Let's See Your Dogs!!

Three stubborn dogs that follow their noses instead of their heads - kind of like their owner.

 

We get that a lot with him! Or, because he has a brindle patch on one eye, they shout "Petey!" (Little Rascals).

That's a thought...one of those goofy "relaxation cds" of a thunderstorm. Might try that. Thanks guys!

 

I'll look into it, thanks!

 

Try looking up Thunder Shirt, it's a form fitting sweater that is supposed to make dogs feel comforted in stressful situations.

 

Yes it is and it is a very good looking gate IMO. Not only does it keep your dogs contained it keeps the others dogs out. I have an e-fence and it doesn't do much for keeping other dogs out . Or yotes, cougars, etc. enjoy your new gate it looks great!

 

Out training again, today. This is a shot of Sadie, on point. Then after the retrieve she got another scent. On point while still holding other bird. Second point is a little weak, though.

 

There was a long thread on the Toller Listserv not long ago about this and the most common effective remedy was recordings and gradually increasing volume. I would think this system listed would be even more effective. I purchase a lot form LCS- Lion Country Supply, but have also recently started purchasing from Steve and Lydia at gundogsupply and can not recommend them enough. Their customer service is outstanding.

 

I've been trading with GDS for about 9 yrs. with very minor issues in that time. Their customer service is over the top. In fact I think they tend to over compensate. I'm a loyal customer.

 

Scenting another bird during a retrieve is hard on a pup. Multi tasking is hard for a lot of us. Sadie is looking good. Wish you a great season. I'm expecting a repaired bird launcher tomorrow. Will start brushing the dogs up this week. Katie gets tuned up. Augie is working on hold to shot. I use mostly pigeons but will buy some quail too. Kansas just published their "walk in " Hunting Atlas, and I'm jonesn' for Nov 14. Plan on lots of day hunts in Missouri between weekends in west Kansas. Hope to get the dogs into a lot of birds this year. Augie has never experienced a good bird year.

 

Sadly, Sade is three. Hardly a pup. But she lost nearly a year of training while I was in Afghanistan. Her points can be great, but mostly, shes got this weird bend in her tail. But she is a bird finding machine, so I can't fault her too much. Funny, her tail can get straight as an arrow, at times. Usually when shes on intruder watch in the house.

 

I live fairly rural. Even so I don't want the dogs exposed to the road. I also don't think its neighborly to have them taking a dump in the neighbors yard. I have access to 200 acres behind the the house, and have had a few run ins with yotes. I let them free run there every morning with their e collars on and me armed. Luckily no cougars or wolves around here that I've heard of. I here grouse hunters in Minn need to be wolf aware.

 

Three is still a young dog. Augie is five and still a knothead. But I keep working with him.

 

Sleeps

And a service pup came in last week

 

Good looking Mal.

 

I wish that more of my neighbors think like you, seems like when most of them let their dogs out to go they all head straight to my yard no matter how far away they live.

Yeah Wolves are a real problem and over the last 10 years getting worse. Part of the reason I don't own a pointer, it drives me nuts when the dogs are out of sight in wolf and bear country. Several of my friends believe in SSS- Shoot, Shovel, and Shut-up but I will not shoot one unless I feel there is an immediate threat. Have had them come in as close as 40 yards, any closer than that I will shoot things happen too fast at that range and I don't want to chance hitting the dog.

A lone wolf took this deer down at sunset


I kept a close eye on the dog until the deer was gone. About 2 AM the pack showed up and circled me from the trees as I took pictures. You can imagine what the deer looked like by then. Wouldn't take even a lone wolf long to take out a dog but more times than not the pack is close by.

 

Spent this weekend at my first dog show Saturday and Sunday. Wasn't as bad as I feared although the breeder ended up having me take the pup in the ring because she had 2 other dogs there and can only handle one at a time. Yesterday after conformation we all went to another Toller breeder and trainers place, he has the #1 Toller in the country right now. Been to Dan's place before but it was ~12 years ago, he really has a great setup for field and water work. The dogs seemed to really enjoy it.

 

How do Tollers work? Point, flush, retrieve, all of the above?

 

There is some pointer\setter mix in the mix so occasionally one will point but for upland most are flushers. All are excellent retrievers and they are the smallest of the retriever breeds. They were bred in the Little River area of Nova Scotia in the early 1800's and lure waterfowl in. Ducks and Geese have some strange attraction to red fox, they were bred to look like a red fox. So you sit in a blind and throw a bumper or toy along the bank and the waterfowl will swim up to check the dog out. You can even pull down flocks flying overhead. Best Tolling picture I have ever seen was taken by crackered:


Once the birds are in range you stand up and shoot them and the dog brings them to you. They work well for me in the uplands for grouse and phez, but the long coat is a lot of work at the end of the day to clean the burrs out of. Still they put a smile on my face.

 

So, how'd ya do in the ring? It does take a little finesse, which is why I don't do it.