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Pritch Tangles with Mother Goose in Mid Retrieve
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April 12, 2010
Pritch Tangles with Mother Goose in Mid Retrieve
By David DiBenedetto
For the past couple of weeks I’ve been thinking about a water retrieve that I wanted to test on Pritch. To do so, I needed to drive to upstate South Carolina where I have permission to run the dog on a farm that has numerous alligator-free ponds and, unfortunately, an ungodly amount of cow patties for Pritch to wallow in.
As you can see from the above photo, the retrieve would require that Pritch cross a tiny clump of land on her way to and from the mark. I was curious how she would handle the island, as well as a bird tossed from a boat with a shotgun blast added for realism.
My older brother would handle paddling/bird boy/gunning duties. I knew this was a tough test but had faith in my dog. I even placed a side bet on her performance with my brother, who likes to jokingly call Pritch a debutante.
When the shot went off and the bird hit the water I released Pritch and she flew from the bank to the pond with a boatload of passion. But when she reached the little island a goose reared its ugly head, literally.
Unbeknownst to all of us, a goose was sitting on a clutch of eggs a few feet from where Pritch made landfall and was none to happy to be interrupted by a small, wet brown dog. After a fair amount of honking and flapping she eventually flew off. (See left side of below photo.) Pritch, of course, was mesmerized and totally forgot about her mark. I lost the bet but got a great laugh out of it.
On the second attempt, I’m happy to report my dog nailed it. She crossed the island both ways and brought the bird to shore. Then we let the goose get back to her business and moved on to other parts of the pond. (For the record, now that we’ve conquered Goose Island I sure wouldn’t mind casting a rubber worm against its banks.)
Anybody else taking advantage of spring to get out and work their dogs?
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Comments (17)
To have been able to see Pritch's expression up close on that mighty big "duck." Glad it was a goose and not a mute swan.
Dog trials are in season in the north. April temps are usually comfortable for dogs and handlers. Just worked another RGS fun trial this weekend (upland trials using chukar partridge). It is eye-opening watching different breeds and "unfinished" dogs work. This one was especially interesting because of a large pond on the property. I have never shot an upland bird over water but it does happen, as it did that day.
One of the judges, also a trainer, told me that it is wise to get upland dogs accustomed to water as pups. When they get older they are a lot like people - some might dive right in but others will not. Best to be prepared and know what your dog will or won't do if you shoot a bird over water.
MLH, you're absoutely right. My dog is still somewhat nervous around water at age 7 because we never introduced him to water at a young age. But then again, we never taught him to fetch until now either!
Those mother hens can be nasty. I just watched a mother goose on a nest a few days ago at a local pond. They look harmless enough sitting on their eggs, but they'll defend them to the death!
MLH- I had the exact same swan thought. That would have been ugly. -D
been working Chaos during the early morning when it's cool and considering he was injured for most of the past season (his first real trial) he has been doing great! you can tell he really loves this stuff. i was fortunate to have my daughters teach him to swim when he was vrey young. i thought he would never go any further than his feet, but when they got in and started wading, he couldn't help himself and never looked back!
Dave, did you force break Pritch? I am just curious as it is something I am looking to do with my britt Huck in a few months and had a couple questions. Thanks.
Besides Mama Goose, that looks like a sweet spot to train. And a great, realistic setup. Wish I had access to a pond like that.
Bookie12, Fire me an email at mbfcontest@gmail.com. I'd love to talk to you before you start. As you know, force breaking is a tricky process...and many a dog has been screwed up because it was not done properly. Be happy to tell you what I know/have learned from some pros. -D
I wouldn't call it training.
They already know.
Bill got so bored that he quit a couple of years ago.
I brought him back on flyer pheasants and ducks.
They get really fired up, watching Jack's World-Class Bird Dawgz.
Gonna post a link to Quail and Pheasant hunting at Jack's Bird Dawg Ranch.
Jack is a Field Trial Judge.
One of his dawgz is a former National Number Three.
Another made a perfect score at a Field Trial.
Just as soon as I figure out my new camcorder and get the birds.
Of course, me and the boys love Pritch.
She is a beautiful and sweet lil' chile.
She would make a great duck hunter.
Doves, too.
Glad you haven't fed her to the gators.
But, making her sleep on the floor,...I don't know.
I took my little boykin pup Abby to the beach to do a little swimming and retrieves just the other day. The weather here has been fantastic for training!
Check it out and watch her do her thing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPtsgDdXd70
The only way my dog will even go near water is to drink it or to try and grab my fishing lure haha.
Too cold here for water yet.A lot of training being done.
We all know that until a few years ago Canada Geese were extinct as a breeding species? Right, we all do know that? This would not be a problem for dog training 20 years ago because there wouldn't have been geese nesting in that area. Amazing the species diversity that we have today.
