The Week in Review

At the beginning of this past week my 9 year old desktop computer finally died on me. Hence the lack of blog updates. So as of late Thursday night I finally broke down and joined the cult....I bought myself a brand new Mac Pro. Let me just say once you go Mac you never go back! I couldn't be happier with my new purchase or more addicted to it. But lots of stuff happened this week. I'll start with today and the picture above.

There was no training this weekend with Bob Corsaro. After having lovely weather for the past few weeks it was scheduled to rain all weekend so training was called off. Jim works with Cleo everyday even if it is only for 10 minutes or so. We decided to take her out on a live duck today. She has only been working with dead/frozen ducks for the past 5 weeks. We had a live one in our bird pen so since it was raining we thought we'd head over to the pond and see how she would do.

Before we took her over to the pond Jim worked her on the table and on the ground with a frozen duck. As soon as she saw him in the garage with the duck she ran outside and jumped on her whoa table without being told. I don't think I can adequately explain how much this dog loves to train.

She did great on the table as well as on the ground we so decided to head over to the pond. She knew she was there to retrieve ducks. Jim has taken her over a couple of times a week to throw frozen/thawed ducks for her. As soon as we let her out of the truck she took off down to the pond.

She ran up to the pond on her own and hopped around full of excitement. We called her back and Jim walked her at heel for a bit without a leash. Walking at heel is a requirement for the NAVHDA Utility Test. She does pretty well with it.

Once she got to the pond Jim threw in the live duck for her. She took off after it and brought it back to hand without playing with it at all.

She did a great job today!! Jim threw in the live duck several times and each time she brought it right back. There was no nipping and each time she brought it to hand. We were so happy.

We praised the crud out of her and as soon as we got home she rewarded with a pig ear. Such a happy GSP.

Also earlier this week I got Cleo out and down to the Dog Park in Horsham, PA. I met my sister in-law Rebecca there and she brought Cleo's most favorite dog friend, Fisher the Basset Hound. Below is a pic of Cleo running around the dog park with some new friends.

Earlier in the week I took Cleo over to the park by our house to run her in some fields. I always have her wear her e-collar just in case she sees a rabbit or a fox in the field and takes off in hot pursuit. I have never really had to use it. Only once or twice to keep her from rolling on dead stuff. I had to use it this past week tho. We were walking along and there was a little league game going on. She took notice of the tings of the metal bat when it came in contact with a ball. Some kid hit a line drive and almost in slow motion I could see her face change and like that she was off after the ball. I practically had a heart attack at the impending doom of her charging through their game in hot pursuit. I hit her with the collar just in time to save myself from utter embarrassment and true walk of shame. Luckily the e-collar saved the day and she came back. I did get some evil looks from parents and I quickly hustled away from the ball game. Lesson learned.

We also learned this week that Cleo loves cucumbers. I already knew she loved green beans, sugar snap peas and carrots but cucumbers are her new favorite treat. Once our garden is in full bloom she sits outside the fence and barks at me to throw her green beans and peas. I guess I'll have to add cucs to the mix this year.

So two more weeks till Cleo tests for her 1st leg of the AKC Senior Hunt Test. It's coming up quick and I know at this rate the NAVHDA UT Test will be right around the corner. I feel like we have been making progress so I'm hoping when the time comes we will be ready.

Preparing for the NAVHDA Utility Test: Water Work and then some

Griz

 

Today we spent allot of time working Cleo and her two favorite brothers Bruin and Griz on water work in preparation for the NAVHDA Utility test this fall. Jim and I showed up a couple of hours early today to get some field work in because Cleo is not only working towards a UT title but is working towards a Senior and eventually Master AKC Hunt title. Her first leg of the AKC Senior test will occur in about a month. Cleo needs more time honoring. So today we started our work off with some pigeons planted in traps and using two dogs to have them honor each other.

 

 

Today we used pigeons during training for a number of reasons. One reason is because they are not game birds. The dogs will point them but if we make a mistake its much more forgivable because we don't hunt them and they won't be used in a test. Another reason is because they are strong fliers and the dogs can not catch the birds. When the bird flies off and the dog will stand there which is the begining of the steady to the flush.

Below are some pics of 20 week old Maggie working with the pigeons/traps. Maggie is a full blood sister to Cleo.

 

The pigeon being fired out of the trap

 

   Maggie watching the pigeon fly off.

