---
title: Honoring (Hunt Test Term) | Royal Gun Dogs
url: https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/honoring/
business: Royal Gun Dogs
trainer: Richard Gebhart (professional gun dog trainer since 2002)
phone: (530) 341-4496
email: royalgundogs@yahoo.com
trains_at: Hastings Island Hunting Preserve, 7758 Hastings Island Rd, Rio Vista, CA 94571 (Solano County)
booking: call or text Richard directly
---

- [Home](https://royalgundogs.com/)
- [Glossary](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/)
- Honoring

# Honoring

An honoring dog watches a fellow retriever work and stays still until its own turn. It shows good manners and self-control around other dogs.

In a duck blind two or three dogs may sit side by side. Hunt tests copy that setup, with one dog waiting while the next runs, which is why honoring is a test requirement and a daily hunting skill.

## What it looks like

The honoring dog sits at the handler's side near the working dog. It does not whine, creep or break. Ducks Unlimited describes it as the dog sitting quietly and steadily until the dog at the line was sent.

## Why it matters in the field

A dog that honors in the blind will not jump another dog's retrieve or spook birds. For hunters who share blinds or hunt with a partner's dog, it is basic good manners. The guide on [honoring, delivery and line manners](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/honoring-delivery-line-manners/) shows how it is taught.

## In hunt tests

The AKC history page lists honoring another dog's retrieve among Senior requirements and again at the Master level, along with a walkup. See [Senior Hunter](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/akc-senior-hunter/) for the details.

It builds on [steadiness](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/steadiness/) and [line manners](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/line-manners/).

### Sources (3)

- American Kennel Club : [akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/history/](https://www.akc.org/sports/retrievers/hunting-tests/history/) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Ducks Unlimited : [ducks.org/hunting/retriever-training/retrievers-a-beginners-guide-to-hunt-tests](https://www.ducks.org/hunting/retriever-training/retrievers-a-beginners-guide-to-hunt-tests) (checked October 27, 2026)
- Hastings Island Hunting Preserve : [hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/](https://hihp.com/royal-gun-dogs-dog-training/) (checked October 27, 2026)

### Your trainer

Richard Gebhart has trained dogs professionally since 2002, learned the Rex Carr method for Retriever Basics under Billy Sargenti, and has run and qualified at an AKC Master National.

[Meet Richard](https://royalgundogs.com/richard-gebhart/)

### Related

- [Steadiness](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/steadiness/)
- [Line manners](https://royalgundogs.com/glossary/line-manners/)
- [Honoring, delivery to hand and line manners](https://royalgundogs.com/guides/honoring-delivery-line-manners/)
- [AKC Senior Hunter](https://royalgundogs.com/hunt-tests/akc-senior-hunter/)

## Questions owners ask

[All questions](https://royalgundogs.com/faq/)

### Does a young dog need to honor?

Not at Junior tests. It is a skill taught as steadiness develops.