Skill Building Working Group
In 2024, the MSDA Skill Building Working Group (SBWG) began holding monthly training sessions that provided coaching to help handlers and their dogs build foundation skills for Spaniel Hunt Tests (SHT) and hunting.
In 2026, we are excited to have the group evolve to the next level — to help handlers prepare for SHT participation. With that goal in mind, SBWG has transitioned from a monthly, open-registration format that accommodated a wide range of beginners, to a set group of handler and dog teams who have their foundation skills in place, and are ready to move forward and build their skills and experience to enter SHTs; or who already participate in SHTs and want to build new skills to progress in the sport.
New SBWG Format
Group co-leads, Trish Jackson and Janet Ciarico, conduct SBWG as a hands-on and interactive training group. They provide handlers with individual coaching on the techniques they need to train their dogs to hunt and flush; be steady; and perform the hunt dead, water mark, and water blind exercises. Handlers should enjoy being part of a collegial group that will work together, observe and learn from one another, and pitch in to fill training roles such as tossing birds and bumpers, and planting birds in the field and for hunt dead exercises. Handlers should be prepared to attend all sessions, and to work with their dogs between sessions to make progress.
Fee and Schedule Information
SBWG will be held monthly for a 6-month period, beginning in March and ending in August. The fee is $300 per handler/dog (only 1 dog per handler), which covers tailored coaching and training, and includes the use of live and dead birds.
SBWG will convene on the 4th Saturday of the month, in south-central Pennsylvania or Maryland locations. Sessions will begin at 8:30 AM and aim to end by 12:30 PM. If any schedule adjustments are necessary, members will be notified in advance.
SBWG Schedule
- March 28 @ Pennsylvania Gamelands #243 (Dillsburg, PA)
- April 25 @ Pennsylvania Gamelands #243 (Dillsburg, PA)
- May 23 @ Mason Dixon Hunting Farm (Glen Rock, PA)
- June 27 @ Mason Dixon Hunting Farm (Glen Rock, PA)
- July 25 @ Eastview Farm (Mt. Airy, MD)
- August 22 @ Eastview Farm (Mt. Airy, MD)
Registration Information
Early registration for the current SBWG series has closed. However, if you are interested and think you would be a good fit for this training, please contact Trish and Janet via SBWG@mdsportingdog.org to discuss possibly joining the group in the future.
There are 8 dog/handler spots for the SBWG. We welcome all handler and dog teams who 1) plan to participate or are currently participating in Spaniel Hunt Tests, and 2) have solid foundation skills with their dogs; for example, dogs should be able to:
- Walk calmly on a loose lead;
- Sit and stay as the handler moves away at short distances;
- Recall reliably from short distances on voice and whistle commands;
- Retrieve short distances and deliver to hand; and
- Wait quietly for permission to move.
Online registration closed February 13. After submitting information, Trish and Janet may ask registrants to meet before the start of the first session to demonstrate their foundation skills.
If you have any questions about SBWG, please contact Trish and Janet at SBWG@mdsportingdog.org.
More photos of training days and other events, taken by our members, are on our Flickr site.