Fast Pup Dog Training

Retriever Training Group Etiquette

2011-12-31T19:22:00.000-08:00

If you want to train your retriever for field trials or hunt tests you will need to find or put together a training group that will meet on a somewhat regular basis. If you are teaching your dog to mark off multiple guns, do complex combinations of multiple marks and blinds both on land and water, it is absolutely necessary to have lots of help in the field. Setting up meaningful marks and blinds takes time to plan out, set up and perform. At least one person in the group should have plenty of experience training and running dogs in competition. Someone with lots of judging experience is especially valuable.

Successful training groups are generally large enough to allow for flexibility. Not every person can come to all trainings every time. Groups thus tend to be porous and fluid. Some of the things I learned early in my retriever training experience remain extremely valuable today. Serious members of a group must have certain tendencies in order for a group to survive.

Some of the most important attributes members need to have are as follows:

Number One: Willingness and ability to commit to training on a regular basis. Of course not everyone can come every time, but the commitment to come most of the time is crucial.

Number Two: If you say you will be there at 9:00 am, get there by 9:15 at a minimum. (Our group meets at a park and ride. If you don't get there by 15 minutes after the hour, you won't know where we will be.) Occasionally running late with a phone call to let everyone know is fine, but don't make a habit of it. (Apologizing for being late is always a good idea.) Everyone is making a Herculean effort to get their own dogs trained and are willing to work for other handlers and dogs in exchange. Showing up hours late to a training scenario and expecting to run your dog is never acceptable. (Once you have earned points with your training group and they know that you have always been helpful to others, they will most likely bend over backwards to accommodate you, should you be recovering from a surgery or illness--or any other out-of-the-ordinary thing. But that is something you earn over time.)

Number Three: Training with birds is crucial for the dog's development. Training with live shot flyers is also crucial. Anyone willing to find a source for birds and arrange for bringing them to training is always greatly appreciated. And to go along with that, anyone who is a great shot who is willing to shoot birds for others should be treated like royalty! Find out what gauge gun he or she is shooting and be sure to offer a box or two of shells to that person at the end of training. And once training is over--the ones who brought the birds should always be able to get their birds back to go back into the freezer for another day. But if you hear someone say that they don't have room in their freezer, you can offer your own freezer space for the group birds.

Number Four: Try to bring your own equipment. You should own a minimum of 12 bumpers, both white and orange, large and small. You should also obtain your own starter pistol, folding chair, a set of 5 gallon buckets or burlap bags for hiding birds in while out in the field throwing for others, white clothing for field trial and young dog training, and a set of two-way radios. All serious retriever trainers in the United States also own a remote (electronic) training collar. (While you are airing your dogs prior to the start of training, you should be gathering all this equipment up and preparing to go out in the field. Time is of the essence and if everyone is concentrating on getting set up, training can get underway a lot faster.)

Number Five: If you are training with a professional trainer--or a highly seasoned amateur trainer (many amateur field trial trainers have forgotten more than some of the professional trainers will ever know about training!) and they have a lot of dogs, do every thing you can to offer to run those dogs, in addition to your own. The more "line time" you get at training, the faster you learn how to train your own dog. And if you help with both the young pups as well as the super trained older dogs, you will round out your own handling skills very quickly. Also, regard your time out in the field while throwing birds for other handlers and dogs as every bit as valuable for learning as being on the other side. Watching people do things right or wrong, is great for learning yourself. Additionally, if there are picnic (mock) trials or tests in your area, volunteer to judge along side a seasoned judge. You learn a TON when keeping track of scoring performances.

Number Six: Learn to let things roll off your back. The retriever training world is very small and finding a group of people large enough and knowledgeable enough to work--pretty much guarantees that some of the people in the group might not be your "cup of tea." They might seem arrogant or cranky or quirky. (Some of those characters are people from whom I have learned the MOST over the years. ) If you are a fairly new handler, just learning the ins and outs of handling a dog, you do not need to wear a sign that says "NEW." Everyone will know it. You will be offered lots of help. Some of that help might be unwanted. Depending on your personality, that help might even seem like criticism. Roll with it. Relax. If you can't handle unwanted help from well-meaning people in your training group, how are you ever going to be able to handle the stress of paying big money to enter a competition, follow all the intricate rules and handle your dog successfully in front of two judges and a gallery of onlookers--not to mention all the people waiting for their turn behind you? How will you handle it when the honor dog breaks on YOUR live shot flyer and screws up your dog's performance? How will you be able to handle it when you just drove 200 miles and paid the entry fee and got a hotel and the judges tell you to pick up your dog and go home? Embrace the annoyances of other people in your group and learn to appreciate everything as a precursor to greater challenges in your future.

A retriever training group is a very difficult thing to organize and keep together. Treat it with great respect. And get the most out of it by putting the most you can into it.

23 And A Half Dog Hours: Into The New Year

2011-12-26T14:21:00.000-08:00

Mount Rainier Is Backdrop For Dog Walk Christmas Eve 2011

Depression is a much written about problem in the Pacific Northwest. Especially during the winter months, when the daylight hours are only about 8 and a half and when the weather seems dreary. As a dog owner and trainer, though, I noticed a long time ago that dogs DO NOT CARE about the weather. They love to walk, run and play through any kind of weather. And their anxiety decreases dramatically after a short period of intense exercise. And as a retriever trainer, the necessity for me to be out with my dogs in any kind of weather is huge. And I feel better after being out in the winter light and fresh air too.

Freddy Walks With Dogs Across Prairie On Christmas Eve

Add to a tendency for depression the fact that over 33 percent of Americans are obese plus the fact that around 40 percent of American dogs are overweight and we have plenty to be depressed about! But not to worry! There is a simple solution for everyone involved.

Thanks to my friend, Jennifer Coleman of Team Beachbody, I watched this great video today about the 30 minute solution (or medication) for MANY health problems today, including, of course, obesity/weight problems, but also a myriad of other health problems, such as dementia, diabetes, hip fractures, depression, arthritis and fatigue. At the risk of having my readers roll their eyes and NOT click on the video, I will spill the beans. (Do watch the video anyway. It is really impressive!) The solution, according to Dr. Mike Evans, is exercise. No, no--not triathlons--but mostly WALKING. And he gives a great tip to people who walk their dogs regularly. He says "A dog is a great walking coach with data showing 67 percent of dog walkers achieve 158 minutes a week of walking." Early in the video Evans talks about what is the best return on investment for increased health and reduction of illness. Walking is FREE! And our dogs want desperately for us to go outside with them.

Check it out!

Here in the Pacific Northwest, we have recently seen our commercial fitness options severely reduced with the exit of Bally Total Fitness. Bally Total Fitness sold out their Oregon and Washington state gyms to LA Fitness. LA Fitness has simply closed many of the Bally locations and fired their employees. I hear people grumbling about this everywhere I go in the Tacoma area. When the standard New Years' resolutions are to be acted upon, I imagine there will be severe overcrowding at the few LA Fitness locations.

Christmas Day 2011 Was Rainy, But Still There Were Blue Skies!

Before going down to the commercial gym with a credit card or gobs of cash, perhaps we could think about dedicating a structured routine to walking our dogs. It might be a superb ROI.

If you would like information about where to go on a great off-leash dog walk in the Seattle-Tacoma area please email Kate Johansson

Rosie Crosses Muck Creek Christmas Day 2011

Dogs Having Fun In Muck Creek Christmas Day 2011

Sunset Christmas Day 2011

Cool Way To Make A Recycled Christmas Tree

2011-12-22T23:12:00.000-08:00

What To Do With All Those Left Over....

Merry Solstice From The Prairies Shadowing Rainier

2011-12-21T21:47:00.000-08:00

Today was the shortest day of the year! Tomorrow the days start getting longer and longer. The Solstice in near. These pictures were taken all during the last week, December 14, 2011 through December 21, 2011. This was an awesome year. I am so sorry to see it come to an end. And to my dear Jim Radtke, I wish you were here. Rest In Peace dear Jimmy!

2011 Solstice Sunset

The Last Rays Shine On Mount Rainier At 4:30 Just At Sunset

Last Wednesday, December 14, 2011 we were in TA-14.

And Surprise!

Thursday, December 15th, 2011, it rained. Earlier in the morning. Then cleared a little

After The Rain

During The Morning Rain

Friday the sun was shining!

Beans

Ruby

Merry Christmas Everyone! Here is to the best ever 2012!

Jim Radtke, 44 years young, 1996. Thank You For Everything. Rest In Peace. Love Always.

Seven Month Old Gauge Starts Formal Retrieve Training

2011-12-05T18:32:00.001-08:00

Gauge, a seven month old black lab, is starting his formal retrieve training today, (also known as force fetch.) We always start with "hold" training. (See the video of Cowboy learning the "hold" command.)

PSRC Training Day December 10th 2011

2011-12-04T17:26:00.001-08:00

Received this email this afternoon, regarding Puget Sound Retriever Club:

Hey, I know many of us are busy with the holiday shopping and hunting season, but I will be very glad to see ya all at Dewatto on Saturday 10 Dec. for our monthly club training day. I am eager to see all the new puppies! Start time 10 am at the Horse Pasture. Please pass the word onto any people you meet that may be interested in our club. Please let me know by phone or email if you plan on attending.

Tim Lockard 360-598-3818 V/R, Tim

Formal Retrieve Training Step 5: Pile Work

2011-11-29T13:15:00.001-08:00

After you have done your "hold" training, (with both a stationary "hold" while the dog is in a sit, and a walking "hold"--where the dog is reliably holding an object in her mouth while walking, running, jumping and climbing,) after you have done your focused "fetch" training in a confined space, (many gun dog trainers use a table, similar to a grooming table--I simply use the tailgate of my truck) and your have completed walking fetch, it is time to start your pile work.

Let the dog watch as you toss bumpers to a tight area.

I use a stake with ribbons as a target that the dog can see across field at first

Pile work starts out with leading the dog to a very close proximity to where you will toss a number of bumpers out for repeated retrieves.

If need be, I will start out with dog on leash and treat it just like walking fetch, holding the dog back a little with the leash and saying "fetch" or the "back" command.

Shortly thereafter, the dog should be understanding that she is expected to run to the "pile" and return with another bumper. It is very important to point the dog to the pile. Be aware of your own body language, and be very confident and enthusiastic about the pile. Going to the pile should be something the dog understands as fun when you are teaching it.

Lily returns a happy dog. As she comes in with the bumper, I step back, away from her which helps her maintain her momentum to come in. I want her to come past me as I step back, then I want her to circle and come forward with me as we line up for another send to the pile.

Stepping back and getting the dog to line up with handler.

Each time Lily returns from the pile of bumpers, I move back a few feet (10 - 20 feet) so that I stretch her line to the pile out a little bit longer.

Our next step (on another day) will be to plant the pile of bumpers before we even get her off the truck, then walk out and have her run to the pile without observing the pile planted. Once she is reliably running to a pile 125 yards away or longer, it will be time to teach the remote stop on a whistle out in the field. Then we will begin to introduce casting off to the side.

Remember, do not get ahead of yourself. A well constructed house has a very solid foundation. Take each step slowly, carefully and with enthusiastic leadership.

Dog Training In The Shadow Of Rainier

2011-11-28T19:25:00.001-08:00

November 28th 2011

Some shots of the views from Pierce County's Fort Lewis on a beautiful sunny day at the end of November, 2011.

We ran into our friend, Tim Lockhard, pheasant hunting with Waylen

Yesterday it rained like it would never stop. All day, relentlessly. Today, was sunny and warm.

Still Life With Rain

2011-11-23T16:06:00.001-08:00

On a rainy day last week we went for a romp, the dogs and I.

