Wild Rose Hunting Retriever Club Training Etiquette for the Kathyrn Grounds.
This year is seeing an increase in the use of the Kathyrn training grounds. Our older members are returning for another season of training along with new members trying to find a place and time to train. At times this may place a strain on the grounds. The Board felt there is a need to establish some general rules of etiquette to ensure everyone has an equal opportunity and positive training experience. Please try to abide by the following guidelines for the use of the grounds
- Last person to leave please close and lock the gate.
- Stay on established trails and do not create new ones. Don’t drive your vehicle across the grounds to drop-off or pick up equipment because that is usually how new trails are started. Park on or to the side of established trails.
- Try to be on time for organized training sessions or equipment days. Most trainers start at 9:00am on weekends although this varies. For those who arrive on time, please understand everyone has different schedules and can’t always make the designated start time.
- Be considerate. The grounds are not large and it can be difficult to set up more than one training group without causing interference from loose dogs, whistles and popping guns. If you are training on the grounds please be prepared to accept other trainers into your training session and/or help them establish their own session in an area that will not cause interference.
- Be considerate. If you arrive after others have started training, always ask those who are on the grounds ahead of you, if you can join their training group and/or ask them if they mind if you set-up on another part of the grounds. Most trainers prefer to keep their groups small to achieve maximum efficiency and have a quality training session with time for reruns and corrections. Be prepared to do your own training if necessary.
- Be prepared to pitch-in to set up equipment, throw birds, etc. when you join into a group.
- Be prepared to share equipment. Dog training equipment is expensive to purchase and not everyone can afford to have all the necessary equipment. If you don’t have equipment to share ask others who are bringing birds, poppers and blanks, radios, etc. before you use theirs. If you are borrowing equipment ask if there is a way you can reimburse them for some of their operating expenses (i.e. cost of blanks, batteries and birds).
- Police the area—when finished; keep it clean! If you are using surveyor tape to mark your blinds pick the tape up once, you are finished. The tape is not biodegradable and is starting to litter the grounds. We all want to set up memory or pattern blinds and leave them marked for the next session. This is not practical on land as heavily used as the Club land. This also applies to all other items / litter (i.e. training birds, dispensed shells and cases, cans, paper, etc.). Pickup any litter you see, even if it was not yours. Just remember, whatever you bring with you for training, you take with you when you leave.
- Be considerate of our neighbors. They have pets and livestock that from time to time may wander over into your training area. Be patient and nicely show them off. If that doesn’t work then move to another area on the grounds. Do not let your dog wonder into the neighbor’s yards or allow it to worry their pets and livestock.
- During the summer we have long hours of daylight. Try to confine any training that might disturb the neighbors to reasonable hours. Very early or very late may not be practical if it keeps the neighbors awake.
- Guests are welcomed on our grounds, BUT they must be accompanied by a current member and that Member MUST fill out the Guest Waiver that is located under the "Members Only" section. This Waiver must be filled in, signed, and sent to the Membership Director before being allowed onto the grounds. This Waiver MUST be signed for all guest every time they join you on the grounds. In other words, it is not a one-time waiver. If you bring guests keep the numbers minimal and don’t abuse the privilege, or the guest policy may have to be altered. Please encourage our guests to join the club and contribute to the future maintenance and development of the club and the grounds.
- The large pond East of the training grounds is out of bounds. You may only use the large body of water or the canal system on the land. All other bodies of water are off limits are are not to be used.
- Above all enjoy your training session. Make it a good experience for you, your dog and your training companions.