NAVHDA GA believes that the best handler and dog teams are built by training and hunting together. Therefore, all of our training days are
conducted outside of hunting season to allow you and your versatile dogs time in the field.
All training days are conducted at Whispering Pines McGarity Farms in Jersey Ga. Please call the owner Tom McGarity
at 770-842-4885 to schedule individual hunts or corporate outings. At Whispering Pines, you can hunt Quail, Pheasant or Ducks.
2008 Training Calendar
(click links in table for details or directions. directions pop-up new window, disable pop-up blocker)
| Date |
Directions |
Event |
| Sat(5/17), Sun(5/18) |
NAVHDA Test, NA Only |
NAVHDA Test Pelham, TN
|
| Sat, 06/14 |
google
mapquest |
Training Day, Whispering Pines
Jersey, Ga |
| Sat, 07/12 |
google
mapquest |
Training Day, Whispering Pines
Jersey, Ga |
| Sat, 08/09 |
google
mapquest |
Training Day, Whispering Pines
Jersey, Ga |
| Sunday, 09/14 |
google
mapquest |
Training Day, Whispering Pines
Jersey, Ga |
| Weekend of 9/20-21 |
google
mapquest |
Handlers Clinic, Whispering Pines
Jersey, Ga |
| Sat, 10/11 |
google
mapquest |
Training Day, Whispering Pines
Jersey, Ga |
| March '09 - UPT/UT Test |
google
mapquest |
NAVHDA Test
Whispering Pines Jersey, Ga
MORE INFO TO COME |
Normal Training Day Schedule
- 8:30 - Meet at Pole Barn / Tree House area for short planning session
- 8:45 - Buy and distribute birds
- 9:00 - Break into NA, UT groups and proceed to fields
- 9:00 to noon - coordinated training in groups
- noon to 12:30 - BYO Lunch at Lodge
- 12:30 to 2:00 - Final individual training and equipment breakdown
Depending on the number of handlers, there will be 2 or 3 fields set aside. Handler/Dog teams of like
skill level will train together so that everyone can benefit. Please make sure that you have a
kennel or a tether for your dog when it is not in the field. We should be finished with the training by 2 p.m.
Be prepared for the weather and bring along a folding chair, sunscreen, water for the dogs, lunch and drinks.
Keys to an efficient training day.
- Keep an eye on the activity in your group
- Go to the least crowded station for your dog's skill level
- UT - Do your duck search early in the day.
- It's a long walk to the fields. Safely preposition yourself to plant birds if the team in front of you is about done
- Have yourself and your dog suited up and ready to go when it is your turn
- Find a partner and help each other complete training evolutions
- If you want a more experienced handler to watch your dog, ask early
See the calendar page for directions and maps.
Handlers Clinic, Sept 20th and 21st
The Handler Clinic is an educational tool developed by NAVHDA to help dog
owners and handlers understand the testing system. The clinics are conducted
by designated trained leaders; all of whom are NAVHDA Senior Judges. During
the two day clinic weekend, participants experience all aspects of a Natural
Ability, Utility Preparatory, and Utility Test. The first few hours of each
day is devoted to informal classroom instruction. There is discussion of Test
mechanics, the scoring system and NAVHDA philosophy.
The group then goes out to the field to judge and score dogs being
run in the actual Test process. After each dog has run and been scored,
there is a discussion of performance and scoring as observed by the participants
and the clinic leader. The discussion includes strengths or weaknesses of training
and handling observed in the demonstrations, and how they may have affected the dog's
inherited skills.
Who should attend
- People with their first pup see how other dogs work and gain insight into
what their pup is doing and why. This helps them to develop their pup's talents
and improve performance in weak areas.
- Novice handlers learn how NAVHDA evaluates versatile dogs, and are better
prepared to handle their dogs in a test.
- Experienced handlers gain a deeper, more technical knowledge, of how the
team of dog and handler are judged.
- For aspiring NAVHDA Judges, attending a Handler Clinic is one of the first
steps in our Apprentice Judge Program.
An online registration page will be up soon.
Nearby Motels and other attractions are listed at the Newton County Chamber of Commerce website. Call these motels directly for reservations.
Motels Link
Main Site