Yankee Chapter of NAVHDA

Fall Pre-Test Training Clinic
2019-08-24 05:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Bowdoinham Wildlife Management Area, Wildes Road, Bowdoinham, Maine, 04008
Training Clinics FAQ
Many new NAVHDA members don’t know what to expect when they go to their first training clinic. Our clinics are designed to help handlers and dogs from novice to advanced. Trainers and experienced handlers will direct a variety ofactivities that address the many skills your dog needs to be a successful versatile hunter, whether or not you plan to test your dog in the NAVHDA program.
Click on the questions below to see answers to the most commonly asked questions. You can have as many or as few questions open as you want at any time. If there is a question you don’t see below, email us. We may add your question to this page for others to see.
How does the day go?First you will sign in and pay for the birds your dog(s) will train with that day. We usually begin around 9:00. Handlers (that’s you) will be divided up according to the skill or test level you’re training your dog for – Natural Ability or Utility Test. The person in charge of training for the day will then explain what the day’s activities will be, which usually means starting with some basic obedience and control exercises followed by field work with birds and, depending on the weather and availability, water work with ducks.
It’s important to remember that training takes time! Since turns in the field or water are based on the sign-up’s first come, first served basis, after the group work, there will be waiting time. While you wait, you have a great opportunity to continue training. Throw marks for retrieves, practice the heeling course, teach your dog patience watching others dogs, etc. And don’t be shy – ask another handler to help you by steadying your dog or setting up blind retrieves or creating distractions, then do the same in return.
What should I bring?For your dog, bring plenty of water, a short lead and whatever basic hunting/training gear you use – check cord, choke chain, e-collar, whistle, etc. It’s a good idea to bring your dog’s kennel crate and/or a tie-out stake. The chapter has equipment available, such as dummies, training platforms, blinds, a bird launcher, training table, and heeling course stakes.
For you, bring sunscreen, bug spray, snacks, folding chair, and drinks. At some of our clinics and test days, a barbeque lunch will be available for a donation of $5 for adults and kids eat free. You’ll be advised ahead of time if there will be a bbq. If so, we’ll ask everyone to contribute either a side dish or dessert. If the clinic is scheduled for late spring or summer, you might want to bring a tarp or sun shelter. The fields where we train have little or no shade, so keeping cool (both you and your dog) is always a challenge. Check the weather. Rain gear may be needed. We train in rain or shine. The fields are often damp or muddy, too, so having some kind of waterproof footwear is a good idea.
Can my children attend the clinic with me?Absolutely! We encourage chapter youth to participate, whether it is helping plant birds, being much needed “go-fers,” or just having fun petting, playing and helping to socialize puppies.
What do the birds cost?That varies year to year. The chapter, as a rule, charges $2 over our cost per bird to cover bird losses, and miscellaneous clinic expenses. Approximate costs are $6 for quail, $8.50 for chukars, $14 for pheasants, and $12 for mallards. These costs are subject to change without notice.
Can I purchase birds to take home for training?At the end of the day, birds that aren’t used or that are recaptured can be brought home, and if we have extra birds at the end of the day, you can purchase them, as well. This is done on a first come, first serve basis. Remember, you must have a Propagation License and hunting license to legally poccess gamebirds.
How long does the clinic last?As long as it takes. Our goal is to make sure every handler gets the information and experience he or she needs. We’ll go until dark if necessary.
What does the clinic cost?The Yankee Chapter offers the clinic free of charge to all NAVHDA members. Participants who are not members of NAVHDA will be charged $20, which, at the end of the day, can be credited to a membership if the participant so chooses.
Can I bring more than one dog?Yes, but particularly with dogs at the Natural Ability level, it’s often best to plan on working with just one throughout the day. If you bring other dogs along, there is plenty of time and a place where they can be exercised.
My dog hasn’t trained with other dogs. Will this be a problem?If it is, we’ll help. Many dogs get very excited seeing all the other dogs, and this distraction can work to our advantage by giving us an opportunity to teach them to focus on their handler. Whether it’s keeping the young dog on a training platform while he gets used to the other dogs walking around him or teaching a “leave it” command when he pulls towards another dog, there are many strategies to get him used to the group. When the dogs work with the birds, in the field or the water, they will be working individually, unless training to honor another dog.
What if my dog is in heat?Because of the distraction for male dogs which can be very disruptive to training, we ask that bitches in heat train last. Please keep your dog aside (staked or crated) until it’s your turn for the field or water work, but be sure to let the folks in charge of training know you’re waiting. That way we can be sure your dog will get equal time.

