Yankee Golden Retriever Club
GENERAL INFORMATION: Please read carefully! Registration Buttons are at the bottom of this page. All class communication will be via e-mail. If you do not have an e-mail address, please arrange to have a friend handle your communications. These classes are designed to teach the handler how to train his/her dog to become a competent hunting retriever and to prepare for participation in the AKC hunting tests, the NAHRA & HRC hunting tests, and the GRCA WC/WCX tests. Homework will be given, and handlers are expected to train between class sessions. If you have any difficulty determining which class level best fits your situation, please call or text Karen Scotti at (860) 933-5377 or e-mail karen.scotti@charter.net for further information. Handlers are welcome to repeat class levels, but preference will be given to first time handler-dog teams. Handlers can enroll up to 2 dogs in the same class level. Handlers cannot enroll multiple dogs in different class levels. CLASSES WILL BE HELD RAIN OR SHINE. In case of extreme weather, please call your class coordinator (this information will be given to you with your class confirmation) for further details. We advise you to dress in layers. Bring rain gear and wear waterproof shoes or boots. Bring your own lunch and a chair, as training locations are often remote. If you are planning to carpool, please note that different class levels may be training at different locations. Family members are welcome, but children must be supervised by an adult who is not a class member. Classes will be held in the Westminster, Stow, Hubbardston, and Templeton, MA, and West Thompson, CT and other areas. The classes begin at 9:00 A.M. and usually end close to 3:00 P.M. PLEASE NOTE! These classes are instructional classes for handlers, to teach handlers how to train their dogs. They are not designed as training sessions for handlers to work their dogs and get multiple set-ups accomplished in each session. Instructors will be encouraged to take as much time as necessary to work out retrieving problems and concerns with each handler. Class size is limited to 12 dogs and preference will be given to YGRC Full members enrolling Goldens. Next preference to YGRC Full Members enrolling other retriever breeds. See the registration timeline below for details. Registration Timeline: 1) Registration is open February 1st for only YGRC Full Members (including Lifetime and Pre-Paid permanent) registering Golden Retrievers. 2) Registration is open February 10th for YGRC Full Members entering other retriever breeds. 3) Registration is open February 17th for YGRC Applicants, Subscribers and Non-members (public). 4) All registrations close February 24th. Your application and payment must be received by February 24th. No exceptions. |
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FUNDAMENTALS LEVEL (Beginner)
CLASS IS FULL: REGISTRATION LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED
You can click registration below and add your name to the waitlist in the event of a cancellation.
This class is for inexperienced handlers and/or inexperienced dogs. Experienced trainers will teach you how to teach your dog the basic retrieving skills. Please plan to train the same dog throughout the classes. Included will be a general introduction to field training and field tests, step-by-step methods for teaching the retrieve, and the basic obedience needed for field work. Progression from simple retrieves through back-to-back singles on land, and simple double retrieves on land, and from simple single retrieves to back to back retrieves in the water are the goals for these sessions. Training on varied terrain, the use of guns, holding blinds and birds will be covered. The only prerequisite for this class is that your dog must come when called from a distance of at least 25 feet in a field, off lead.
The instructors: Sally Bridges and Peg Boalt. Classes will begin at 9AM.
Please note that this class is designed for those who have never trained a retriever for field work, and who seek an introduction to the various field endeavors, and is not necessarily the first step of a comprehensive training program. Class members will be encouraged to attend and volunteer at hunt tests and field trials for exposure to "finished retrievers" and experienced handlers.
Please review the class schedule to ensure you can attend 90% of the sessions in order that you and your dog will get the most benefit from instruction. Classes will be in Stow, Hubbardston, Westminster , Templeton, MA and West Thompson, CT and others.