The Sun Played Hide And Seek

We drove through TA-13, near Roy, Washington. I especially love that place because there are still signs of lives lived in days gone by, before the land became the back country controlled by the army at Fort Lewis, now called Joint Base Lewis McChord.In TA -13 there are still remnants of a farm or ranch, although the remains are fast disappearing. Below are shots of a family cemetery from the 1800s.

The vast areas of forest and open prairies controlled by JBLM are fascinating to explore. Even in the rain.

In a way, a rainy day is best for seeing all the colors and textures up close. When there is not so much scenery to compete with the smaller, more quiet things.

Three Birds

2011-11-23T12:04:00.001-08:00

Dog Training Tips From Long Ago

2011-11-22T11:21:00.001-08:00

This is a re post from last holiday season. With the holidays upon us, some of us enjoy looking back.

The following is an excerpt from Oliver Hartley's book, "Hunting Dogs," copyright 1909. The book is now public domain and was released in November 2010 by the Gutenburg Project.

TRAINING — RANDOM SUGGESTIONS FROM MANY SOURCES.

Summing up we find much pointed and valuable information relating to the training of dogs omitted thru lack of space. From this we present a chapter of "nuggets" in paragraph form, which will no doubt prove interesting and beneficial to those interested in training hunting dogs. Here are a few things not to do:
Don't allow your dogs to run into every farmyard as you pass along the road.
Don't allow them to be used with which to run stock.
Don't let them get into the habit of running other dogs.
Don't let them run house-cats.
Don't teach him to be called by shooting.
Don't, when out hunting, keep urging him all the time.
Don't let every one have him to hunt with or he will soon be everybody's dog.
Don't allow them to come into the house and get into every pan and kettle, if your wife is good-natured.
Don't correct him by pulling his ears, for a fox dog needs his hearing.
Don't feed but twice a day, and don't stint him on his feed before starting on a race.
Don't allow him to run loose when you are not using him.

Did you ever try using a sheep bell on a still trailer on windy, stormy nights? It's a such bells on sheep and disregard them until the dog but 'coon usually become accustomed to sheep bells on sheep and disregards them until the dog gets too close for them to escape. Then, where not accustomed to the bell, their curiosity overcomes their fear. The best pair of 'coon dogs I ever owned was Sport, a fox hound and collie, half and half, a slow semi-mute trailer, and Simon, a full blood fox terrier, a fast mute trailer. I used a bell on Sport. This and his occasional barks on the trail kept the attention of the 'coon while Simon cut across lots and invariably took him unawares.
I have learned at considerable expense that the best at most any price is the cheapest. If you want a good, cheap 'coon dog, get a half pup collie and half fox hound. Never give him a taste of nor let him see a rabbit, teach him a few tricks (to make him pay for his meals), such as jumping over a stick, then a pole, then a fence. This is to teach him to obey every word.
Never scold or whip him, gain his confidence, teach him to speak for bits of meat so when the time comes to hunt 'coon you can get him to bark up; get him to catch and carry and he will often catch an opossum or maybe a mink or 'coon and kill it when away from you, and if you teach him to bring everything (rats, woodchucks) home to you, he will do the same in the woods after night. Never let him get whipped by another dog or woodchuck, 'coon or even a big rat. Always help him kill or whip everything he jumps on to or that jumps on to him. A defeat will discourage him.
When your young dog is ready for a night hunt in the woods or cornfield, choose the best and most favorable night for the first trip. Feed no meat nor milk for 24 hours previous to the first or any subsequent trip, for that matter, for the best dogs, full of meat or milk, cannot do good work on the most favorable night. Feed him a good dinner of vegetables, but no supper until you return from the hunt, then give him anything. Choose a dark and cloudy night, the darker the better, not too still, as usually on very still nights the atmosphere is heavy and smoke settles to the earth, so likewise does the scent of the 'coon trail, and many a fine dog has been condemned for failing to locate his 'coon when started under such a condition as this.

Do not return home and leave your hounds in the woods, rather walk a mile or two to catch them and they will be in better shape to hunt the next day than if you had allowed them to run all night.

I notice so many of the boys in telling of their 'coon hunting say when Old Jack or Trailer, or whatever his name might be, strikes a trail they follow him as fast as they can run until out of wind, then as soon as he barks treed, they go to him on the double quick, over logs, brush, barb wire fences, thru brier patches, swamps and so on. Now, this may be all right, I am not condemning any one else's method of hunting, but just want to exchange ideas. When my dog strikes a trail or I have reason to think there is anything doing, I just wait right where I am until they tree or come back to me. If they bark treed, I just take my time and if I know of a way around that will save going thru some thicket or up some very steep hill, I just go around and save those hardships. And another thing I never do is whoop and hallo at my dogs when they are working. I think that has spoiled many a good dog, and never run to a dog as soon as he barks up, but give him time to think it over and circle the tree a few times; then, when he settles down again you can go to him and depend upon the 'coon being there.

Is Your Dog Aggressive? Change Your Behavior.

2011-11-21T16:37:00.001-08:00

"He is a really sweet dog." "In fact he's is the best dog I have ever had." "He is actually perfect in every way except for one problem." "I love him with all my heart." "He is not aggressive, except just during certain times." "Otherwise there is nothing wrong with him."

This is the refrain of the loving dog owner calling Fast Pup Dog Training out of concern that their dog bit someone or has acted like he might. The dog is a perfect angel--except for when he is not. For just a brief period.

Many times the dog owner is sure that there is a quick and easy fix--a proverbial silver bullet--that I can provide them over the phone. Other times, (more rarely,) the owner acknowledges that she or he might be the problem and realizes that it is they that need education and training, even more than their dog.

Aggression problems in dogs do not happen overnight. The owners miss or misinterpret signs of aggression, even though there were many over time, until the dog is out of control. And any dog breed can become aggressive if the owners and handlers miss early signs. I have been amazed lately by how many retrievers, AKC registered and highly trained for retrieving tasks are displaying horribly aggressive behavior--to the point where the dog is kicked out of AKC events for life. Retrievers are soft-mouthed hunting dogs genetically selected for their eagerness to please and their lack of aggression. When a retriever becomes aggressive, it can usually be traced to the owners missing or making excuses for a lot of little signs of aggressive behavior developing over time.

The biggest problems I see with dogs showing most types of aggression toward people or other dogs is not that they are naturally dominant, or that they were poorly bred, or that they missed something in the socialization process, but rather the uneducated and misguided doling out of affection and "concern" over a dog's behavior on the part of the handler. Reacting to signs of aggression in a dog as if it were a human child who is frightened can create aggression problems in dogs.

It is natural to "go with what we know" and read our dog's aggressive reactions to another dog or human as fear. We have a tendency to "reason" with the dog and try to "explain away the fear" the same way we would treat a child or infant who was frightened by someone. If the dog seems alarmed or concerned over the presence in our front yard of the mail man, we naturally want to reassure him that the mail man is a good guy, so we kneel down next to him and tell him that "its OK, that is a good person," as we stroke him in reassurance. Why do we naturally do this? Because that is the way we relate to people. It is what we have learned since childhood to do.

Unfortunately, what the dog reads in all this, is that we are hiding behind him for protection when we kneel down, and that we appreciate his posturing and protective stance against the stranger. We think we are reassuring the dog that all is well, and the dog reads it that we are encouraging that behavior and expecting him to act this way.

Learning to become a leader to a dog is learning to think outside the box of relating to dogs as human beings. Leading is not a matter of being "dominant" and exerting physical control over a dog. Alpha rolls over aggressive behavior are extremely dangerous to a human handler (and the dog) and completely unnecessary. Rather, leading a dog, like leading or riding a horse, is learning to read a dog's body language, and being proactive with subtle cues and suggestions before the dog has committed to a certain behavior. I tell people that dogs will almost always "tell" us what they are going to do, before they do it, and we need to be "ahead of the curve" (proactive) and have a conversation with them with our body language about what we want them to do or where we want their attention.

Waiting until the dog has lunged or attacked another dog or person and then "punishing" him for the behavior is an exercise in futility. Dogs do not understand the concept of punishment. It doesn't exist in their world. And from our standpoint, after the dog has attacked or bitten someone, the wheels are in motion for a police report or a law suit.

If we do not want the dog to attack another dog or the mail man, then we need to confidently and assertively interrupt their thoughts about doing so and redirect them to do something else. Learning to read the dogs, and learning new ways of reacting (or not reacting) to their behaviors is the key to avoiding having a dog act aggressively toward others.

Human Park

2011-11-18T15:41:00.001-08:00

Eeeewww! Would Someone REALLY Do This?

2011-11-18T10:58:00.001-08:00

Apparently so. Just look at the picture.

Ugggh!

Raccoons are one of my most unfavorite animals. They don't just eat rotton trash and spoiled food. They kill things. Not from exposing other animals and humans to rabies, but by cornering my best laying hen or duck and ripping and biting their heads off. Just for sport.

I have my alarm clock set for the approximate time the shit-covered vermin are due to arrive at my house. And the birds set up a racket when they sense the bastards coming, so I usually now make it out to the backyard in time to have frequent three am stand-offs with what amounts to the attitude of a teenager on steroids. They are always outraged that I am there waving my pitchfork and shouting obscenities at them. They give me that sullen rebellious stare as they hover on top of the fence, just out of my reach, lingering defiantly as long as they dare before retreating into the bowels of the night.

If I don't make it out in time, they always manage to kill my favorite bird. It never fails. I have tried trapping them with all the glorious rotton food shown here, and more, but they never fall for it.

I indulge in a great shout of triumph and celebration every time I see one or several dead on the road. Maybe this young lady has given me a new strategy for attracting them for the purpose of relocating them some place more deserving of their destructive, filthy essence. One more favorite bird gone, and I might just give this a try!

He Ain't No Sho Dawg Jonz" SH March 1998 -- November 2011

2011-11-17T19:19:00.001-08:00

Jonz had been ailing since last Christmas. During training today, Fran got a call from Derek to come home right away. Her is her email:

Jonz passed this afternoon while Scott and I were both holding him. It was like he waited for Scott to get home. How incredibly sad and perfect. This pain of losing Jonz is 1000 times worth the joy of having and loving him for all these years. I have so many great memories. I'm trying to take my own advice and ONLY think of, and remember, all the wonderful times. I don't want to think about him leaving. He would have been 14 on March 1.

Jonz went on a hunting trip to Eastern Washington one last time last year

The pics of Jonz and Zoe are from when they were watching TV on our bed a year or more ago. I love the one where Jonz is giving Zoe a kiss. The camera caught his tongue just as he connected. I love the look on Robert's face - "what does she see in him anyway." But, Zoe always loved Jonz (and Sarge) the best. I think it's because they are the ones that LOVED her hanging on them. The rest of the dogs are a little less trusting of a little firecracker like Zoe. The pic called "hunting" is from one of the last times we took him over last year. We let him hunt a little. In his hunting prime, Jonz and I had so much fun hunting pheasants. We "communicated."

Jonz LOVED Zoe!

Awwwe!

When I worked, I used to think of Jonz during the day - all the time. I couldn't wait to get home to him. :)) He was always by the door. Mom said he always knew the time to go wait by the door - which isn't surprising for most dogs. But, in recent years, Jonz amazed us when he would know that Scott was on his way home. Whether Scott had been to the store, fishing, or whatever. Jonz would get up and go look out the window. Or, go to the back door and listen even though he was mostly deaf. It was never the same time of day - but within a few minutes of when Jonz started looking for Scott, he would come home. Scott told me Jonz did the same thing with me when I was gone. If only Jonz could have been counted on to do that every time one of us was gone, we could have made some money on him.

