VERSATILE HUNTING DOG A Publication of The North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association • Volume XLIX • No. 2 • February 2018 THE UPT: steadiness & retrieve training VERSATILE IF SOMEONE HUNTING DOG Volume XLIX • No. 2 • February 2018 NAVHDA International Officers & Directors David A. Trahan President TOLD YOU THAT Bob Hauser Vice President Steve J. Greger Secretary Richard Holt Treasurer Chip Bonde Director of Judge Development Jason Wade Director of Promotions FEATURES Tim Clark Director of Testing Tim Otto Director of Publications Steve Brodeur Registrar 4 The UPT: Practicality of Steadiness and Retrieve Training • by Pete Aplikowski Tracey Nelson Invitational Director Marilyn Vetter Past President 8 Youth Programs Activity Summary • from the Youth Programs Committee Versatile Hunting Dog Publication Staff 10 Thor’s Trophy • by John Arkins Mary K. 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Periodical postage paid at Arlington Hts, IL and addi- Visit the Versatile Hunting Dog magazine online at tional entry offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to NAVHDA, POFebruary Box 520, Arlington 2018 Hts, IL 60006-0520. Versatile Hunting Dog • www.navhda.orgwww.navhda.org 1 President’s Message By Dave Trahan Deerfield, New Hampshire In Memory Of Joseph K. Dolejsi hat can I say that hasn’t been said? Joe was one of those guys We at NAVHDA are sad to share with you that Joseph Dolejsi, a former Wthat made a place in everyone’s NAVHDA President, passed away January 13, 2018. Joe became a member life. When I first met him, my wife and I in 1983 and has always been passionately dedicated to NAVHDA's mission. had gone to the our first NAVHDA annual If you've been around NAVHDA for a while, you know that Joe's intellect, meeting in New Mexico. We had the op- sound judgement, quick wit and uncanny instinct for leadership were vital to ROCA © 2018 portunity to have lunch with him and his the organization's success. wife Kaye, and a friendship was made. Next time we met, I had the opportunity These statistics give you only a glimpse at the hours he dedicated to NAVHDA to judge with him at the Yankee Chapter at the International level: when I was working towards my senior •He was a judge for 27 years judge appointment. As time went on, we •He judged 1793 dogs would judge together for other chapters •He judged at 218 chapter tests and the Invitational. When I was first •He was a Clinic Leader elected as president, the Executive Coun- •He led 14 Handler Clinics cil was working on chapter motions; we •He was the Director of Testing, 1996 got to the one my chapter put forth, and •He was the Director of Judge Development for two years, 1997-1998 we all voiced our opinions. Joe said to •He was the NAVHDA president for six years, 1999-2004 me, “Dave, you’re the president now. You •He was the Treasurer for 10 years, 2008-2017 must think about what is best for NAVH- DA, not just one chapter.” To this day I But Joe was much more than an ambassador to NAVHDA. He was a devoted still remember his words, making sure I husband to his wife Kaye (She passed away in 2015), a loving grandfather, vote for what is best for all. uncle, brother and son to his family members. For many of us Joe was a friend RIP Joe. and mentor that we leaned on for his wisdom and support. He will be sincerely missed by all of us. ROCA © 2018 2 Versatile Hunting Dog • www.navhda.org February 2018 February 2018 Versatile Hunting Dog • www.navhda.org 3 About The Cover By Pete Aplikowski ON THE Lino Lakes, Minnesota RIGHT TRACK The UPT and the Practicality of Steadiness and Retrieve Training ccording to the NAVHDA AIMS book, The Utility Prepa- ratory Test (UPT) is designed “to evaluate the dog mid- Away in its training towards becoming a reliable versatile gun dog,” and the Utility Test (UT) is “designed to test a dog’s usefulness to the on-foot hunter in all phases of hunting, both In NAVHDA testing, Field Steadiness before and after the shot, in field and marsh, and on different is brokendown into four parts as described here: species of game.” For an inexperienced handler, the UPT is a great introduction “Steady to Flush” to the hunting team concept and the different areas of focus for Judging “Steady to Flush” begins when the dog is aware the full UT. There is no age limit for a dog in the UPT, so it can of the presence of the handler. Think of “Steady to Flush” also be a good way to evaluate a dog that missed running a Nat- as behavior during the flushing period. The steady to flush ural Ability test. judgment ends when the bird leaves the ground. But what about the UPT as a measure of a dog’s usefulness to the hunter? Years ago, I had a Lab and then a Boykin spaniel. I was “Steady to Wing” Judging “Steady to Wing” begins when the bird leaves the a novice bird-dog man, but we found, flushed, and shot birds and ground and ends when the gun is fired. had fun. With some retrieving and steadiness training, it would have been a lot more fun (and much safer). There were shots taken “Steady to Shot” that should not have been—low-flying birds with dogs on their Judging “Steady to Shot” begins when the gun is fired and tails. There was a time in Iowa that I dropped a rooster across a ends when the bird hits the ground.