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| Chapter Member Insights and Stories |
What I Have Learned About NAVHDA and Testing the Hard Way!
by Mark Gehrke |
Almost six years ago, I first came to NAVDHA as a novice to learn how to train a new dog for hunting
the right way. If I was going to do it, I was going to do it the right way. I didn't want to have to redo too much down the road. However, I soon learned that there are many right ways to train a dog. However, along the way like my dog, I forgot some things. Whether you are a veteran or are new to NAVDHA - please NEVER ever forget these words: |
| Good Dogs...Good Friends...Good Times! |
| I must confess I forgot that this past year and the real reason I came to NAVHDA in the first place; it was to get a well trained dog for hunting, and that I have. I will forever be grateful to NAVHDA for that. And I am grateful to some very "good friends" who reminded me about that before I went off into the sunset, for that is what our Chapter is all about. |
| It is true, some folks in NAVHDA will get more involved in the breeding end of things, but for the most part I believe most of us need to remember that "we are doing what we are doing" in order to enjoy God's vast creation with a hunting partner or two by our side. Many can attest that my first dog was not the easiest of dogs to train, but with perseverance he did Prize II in Natural Ability (NA). Naturally, I then half heartedly planned to take him to the next level to the Utility Test (UT), but did not give it the consistent attention and training it deserved.Plus, I had forgotten why I joined NAVHDA in the first place. After two failed UT's and a lot of heartache, I finally remembered that it is all about Good Dogs...Good Friends...Good Times. |
| On an outing this year, it was my dog that stirred up a quail buried in inches of snow. It was my dog that retrieved down birds. And it was my dog that hunted with me. For me, I now realize that I am in NAVHDA not to get the credentials for breeding, but to train my dog(s) the best I can with my friends and have a good time in the process. By the way, when you are in the woods no one asks for your NAVHDA papers, including the birds, because hunting is about you and your dog. |
| I will be back this year with a new pup "Angel" (we will see) and my youngest son, to share with him the joy of hunting with your best friend. And I I will remind him over and over again, the most important lesson of all, that it is all about Good Dogs...Good Friends...Good Times! |
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