Oak Ridge
UKC Forum Member
Registered: Aug 2003
Location: Indiana
Posts: 6168 |
Cody,
I've been competition hunting since the hunts were 3 hour hunts, and we would have 100 registered dogs on a Saturday night UKC hunt, I've been at it a while....
You have received some very sage advice already.... Probably the most important things that I will reiterate are to know the rules and know your dog....(that is the most important in my mind). If you don't know your dog well enough and be HONEST WITH YOURSELF about what you dog is doing....that is where most problems come from. If your dog is an every breath tree dog, and shuts up on the tree, chances are it's moving.....if you are minued when the dog moves, take the deserved minus....don't defend the dog....
Know the rules, and remember that one of the most important words in the rulebook, is also one of the least remembered word. HONOR, they are called HONOR rules....not all folks are honorable in a competition...be honorable at all times. The way I see it, it isn't worth arguing about, they have a hunt somewhere every Friday and Saturday night. I am out to have fun, to enjoy my dog, and to enjoy the company of folks who are out to enjoy their dog....If I'm not having fun any more, I'm gonna put mine in the truck and try again another night.
Remember that the best dog does NOT always win, just like the fastest car in a NACAR race is not always the first to cross the finish line. Learn to appreciate good dog work, even if your dog is not the one doing it....compliment your competitor when their dog does a good job, even when you are mad at your dog for not performing well.... Remember that about 75% of folks that enter on a given night will go home a "loser"....Which means that you are going to lose some nights....It's part of the game.
And the best advice I can give you.....learn to enjoy it for a "game". Learn the right and wrong way to handle situations, including how to question a call made by the judge. Know how to handle that occasional bully, troublemaker, and cheat. You will find very few of them, but when you do, they can sure ruin your night....knowing the proper way to deal with them will make things go smoother for you. Always shake the hand of the man that wins your cast, and never go home "mad".....It will make coming back next week a lot easier.
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Joe Newlin
UKC Cur Advocate
Home of Oak Ridge Kennels
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