Jonz could always find things. He WAS amazing at that. I know you heard the story when Mom dropped my popper gun on the way in from a gun station at Willis street. We were with Ben Gatley. After almost an hour of searching, Ben, Mom, and I were ready to give up. Then, I got a bright idea. I got Jonz and Cleo out of the truck and showed them Ben's popper gun. I told them to "find it." They put their noses to the ground and started quartering. In less than 5 minutes, Jonz started to dig at a spot. Sure enough, it was my gun! I was so happy - I was waving my arms, laughing and telling them what amazing dogs they were. They got so excited, they were leaping through the air and all over the place like we won the Open or something.

I love dogs. Fran

More From Fran's Diary: Eastern WA Bird Hunting

2011-11-15T09:47:00.001-08:00

Scott & Sarge in 2010 after a good hunting day

Nov 10, 2011 – Eastern Washington Quail and Pheasant hunting

It was sunny and the temperature was mild for this time of year. We hunted one of our favorite “feel free to hunt” areas. I was hunting Robert, my red setter. Scott was hunting Disco, our little lab. As soon as we got near the draw, Robert bumped a rooster out of range in light cover. As we continued our hunt, both Scott and I saw quail flush out of range. Then Robert’s bell stopped up ahead of me and I felt a little rush of adrenaline. I moved forward as quietly as possible and found Robert on point at the edge of some pampas grass. As I moved toward him, a rooster flushed before I could get within gun range. When it cackled its way up and over the pampas grass, a second rooster nearby also flushed! The roosters are already wary this far into the season and with the weather being warm, they have no reason to hold for anything suspicious – like dogs or people.

We crossed the draw with no birds in the bag and started our hunt back up the other side. I heard Robert’s bell stop again. As I carefully worked my way his direction, to my right Disco flushed a covey of quail in front of Scott. As I stopped to watch, Scott hit one that went behind him. When he told Disco to fetch it up, she took off where she “thought” it went – where two or three had just flushed. But, apparently, Robert, who I still hadn’t seen, did see where Scott’s quail had fallen and he took Scott’s “fetch it up” as an OK for him. From where I stood, I couldn’t see Robert zip past Scott toward the downed bird. Scott yelled over to me that “my” dog was retrieving Disco’s bird! I whistled for Robert, hoping to stop his “illegal” retrieve. But, as he came up the hillside and out of the cover toward me, I saw he had the quail, and delivered it nicely. Oh well, that’s bird hunting. You can do all the training set-ups possible, and then “real” hunting happens. I believe both Disco and Robert thought they were doing what was asked.

We continued up the draw and I decided to put more space between Scott and me. I turned Robert up through the sage toward some trees off in the distance. There were quail and pheasant tracks all over the place and Robert was definitely birdy. But, before we could find anything, I again heard off to my right a shot. When I turned to see what Scott was shooting, I saw about 30 quail all flying different directions. I heard Scott send Disco for the retrieve and this time she got her own bird. As Disco was returning, another covey about the same size flushed between Scott and me. Neither of us could take a shot for safety reasons.

We finished hunting without finding any more birds and headed back to the truck. Scott and I were walking together alongside the dirt field (previously corn) at the end of the draw with the dogs at a loose heel in front of us. We were talking and without warning, Robert slams into a point – about 5 feet in front of me! As my heart skips a beat, I got ready. I moved up next to Robert who was looking intensely “down” into extremely thick waist high cover. An old barbed wire fence was in the middle of the cover. I kicked the brush through the fence – nothing. Robert was still locked on point. I looked back at Scott who had Disco on a sit. I decided to try and get over the fence – which was no easy feat at this location. I kept my gun as ready as I could and as I stepped over and into the thick brush, a single quail zoomed low and fast into the trees at the end of the draw. I barely had time to get my safety off, let alone pull the trigger before the little bugger had disappeared.

We got back to the truck and I cleaned up Disco and Robert, and gave them some hunting treats. We ate some lunch and got out our other two dogs, Sarge, my young lab, and Ruby, mother to Robert. We headed across the road for our next hunt.

Scott and our friend Scott C. took Ruby and went off the opposite direction down the valley. Sarge immediately went into his intense hunting mode. He was so birdy; I thought a rooster would flush up at any second. Sarge worked the cover non-stop as we continued our hunt. Then, he circled back, and around – I knew this routine. I stood perfectly still in thigh to waist high brush. I watched his movements in the cover and as he came back toward me, I could hear my heart beat faster as I got ready. Then, directly behind me, the unmistakable sound of a pheasant beating its way out of the brush made me jump. As I turned with gun ready, the rooster who didn’t make even a small cackle was already speeding away. I fired once and saw him move and fired a quick second shot and saw both legs drop. He didn’t slow his flight one bit and was up over the rise and out of sight in a second. I blew a sit whistle for Sarge. I knew which direction the rooster went and with two broken legs, once he landed, he wouldn’t be going anywhere. But, unfortunately, as we were in the bottom of the draw, I couldn’t see him land. I called Scott on my radio and asked if they happened to see the rooster. Fortunately, Scott C did see where he landed. And, they were closer than me. They were about 150 yards away. So, they headed that way with Ruby. By the time Sarge and I caught up to those guys, Ruby had pointed, then retrieved the dead rooster. YEA!

I have friends and family that have no idea why I love this sport so much. And, I understand their point of view. I also have friends and family that know EXACTLY why I love this sport. Kate, and I were just discussing this the other day. Is it an addiction or “just” a passion? What makes us love to train and hunt with our dogs more than anything in the world? Only the people that love to play this game with their dogs truly understand. There is nothing more fun and exciting than upland hunting with my dogs. And, for me, getting a wild rooster in eastern Washington is a prize indeed.

In the picture with Scott and two quail are Disco and Robert

Scott, Disco and Ruby with their Quail

In the picture with me and the rooster are Sarge and Ruby.

Fran, Robert and Sarge with Pheasant

Jonz'n For A Fix? Try A Dog Sport!

2011-11-14T13:18:00.001-08:00

Fran Seagren and Joy Donald 2001

My friend Fran Seagren recently came up with what I think is a brilliant observation about dogs. A mutual friend of ours had sent us a moving photo essay of the surviving dogs from the 9/11 search and rescue effort. Fran pointed out that no other animal--not cats, horses or primates--are ever used for search and rescue.

Dogs have such patience and are so willing and eager to endure the challenging conditions required of search and rescue--and so many other "dog jobs". They are so smart and so eager to please. Their powers of observation are legendary. Properly bred, socialized and trained, the abilities of dogs to learn complicated tasks and work with humans as a team is unparalleled in the animal world. On the flip side, as someone who helps people deal with problem dogs, one of the things I always point out to people is that dogs need jobs. Without a purpose, a dog becomes bored. And then problems often present themselves.

Learning to train and handle dogs is--for a lucky few of us--an addiction. A passion bordering on sickness. And once the dog training/handling addiction gets hold of a person, life is forever changed. We wouldn't have it any other way!

Fran and I met Joy and Patty Donald in 2000 when they were camping out at Bob Pepper's farm. They had traveled down from British Columbia to spend a few days training their Golden Retrievers for the field trials Joy loved to run. They needed training partners and so did we. We were all bitten by the crazy need for the fix of dog training. A deep friendship was soon forged.

Joy & Paddy Donald near Kamloops, BC 2001

xxx

Freddy & Kate Johansson with Joy Donald 2001

Joy had an incredible wit about her and always had a whole collection of jokes and one-liners that could make me laugh until I cried. Even though she had been battling Leukemia for nearly ten years, she had a determination, a never quit attitude that was a force to be reckoned with. And don't even think about getting her mad!

The dogs and the "addiction" to dog training had kept Joy alive for over six years longer than the doctors had predicted her life span to be when she had been diagnosed in 1990. It was her intense desire to accomplish goals with her dogs that kept her battling against all odds. During a several weeks long stay in hospital when everyone thought she was done, she told me that her liver was failing and she had to eat protein in order to survive. She did not want to eat. But I watched her force herself to eat because she wanted to get back out there with her beloved dogs.

In July of 2001, Joy called me and told me that the doctors had just told her to get all her things in order. She had only a few weeks to live--and this time there was no wiggle room. She told me with that steel reserve she had, "Kate, I am not leaving this earth until I get my dogs both qualified for the Canadian National." (That was the 2001 Canadian National Open Retriever Championship.) I laughed, (What ELSE was I supposed to do?) and said that she was being kind of stupid! Why set a goal to just get the dogs qualified, I asked. Why not set your goal to take them to the National in September? Come on, I told her, you can do this!

And guess what?

Joy made it!

Everyone was amazed that she pulled it off.

Joy walks to line at 2001 Canadian National

She was so weak that she had to get special permission from the judges to have her friend and chairman of the trial blow her whistle for her to stop the dogs on blinds.

Waiting her turn to run

But she accomplished what she had set out to do.

Joy and Friends Dine at 2001 Canadian National Dinner

And she lasted 5 series over 5 days before she went out with both dogs. She was a fighter and played to win--even then.

On Thanksgiving weekend 2001, I drove across the border to train with Joy and Paddy. Joy was so weak at that point that she had to be carried to her chair and she had to watch other people run her dogs. But she was not done. She and Paddy had a trip to Hawaii with their family planned the next week. So she got a blood transfusion, felt better and they flew to Oahu. She traveled around the island, visiting the beaches and the Zoo--even spent a day at the Polynesian Cultural Center, where she was photographed with a couple of stud dancers. She drank strawberry daiquiris and pina coladas like a sailor, Paddy told me. And at the very end of her trip, her body gave out. She passed away in paradise with her family at her side.

She was an addict. And her addiction added years to her life. And allowed me and Fran to get to know her. We will never forget her. And we miss her still.

Cold Weather Blues? Let's Get Out There!

2011-11-14T09:34:00.001-08:00

Since there were only two people who showed up for class yesterday by 2:15, (class starts officially now on the winter schedule at 2:00,) we decided to warm up with a brisk walk on the waterfront. We missed everyone!

Linda and the pups, with Vera and Beau up ahead

The wind was gusting pretty hard here and there and the clouds were spitting rain. It was beautiful and exciting to be out at the edge of Commencement Bay watching the weather blow through.

What a gorgeous site!

Beau passes Cumin and Penny

The dogs really seemed to appreciate the break in what must be for a dog a very monotonous day staying indoors.

Cumin & Penny are all "Geared Up."

These formerly aggressive Spaniels were as good as gold. Beau, a Portugese Water Dog--who also has had some aggressive behavior-- enjoyed the walk without a single aggressive posture or growl.

At The Old Fire Boat

Be sure to let Kate know whether you are planning to attend class. That way if you are running late, we can let you know what the last minute plans are.

November Colors!

Formal Retrieve Training, AKA Force Fetch: Step Four

2011-11-11T15:58:00.001-08:00

As I put the dogs through their retrieve training, I always follow certain regimented steps.

First, I train them to hold a variety of different sorts of objects as a form of obedience. On my terms, not theirs. They are required to hold wooden dumb bells, PVC pipe, cloth tug toys, cloth bumpers, plastic bumpers, frozen birds, an old TV remote, a hammer, a screw driver, etc.

See footage here of Cowboy's hold training.

Second, they learn to hold all these objects while walking or running at my side, jumping up on the tail gate or down, going through cover, and so on.

Thirdly, they must learn to fetch on command on the tail gate of my truck. Check out a video demonstrating the beginning of "fetch."

At the fourth step we are ready to transition off the tailgate, down to the ground and on into walking fetch. These are photos taken last week of Lilly, a Golden Retriever, working through walking fetch.

Lilly walking towards a retrieve

Lilly picks up the stationary object on command

Now Lilly is ready to walk and hold bumper

We go for a walk to relax the dog

Notice that in addition to fetching off the ground, we also want to get her to jump up to retrieve from other angles.

