Friday already.  Another training busy week is behind us.  I tagged along with Thunder for his weekly training session with some Golden Retrievers.  You might remember I mentioned that he joined a group that is training towards taking their WC/WCX certification tests.    The WC/WCX is a field certification offered by the Golden Retriever Club of America and is similar to the WD/WDX which is offered through the American Chesapeake Club.  (The rules and requirements for the WC/WCX are here.)  Although these certifications are offered by breed specific clubs, they usually welcome any retriever breeds to train and run their tests.  This test is at the beginning of June and is being sponsored by the Fort Detroit Golden Retriever Club.  They have scheduled weekly training sessions in preparation for the test and invited any interested retrievers to join.  Since we are always looking for training partners and new places to train, we decided to take them up on their offer.

Thunder is training for the WCX which has many elements that are similar to those of the AKC Senior Hunt Test.  First there is a land triple of UPLAND game birds (they trained with pigeons), in moderate cover, at distances of 60, 80 and 100 yards, including one shot flyer.  Then a water double of ducks (not sure if those are shot flyers) at distances of 45 to 60 yards, (there can be a diversion shot flyer at the discretion of the judges).  Finally there is an honor after the water retrieves.

For this particular training we started on the water.  The first duck was thrown on shore to the left of the dog.  The second duck was to the right and actually in a second marshier pond which was behind the first.  This required the dog to swim, exit the pond and enter the second pond to retrieve the duck.  It is difficult to believe that Thunder is having any issues on water, (he is still not solid with his handling on water), because he made some of the biggest water entries I have ever seen from him.  Or maybe he was just showing off for those Goldens…

I think Thunder had fun, don’t you?  I have just a couple of pictures of his land retrieves and a bunch of the very cute Goldens which I will have to share another time.  Have a nice weekend!