screen put in place to hide a retired gun or prevent a dog from viewing a test before he has run

Breaking: the act of a dog leaving to make a retrieve before being released to do so by the handler.

Bumper: a canvas or plastic object used to simulate birds in retriever training. Also commonly called a dummy.

Bulldog: A bird thrown or shot while the dog is returning from a previous retrieve. It is done to see if the dog will drop the bird he is carrying and switch to the new bird. In addition, it is a diversion for further retrieves. It can be used in Master Hunting Tests and is used on occasion in field trials.

Call Backs: A list of those dogs remaining in the field trial or hunting test after each series is run.

Cast: a handling signal given to a dog by the handler to go in a given direction.

Chaining: Creating a reliable series of behaviors from simple or complex behaviors. Can be back-chaining (starting with a complex behavior and going backwards one step at a time until the desired behavior is formed) or forward chaining (starting with simple behaviors and building their complexity). This is a term used in behavioral theory which can be applied to dog training. Each item in the chain is a stimulus to the next item or response in the training sequence. An example would be telling your dog to "sit", the marks go down, your hand goes over the dog's head, you give the dog's name, and the dog is then released to pick up the mark.

Channel Blind: A long, deep and narrow body of water the dog must swim without coming to shore, unless directed to by the hander, in order to reach the bird or bumper.

Cold Blind: A blind the dog has never run before.

Conditioned retrieve: The part of retriever training in which a retriever is taught to pick up, hold and deliver objects on command. Also referred to as force training.

Collar condition

To acclimate a dog to accept electric collar stimulation as a training aid.

Controlled Break: This is when the dog makes an attempt to break and is immediately brought under control by the handler.

Cover: Grass, brush or any other vegetation which may conceal the bird from the dog on land or in the water.

Creeping: forward motion by a dog while marks are being thrown, without making an intent to retrieve.

Cue: A verbal cue to the dog such as “dead bird” indicating a blind, or an instruction such as “way out” for a push bird or “easy” for a short check down bird.

Delayed Bird: This is a bird which is shot after a dog returns to the line after retrieving one or more birds of a multiple mark. The dog is then sent for this delayed bird before returning to the line to complete retrieves of the birds remaining in the field.

Diversion: a thrown mark or dry shot used to distract a dog from another mark or a blind retrieve.

Double: a marking test in which two birds are thrown sequentially in two separate locations.

Dragback: A scent trail left by dogs returning with birds, especially through high cover where the birds’ scent is left on the vegetation.

Dry Gun or Shot: A shot by a gun without a bird being thrown or a flyer being shot.

Dead bird

A cue used by handlers to indicate to the dog that a blind is to be retrieved

Derby List

The "National" list of Derby dogs earning ten points or more

Derby Stake

A field trial stake for dogs under 2 years of age (AKC) which uses marks only to test a dogs abilities

Dummy: a canvas or plastic object used to simulate birds in retriever training. Also commonly called a bumper.

Entry: 1) the spot at which a dog enters the water on either a blind or mark; if the dog enters the water at a close angle to the shoreline it is called an "angle entry". 2) the manner or style in which a dog enters the water - "water entry".

Flat Throw: Also known as a square throw---a bird or bumper which is thrown directly across from the throwers. It is neither thrown back nor in towards the line. From the dog’s point of view, it is a 90 degree throw.

Flushing: This is when there are live birds in the field and the dog is sent to find them and “flush” them into the air so the birds can be shot by the gunners. This occurs during upland hunting. Occasionally judges will simulate this condition during hunt tests.

Force Fetch: A training method which convinces the dog he must retrieve when told to retrieve. The word “fetch” is considered a command, not a request.

Fountain: Also known as a Momma/Poppa throw. Two marks are thrown from one gun station, one to each side.

Field Trial: competitive competition for working retrievers. In the United States, these are sponsored by the AKC.

Freezing: This is the dog’s refusal to give up the bird to the handler. The dog appears to freeze on the bird and ignores all commands to release it.

Gunner: the person who shoots either live or blank rounds during a trial, test or training session.

Handler: the person handling, or controlling, a retriever during a trial, test, or training session.

Handle: Directions given by the handler to the dog such as handling on a blind. The handler does this by blowing a whistle which is giving the dog a sit command. When the dog sits and watches the handler, the handler then will give a cast or command of one kind or the other to the dog.

Happy Bumper: A bumper thrown in play or as a reward or encouragement for the dog.

Hardmouth: A dog that is very rough on, abuses, or eats the birds when sent to retrieve. This is a disqualifying fault.

Holding Blind: It is an enclosure for the dog and handler to stand behind while waiting to go to the line during a trial or hunting test. It is to prevent the waiting dog from seeing the tests before running them.

Honoring: A dog remaining seated on the line while another dog is sent for the bird or birds. The honoring dog must not interfere with the working dog.

Hunt Test: non-competitive competition for working retrievers. In the United States, these are sponsored by three organizations: NAHRA, AKC, and UKC/HRC.

Key Bird: The bird in a multiple mark which is likely to prove the most difficult bird for the dog to retrieve successfully.