 

Maggie did a great job in the field today. She uses her nose and its apparent she has lots of desire. At 20 weeks old she had nice easily noticeable points. Way to go Maggie!!

Next up we ran Cleo and her sister and litter mate Brandy through the fields. Taking turns having one dog point and then bringing the other pup up to honor.

Cleo on point

 

 Cleo with her sister Brandy backing

 

Brandy on point

 

Mike keeping Brandy steady

 

 Cleo honoring Brandy's Point

Popping a pigeon

 

Bob ran his DK Dog Sadie through the fields with Bruin so they could get a little time working backing as well. I just have to say that Sadie is an amazing dog and watching her work a field is a real treat. She is a hunting machine!  Below are some pics of her at work.  

 

 

 

After the field work we headed over to a pond to prepare for the water work portion of the NAVHDA UT Test. Today we were focusing on "Search for a Duck". This portion of the test grades the dog's ability to find a wounded waterfowl. Per the NAVHDA website the duck search, "tests use of nose, cooperation, desire, perseverance, and stamina. Of significance is the fact that it places the dog in an environment where the handler often cannot physically follow the dog or even see the actual situation, thus requiring the animal to rely on its own initiative and intelligence in going about the task independently." Jim and I watched this last year at our NAVHDA NA Test and they basically want your dog to search for a minimum of 10 minutes. Retrieving the duck is not required. If the dog does retrieve the duck it has to be to hand.

 

Above is a picture of Cleo on her very first duck search/retrieve. Her first time out she did great. She found the duck and brought it to hand. But from that point on her performance went down hill. She started to play with the ducks when she got to them. Her drive to find them never wavered tho. She clearly showed she would search for them until her dying moment but she failed to bring them back to hand. To be honest it was frustrating. But it was her first ever duck search and to expect her to knock it out of the park on her first shot is unreasonable. She did well and will improve because she works hard and she loves being in the field. I have no doubt that she will get it. In boxing I have a beloved coach named Ray Velez and he says a fighter can have "flashes of greatness" and she showed that today. More time on the table and more force fetch and Jim and I have no doubts she will get it. With that said, below is a video of her taking off on a search.

 

Griz did a nice job today in the water. He had no issues finding the birds but he would bring them just short of hand. Below are some pics of him in action.

 

Griz searching

 

Still searching

 

Found that duck!

 

Go Griz!

 

Bruin also did a nice job today. Below are some pics of his duck search. Bruin also has such great desire. I'm pretty sure he would still be out there looking for a duck if you let him!!

 

 

After the searches we did a duck drag for Cleo and a duck drag for Griz. Although both dogs searched well they both still need to work on retrieving to hand. On land they had no issues which means it may just be having an issue of applying what they know on land to being on the water. Here are some pics of Cleo's duck drag.

 

 

 

Some pics of Griz's duck drag:

 

 

Baby steps. It's April and we are testing in September. All of these dogs have made tremendous strides in the past few weeks. At this rate we will be good to go come fall. Besides, we are learning a tremendous amount along the way. We brought home some ducks so we will be working with Cleo all week. Below is a video of her from when we got home this afternoon and we were finished unloading the truck. She loves those ducks and I can't help but feel the sky is the limit.

Preparing for the NAVHDA Utility Test

 

Per the NAVHDA website, "The Utility Test is designed to test a hunting dog's usefulness to the on-foot hunter in all phases of hunting both before and after the shot, in the field and marsh and on different species of game." The UT test is challenging and demanding. I relate it to someone training for and testing for their blackbelt in martial arts. It takes time, discipline and lots of practice. Today we trained Cleo, and her brothers Bruin and Griz for several parts of the UT test. First up was "Walking at Heel" which is a test of obedience. The dog must walk at their handlers side through at least 10 pairs of stakes set on a zigzag. Its much harder than it looks. Regardless if you speed up, slow down or stop altogether the dog must remain at your side.We started off with this today and Bob walked each pup through several times and then handed the reins off to each owner for them to practice and learn.

Bob walking Griz through his first time

 

 

Bruin going through his first time

 

Bob with Cleo

 

Now the Handlers turn. This is Jim with Cleo. We felt she did a really nice job.

 

Ed and his handsome boy Griz

 

Steve working Bruin

 

We also did duck drags today which is something that we did last week and is part of the upcoming test. After yesterdays retrieves we were hopeful she would bring the duck back. Cleo was up first and she did a great job. Watch the video below to see her in action.
 

