My dog and I are running our first master in October and I'm getting pretty nervous! I'm honestly more concerned about his behavior in the holding blind than how he does in the actual test. He's run in 5 senior tests so far and has only failed once, but it was probably more my fault than his because it was our first ever test. In the five tests we've run he has become very test wise and HATES the holding blind. I do more hunting than anything with my dog so when we train I rarely bring a holding blind out with me. We are running his last (unless he fails) senior the same weekend, which I have heard people have mixed emotions about. Has anyone ever double staked and what was your experience? What should I do to prepare for the master?

Double staking is usually not a good idea. Especially with a high drive dog. With every series his composure will erode. If he's not holding himself together for a senior he certainly won't be able to for both a senior and master.

Work a lot on your obedience. See if you can hook up with a training group so you can replicate a test scenerio.

The morning of make sure he is well exercised. Review your obedience in the morning and between series. I also like to run a couple of blinds in the morning with all the dogs just to get a correction or 2 in before we head to the test site.

Good Luck,

Angie

Thanks for the input, Angie. Fortunately, we have 2 seniors at our test, so I am signing him up for both and if he screws up on Saturday we will have a chance on Sunday as well. I'm planning on this first master being more of a learning experience for us both. He is generally a very obedient dog, with the holding blind has been my main problem. He's never been a breaker or a creeper at tests, however I've learned from the "Art and Science of handling a retriever" that the holding blind can be the breaking point. I'm not sure what the running order will be for the Master, but do you suggest I try to run the senior first in both series if I can? I'm more worried about getting his last senior pass than his first master obviously.

Well if you weren't off shooting dove and elk and everything else you could come out and train!! Ya'll do fine, don't let your nerves go down that leash.

Then run your senior first. Be sure to watch a few dogs before you get him out.

Good Luck!

Angie

I figured you would have something to say about that! Haha, I was reading some other posts on RTF about it and lots of people say its fine. I figure if anything else it will be fun for Nitro since I can't take him duck hunting right now anyway!

Thanks Angie!