Line:

1. This is the spot designated by the judges from which the dog is sent for retrieves or blinds.

2. The dog running in a straight line from his handler to either a blind or a mark.

Line Manners: The dog’s behavior while coming to the line; while on the line waiting for the marks to be thrown or while waiting to be sent on a blind; upon returning to the line with the bird; and when leaving the line after delivering the bird(s).

Lining:

3. Setting up the position of a dog before running a mark or blind.

4. Running a perfect line to a blind retrieve without whistles or casts being given by the handler.

Mark: the fall of a bird which a dog should watch, remember, and retrieve when released to do so.

Marking test: a test were the dog can visually see the bird or birds fall, and is expected to watch, remember, and retrieve sequentially when released to do so.

NAHRA: The North American Hunting Retriever Association

No Bird: This is when a bird is either shot or thrown and the dog is not sent for the bird because it is felt by the judges to be an unfair mark. The dog is then allowed to return to the line and rerun this set of marks.

NFC

Abbreviation for "National Field Champion"

No go

Dog refuses to leave handler when sent to retrieve

Pattern: Drills repeated by the dog to teach specific routines such as casting or taking lines.

Pig

A slow moving, disinterested retriever in the field

Pin: The dog going directly to the bird without a hunt.

Poison Bird: A bird thrown as a mark which the dog is told to ignore in order to run a blind(s) first. On some occasions, the dog is then sent to pick up this mark after running the blind(s).

Pop:

When the dog stops on a retrieve or a blind and turns and looks to the handler for direction without a whistle having been blown.

The firing of a gun at the same time a bird is thrown to simulate the shooting of a bird.

Point of Origin: the area from which a dog starts work on a test. Also referred to as the "line".

Popper: a blank shotgun shell used to simulate shotgun fire.

Professional or (PRO)

An individual who is paid by others to train and run dogs at events

Quartering: Covering the ground in a systematic method looking for game.

Rat Trap: Device used for holding a bird and keeping it afloat for a water blind.

Recast: A second attempt to send the dog from the line for a mark.

Retired Gun: Where the gun disappears from sight after having thrown or shot a bird.

Single: a marking test where only a single bird is thrown prior to releasing the dog.

Steady: a dog is steady if it does not leave to make a retrieve before being instructed to do so.

Shore Break: A method for teaching the dog not to avoid water, ie., stay in the water and not run the shore.

Sight Blind: A blind the dog can see before being sent or a blind which was first thrown as a mark. This is a way to start young dogs on their blinds.

Sluice: Shooting a bird once it is down on the water.

Square Bird: See “Flat Throw”.

Style: A dog’s manner of retrieving, running blinds, water entry, etc., which indicates his strong desire, his speed and perseverance, and his attitude. A stylish dog is a pleasure to see working

Switch: Leaving the area of one fall after hunting there to go to the area of another fall. It is also a switch to put down one bird to pick up another. This could occur, for example, during a bulldog when the dog on his way in to the line drops the bird he has just retrieved to pick up the bird thrown as the bulldog. This is a disqualifying fault.

Trailing: This is when there is a crippled bird that is running or moving out of the area. The dog picks up its scent and tracks/trails it down, fetches it, and brings it back to the handler.

Triple: a marking test where three birds are thrown sequentially in three separate areas. Usually all three are down before the dog is sent, but a "delayed triple" consists of a double being thrown, and then the third bird is thrown when the dog is returning or has returned with its first retrieve.

Walk-up : Used to simulate hunting----the handler, with the dog at heel, continues to move forward before the birds are thrown or shot. The dog is not brought to the line and sat before the birds are shot. Usually as the birds are in the air, the handler may tell the dog to sit, but cannot send the dog until the judge so orders.

Water Refusal : The dog not entering the water after being sent for a mark or a blind where the line to the mark or blind is through water.

Whistle Refusal : The dog failing to respond to the whistle when blown by the handler

UKC/HRC: The United Kennel Club/Hunting Retriever Club

Member in good standing — An individual who is not suspended by The American Kennel Club or their Club and whose dues for the year are already paid.

Types of Membership in a Club

Regular (Individual) — Enjoys all club privileges including the right to vote and hold office.

Household — Two (2) adult members residing in the same household, each eligible to vote and hold office.

Associate or Newsletter —Entitled to all club privileges except voting and office holding (offered to individuals who live outside of the club’s area; also offered to individuals who live in the club’s area but are not active).

Junior —Open to children under 18 years of age; a non-voting/non-office holding membership which may automatically convert to regular membership at age 18.

Honorary — An individual who has made significant contributions to the Sport, Breed or the Club; honorary members pay no dues and are not eligible to vote, but can maintain regular (or household) membership if they pay dues.

Life — For those individuals who have been members for a long period of time (usually 20+ years); Life members pay no dues but are eligible to vote and hold office.

Reprimand — A written warning to a member after charges have been filed in accordance with the bylaws, and it is determined that the member’s conduct was not severe enough to warrant a suspension or a recommendation for expulsion.

Notices — All club notices must be sent either via the US Postal Service or e-mail in accordance with current AKC® policy.

Delegate Duties — For AKC member clubs only, the general duties of the Delegate must be listed.