Cancelled-NAVHDA Apprentice Hunter Program
2019-07-19 04:00 - 2019-07-21 13:00 | Merrymeeting Kennels, 33 Simpsons Point Rd, Brunswick, ME, 04011, United States
This has been cancelled.
Contact Jason Carter for more detail and to enroll for 2021

jcarter@rsu1.org.

July Water Clinic - Burnham, Maine
2019-07-13 05:00 - 13:00 | Sugarfoot Kennels, 444 Troy Road, Burnham, 04922, United States
Location Sugarfoot Kennels 444 Troy Rd, Burnham, Maine 04922

Yankee Chapter Spring Test
2019-06-07 03:00 - 2019-06-09 13:00 | Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Route 128 Dresden, ME 04342, Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Dresden, ME, 04342, United States
@ Greenpoint WMA

Spring Natural Ability Test-Overflow Test - June 2, 2019
2019-06-02 02:30 - 13:00 | Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Route 128 Dresden, ME 04342, Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Dresden, ME, 04342, United States
Natural Ability Test – Overflow
Spring Test
Help is needed to make everything run smoothly, and working a test is one of the best ways to learn about the excitement of NAVHDA testing. If you’d like to volunteer to sell raffle tickets, plant birds, set up the tent, be a go-fer, help with lunch, etc., please contact our Director of Testing, Rich Gay. The test will begin at 7 a.m. sharp each day. Handlers should be at the test grounds no later than 6:30 to have enough
time to park, “air” their dogs, take a DEEP BREATH, and find the donuts and coffee before meeting with the judging team.
Don’t forget to bring lots of water for both you and your dog(s). There’s not a lot of shade or cover at the Dresden field, so bringing a tarp or tent is a good idea if it’s hot or raining, or both! Sunday our grill will be up and sizzling with chicken, burgers and dogs and whatever else we can come up with. But even with the dedicated Yankee Chapter volunteers at the grill, there are lots of hungry handlers, field volunteers, judges and friends to feed.
Please please please:
Bring a salad, side dish, or dessert to contribute to the lunch table!!!

Pre-test Outdoor Training Clinic
2019-06-01 05:00 - 13:00 | Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Route 128 Dresden, ME 04342, Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Dresden, ME, 04342, United States
Outdoor Training Clinic
Dresden Greenpoint Management Area
Training Clinics FAQ
Many new NAVHDA members don’t know what to expect when they go to their first training clinic. Our clinics are designed to help handlers and dogs from novice to advanced. Trainers and experienced handlers will direct a variety ofactivities that address the many skills your dog needs to be a successful versatile hunter, whether or not you plan to test your dog in the NAVHDA program.
Click on the questions below to see answers to the most commonly asked questions. You can have as many or as few questions open as you want at any time. If there is a question you don’t see below, email us. We may add your question to this page for others to see.
How does the day go?
First you will sign in and pay for the birds your dog(s) will train with that day. We usually begin around 9:00. Handlers (that’s you) will be divided up according to the skill or test level you’re training your dog for – Natural Ability or Utility Test. The person in charge of training for the day will then explain what the day’s activities will be, which usually means starting with some basic obedience and control exercises followed by field work with birds and, depending on the weather and availability, water work with ducks.
It’s important to remember that training takes time! Since turns in the field or water are based on the sign-up’s first come, first served basis, after the group work, there will be waiting time. While you wait, you have a great opportunity to continue training. Throw marks for retrieves, practice the heeling course, teach your dog patience watching others dogs, etc. And don’t be shy – ask another handler to help you by steadying your dog or setting up blind retrieves or creating distractions, then do the same in return.
What should I bring?
For your dog, bring plenty of water, a short lead and whatever basic hunting/training gear you use – check cord, choke chain, e-collar, whistle, etc. It’s a good idea to bring your dog’s kennel crate and/or a tie-out stake. The chapter has equipment available, such as dummies, training platforms, blinds, a bird launcher, training table, and heeling course stakes.
For you, bring sunscreen, bug spray, snacks, folding chair, and drinks. At some of our clinics and test days, a barbeque lunch will be available for a donation of $5 for adults and kids eat free. You’ll be advised ahead of time if there will be a bbq. If so, we’ll ask everyone to contribute either a side dish or dessert. If the clinic is scheduled for late spring or summer, you might want to bring a tarp or sun shelter. The fields where we train have little or no shade, so keeping cool (both you and your dog) is always a challenge. Check the weather. Rain gear may be needed. We train in rain or shine. The fields are often damp or muddy, too, so having some kind of waterproof footwear is a good idea.
Can my children attend the clinic with me?
Absolutely! We encourage chapter youth to participate, whether it is helping plant birds, being much needed “go-fers,” or just having fun petting, playing and helping to socialize puppies.
What do the birds cost?
That varies year to year. The chapter, as a rule, charges $2 over our cost per bird to cover bird losses, and miscellaneous clinic expenses. Approximate costs are $6 for quail, $8.50 for chukars, $14 for pheasants, and $12 for mallards. These costs are subject to change without notice.
Can I purchase birds to take home for training?
At the end of the day, birds that aren’t used or that are recaptured can be brought home, and if we have extra birds at the end of the day, you can purchase them, as well. This is done on a first come, first serve basis. Remember, you must have a Propagation License and hunting license to legally poccess gamebirds.
How long does the clinic last?
As long as it takes. Our goal is to make sure every handler gets the information and experience he or she needs. We’ll go until dark if necessary.
What does the clinic cost?
The Yankee Chapter offers the clinic free of charge to all NAVHDA members. Participants who are not members of NAVHDA will be charged $20, which, at the end of the day, can be credited to a membership if the participant so chooses.
Can I bring more than one dog?
Yes, but particularly with dogs at the Natural Ability level, it’s often best to plan on working with just one throughout the day. If you bring other dogs along, there is plenty of time and a place where they can be exercised.
My dog hasn’t trained with other dogs. Will this be a problem?
If it is, we’ll help. Many dogs get very excited seeing all the other dogs, and this distraction can work to our advantage by giving us an opportunity to teach them to focus on their handler. Whether it’s keeping the young dog on a training platform while he gets used to the other dogs walking around him or teaching a “leave it” command when he pulls towards another dog, there are many strategies to get him used to the group. When the dogs work with the birds, in the field or the water, they will be working individually, unless training to honor another dog.
What if my dog is in heat?
Because of the distraction for male dogs which can be very disruptive to training, we ask that bitches in heat train last. Please keep your dog aside (staked or crated) until it’s your turn for the field or water work, but be sure to let the folks in charge of training know you’re waiting. That way we can be sure your dog will get equal time.