"Come on Lilly, get it!"

Getting ready to leap

"There you go!"

"Good Girl!"

"What a good dog!"

I always use lots of encouragement and really get excited for the dogs as they achieve new bench marks. This really helps speed the process along.

See video of Cowboy's walking fetch.

Puget Sound Dog Training Survival Gear

2011-11-09T10:45:00.000-08:00

People in the Pacific Northwest, especially the Puget Sound region complain sometimes about "Seasonal Affective Disorder," or SAD. I hear that some folks have a tendency toget very depressed about the lack of sunlight during our rainy winters.

Gear up and take your dogs outside!

I don't get SAD. I am so happy to have dogs to train. I absolutely have to be outside during all kinds of weather. It is invigorating and rewarding. The perfect antidote for cabin fever!

Post Cards From Paradise: Wish You Were Here!

2011-11-07T19:01:00.000-08:00

This is the second day sans Daylight Saving Time here in the Pacific Northwest. The sun now sets around 4:30 pm. It has been freezing overnight and there is ice remaining in the puddles for hours after sunrise. We have rain and clouds mixed with occasional sunshine and the wind whips the changing weather through the area furiously. It is great fun, if you like that sort of thing.

And it is beautiful here. Just ask the dogs.

We are going pheasant hunting today. Me and the dogs.

Rosie is coming up on her thirteenth birthday, this coming year. Lordy how time flies.

Way in the back of TA 22 near Olympia the elk and deer feast on apples

I have lived in other places called paradise. Especially that one across the Pacific which includes palm trees, warm trade winds, white sandy beaches, azure seas and tropical fish. I lost your love in that paradise once, many years ago. It was your paradise--not mine. And I had to leave you there ..., in your paradise. You have left us all now and gone on to the Great Paradise, over the rainbow bridge.

This one is better for us--me and the dogs. We are at home on the prairies and out in the woods. So sorry that you missed all this beauty even when you lived here. Each person's paradise is subjective I guess. Miss you, and wish you were here.

Rest In Peace Jim Radtke. I will never forget you, but in the end, we both did what we had to do. We took our chances, yes we did.

Jimmy in Honolulu, 1996. 44 years young.

How Do I Introduce My Pup To Gun Fire?

2011-11-07T13:05:00.000-08:00

Fran teases Fast Pup's Zuniquah ll with a dead pigeon

This is a perennial question: How do I introduce my puppy to gun fire? It's a question I don't think about until someones asks. All pups that come my way, no matter what breed, are around gun fire constantly. Like the ticking of a clock, it is something a litter of pups sleeps to when they are out on the truck with us. Young dogs hear guns fired for the other dogs and learn to associate the sound with excitement.

For me, the bigger question is "What is the right way to get my dog retrieving?"

And a better question is not how do I introduce gun fire, but: "How do I make a dog gun shy?"

Here are a couple of recipes for making a dog gun shy:

Number one: Take a young pup that you have just brought into your home out on the porch, throw something for her, and fire off a 12 gauge over her head. You have not gained the pup's trust, you have not taught her that retrieving for you is the most WONDERFUL activity in the world, and you just scared the crap out of her.

Number two: Have outrageously high expectations for your young pup. Expect her to be genetically programmed to retrieve bumpers or birds since you spent all that time researching pedigrees and spent all that money for all those field trial champions in her pedigree. Take her out and throw things for her and get impatient, frustrated and mad when she disappoints you. This just about guarantees that you will have a hesitant pup who begins to refuse to play. Add loud noises into the mix and you will create a dog that never wants to play the game.

Fran teases the pup with the bird. All fun. No guns!

Check out our video on How To Train A Hunting Retriever Puppy.

Notice, that in the video, we don't specifically address introducing pups to guns. We don't go out one day and say to the pup, "It is time for you to be introduced to guns, BANG, BANG.

Pup Gets Bird With Encouragement

We spend a lot of time introducing pups to the fun and excitement of retrieving birds and bumpers. We show them how exciting it is to be around anything with feathers. We zip-tie the wing of a duck, pheasant, pigeon to a bumper and dance around, teasing the pup with the object covered in bird scent. We make fools of ourselves playing with puppies. We make the pup think that getting to retrieve is EXCITING. We make noise before we throw a bumper or bird. "Hey, Hey, Pup!" "Mark it!" "Bang Bang! (with our voice.)" We add duck calls in before we throw stuff. We stretch the pups out on longer and longer marks with a helper in the field. Then, finally, when we have created a maniac for the retrieve, we say "Hey, Hey, add a duck call, and then slip a single shot from a starter pistol in to the sound. Our helper in the field shoots the pistol. The sound is off in the distance and sounds like a little pop. Not loud and scary.

Just like all the other pops the pup had heard for so long when on the truck or on a chain gang while other dogs are working.

Pup Looks At Birds In Bucket

Pup Is Encouraged To Find The Birds

Any Interest In Birds Is Encouraged!

If you live in a very remote area and have absolutely no friends or family members you can cajole into helping you with your dog, you will have to get enough obedience on her that she will sit and stay while you go out into a field and throw stuff for her and then return to her side.

If you do have a helper, teach the helper to create excitement before throwing the bumper or bird. Release your pup on her name (with excitement in your voice) when the object is at the top of the arc of the fall. Then be VERY quiet. Do not shout encouragement until your pup reaches the bumper so as not to pull her attention off the retrieve. Do not distract her. Your helper, on the other hand, should encourage her to keep coming out, if she needs encouragement, as in, she looks hesitant or is thinking about returning to her handler. It is the helper's job to make getting the object fun and exciting, not the handler's job back at the line.

We also take care not to over-retrieve our pups. We quit while the dog is still excited about doing more--not waiting until the dog is bored or tired.

As the pup gets more experience and more sure footed about retrieves on land and in water, we will add shotguns for live-shot flyers at a distance. Then we will plant birds in a field and go "hunting." At first, when pup gets a bird up, I use a starter pistol with a soft blast to simulate a shotgun. Finally, when that is all going well, we can start shooting over the pup.

Pups And Young Dogs Are Staked Out While Other Dogs Are Training. We Call This A Chain Gang. Jealousy Is A Great Motivator

How Are We Feeling About The Economy?

2011-10-26T14:56:00.000-07:00

How are we feeling about the economy? Well, I was wondering when this sort of thing would start happening. This is disturbing. But certainly understandable. The artist who put this together said about the effigy, “As I was putting him together, he started to freak me out.” Yeah.

GIVE A WALL ST BANKER ENOUGH ROPE

TO HANG HIMSELF

When they are prosecuted and facing the prison terms they deserve, maybe some of them will.

Sweet Victory In Eastern Washington Quail Hunt: Fran's Diary

2011-10-10T09:32:00.000-07:00

Quail hunting eastern Washington – Oct 7

Scott was hunting the bottom of the draw with Disco and I was up a little higher with Sarge. We had been hunting for about 15 minutes and I heard Scott shoot. There was a line of trees and cover between us and I couldn’t see him just then. I blew the sit whistle so Sarge wouldn’t get any bright ideas of running over to where Scott was. I waited a few seconds and then Scott let me know he had missed on a covey of quail Disco had flushed. We continued our hunt and had some quail flushing up ahead out of range. As we worked our way along, it was obvious Sarge was smelling birds. He worked the cover well and for the most part stayed within gun range without too many reminders. Most times, I can hit the “beeper” on his e-collar and he’ll come back within gun range and check in with me.
Sarge popped in and out of sight, but stayed close enough that when the cover was over his head, I could still see it moving and I knew where he was most of the time. At one point we got into some of the yellowish brown weedy stuff. (I should, and would like to, know the names of all the flora where we hunt, but sadly, I do not.) This stuff is about two - three feet high, dried up leaves, with stick-like stems that make a little noise when a person or a dog moves through it. But, birds can maneuver around pretty easily. Sarge really wound up and then suddenly his hunt slowed down and he went zigzagging one way, then circling back and around and I stopped moving. I stood there with my gun ready, knowing a bunch of quail would be shooting up any second. But, then, Sarge “kept” moving around, and back over ground he had already covered and then back toward me. I thought to myself, “Do quail run around in circles and back and forth like roosters?” Before I could answer myself, a young rooster flushed right next to my right foot! I “squeaked” out loud with fright (better than peeing my pants), but shouldered my gun at the rooster knowing I couldn’t pull the trigger. And, before I had a chance to catch my breath, another rooster, an older guy with a tail about 4 ft long, flushed up about 5 yards from me making all the racket a flushing rooster is capable of. I swung my gun on that one, too. Sarge was bouncing around in front of me watching the birds fly off, saying, “Shoot! Shoot!” (in dog body language) I blew the sit whistle and after a couple times, he did sit – at full attention watching the roosters make their way back behind us and into the trees and bushes. I called Sarge over and told him what a good boy he was – that we only had a few weeks before I would be blasting up a storm at those ditch dragons. I also reminded him that we can shoot quail, so go ahead and find some. Then, I heard the flush and cackle and saw a rooster flush up in front of Scott and Disco. I heard Scott yell, “EeeHaw!” 

A short while later Sarge got birdy again in some grassy weedy brush that he had been working. Again, I stopped and got ready as he slowed down and wound up. This time, there was no time to ask myself dumb questions. Quail erupted in front of me. I swung left (too late) as three or four took off up the hill and dodged out of sight, then three more took off ahead of me and I swung my gun and zeroed in on one that suddenly zipped to the left. The other two were heading straight out in front and I picked one and pulled the trigger – a miracle happened. Yes, a hunting miracle – I hit the bird! Then, another two came up and I swung hard to my left and took a shot just before it disappeared up the hill. I was behind the bird and missed. I quickly ejected my two shells and reloaded my gun while keeping my eyes on the cover in front of me where Sarge was jumping around. I almost had my gun closed when two more quail took off. In the instant it took me to close and shoulder my gun, they were gone. I waited for more, I was ready, but no more flushed. I heeled Sarge over to me. I had hit the quail at about 30 yards and it propelled into very thick grassy cover about 6 to 8 feet high. I was worried this one would be really hard to find. When we got to the place where I had seen the bird go in, I sent Sarge, “Find it, fetch it up.” He jumped in and instantly vanished. I heard him searching around and I started looking around the edge as much as I could. The cover was too tall and thick for me to get in. I could barely hear Sarge now, and had no idea if he really knew he was supposed to be looking for a dead bird; or if he was hunting and not working the area of the fall. This was only the beginning of his second hunting season. Sarge doesn’t turn two until December. And as he has hunted most of the time with me, who hasn’t hit a bird in two years, why would he think he’s looking for a dead bird? Just when I was about to call Sarge in, I could hear him coming back. As his head popped out of the thick cover, I saw the quail in his mouth! I can’t even describe how happy I was. I dropped down to my knees and took the bird and gave him a big hug. Sarge’s face and tongue was covered with his own blood. He had tiny cuts and scrapes all over from the sharp grass and prickly cover he had been hunting in. I took out my water bottle, gave him some water and washed off his face. The damage was superficial and he obviously felt nothing but joy – just like me. Sarge and I got a quail! It don’t get no better than that.

The best things come in small packages!

And, I have a picture to prove it.

