- President's Message
by Frank O'Leary
- 2020 DKGNA Raffle
- Training for the Solms - Force Training
by Randy Blanchard
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Join the DKGNA
Will be available on the DKGNA Webpage
Frank O'Leary, President
DKGNA Board of Directors
509-520-7483
Tyler Smith, Vice-President
DKGNA Board of Directors
801-420-8076
Michael Albert, Secretary
DKGNA Board of Directors
310-480-7427
Marianne O'Leary, Treasurer
DKGNA Board of Directors
509-520-7483
Randall Cherry,
Breed Warden
DKGNA Board of Directors
730-244-2949
breedwarden@dkgna.org
Jörg Kaltenegger
DKGNA Director of Testing/Director of Judging Development
412-535-3373
td-doj@dkgna.org
Jeff Martin
DKGNA Director of Membership Education
250-809-6665
lafrenz1999@shaw.ca
Tony Dolle
DKGNA Director of Development
615-870-7700
jadolle53@gmail.com
Marianne O'Leary
509-520-0819
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President's Message
by Frank O'Leary
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Wildrose vom Trocken Bach in Germany
at 11 months
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We are approaching two months of lock down in the state of Washington and we have had very few cases in the Walla Walla area. The good news is that the Seattle area is showing signs of real improvement. Hopefully our businesses will be opening soon and life as we knew it will start to return.
As you all know the spring testing season has been cancelled without a Derby being held. The DKV has made it clear that every accommodation will be made to provide a path for the dogs that have not had the opportunity to do a Derby to achieve that rating. Options that have been determined are:
- Dogs doing a Solms this fall will have the opportunity to receive Derby ratings for “Nose, Pointing, Search, and Cooperation” simultaneously while being judge for the Solms. The leader’s decision to exercise this option will have to be declared prior to the start of the dog’s test.
- If the dog does not do a Solms or does a Solms but the Leader chooses not to exercise the aforemention Derby option, will have the opportunity to do a Derby in 2021. This is a onetime exception and the age limit will be waived.
When Leaders are making their decision regarding achieving the Derby rating at the Solms it is important that you review the rules regarding pointing. The standard for pointing at the Solms is higher than the Derby. In other words, a point that would be acceptable at the Derby may not be acceptable at the Solms.
There are several unanswered questions regarding the implementation of this plan, but currently, as Christine . Hammerer said, “we are all flying in the fog”!!!
 We have been doing a series on DKGNA dogs going to the 2020 Kleemann in October. However, like everything else those plans have changed. The 2020 Kleemann has been cancelled. Currently, the DKV Board of Directors is exploring options on how to proceed with the 44th Kleemann. DKGNA members had five dogs qualified and preparing to attend the Kleemann this fall, since the last issue another has been added (Anna vom Hügel-Hafen, Ungaro vom Trocken Bach, Uschka vom Trocken Bach, Karlos vom Klepelshanger Forst, Sadie vom Trocken Bach,
and Prinz vom Klepelshanger Forst). Once a final decision has been made on when the Kleemann will be rescheduled we will continue with the articles about the DKGNA dogs planning to attend. It is too bad the event had to be cancelled as six dogs owned by DKGNA members participating would have been quite statement.
We are optimistic that testing will resume in the fall and look forward to seeing everyone participate. Be sure to review the DKGNA Testing Schedule and sign up for your fall test ASAP. You should check with your test coordinator to see if there are training days available prior to your test.
We wish all of you and your families only good health!!
Frank O’Leary, President
DKGNA
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2020 DKGNA Raffle
 Well, it’s time to help ourselves and benefit the educational efforts of the Deutsch-Kurzhaar Group North America (DKGNA), a 501(c)(3) non-profit. The group’s annual raffle is here and the prizes are phenomenal.
For starters, the lucky winners will have his/her choice of three great prizes. First a four person three-day hunt at Hunt Oregon, LLC, near Pendleton, OR, (valued at $12,000). Second a Berretta 686 Silver Pigeon over/under shotgun. This is a two-barrel set – 20/28 gauge (valued at $3,675). Third, a two-person two day wild boar, whitetail deer, and quail hunt at Alger Flats Outfitters, in Perdues Hill, AL (valued at $2,500). Click here to view Raffle Flyer.
The Hunt Oregon trip is for four hunters for three days and four nights. All meals and lodging for the hunt are included and there is a daily hosted open bar. Hunts take place on the Cunningham Sheep Company ranch, famous for its upland bird habitat and wild bird numbers. This is one of the oldest family-owned ranches in Oregon and has only been hunted by the family and their friends until recently. The trip includes transportation to and from the Pasco, WA, airport and bird processing is included. Hunters are responsible for their licenses and ammunition.
The Beretta 686 Silver Pigeon over/under  shotgun is a two-barrel set – 20/28 gauges, the perfect gun for an upland bird hunter.
 The Alger Flats Outfitter hunt is for two hunters for two days and three nights. All meals are included. The hunt includes the opportunity for wild boar, whitetail deer, and quail.
Winners for the raffle will be drawn after November 2020 or when the number of sold tickets reaches 125. Tickets are $100 each and all proceeds benefit DKGNA events and its educational efforts.
The first person drawn in the raffle gets his/her choice of the top prize; the second person drawn gets second choice; the third person drawn gets third choice.