Yes we introduced my almost 5 month old boykin pup to gun fire this weekend and did some similar water retrieves to test his little butt. He did very well and is definately on his way to becoming a tremendous gundog. He also got to pick up his first real bird today while training. Only picked up bumpers and wings in the past so needless to say he was excited.
Revisiting obedience,quartering the dog to keep the pattern on the weekends my nephew has been helping with a lesson that I wanted to run last year with birds two shakers that will help to hunt in front of two guns,and starting all steps to build a water dog.Last years goal build an upland dog.This years goal a water dog to make a well rounded dog that does it all.Next year If I dont get time this training season will be steady to wing and shot.
EASTER WEEKEND I WENT ON A CHUKAR HUNT THE LAST DAY OF THE PRESERVE SEASON HERE IN OHIO, TRYING TO PROLONG THE WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS TIL FALL.
It's not just mute swans that can be nasty. Canada geese can have their moments too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OStX_wrWGg
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To have been able to see Pritch's expression up close on that mighty big "duck." Glad it was a goose and not a mute swan.
Dog trials are in season in the north. April temps are usually comfortable for dogs and handlers. Just worked another RGS fun trial this weekend (upland trials using chukar partridge). It is eye-opening watching different breeds and "unfinished" dogs work. This one was especially interesting because of a large pond on the property. I have never shot an upland bird over water but it does happen, as it did that day.
One of the judges, also a trainer, told me that it is wise to get upland dogs accustomed to water as pups. When they get older they are a lot like people - some might dive right in but others will not. Best to be prepared and know what your dog will or won't do if you shoot a bird over water.
Bookie12, Fire me an email at mbfcontest@gmail.com. I'd love to talk to you before you start. As you know, force breaking is a tricky process...and many a dog has been screwed up because it was not done properly. Be happy to tell you what I know/have learned from some pros. -D
Of course, me and the boys love Pritch.
She is a beautiful and sweet lil' chile.
She would make a great duck hunter.
Doves, too.
Glad you haven't fed her to the gators.
But, making her sleep on the floor,...I don't know.
I took my little boykin pup Abby to the beach to do a little swimming and retrieves just the other day. The weather here has been fantastic for training!
Check it out and watch her do her thing! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPtsgDdXd70
The only way my dog will even go near water is to drink it or to try and grab my fishing lure haha.
Too cold here for water yet.A lot of training being done.
MLH, you're absoutely right. My dog is still somewhat nervous around water at age 7 because we never introduced him to water at a young age. But then again, we never taught him to fetch until now either!
Those mother hens can be nasty. I just watched a mother goose on a nest a few days ago at a local pond. They look harmless enough sitting on their eggs, but they'll defend them to the death!
MLH- I had the exact same swan thought. That would have been ugly. -D
been working Chaos during the early morning when it's cool and considering he was injured for most of the past season (his first real trial) he has been doing great! you can tell he really loves this stuff. i was fortunate to have my daughters teach him to swim when he was vrey young. i thought he would never go any further than his feet, but when they got in and started wading, he couldn't help himself and never looked back!
Dave, did you force break Pritch? I am just curious as it is something I am looking to do with my britt Huck in a few months and had a couple questions. Thanks.
Besides Mama Goose, that looks like a sweet spot to train. And a great, realistic setup. Wish I had access to a pond like that.
I wouldn't call it training.
They already know.
Bill got so bored that he quit a couple of years ago.
I brought him back on flyer pheasants and ducks.
They get really fired up, watching Jack's World-Class Bird Dawgz.
Gonna post a link to Quail and Pheasant hunting at Jack's Bird Dawg Ranch.
Jack is a Field Trial Judge.
One of his dawgz is a former National Number Three.
Another made a perfect score at a Field Trial.
Just as soon as I figure out my new camcorder and get the birds.
Yes we introduced my almost 5 month old boykin pup to gun fire this weekend and did some similar water retrieves to test his little butt. He did very well and is definately on his way to becoming a tremendous gundog. He also got to pick up his first real bird today while training. Only picked up bumpers and wings in the past so needless to say he was excited.
Revisiting obedience,quartering the dog to keep the pattern on the weekends my nephew has been helping with a lesson that I wanted to run last year with birds two shakers that will help to hunt in front of two guns,and starting all steps to build a water dog.Last years goal build an upland dog.This years goal a water dog to make a well rounded dog that does it all.Next year If I dont get time this training season will be steady to wing and shot.
EASTER WEEKEND I WENT ON A CHUKAR HUNT THE LAST DAY OF THE PRESERVE SEASON HERE IN OHIO, TRYING TO PROLONG THE WITHDRAWL SYMPTOMS TIL FALL.
It's not just mute swans that can be nasty. Canada geese can have their moments too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6OStX_wrWGg
We all know that until a few years ago Canada Geese were extinct as a breeding species? Right, we all do know that? This would not be a problem for dog training 20 years ago because there wouldn't have been geese nesting in that area. Amazing the species diversity that we have today.
Post a Comment