Grousing The Woods Of Western Washington State: Fran's Diary

2011-09-30T08:01:00.000-07:00

Disco And Scott On The Hunt

September 28, 2011

It was a perfect day for grouse hunting. The temperature was cool enough to keep the mosquitoes in the Bahamas, or wherever they go when it gets too cold for them. The sun was out and the ground was wet from the previous day’s rain, which made for great scenting conditions for the dogs. We had our two labs, Sarge and Disco. This is Sarge’s second hunting season and Disco’s fourth. Both are good grouse dogs, but today, Sarge showed some of his immaturity with his lack of control in staying close with all those tempting smells pulling him ahead and out of shotgun range. Grouse hunting in the northwest requires a dog – especially a flushing dog - to hunt very close. Even after the deciduous trees lose their leaves, our forests still have a majority of evergreen trees. So it doesn’t get much easier, even later in the year, to get a shot off before the bird disappears in the woods. And, like our first encounter today, many times you don’t see the grouse when they flush, you just hear them. And, there is no other bird in the forest that sounds like a grouse in flight. In addition to the sound of breaking branches as they fly through trees, the vibrations from their wings can be felt in your ears.

Fran And Sarge

Both dogs were working hard, quartering back and forth through the thick cover. I love to watch the dogs work, doing what they were born to do. Scott and Disco were off to my left about 50 yards. Sarge, who had been happily working the cover in front and to the sides of me, suddenly disappeared in Scott’s direction. Then, I spotted his “birdy” tail up ahead of Disco – he was definitely too far out. But before I could get him back in gun range, we heard the double flush of two grouse as they headed into the thick woods. I got a glimpse of grey wings as a grouse flushed from the ground where Sarge was. I called him back to me with a reprimand - and then my “stay close” command. Scott and Disco would have run right into those two grouse!

A short while later, both dogs got birdy again and started hunting in circles and doubling back and forth– a sure sign that bird scent was fresh. Scott and I stopped and were both ready for action. As Scott turned to his left anticipating a flush from where Disco was working, a grouse came up on his right about 5 yards away. It was crossing in front of me at about 20 yards! I had a brief opening in the woods where I could get a clean shot. As I watched the bird coming furiously through the woods from my left, I raised my gun and just as I was about to take the safety off and shoulder it, something caught the butt of my gun (a branch?). Just for an instant, I was “stuck.” As I freed the gun and got it to my shoulder, my opportunity was gone. I could barely see the grouse as it continued behind a large pine tree and disappeared in the woods. I was stunned. When grouse hunting you don’t get those types of shots too often – like almost never. It’s no secret I’m not the best shot in the west. But, I’ve been practicing lately, and I REALLY thought I could hit that bird. Drats!

Sarge In The Woods

So, now we know for sure we are hunting a good area and at a good time. The day is gorgeous, the dogs are hunting great, and we are into some birds. Life is good.

As we hunted on, I heard Scott make a couple startled noises and I stopped, waiting for another flush. Then he said, “Oh! Disco grabbed a rabbit!” He told her to drop it, and we continued on. Sarge moved off to my left, nose to the ground and in an instant he disappeared in the woods. I waited a few seconds to see if he would reappear, but then from behind and the other side of Scott (who was 40 yards to my left), we both heard grouse flushing. I whistled for Sarge and sure enough, that’s where he came from. This time Sarge was not only out of range, but also behind us too! I determined to keep a closer watch – to not let him slip out of range again. Normally, he’s better at “staying close”, but today he was high on finding birds and he was having fun.

But, there were still more birds to be flushed and it was Disco’s turn. She flushed a grouse just to Scott’s left and . . . . well, I don’t know what happened. Scott doesn’t usually miss an opportunity to take a shot. And, he is a great shot. But, “something” happened. The bird was “right there” flushing and then, nothing. When I asked Scott, “whaaat?” He said, “It appeared at two gun lengths and disappeared at four gun lengths.” “I couldn’t get my gun to my shoulder before it was gone!”

We hunted our way back to the truck. Although the dogs continued to put up a nice hunt, we didn’t get into any more birds.

It was a great day. Hunting is just what the word says, “hunting.” Sometimes we get lucky and bag a grouse. But many times we are simply, (wonderfully) hunting. With great dogs and a great hunting partner on a beautiful fall day in the northwest woods, nothing is better than grouse hunting.

2011 September Youth Pheasant Hunt

2011-09-26T10:23:00.000-07:00

7:45 AM Safety Meeting

Area 14, near Roy, Washington, is a huge open prairie with varied cover, a creek and wetlands. It is mostly flat with gently rolling hills. The 2011 Youth Pheasant Hunt, put on by many and various volunteer groups was a superbly organized and magnificently executed affair. The volunteers were passionate in their desire to introduce kids to the excitement of hunting pheasant, working behind bird dogs and trying out their shooting skills. Great effort was made to make sure there were plenty of birds in the field so that kids and dogs were exposed to as many opportunities as possible. A special thanks to the local Pheasants Forever organization for all their hard work.

A Different Kind Of PETA


A Family Affair


A Young Man Hunts


Dogs Forge Ahead To Find Birds


Fall Is In The Air


A Little Girl's First Hunt


A Pup's First Rooster


A Young Woman Hunts With Mount Rainier Background

A Very Rewarding Day!

My Husband Wants To Get Rid Of Our Dog

2011-09-21T13:50:00.000-07:00

Found This On Facebook After The Call

Got one great call this morning. A woman said that she had a little dog who was 2 and a half years old. The dog was part cattle dog and it had snapped at a few people lately. She was afraid it the dog were taken to the shelter, it would be euthanized. She did not want to take it to the shelter, but her husband had already made up his mind. They live on base at JBLM and she said her husband was afraid they would be sued by someone if the dog bites someone there. The woman said she was trying to find an alternative to taking the dog to the shelter. Did I know of anyone who would take this dog and "rehabilitate" it?

Since I run a dog training business, I was really puzzled at her approach. She was very carefully avoiding asking me if I could help them TRAIN this dog. She wanted instead to find a guilt-free way of dumping the dog.

I told her that the behavior her dog was displaying was very common in livestock type herding dogs, and the behavior was easily fixed. Would she like to come to one of our no-cost, no-obligation seminars where we do awesome demos with our dogs? Where she and her husband would clearly see that dogs can be trained and conditioned to pay attention to their owners, give up dangerous behaviors, and live a full and rich life? Where she could see that is is entirely possible to have peace of mind about your dog and not worry about being "sued?"

Suddenly she wanted to know how much it would cost for training. I explained that I never discuss price or cost until people come to the seminar where they can understand what the value of the training is. I explained that in an hour to an hour and a half, she and her husband would be educated as to how we do what we do and have all their questions answered, including price and cost. She did not think her husband would be willing to come to a seminar because he had already made up his mind to take the dog to a shelter.

I explained that owning a dog comes with the responsibility to learn how to train it NOT to bite people and taking the dog to be killed was sort of shirking that responsibility. I told her that the cost for training is less than any of the other costs associated with a dog. And I asked her why she would be so concerned about cost anyway, since they obviously had plenty of resources. After all, if someone is going to sue you, they are not going to bother with that unless you have resources to tap into. Suing people with no money or assets would be a ridiculous waste of time and energy.

The conversation ended with the woman telling me that she would "ask" her husband if he would be willing to come to a seminar, but assured me that he had already made up his mind about the dog.

Rest In Peace, little dog. I am so sorry that the humans you have lived with for over two years care so little about you that they would refuse to learn how to train you and just take you to be killed. I can only save the dogs whose owners care about them.

Youth Pheasant Hunt This Weekend September 24th 25th 2011

2011-09-21T12:29:00.000-07:00

There will be a youth hunt this weekend at Joint Base Lewis McChord for youth under the age of 15 years. All participants must have their Western Washington Pheasant license and be pre-registered at JBLM's Northwest Adventure Center to hunt on base.

To register you will need to clear through the main gate off I-5, showing current vehicle registration, driver's license and proof of insurance. Then proceed to Northwest Adventure Center with current Washington State Hunting License. All participants must have their weapons registered at the NAC as well. You will need to bring information on make, model number, serial number, gauge, length of barrel and overall length.

On Saturday and Sunday, hunters and handlers will meet at 7 am at either Training Area 14 or TA 21 for an organization and safety meeting.

At 8:00 am hunters and dogs with handlers will organize and begin hunting. There will be volunteers on hand with seasoned hunting dogs to help out if needed. Remember to bring your camera! For more information, call the Northwest Adventure Center at 253.967.6263

Kate Johansson of Fast Pup Dog Training will be meeting anyone needing help finding the sign-in area of TA 14 at 6:45 am at the Roy Y Park & Ride. Call her at 253.569.0411 to let her know you will meet her there, or just call for general directions. Colored maps of the training areas of JBLM are available for $2.00 at the NAC.

High End Flashlight Party This Saturday

2011-09-20T09:47:00.000-07:00

Seattle Area Get Together Note

Saturday, September 24th, 2011 Seattle area get together is using the May sight for the September get-together :

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...T-in-May/page3

Saturday, September 24th, 2011 at
20245 SE 192nd St. Renton 98058

Please call or email Kate at 253.569.0411 or fastpup@gmail.com

This should be a great way to Cap the Summer and start the Night Time of the year!

Fenix's Selection, IgNITEor's Death Ray, LightSward's Gorilla, Power by Chizel Electric. and MORE! Be there!

A few photos of some of the toys at May's get together. Don't miss this one!

One of many personal flashlight collections on display.

Gorilla with 1,200 HMI

Here is a view showing the more focused Gorilla beam.

IgNITEor's awesome tank light!

The Tank Light lights up the heavens with it's powerful Xenon short arc lamp.

Come see how your light shines! Don't miss it!

Here is the Mini LightSward with 1,200 watt HMI short arc with high volume air cooling system!

The 1,200 watt HMI short arc Mini LightSward
Handy with the Mini LightSward attached! I love your Avatar

Mini LightSward Searchlight cloud shot

The Mini LightSward is seen here light the clouds about a mile and a half in altitude, as seen from a block away.

The Mini LightSward with 1,200 watt HMI double ended short arc high intensity light using a 7.5 inch Cyclops reflector with high volume cooling system, UV and Ozone collector and pleasing light guidance system.

Mini LightSward Searchlight beam shot near light source

Many people expected, so come early for the fun!

Small Turnout At PSRC Training Day September Reaps Rewards

2011-09-18T13:20:00.000-07:00

Bridger Did Not Mind A Bit That There Was A Small Turnout!

Our PSRC's last training day was a smash hit, back in August when the summer was full on, the sunshine plentiful and the ponds reflected the blue of the summer sky. It was great fun, a great time to socialize and get a little training done, hang out and bar-b-que. Even the first weekend of September held on to summer with the hottest weather of the year blessing the NAHRA hunt test.

But now, fall is in the air. It has cooled WAY off and there is misty rain in the air. Hunting season is upon us. Where was everyone this weekend? Western Washington Pheasant opens next week, and Duck season is still a few weeks off. Grouse is open, but I am not sure too many members were hiking the woods with their dogs this weekend. Probably a lot of chores left to do while the summer held are waiting to be done.

Showing Pup The Trail

Dragging Dead Duck To Scent Trail

Dennis Follows Pup On Trail

Pup Is Using His Nose To Trail Duck

Rewarding Pup For Finding Duck

Biggest Reward Of All--Carrying The Spoils

But there we were. At the official PSRC training day. All three of us. I had brought 19 pigeons for sharing with club members along with my usual crew of dogs. Tim had brought a couple of ducks, his 20 gauge over and under, and his Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. And Dennis had brought his five month old chocolate Labrador Retriever. Not enough of us to set up big training scenarios reminiscent of a trial or hunt test.

Quartering

Hunt 'em up!

Bird Flushed, Tim Shot, Feathers Rain Down

Wounded, Bird Heads For The Woods

Bird Retrieved

So we went hunting. Seriously. We practiced trailing/tracking birds--even with young pups. Tim dizzied pigeons and planted them in the field and we practiced having the dogs quarter and hunt 'em up. Tim was a great shot. Some of the birds were too dizzy to fly right away. Some were not dizzy enough and flew away when the dogs got near. Many of those Tim shot for the dogs. A few got away, and those were great steadying practice. It seemed like gluttony, but we used almost all the birds on our dogs! It was great!