Class Schedule:
Fundamental *MANDATORY INTRO Class * March 30
Fundamental Class 1: April 13
Fundamental Class 2: April 20
Fundamental Class 3: April 28
Fundamental Class 4: May 12
Fundamental Class 5: May 18
Fundamental Class 6: June1
*This Fundamentals Mandatory Intro Class, held at the Hopedale Pistol and Rifle Club, 25 Depot St, Hopedale, MA 01747 begins at 1:00 P.M. and is required for members of the Fundamentals class, also for those participants in other class levels who have never attended YGRC field classes or have not attended in the last few years. Gun safety, equipment familiarization, general class information and Q&A will be covered. Link for directions is below.
Anyone wishing to buy training equipment should also attend. A short Yankee Golden Retriever Club membership meeting will be held at the start of the class. This meeting will count toward partial fulfillment of club membership requirements.
http://www.hopedalepistolandrifle.com/directions.html
WC/JUNIOR HUNTER LEVEL (Intermediate)
CLASS IS FULL: REGISTRATION LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED
You can click registration below and add your name to the waitlist in the event of a cancellation.
This level will have classes in Stow, Westminster, Carlisle, Templeton, MA and others
This class is designed for persons whose dogs have been introduced to the fundamental class retrieving concepts and basic obedience training. The emphasis of this class will be for those seeking a WC title and those wishing to participate in Junior Hunter tests. The focus of the sessions will be teaching the dogs JH scenarios, WC doubles on land and more difficult single and double retrieves on land and in the water to build confidence, in addition to the obedience required to do this. Line manners and the concept of a training program will be introduced. The prerequisites for this class are:
· Your dog must be able to swim.
· Your dog must come when called, with distractions.
· Your dog must be able to do a 50 yard retrieve on land with no long line.
· Your dog must be able to do a 20 yard swimming retrieve in water.
· Delivery to hand is not required.
A retrieve, by definition, is the dog running out to the bumper and returning to the handler with it. If your dog does not yet swim, please register in the Fundamentals class.
The instructors: Donna Morgan and Susan Lynch. Classes will begin at 9:00 AM.
Class Schedule:
WC / JH Class 1: April 6
WC / JH Class 2: April 13
WC / JH Class 3: April 20
WC / JH Class 4: May 5
WC / JH Class 5: June 1
WC / JH Class 6: June 8
WCX/JUNIOR HUNTER LEVEL (Advanced)
CLASS IS FULL: REGISTRATION LIMIT HAS BEEN REACHED
You can click registration below and add your name to the waitlist in the event of a cancellation.
This level will have classes in Stow, Westminster, Hubbardston, Templeton MA and others.
This class is designed for those individuals whose dogs have mastered the basic retrieving skills of single retrieves, delivery to hand, and simple double retrieves on land. The emphasis of this class will be learning the skills necessary for the WCX test: land triples, steadiness, and water doubles. Some senior hunter level skills will also be introduced. Dogs entering this level must have their WC titles, know basic obedience, deliver to hand, and be familiar with and comfortable retrieving ducks and pheasants.
The instructor: Karen Scotti. Classes will begin at 9:00 AM.
Class Schedule:
WCX / JH Class 1: April 13
WCX / JH Class 2: April 20
WCX / JH Class 3: April 28
WCX / JH Class 4: May 4
WCX / JH Class 5: May 18
WCX / JH Class 6: June 1
EQUIPMENT:
Training equipment and other field materials will be on sale on March 30th at the Fundaments Introduction Session. Additional dates for purchasing equipment will be scheduled. Beginning students are encouraged to wait until the first class to purchase essential equipment to ensure you have the correct items.
REGISTRATION:
There is limited enrollment, so please don't delay. The fee for each handler/retriever team is:
YGRC Full Members (incl. Lifetime & Pre-paid permanent members): $170.00
YGRC Applicants, Subscribers & Non-members: $195.00
No refunds after the first class. Exceptions: field class sub-committee will determine exceptions on a case by case basis. Administrative fee of $25 and pro-rated refund will apply. The decision of the committee is final.