Test Preparation Workshop-RSVP Required
2019-05-19 05:00 - 12:00 | Merrymeeting Kennels, 33 Simpsons Point Rd, Brunswick, ME, 04011, United States
Please RSVP mmkennels@myfairpoint.net
The Test Prep Workshop is all about helping your dog succeed on test day. It is a workshop for handlers, not their dogs. As many of us learned after testing dogs several times, there are lots of ways we handle our dogs and ourselves during a test that affect its outcome. Practical tips can be picked up during training clinics, but often testing questions or situations just don’t come up. Besides, we all know that test day is very different from a training day.
How does this workshop differ from a NAVHDA Handlers Clinic?
NAVHDA Handlers Clinics focus on the NAVHDA testing and judging system – on the scoring system, what judges look for, and what the elements of the test are designed to accomplish. The hands-on part of a Handlers Clinic usually has the participants assuming the role of judges, giving them an opportunity to evaluate dogs themselves.
The Yankee Test Prep Workshop will focus on handlers’ actions and options in the field and at the water. We won’t be teaching any “tricks” or ways to “beat” the testing system. We will present practical and effective handling advice for both the Natural Ability and Utility Tests — things like field time management, giving commands, interacting with the judges, gun handling, giving praise, tips on receiving the retrieve, etc. The workshop is lead by Yankee Chapter members who are NAVHDA judges and pro trainers. Yankee’s president will moderate the session, and there will be two handlers with dogs to demonstrate handling.
What’s the format?
The workshop will cover Natural Ability in the morning and Utility in the afternoon, approximately three hours per session with a break in the middle of each. Participants can attend both sessions or just one. This is a people clinic, not a dog clinic — you won’t be working your dog.
The workshop is free of charge to all Yankee members. Non-members will be asked to pay $10 and can apply that to a Yankee Chapter membership ($20) if they’d like. Participants should bring something to sit on. Full-day participants should bring their own lunches, beverages, etc.
The workshop leaders will cover the various parts of the test where the handler’s actions are critical, using demo handler and dog teams to show what they’re talking about.
9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Outdoor Training Clinic
2019-05-18 05:00 - 13:00 | Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Route 128 Dresden, ME 04342, Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Dresden, ME, 04342, United States

Vermont Training Clinic - This event is Full!
2019-05-04 04:00 - 13:00 | Ugly Dog Hunting, 1067 Silver St, Hinesburg, VT, 05461, United States

Yankee Chapter of NAVHDA Spring Clinic
2019-04-20 05:00 - 13:00 | Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Route 128 Dresden, ME 04342, Green Point Wildlife Management Area, Dresden, ME, 04342, United States
Outdoor Training Clinic
Dresden Greenpoint Management Area