Boykin Spaniel Takes Off On Hunt

Boykin Checks The Wind

Boykin Quartering For Bird

Boykin Puts On The Brakes For The Bird

Boykin Retrieves Bird

The three of us all went home tired. Our dogs had a great day. Small turnout had great rewards.

Fast Pup Retriever Training Home Away From Home

2011-09-18T12:07:00.000-07:00

Once I heard someone say that their idea of camping was "bad room service." Well if you want to hang out in beautiful north Mason County, you won't find any room service. Or any corner markets or gas stations. Bring everything you need with you, because it is quite a trip to get to any real convenience.

Port Of Dewatto Campground

Kitchen And Lodge Facility

But the scenery is spectacular. If you like a rustic get-away, this is it.

Fast Pup Retriever Training Headquarters In The Forest

Mid September after months of virtually no rain, the mighty river looks like a small creek. But don't be fooled!

The water flows swiftly, making a peaceful babbling brook sound.

Pleasant creek in September. Raging river in wintertime.

In a few months with the good Pacific Northwest Rainforest Torrents, this little creek will be a raging river.


Fungus thrives in the rainforest.

Dewatto Bay is a very short trip from the campground.

A Misty Morning On Dewatto Bay

A Nice Compliment From A Friend And Training Partner

2011-09-18T11:27:00.000-07:00

Hi Kate,

I just want to officially thank you for all your help with getting “Little Miss Wild at the Line” a.k.a. Disco, quiet and steady – to the point where she actually passed an Intermediate NAHRA field test - YEA!

Fran Lines Disco For Mark

Disco Makes A Splash On Entry

Although we’ve trained together for years, since January we’ve put a lot of focus on line manners. You’ve had excellent ideas – including the “pigeon on the wing” drill we used a couple weeks ago.

Disco Heads For Shore

Right To It!

Any one that has trained with me over the past few years knows what I’m talking about regarding Disco’s line manners.

Picking Up The Duck

Got The Groceries!

Here She Comes!

I know without your advice and help, Disco never would have done this well. I still can’t believe she didn’t make a peep or creep at the line. Thanks again for all your help.
Fran

PSRC NAHRA Hunt Test September 3/4 2011

2011-09-05T18:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out to help and run dogs at the Puget Sound Retriever Club Hunt Test this Labor Day Weekend. It was a blast! Here are some pictures.

Kate took MANY pictures and they can't all be posted. Please email her at fastpup@gmail.com to get pictures taken of you and your dogs.

Harry heads to the line in the Senior Test


Calling the ducks in


Harry Sends Dog For Duck


Returning With The Poultry


Tim L & Marty Judged The Senior Stake


Marty Gives Handler Instructions For Test


Rick & Brandon Run A Gun Station


Tim Runs Another Gun Station


Harry & Jim Judged Intermediate Stake On Saturday


Jim Greets Handlers With Their Gun & Instructions For Test


Fran Lines Disco For Water Marks

Break For BBQ Lunch

Boykin Spaniels Begin "Fetch" Training

2011-08-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

Formal fetch training begins with the "hold" command. We start on tailgate of my truck.

Then we progress to "walking hold" with dog on a leash.

Hunting Season Is Almost Here

2011-08-30T21:17:00.000-07:00

Not quite Autumn, but pretty close!

I was thrilled to hear that Area 13 at Fort Lewis was open today for recreation, including dog training!

The grass is still very sparse and short here. Great for training drills.

Cascade Sled Dog Club Pull Clinic September 17th 2011 Estacada Oregon

2011-08-29T09:59:00.000-07:00

Kim Tinker Skijoring With Her Alaskan Huskies

At the Cascade Sled Dog Club’s Pull Training Clinic you will spend a fun and informative day learning the basic skills needed to prepare you and your dog for dog-powered sports. When you arrive at the clinic we will fit your dog with a harness and other training gear. Experienced mushers will teach a series of skills to help your dog learn how to pull consistently and on command through positive reinforcement. During the lunch break, mushers will present mini-lectures on training and health tips for dogs working in harness. The clinic concludes with participants and their dogs trying out the sport of dog scootering!

Please fill out and mail the below portion of the form along with your entry fee. Enrollment is for one dog and one person. We look forward to seeing you and your dog!

Directions to Metzler Park
Metzler Park is located approximately 5 miles south of Estacada. Take Interstate 205 to Exit 12,
Clackamas/Estacada, and turn eastbound onto Hwy. 212/224. Proceed 3.2 miles through Clackamas to the Hwy. 212/224 junction (Rock Creek junction), turn right onto Hwy. 224, proceed 15.1 miles following the signs to Estacada. Pass through Estacada, just on the outskirts of Estacada, turn rightonto Hwy. 211, crossing a bridge. Go 4.0 miles to Tucker Rd.; turn right. Proceed .5 miles and make a sharp left turn onto Metzler Park Rd. The park entrance is 1.6 miles down the road. For more information on the park, check out the website: http://www.co.clackamas.or.us/parks/metzler.htm. Remember to dress for fall weather in the PNW.

Any questions, don’t hesitate to call:
Kim (503) 668-6739 or Sharon (503) 528-9742

Training Long Water Blinds

2011-08-23T18:49:00.000-07:00

After you have laid your training foundation (pile work, stopping on whistles, directional casting, wagon wheels and pattern blinds) it is time to stretch your retriever out on water. To develop confidence in your dog, you should be willing to hike, wade or swim a long way in order to show your dog where you want him to go.

In this example, wading through shallow water was necessary in order to get out to where we wanted the blind. The first time we ran these blinds, all the dogs were sitting at the line, watching one of us plant the blind. A pole with orange or pink surveyor tape helps us remember exactly where the birds are planted--and the ribbons fluttering in the breeze gives the dog a hint at where we want him to go. This footage was shot several days after the first time Jag was shown the blind. He did not see the blind planted this time, but he did remember where it was. This gives him the confidence he will need to run cold (unknown) blinds later.

Great Training Day At Puget Sound Retriever Club

2011-08-13T20:48:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who came out, helped out, and ran their dogs at Puget Sound's August, 2011 training day! What a fun, relaxing day with the dogs. We were lucky enough to have live flyers (pigeons--and fantastic marksmen to shoot them) in the morning for the land triple set up. Then we had a single mark with the dogs entering the water out of a boat plus a blind under the arc of the single mark for the afternoon set up. The marks were challenging for seasoned dogs, but easily simplified for the pups and junior dogs. As an added scrumptious bonus, a yummy bar-b-que!

Sending dog from a boat

Dog heads towards mark

Headed for the retrieve

Sierra at gun station across pond

Snap On Tools Barbeque being readied to flame broil

The Snap On Barbeque is a true collectors item!

Yummmmm!

All the fixins for a great lunch!

Sierra introduces the pups to a boat

A bevy of beauties!

PSRC Retriever Club Group Training BBQ Saturday, 8-13-2011

2011-08-12T12:33:00.000-07:00

Puget Sound Retriever Club will be hosting a club training day open to visitors at no charge, along with a bar-b-que on Saturday. Any experience level handler and any age dog is welcome, from young pups to senior dogs. Click here for website and directions.

Bringing home the poultry!

Retriever returning from a long water blind

Remote controlled equipment such as this winger can aid in efficiency

As a courtesy, we leave other trainer's bumpers where they can find them after our dogs hunt 'em up

Pups are always welcome!

Boykin Spaniels are great retrievers too!

Large pond at training grounds. Approximately 12 acres

Lining a dog for a mark

Hunting season is getting very close! Get your dog used to birds, retrieving and gunfire. Come on out and join us. Training starts at 10:00 am.

10 Month Old Doberman Pinscher Available For Adoption (Adopted)

2011-07-28T11:18:00.000-07:00

Obie the Dobie is a sweet boy with a fabulous temperament. He is very mellow around the house, and is great with other dogs and cats. He is house trained, neutered and up to date on all shots.

He was given to us by a previous owner who kept him in a crate in an apartment. There was no yard and he was bored and did not get enough exercise. Now that he is trained to sit, stay and come when he is called, he has been getting tons of exercise and play with other dogs.

An Evening At Puget Sound Retriever Club Training Grounds

2011-07-27T13:55:00.000-07:00

One of several bodies of water on Puget Sound Retriever Club grounds

Fast Pup Dog Training recently visited the Puget Sound Retriever Club grounds in the evening. These are some of the pictures taken.

This is a picture of a small pond at the grounds. It is only about 100 yards across.

Puget Sound Retriever Club leases land up in the hills north of Belfair and west of Bremerton. The grounds are beautiful and the training ponds are awesome. There is a feel when you are here of being far away, even though it is only an hour away from downtown Tacoma. Currently there is a ground cover of flowers near the ponds, with bumble bees working on collecting pollen. There is a perfume of herbs, especially mint all around the ponds.

A bumble bee works collecting pollen at Puget Sound Retriever Club grounds

This year, with our cooler than usual summer, the water has been late in receding from one big lake into a number of smaller ponds, but now the water is perfect. There is room for several training groups to work on one of several bodies of water at the same time. It is always difficult to gain access to great water for training--and when we do, sometimes conditions are less than optimal. Many of the ponds that are available locally in the spring are too overgrown with high grass, blackberries and cattails by mid summer to safely train dogs on. The ponds at the Puget Sound grounds seem to be carved out of river rock, and the grass naturally stays very short and thin. There currently are a few (very few) lily pads developing and there are no blackberries or cattails.

Big water at Puget Sound Retriever Club grounds

Becoming a member of the club requires filling out an application and submitting $60.00 for the annual fee. Upon approval of membership, you will receive a key to the gate at the ponds and the combination for the gates of the big field and the horse pasture. (See pics below.)

This is a huge field leased by Puget Sound Retriever Club

Club members refer to this field as the "horse pasture." About 12 acres of open field

The club has regular training days on the second Saturday of each month. The next training day is August 13 and the club is hosting a BBQ in conjunction with the training. This is a great way to connect with some of the members and get a chance to see the grounds before joining. There will also be a NAHRA hunt test and BBQ on September 3rd & 4th. The training day on August 13 will be a mock hunt test to introduce people and dogs to the format of the test.

Cooper enjoying a romp in the water

Hunting season is coming up very quickly. Now is the time to train our retrievers and get them conditioned for the season. If you live anywhere in the greater Seattle Tacoma area, you should consider the benefits of joining this club.

Dogs And Cats Killed Because Shelters Don't Trust People

2011-07-10T12:25:00.000-07:00

Notice from Harrisburg Pennsylvania Humane Society. "Humane" Society?

"One of the most enduring of these traditional dogmas is that animal shelters must kill because the public cannot be trusted with animals." Nathan J Winograd

"I faced this attitude when I arrived as the new executive director of the Tompkins County SPCA in upstate New York. Other than prohibiting killing, I had planned to quietly observe the agency for the first couple of days on the job: I wanted a sense of how the agency was run. An elderly gentleman and his wife came in as I was standing behind the counter observing our adoption process. After looking at the animals for some time, they came to the front counter to adopt a cat. The man told the adoption counselor how he adopted a cat from us 15 years ago. “She died one year ago today,” he said. As much as they missed having a cat, he explained, he and his wife waited one year to get a new cat because they wanted to mourn her appropriately. As he told the story, he began to cry and walked away. His wife explained that her husband loved their cat very much, but they were indeed ready to love another one. Because they found a great cat here 15 years ago, they came back to us.
They filled out the application: Do they consider the adoption a lifetime commitment? Yes. Do they have a veterinarian? Yes. What happened to their other cat? Died of cancer. “In my arms,” the old man said. But one thing caught the adoption counselor’s eye. When they came to the question asking about where the cat would live, they had checked the box: “Mostly indoors, some outdoors.”
“Sorry,” the adoption counselor said. “We have a strict indoor-only rule.” She denied the adoption. They were stunned. I was stunned.
What happened to “15 years,” “in my arms,” “wanted to mourn her appropriately,” “lifetime commitment”? I overruled the counselor and gave them the cat. No fees, no more paperwork: “Let’s go get your kitty,” I said. I put her in their carrier and told them we’d see them in another 15 years. They thanked me and left." Nathan J Winograd

http://is.gd/uOotYS

This is a great article and wonderful food for thought. Many people who work in shelters and in "animal control" are not working in it because they "care" about animals. They work there because they love having god-like power over people and animals.

