WHAT IS YOUR PASSION?
One day, my parents believed us kids were old enough to have a dog of our own, and before I knew it, I was the proud owner of one of Kasey’s pups. I was only 9 years old when we brought Molly home. Less than a year later, my family moved to Eastern Oregon. We couldn’t take her with us on the move; I was devastated. My mother and father decided that it would be best if we left Molly in the care of my Mom’s other brother, and that one day we would get a pup from her. Fast-forward to my 8th grade year of secondary school, we were picking up our little black bear cub, Cinder (a Molly pup), from the Portland airport. It was then that my passion for training dogs started. I bought my very first training kit and a couple of books, and Cinder and I went to work. Although my abilities as a trainer were limited at my young age, she ended up being a great duck and upland hunting dog, and she was a pleasure to take just about anywhere. My family and I have many great memories of her bird hunting feats. Sadly, Cinder passed away in 2010, in my final year of college. Fast forward to March of 2012, I was at the Boise Airport picking up another roly poly black Labrador puppy from my Minnesotan uncle. Dixie’s pedigree included multiple hunting and pointing titled ancestors and it soon became apparent that my sweet little puppy had the potential to become something special. After owning and training Dixie for a couple years, a training mentor of mine told me about AKC Hunt Tests and through hard work, dedication, and the generous help and assistance from good friends and mentors, Dixie earned her first AKC hunting title in 2014. I surely wish I had known about these retriever events when I was training Cinder back in my high school days because I was instantly hooked!  Presently, I continue to train my dogs when it is not hunting season for the AKC and UKC Hunt Tests during spring and summer; this keeps them very sharp for fulfilling their ultimate purpose as upland and waterfowl hunting companions during the fall and winter.
Gone, but never forgotten..
Cinder & Boone were my first two labradors that I field-trained, meaning they were trained to hunt and retrieve birds.
Why Participate in Hunt Tests?
Some of the main reasons that I choose to participate in AKC Hunt Tests and HRC Hunting events include the following:
It improves upon my dogs innate hunting abilities, which is the most important goal because hunting is their #1 job and purpose.
It provides a positive environment for me to grow as a trainer/handler and develop a deeper bond with my dog.
It gives me a reason to get out and work with my dog, provides exercise for my dog, and is a fantastic way to meet new people who are share similar interests.
The titles earned in these events provide me a way to prove my dogs skills and abilities when they are used as breeding stock.