Judges Reports - Section B
"The tests were held as part of a Fun Day hosted by Grangewaters Working Newfoundlands with Tina Roberts as Test Manager - thank you Tina and the Grangewaters group for your usual excellent job of organising everything. The weather was glorious, hot and sunny, the lake was calm and clear providing great conditions for the tests and a welcome cooling dip for dogs and handlers alike.
We had a good entry of 10 dogs but despite some valiant efforts only two passes. Almost all of the entrants completed the first three exercises successfully, it was Exercises B4 (Underwater Retrieve) and B5 (Controlled Swim) which were, as ever, the stumbling blocks. It is really important to get the dog focused on the underwater retrieve object before it is thrown. If they have no interest in the object before it sinks, getting them to retrieve it when it is under water is always going to be a struggle. Some dogs did demonstrate trawling the object which was nice to see.
For the controlled swim there really is no substitute for spending LOTS of time in the water WITH the dog when practicing. That doesn't necessarily mean repeatedly trying to get the dog to swim in a straight line beside you, it is about both dog and handler being completely comfortable swimming about in the water together and enjoying the experience. When both are perfectly relaxed about it to the extent that it isn't anything unusual or worrying for the dog (or for the handler!), then add the come to heel element and start swimming in straight lines.
Ultimately the Controlled Swim should be no more difficult or unusual than walking with your newfie to heel - the only difference being it is in the water instead of on dry land. With that in mind, how often do you have to give a 'heel' or 'close' command to your newfie when walking it? The point is "shut up and swim"! Too many repeated commands only serve to confuse and worry the dog and then it doesn't know if it is doing what it is supposed to or not.
A highlight of the day was a French Water Dog (a Barbet) having a go at all elements of the Section B tests, including successfully towing the RIB complete with motor, helmsman, two stewards and the handler back to shore. It was a little pocket rocket with a huge enthusiasm for the water and came very close to the standard required to pass - amazing for a dog a fraction of the size of it's newfie cousins.
To those that passed, well done and to all we say get in the water with your newfies as often as you can and have fun, stay safe and the test passes will come.
Finally, my thanks to my co-judge, Kay Burridge and also Keith Sargeant, who substituted for Kay while a couple of her dogs did the tests, a pleasure to judge with both of you."
[Kay] "Can I just echo everything that Paul has said about the test, especially the advice on the underwater retrieve and controlled swim elements, which is what let most dogs down.
I had a brilliant time judging at Grangewaters and would like to thank the Grangewaters team for arranging a great fun day, Paul for being my co-judge and give a special thank you to Keith for judging my two."
Paul Dodd, Kay Burridge & Keith Sargeant
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