Dangerous Dogs?

2011-07-01T21:37:00.000-07:00

Fast Pup Dogs On Safari

2011-06-30T18:55:00.000-07:00

The Fast Pup Dogs admired all the exotic taxidermy at a recent retrieve seminar at Cabelas

Don't Let Your Dog Become Gun Shy Over Fireworks

2011-06-30T18:28:00.000-07:00

Happy Fourth Of July! Hopefully you have fully conditioned your hunting dog to LOVE the sound of loud gun fire. You have gotten your dog really excited about retrieving and introduced your dog to soft gun fire from a distance out of a starter pistol--the sound perhaps muted by the white noise of a nearby freeway. You have slowly worked your dog up to closer and louder gunfire and now you have a maniac that eagerly looks for birds anytime she hears the sound.

If you have not done this--whoa! Get ready to take precautions over the Fourth of July! Close the windows and get plenty of noisy things going--such as television, radio, air conditioner, etc. Whatever you do, do not baby the dog and try to reassure her that "it's OK," when she startles over the explosions. If you are tempted to do that, better to put her in a kennel, as far away from outside noise as possible, masked by white noise. And leave her alone.

Telling her "It's Ok," when she is frightened can communicate to her that you are anxious or concerned about it. And that will make everything worse.

A gun shy dog is a very common problem, and one that can be easily avoided with a little advance planning and plenty of common sense.

It Takes More Than Money To Own A Falcon

2011-06-20T19:47:00.000-07:00

My favorite blogger, Terrierman, recently posted this post about what a falconer must go through to qualify to legally own one of those magnificent birds of prey. Unfortunately for Parrots and Pit Bulls, he points out, one needs only cash.

Too bad for many pets that their owners did not have to qualify to prove competency as owner/handlers!

Fast Pup Dog Training Works Street Corner Meeker Days

2011-06-20T19:27:00.000-07:00

Hundreds of people snapped pictures of the Fast Pup Dog Training dogs as they worked the corner of Pioneer and Meridian at the 2011 Meeker Days Festival.

Join Fast Pup Dog Training at Puyallup's Meeker Days Festival

2011-06-05T10:27:00.000-07:00

June 17, 18 & 19, 2011

Father's Day Weekend!

Fast Pup Dog Training will be at this year's Meeker Days Festival. Be sure to come by and see out dogs. Here is video from the festival 2 years ago.

Nice Weather Brings Heat And Other Dangers For Dogs

2011-06-05T07:02:00.000-07:00

It has been eight long months since we've seen temps in the 70's. It is finally nice weather, right? So the last thing we want to do now, is worry or complain about the heat. But we need to be extra careful about watching our dogs for any signs of heat stress. Fact is, that here in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, we just are not acclimated to ANY sort of heat--and neither are our dogs.

Packing water and a container with the dogs is a great idea for relief from summer heat.

I have a rule that whenever the temps get over 85 degrees, I train retrievers only on water--or have plenty of water available for the dogs to soak in--such as a pool like the one pictured above. Yesterday, during retriever training, I was not prepared with supplies for cooling dogs, like a pool full of water or ice filled "Kool Collars." After all, it was only going to be in the mid 70's, right? But--bottom line--is that the dogs, all of them, were significantly heat stressed after running four long marks of several hundred yards and a couple of long blinds. Going from training regularly in temperatures of 30's, 40's and 50's, the dog's cooling systems were not prepared for the shock of training in warm weather.

Living someplace warm, of course, the dogs would be used to the heat. But here, we need to take it slow and understand that our dogs need some help adjusting.

Other dangers for dogs associated with the heat of course are from leaving them in a car or letting them swim in a swollen river still running high with snow melt. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a car left in the sun on a 75' plus day can quickly go to over 100's and can kill a dog fast. The local rivers are running high and fast right now, and while dogs seem to fare better in the cold water than people do, it is still not a good idea to take a chance.

Great Big, Out-Of-Control Malamutes Learn To Focus

2011-05-31T18:42:00.000-07:00

After one training session and one class, the Malamutes learned to "place" and "stay."

When Erin & Chuck first brought their Malamutes to one of our dog training seminars, they were out of control, lunging and barking at other dogs. They were very distracted, and at 110 pounds and 140 pounds were a danger to themselves and their owners. Erin and Chuck had been using the snout loop head harnesses to control them, but the dogs fought the harnesses and had injured themselves straining against them. After just one session, we transferred responsibility for paying attention to their handlers to the dogs, asked them to step up and learn to follow their handlers, and work with us instead of against us. The difference from one week to the next was striking. Everyone is much more relaxed now and feeling much more secure with each other.

Schipperkes, Pointers And Dobies, Oh My!

2011-05-31T18:20:00.000-07:00

Harley, a four-month old Schipperke, is learning to do agility

Look what fun our new class member, Harley, a four month old Schipperke is having learning to do agility. We have fun at class and also proof the dogs for reliability around severe distractions. Peace of mind with your dog comes from knowing you can trust your dog to pay attention to you and follow instructions.

Norman, a Wire Haired Pointer

Lucy, a Doberman

Hank, a Doberman

Koda, a Standard Poodle

Spanky, an Australian Kelpie

Do You Have To Have A Hunting Breed To Train For Hunting?

2011-05-31T17:48:00.000-07:00

Tom & Jewel ready for a day's retriever training

We are often asked if it is absolutely necessary to own a breed bred specifically for hunting in order to train the dog to hunt. The answer is emphatically NO. But your dog needs to have high drive, lots of determination, be able to learn to work with you as a team player and be intelligent. If you introduce your dog to birds, gunfire and retrieving in a positive way, you will most likely have a dog that will serve you well in the field hunting. Training and play will enhance your relationship with your dog.

Tom Saunders and his Border Collie, Jewel are shown here ready for a day of training in the field. They should be good to go by this year's hunting season.

Cabelas Sporting Dog Days June 24th 25th 2011

2011-05-27T10:32:00.000-07:00

Join Fast Pup Dog Training at Cabelas in Lacey, WA on Saturday June 24th and Sunday, June 25th for seminars on "Principles of Field Obedience" and "Fundamentals of Retrieving."

On Saturday, join us at 11:00 am for the presentation on Field Obedience: A dog with great obedience in the field is the first step to creating an enjoyable hunt. In this hour, learn why having a well trained dog will make a hunt more enjoyable and safer for not just you but your hunting partners. Come learn what, when, how, and how often you should work on obedience and don’t risk not getting invited to the next hunt by your buddies because of an unruly dog.

Stick around for the following seminar, Fundamentals of Retrieving,starting at noon: While sporting breeds have a natural ability to retrieve, our experts will discuss what these dogs need become exceptional hunting partners. Training a retriever is more than just dropping a duck in the field and telling your dog to “hunt it up”. Come learn how teaching fundamentals like steadiness, force fetch, multiple marks, and blind retrieves improves your hunting experience with your dog and creates a great day of hunting.

DogTraining In Crazy Weather Around Tacoma

2011-05-18T12:46:00.000-07:00

The weather has been really crazy this year. We had record cold in April. The Daffodils and Tulips, the trees, are all late to bloom and set leaves. Last weekend was Sunday, May 15th. Here are pictures of a training pond with an extra several feet of water submerging the banks and the boulders that are usually visible.

Two days later, the sun is out, it is approaching 60 degrees and we are on a photo shoot of dogs with spring flowers.

Iditarod Competitors Grinding Away

2011-03-13T13:55:00.000-07:00

The 2011 Iditarod is shaping up with some surprises. Long time competitor, John Baker was the first to reach the Unalakleet checkpoint 5:04 Sunday morning. After four hours of rest and a meal for both dogs and musher, the team headed for Shaktoolik. Baker is struggling fiercely with sleep deprivation.

The weather has been warmer than usual and for many teams the "heat" in the 20 degree range has softened the snow and made it more difficult to sled.

Four time consecutive winner, Lance Mackey, has conceded the race this year after losing a number of his lead dogs to exhaustion, muscle cramps and something he referred to as sled dog myopathy, a condition where the dogs' muscles break down. Mackey is known not only as a fierce competitor, but also for his amazing connection to and care for his team.

Dee Dee Jonrowe, a veteran of 29 Iditarod races is currently in 7th place in the standings having made it to the Unalakleet checkpoint at 11:04 this morning. The 57 year old breast cancer survivor found herself upside down yesterday, pinned under her sled along with an injured dog in water on overflow ice at the Yukon River. She managed to eject herself and the injured dog from the situation, right her sled and make her way to Anvik for an eight hour rest. She arrived there in 14th position with her sled and gear coated in ice. Despite her setbacks, her mostly inexperienced team is considered one of the faster teams in the race.

Here is video of Dee Dee Jonrowe at the start of the race in Willow last Sunday:

Sheepless Herding: Treibball Gaining Popularity

2011-03-13T12:53:00.000-07:00

What a great sport to do with a dog. The cost is minimal (after you convince your dog to quit popping the balls.) It requires a great deal of teamwork and training the dog for long "go outs," "leave it" commands and directional casts. Great mental stimulation as well as exercise for a dog. Check out these videos:

A great training video:

2011 Iditarod Sled Dog Race Underway

2011-03-12T17:20:00.000-08:00

In my next life, I want to be an Alaskan musher and run a team of Alaskan Huskies in the Iditarod!

Alaskan Huskies are not the same as Siberian Huskies. Alaskan Huskies are not a recognized breed by any breed registry, such as the American Kennel Club. Therefore, the mushers and handlers of these dogs are free to breed for maximum performance--not a breed standard or a certain look.

There are many people who have for decades been decrying the inbreeding that goes on to keep a breed "pure" to a breed registry standard. (One of my favorite bloggers, Patrick Burns from Terrierman is very outspoken about this.) Many point out that breeding for a certain look and standard promotes health problems in the breeds.

Lance Mackey, winner of the last four Iditarods, is show here at last Sunday's restart (the real start of the race) in Willow, Alaska. Ahead of the team is a trail of over 1,150 miles through breathtakingly beautiful and extremely challenging terrain. Good luck to all the teams. May you all stay healthy and safe!

Another Tam Update

2011-03-03T07:37:00.000-08:00

Kate,

We used the place command in it's first practical application today. Took Tam in to the vet this morning. I usually have to fight to get her on the scale and to sit still. And then when I'm filling out paperwork I'm usually struggling to keep her close on the leash. Well today it was a "place", "sit", "stay". She did great. Even got a "wow" from the receptionist as I filled out paperwork with my back to Tam, leash loose on the floor.

Thanks for everything and see you Sunday

James

Tam--Border Collie Lab Mix And Owner James

2011-03-02T20:14:00.000-08:00

February 17th
Really happy to tell you that Tam did great today. We worked some more on leash and she's really getting it down. There were birds all in the yard, which was great for our distraction training. We worked some more on the stay, increasing distance and back turned to her while walking away. Did some off leash work and then some free play time with long distance recalls. She's really picking up on this quickly.

tap tap

James

Tam places on a stool in living room

March 2nd

Just wanted to let you know the "place" training is going good.

