Season of Fetch
Florida Palmetto Chapter has room in our Fetch training series:
Conditioned retrieve is not required by NAVHDA, but it is the most reliable way to meet NAVHDA’s Finished Gun /Utility dog retrieve standards. It protects your scores, ensures consistent performance, and prepares your dog for real-world hunting scenarios that NAVHDA tests are designed to simulate.
NAVHDA’s Test standards specify that the dog must:
- Go directly to the fallen bird
- Pick it up with a firm but gentle, balanced grip
- Return directly to the handler
- Hold calmly until told to release to hand
- Not drop the bird en route
These requirements are explicitly stated in NAVHDA’s judging guidance for the retrieve of a shot bird, dragged game, and duck retrieve.
Conditioned retrieve ensures the dog performs these behaviors consistently, even under pressure, excitement, or fatigue.
Without Conditioned retrieve many otherwise excellent dogs lose points here.
Conditioned retrieve does more then just address delivery to hand it creates a foundation for steadiness and advanced obedience
So conditioned retrieve is not just about retrieving—it builds:
- Pressure clarity
- Handler–dog communication
- Compliance under distraction
These skills support:
- Steadiness to wing, shot, and fall
- Reliable delivery in real hunting
- Calmness and control in test scenarios
Florida Palmetto Chapter is excited to announce a season of Fetch training series.
The series is going to be 8 weeks of interactive learning and team building. 4 sessions will be in person work and four online.
This combination, class and online structure is designed for you and your dog to overcome obstacles and achieve your goal. Our last session will include some fun small competitions to show off all your hard work!
DATES:
- June 6 – July 25
- Location: QHF 8300 SW Martin Hwy, Palm City, FL and Teams the Community Link invite will be shared after registration
- Cost: $200
- Purpose: Improving your dog’s performance in a supportive, structured environment. Learn how to build that team between you and your dog in our supportive community for that successful retrieve.
- Target Audience: Everyone that has completed their NA test and/or working towards retrieve to hand
- Key Contacts: Scott Heath at scottheath77@gmail.com, Melody sweet at threegspsrgr8@hotmail.com or Nikki Bowman at nikkibowman9@gmail.com
The goal is building your reliable Retrieve:
*Retrieve birds to hand on command
*Hold birds without dropping
*Deliver cleanly to hand
*Work with confidence in the field
We are excited to introduce our first hybrid series, a season of fetch is anticipated to be highly successful based on feedback indicating our members’ strong desire for continuous feedback to develop reliable retrieval skills. Future offerings will be contingent on the success of this series. We invite you to be part of this journey towards achieving reliable delivery to hand.