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MASTERING BLIND RETRIEVES WORKSHOP with PATRICK DAIGNAULT, TOPGRADE RETRIEVERS  8:30 AM - 5:00 PM SATURDAY, May 16 and SUNDAY, MAY 17, 2009 Ridge Road Gate Stewart State Forest Newburgh, NY Westchester Retriever Club proudly offers a two-day blind retrieves seminar with professional trainer, Patrick Daignault of Topgrade Retrievers. Saturday will cover Transition Blinds (SH-level minimum for working dogs) and Sunday will focus on Advanced Blind Strategies (MH- or Qualifying-level minimum for working dogs). Click on the subject for more details. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED! Registrations are due no later than Saturday, May 9, 2009. For more information, contact Ginnie Pastor. Mail registrations to Ginnie at: Ginnie Pastor 115 Sanfordville Road Warwick, NY 10990 Download a workshop flyer here in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) or MS Word (.doc) format. Download a workshop registration form here in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) or MS Word (.doc) format. WORKSHOP FEES Limited to 16 working dog/handler teams each day. Unlimited observers each day. Participants Observers One Day WRC Members $65 $40 Non-WRC Members $75 $45 Two Days WRC Members $115 $70 Non-WRC Members $130 $75 Make checks payable to Westchester Retriever Club. Lunch included for all participants and observers Saturday--Transition Blinds (SH-level minimum for working dogs) For dog/handler teams who have assembled the basic skills to run blinds (i.e., reliable obedience including come, go, stop, and direction changes), with good mastery of blind drills and running basic cold blinds in the field and on water. This session will focus on improving dog skills, developing teamwork between dog and handler, and maintaining attitude and momentum. It will NOT be a lesson teaching yard skills necessary for running blinds. Sunday--Advanced Blind Strategies (MH or Qualifying level minimum for working dogs) For dog/handler teams with "taught" skills to run cold blinds in the field and on water with a measure of reliability and success, desiring to maximize these skills through more effective blind strategy. This session will deal more with a mental approach for handlers than with "how-to" dog training skills. What handlers need to recognize to determine expectations for their dogs How to plan to best negotiate environmental influences on the dog in running advanced blinds Planning strategies, Reading the dog correctly Learning to react quickly and respond effectively How/when to intervene appropriately Developing and maintaining great attitude Developing precise teamwork For a printable (PDF) copy of this map click on the image  Copyright 2009 Westchester Retriever Club