By Alden Little

It's amazing how hunting season comes and goes so quickly. After all of the preparations, early mornings and heart thumping action of the season, you may be left asking, "Well, what do 1 do now?" Whether your dog is trained by a professional, or if you train for yourself, this could be a crucial time for your duck hunting team. We all know how important it is to keep your dog "in training." If you are fortunate enough to obtain that great retriever, you will have to plan for its future. No dog will run at peak performance forever. Your dog will need to continue doing "marks" and "blinds" to keep up field skills. The last thing you need to do is put Rover in the backyard and wait until next fall to try and tune him up. We at Tru-Line believe that a dog's training is an ongoing regimen that never ends, especially for the competitive retriever.

If you enjoy the companionship of your dog and wish to continue his education in the off-season, there are a few possibilities for you to consider. You can get out with a friend or two and try to set up marks and blinds with varying difficulties. You can send your dog to a professional for advanced work. And, you can check into joining a retriever club near you. Clubs are family-oriented with varying schedules for meetings and group training days. They are a great way to meet others who are as enthusiastic about dogs as you. I must say that most people upon first meeting with a club admit to being a bit intimidated. They believe that most of the dogs there are field champions of some sort. Competitive titles aside, the truth is that most are amateurs out for a weekend of fun with their retriever. The clubs provide a source of friendship and fellowship in a very informal setting that can lead to a whole new world for you and your dog.

We are officers of Cahaba Valley Retriever Club based in Alabama. Our members are from all over the state. CVRC hosts a couple of competitive hunt tests every year as well as organize periodic training days. If you feel that a club will be beneficiary to you and your retriever, we welcome your membership. Call Jennifer Little (CVRC Secretary) at (334) 366-4732, or visit the CVRC link from our web site www.Tru-Line-Retrievers.com for more information.