This is the only fund-raising event held by the DKGNA each year and the funds support the group’s testing, training, educational activities, and enables the DKGNA to fulfill our stated purpose as a club:
- Educate all interested persons in the techniques of training, breeding and caring for continental hunting dogs, to conduct tests of continental hunting dogs, and to promote responsible breeding of continental hunting dog breeds;
- Foster, improve, promote, and protect the continental hunting dog breeds in North America; and
- Promote the interest of wildlife by fostering ethical hunting and the conservation of game through educational programs, the use of properly trained hunting dogs, and other means.
Each DKGNA member should have already received three raffle tickets. The Board hopes our members will purchase or sell a ticket(s) to a friend or relative. Members are also encouraged to split the cost of the ticket(s) with friends, family, hunting buddies, co-workers and others. Also, it is a great way for hunting buddies to go together and buy one, two, or four tickets to decrease cost and increase their chance of winning.
For your convenience we have made the tickets available electronically via PayPal.
Please help with the marketing of the DKGNA Raffle. If you need additional tickets, please do not hesitate to contact Marianne O’Leary at 509-520-0819 or treasurer@dkgna.org
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Training for the Solms
Part 2
Force training, theory and what the books do not tell you:
by Randy Blanchard
 The reason most dogs fail in the SOLMS is because of a lack of understanding on how to navigate through the force fetch part of your training program. An effective force fetch program starts with an assessment of the dog, follows a sequence of bench work, transition from the bench to the ground, a walking fetch drill and ends with a force to the pile drill on land and over water. All of this is designed to achieve three main goals. The goals are first to teach the dog to hold, fetch and out an object on command, second teaching the dog that he is responsible for being disobedient and third allowing the dog the ability to make mistakes.
Before the training begins you must have an assessment process. This allows you to know what you are dealing with. You test for intelligence, trainability and desire. This information will dictate how you proceed. Your program has to fit the temperament, character and sensitivity of the dog. Tailoring the program to the individual dog means success.
You start with leash work to teach basic obedience and to put the dog in the right frame of mind for bench work. Leash work is the start of teaching the dog that he is responsible for being disobedient. This is done by corrections on the leash. You give a command and the dog has one second to comply. If not, he receives a correction in the form of a tug on the leash. If he does as he is asked, he receives praise. The most important part is timing and It has to be perfect. It is timing that allows the dog to decide if he is going to comply with your request. Once the dog understands he has choice two things will happen. First, he will tend to make the right decision and second if he has not complied, he will take responsibility for the correction. Leash work should last between eight to ten minutes then you proceed to the bench or training table.
The bench is where the dog learns to hold, fetch and out an object on command. It is a process that builds consistent retrieving performance. The dog learns that it is his job to retrieve not because he likes to but because it was a command. This is taught by following up on the theme during leash work that the dog is responsible for being disobedient. The preferred method to teach fetch is the toe pinch. When you command fetch the dog has one second to comply. If he does not, then you apply pressure to a cord wrapped around the dog’s paw. Initially the dog will respond to the pressure by opening his mouth to register his displeasure and at the same time reach for the source of the pain. As soon as he opens his mouth insert the wooden dowel, release the pressure and give the dog lots of praise. Over time you move the dowel farther away from the dog’s mouth and ask him to fetch.
There is a difference between punishment and motivation. If a dog perceives that he is being punished your chances of success are limited. If you are motivating the dog will be comfortable on the bench and want to learn his lessons. There are a number of signs that let the trainer know that he is moving in the right direction. First is eye contact. Eye contact builds boldness and the dog is giving you his undivided attention. This is why a soft voice is important when doing bench work. It puts the dog at ease. A major breakthrough is when the dog understands that he is responsible for being disobedient. This occurs when the dog refuses the fetch command. After one second you apply pressure on the cord and the dog immediately reaches and grabs the bumper instead of moving his head towards the source of discomfort. Once the dog understands this concept training goes easy. It seems strange but another milestone you look for happens after the dog is starting to fetch on command. For some reason, a dog will not release the bumper. It is almost as if the dog is saying, “If I have a bumper in my mouth you can’t pinch my paw.”.........
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 The Deutsch-Kurzhaar Club North America looks forward to our second year as a member of the DKV and looks forward to becoming a trusted and vibrant promoter of the Deutsch-Kurzhaar in North America.
The DKGNA Board of Directors continues to work hard to position the club for success. It is our hope that the DKGNA will be a model club where DK enthusiasts can work together to educate all interested persons in the techniques of training, breeding and caring for Deutsch-Kurzhaar dogs; to conduct tests; to promote responsible breeding of DK’s; foster, improve, promote, and protect the DK’s in North America; and promote the interest of wildlife by fostering ethical hunting and the conservation of game through educational programs, the use of properly trained hunting dogs, and other means.
In an effort to promote youth participation in the DKGNA the Board of Directors has established a special category for members 17 years of age and under. These Youth members will pay half of the regular dues fees and be non-voting member same as family members.
To become a member of the DKGNA please complete the membership application form by clicking – Membership Application. This fillable form will work in you Internet Explorer or Chrome browser, it will not work in Fire Fox. You can submit electronically and you will be billed and can submit payment through PayPal. You can also print your application, enclose a check, and mail the package to the address on the application.
Reproduction of any contents by permission only
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