 

Steve was kind enough to drag the duck off for us and then hide in the woods so that he could let us know whether or not she picked the bird up or played with it first. He reported back that she nipped it several times before bringing it back. When it was Bruins turn he had a similar result. He brought his duck back to hand but he had nipped it as well. This is an issue because they will loose points on the UT test for nipping. Griz on the other hand had no issues with nipping and brought it back but not to hand. Again, he will also loose points for this. See his video below.
 

 

After the duck drag we put each dog back on the whoa table to start from basics in order to break them of their retrieving issues. Cleo and Bruin for nipping and Griz to retrieve to hand. Once they got it on the table we transitioned to the ground and then back to retrieves.

Jim and Cleo

 

 Steve and Bruin

 

Bold Grizmont

 

Next up was "Steadiness by the Blind". This portion of the test per the NAVHDA website, "is a test of the dog's reliability in the presence of game while in the exciting atmosphere of repeated gun fire." We set up a dog blind that Bruin of course pee'd on. Let me just take a moment and point out that Bruin pees on allot of stuff. Today he pee'd on Bob's blind twice, he pee'd on Jim's throwing bumper, and most notably he pee'd on Steve's boot. Which was hilarious. And since were on the topic last week Bruin was kind enough to empty his bladder on Jim's cooler, Bob's truck, Jim's truck and I'm sure countless other items. If I can recommend to anyone who has a small child and knows Steve Fiasco watch out because Bruin may just take out your kid with a stream of free flowing urine. Just saying. Anyhow, each handler stood behind the blind with their dog while another person/gunner stood several yards away in order to assist by firing and another person was available to throw a bumper for the dog to retrieve. During the actual test this will occur at a pond and a dead duck will be launched into the pond for the dog to retrieve. But we need them to understand what is required of them on land before we move to the water. Check out the video below of Griz in action. Griz did a very nice job.

 

Here is some pics of both Cleo and Bruin doing the same thing. Cleo is shown in the blind with Jim and Bob below.

 

   Cleo retrieving the bumper

 

Bruin in the blind with Steve. Jim in the distance as the second gunner.

 

Bruin on retrieve

 

Next up and last on the list for our training for the day was putting out a bunch of decoys and having the dogs retrieve the bumper thrown out for them among the bumpers. This exercise would normally be done in the water but we introduce it to the dogs on land so they understand what is expected of them before they are put in the water. I thought Cleo would struggle with this because at home she tries to stuff as many toys in her mouth at one time as possible. But she actually did pretty good with it!

Jim walking Cleo through the decoys before throwing out the first bumper

Cleo being sent out on retrieve of the bumper

 

Cleo bringing the bumper back

 

So it was a great day for the older dogs. Everyone learned allot both dogs and handlers. Not to mention it's just great to hangout and talk some trash too. We were joined for a good portion of the day by Jim Given who owns a full blood sibling to Cleo, Bruin and Griz named Scout but he is only 19 weeks old. Scout is an amazing puppy. He did the decoy drill above that the elder 19 month old pups did and he had zero issues with it. He really is an amazing puppy. I walked the field with him earlier today and he shows a very high level of awareness. He looks for his handler, will follow hand signals and comes when called. He also pointed birds and held his point for Jim. Scout has desire and I think he will do amazing things come his NAVHDA Natural Ability Test this fall. Below are some pics of the super sweet and very cute Scout.

Scout is a tank!! He's very solid for 19 weeks!

Jim, Scout and Bob

Scout on Point

 

We also got to see Anthony and his 18 week old DK puppy Chase. Chase looked great in the field today. It's amazing how much he grew since last weekend. He had nice definitive points and looks so flashy in the field. Below are some pics of Chase doing his thing.

Nice point Chase!

Chase loves those birds!

 

 We also got to see our Red and White Setter friend Chaeli (hope I spelled her name right this week) who is owned by Ron Levin. I only got to see one of Chaeli's run's today but it was clear you could see improvement from last week. She has a nice nose and her first bird today she hit from a good distance off. Way to go Chaeli!!

 

Chaeli wanted those birds today!

What a cute face!

 

Once again it was a great day of training. There were a few more dogs there today that we didn't get to see or I didn't get pictures of. At any given moment there is a lot going on and I wish that I could be in more than one place at a time to get it all documented but its just not possible. But as always its no nice to get to spend time with the dogs and their owners. Learning this is so much fun. It's a challenge but it's also very rewarding.

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