Escape The Cold Winter At The NW Flower And Garden Show

2011-02-25T22:05:00.000-08:00

Fast Pup Dogs Sit In Front Of Fantasy Garden

Pacific Northwest Fountain Landscape

Dogs, People, Cameras Challenging Mix At NW Flower And Garden Show

2011-02-25T09:01:00.000-08:00

Dixie is a star in the Fast Pup Dog Training Booth

Taking an informational brochure on dog training services

Taking pictures of the dogs in the Fast Pup Dog Training Booth

The Northwest Flower And Garden Show is the biggest, most complicated venue the dogs and I have worked yet. We are at the Seattle Convention Center, a sprawling complex famous for bottle-necking Interstate 5 through downtown because it was decided years ago to build this complex over and and around the freeway--preventing expansion of lanes in the future.

Because of the unseasonal snow and ice, the show apparently has been unusually slow. Yet there are so many visitors that walking through the isles is extremely challenging with the dogs. Yesterday, upon arriving, I took the dogs out to the Freeway Park outside of the Convention Center for an airing. When they were sufficiently relieved, we headed back toward the doors. There were quite a few people coming in and out the doors to the park, so I sat the dogs down about 20 feet from the doors and began calling them in one at a time. My focus is safety. I don't want anyone to trip over several dogs underfoot. When they were all indoors, safely by my side, I turned to figure out the best way to navigate through the halls back to our booth. I was stunned to see a large and growing group of people with cameras--all taking pictures of my dogs. They all had still cameras--not movie cameras. I was amused--but puzzled at the same time. I have heard that nearly 60 percent or more of households in the US have dogs--and certainly anyone who likes dogs has owned one. So for people to take pictures of my dogs seems so strange. When they get home, they are going to have a picture of a dog. Not a dog doing a trick--or anything unusual--just a picture of a dog.

A gal in the booth across from me told me that she thought the reason people gather to stare at the dogs is the same reason people gather to stare at and take pictures of street performers who go out in parks and strike a pose--like a statue. It is so unusual. And rare.

Well--to anyone visiting the NW Flower And Garden Show, I hope Fast Pup Dog Training will raise the expectations people have of dogs. Dogs can be well behaved around severe distractions and in crowds of people. They can be off leash and under voice control at all times. It does not need to be a "rare" performance by some unusual dogs. With proper training, all dogs can be trustworthy around distractions.

Fast Pup Dog Training At NW Flower And Garden Show

2011-02-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

Fast Pup Dog Training Booth 2717

It smells like chocolate here! Ummm. Remember, chocolate mulch toxic to dogs.

Lots of plants for sale!

Seeds for planting

Its like a jungle in here!

Last Wild Wolves Part 3

2011-01-30T08:56:00.000-08:00

The Pacific Northwest Wolves have a special relationship with Ravens.

Wolves In Pacific Northwest: Last Wild Wolves Part Two

2011-01-29T08:03:00.000-08:00

Hauntingly Beautiful Video--Pacific Northwest Rainforest Wolves

2011-01-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

Wild, protected environment. Ghosts of the forest

Dog "Sings" Along With Piano

2011-01-27T07:03:00.000-08:00

Such Talent!

Fast Pup Dog Training At Western WA Sportsmens Show 2011

2011-01-25T18:43:00.000-08:00

The 2011 Western WA Sportsmens Show starts tomorrow, January 26th at noon. Just some shots of our booth and some of the others in the hunting section.

Congratulations to Fran And Disco

2011-01-25T18:28:00.000-08:00

Hi Kate:

Just want to let you know how Disco did at the WRC picnic trial on Saturday. Although she was noisy at the line for the first series, she wasn’t as bad as in the past. As you know, Disco is not noisy when running blinds, but marks are always a challenge for her self-control. But, in the last series, a triple with a retired gun, Disco was quiet as a church mouse! I want to give the credit to your idea when we were training last week.   It was such a nice way to get her to understand what we want. (no noise)

Disco was also one of only a few dogs that took the cover all the way to the retired gun at the last series. So, this is not only a big “thanks for your help,” but also a brag.   Scott’s “little elfin dog” did well!

I’ve included a picture of me and Disco with her Qual reserve jam (a.k.a. 5th place).   See you at the Sportsman’s Show.

Fran

Bragging Rights: Skilled Handler Teamed With Well Trained Retriever

2011-01-25T07:27:00.000-08:00

Kate:

Colby may not be good enough for a callback but I'll take real hunting blind retrieves like this any time. (Kate here: Dennis is referring to our Washington Retriever Club picnic trial the day before. Colby did an outstanding job on the marks in the Qualifying and had a more difficult time casting off the marks for the blind retrieve after. Since he brought all the birds back, had I been judging, I would have called him back to the last series. But this day, the judges thought otherwise. Colby is a great dog, Dennis--Saturday just didn't turn out to be "his day." Looks like Sunday made up for everything!)

Jim and I were hunting at Ocosta yesterday and it was looking like a slow day when around 11:00am, I had a flow of geese come in range. It took 2 shots to down the first which landed 30 feet behind the blind. The third shot hit another goose which kept flying and dropped about 100 plus yards away.

Rainy went to retrieve the first bird but since it was huge and heavy--her buddy Colby helped her out, bringing it back to me. Then we went to find the second bird. I spotted it about 150 yards away on the far shore--and thought what a great time to do a blind retrieve.

I sent him on a line across the water to land and then across water to the bird on the far shore with only 3 casts. He returned on the same line.

Again, all the training pays off.

Thanks
Dennis

Goose Hunting Season Coming To An End-Pictures From The Blind

2011-01-24T10:27:00.000-08:00

The last geese were so big that a BIG dog was needed to retrieve them. Good boy, Colby!

Colby and Rainy have had a great 2010-2011 goose hunting season. Jim & Dennis posted these pictures from the blind on Sunday, January 23, 2011. Congratulations on bringing home the groceries!

Rainy is ever vigilant for incoming birds

In all, 23 geese were harvested this season from the blind near West Port, along with many ducks.

A Beautiful Day To Be Outside With Dogs

2011-01-23T18:04:00.000-08:00

Bob Morris getting ready to send his yellow lab pup for a bird

And pup is off and running

Pup searches for a bird

Pup delivering the poultry

This past Saturday, January 22nd 2011 it was 55 degrees out. And it was reported that somewhere in Minnesota it was -44 degrees. So, it was pretty darn close to 100' warmer out here in Western Washington.

WRC (Washington Retriever Club) had their first 2011 picnic trial for our retrievers. What a beautiful day!

Almost summertime in January!

The "mountain" Mount Rainier was out in all her glory too.

WRC Picnic Trial This Weekend Jan 22-23

2011-01-21T11:08:00.000-08:00

Washington Retriever Club will be holding our first 2011 Picnic Trial in Area 14 at Fort Lewis this weekend. Sign ups for both days will be at 8:00 am on the runway paralleling 8th or Harts Lake Road just south of Muck Creek. (See map, above)

Entry fees will stay the same as last year. Cost for members $10 puppy, $20 Derby/Sr Gundog, $25 Qual/Master Gundog and Open. Non members add $5 to each dog entered.
Membership for 2011 will also stay the same at $10 per person.

SATURDAY
Qual/Master Gundog
Judges: Bob Crabb/Alice Ellis

Puppy stakes
Judges: Matt Carlson/Michele Goans

SUNDAY
Open
Judges: Harry Williams/Christine Robertson

Derby/Sr Gundog
Judges: Dave Miller/Fran Seagren

Although our fun trials are competitions, we will carry to each series as many dogs as time allows. This makes our trials also a great training opportunity.

During training this past Wednesday, we watched jumpers descend to Area 14

Muck Creek Flooding Through Area 14 Fort Lewis

2011-01-17T18:52:00.000-08:00

Muck Creek was out of her banks today

Today threatened rain, but while it looked menacing in the morning and the winds were relentless, we had a great dry day of retriever training.

Late Season Pheasant Hunting Eastern WA

2011-01-12T05:18:00.000-08:00

Friend and contributor Fran Seagren posted from her eastern Washington pheasant hunt yesterday:


Sarge "Finally" gets to retrieve a wild rooster

We had such a fun time hunting. It was REALLY cold (14-20 degrees), but one of the best days we've had. We were dressed how you and I looked yesterday at Ft Lewis - but without the "white." :)) Scott and I were laughing at ourselves with all our layers, but it worked and we weren't cold. My fingers were cold at first - but then after a while, my blood figured out what it's supposed to do, because my hands warmed up for the rest of the day.

Late season roosters are usually the hardest to hunt. By the end of the season they're pretty smart and tough to get close to. But, it was so cold, we were hoping they wouldn't want to move much once they found some good cover. And, we do have good dogs that know how to hunt them, so we got into a bunch. Really fun and exciting. :))

Sarge flushed about six roosters and four hens today. He was a "Pheasant Machine"! He hunted really nice. His finds/flushes today just didn't result in us getting a shot. Sarge doesn't look the same when he hunts as when we're training. In training, I think he looks like a big puppy. But, when hunting, he looks "serious" and he moves and hunts like a fully grown/experienced hunting dog.

Disco flushed two roosters today. The one in these pics was Disco's find/flush. And, she actually got a live "almost" grab on it! Hardly EVER happens with wild roosters I saw her jump the rooster and feathers flew. It rolled away from her and as it took off, she jumped up and grabbed more tail feathers! It gained altitude and Scott shot it. Sarge saw it fall (he was hunting in front of me) and I sent him for the bird. I knew Disco would let him have the retrieve. She's like that. Sort of cute in a high rolling dog like Disco. But, she didn't mind at all. He was SO HAPPY about finally getting a rooster in his mouth. He works so hard - you should see how beat up he is. He was in the nastiest cover hunting his heart out for two and 1/2 hours. I wish I had a video of him hunting today. But, that's why he found most of the pheasants. They like the nastiest cover. Not many dogs are that tough. Sarge is like Jonz used to be - only Sarge stays within gun range way more than Jonz ever did. :))

Earlier in the day, Ruby pointed two hens when hunting with Scott. He said she held steady to the flush and did a great job. I had been hunting with Robert and he was a kick. He hunted hard, like always, but today he was a real "team player" - something that he hasn't always been real good at doing. He went on one point - rock solid. I kicked around the brush for quite a while. He held his point - he was SURE there was a bird in there. A few minutes later we saw a rooster flush out of gun range - maybe the same one? :))

PeTA Takes Aim At Sarah Palin (Of Course)

2010-12-28T19:12:00.000-08:00

I don't agree with her on a lot of things, but I like Sarah Palin. I don't know her personally, of course, but from what I see and hear of her, I generally like the woman.

I don't necessarily think she should be president. I don't think she has the experience or cleverness it would take, nor do I think she has the leadership ability. (But then, I don't think either our current president nor the president before him have the cleverness or the leadership ability to be president. ) I did love watching her rally the Republican troops last year to try to get support for presidential candidate John McCain. It was moving to see a woman with such persuasive abilities.

I love the fact that she champions the outdoors, hunting and shooting. I hate the fact that she is anti-choice when it comes to allowing women to make their own decisions about private matters. But my views about hunting and gun ownership juxtaposed to the rights of women not to be forced to become legal equivalents of barn-yard animals owned and controlled by the state just because they become pregnant have always kept me from aligning with either political party. There have been years where I actually donated both to the NRA and to NARAL. And the fact that Sarah Palin is willing to set an example for other women who want to follow her philosophy makes me respect her for not being a hypocrite over the matter.

With her high-profile enthusiasm for hunting, of course, it was only a matter of time before PeTA, the notorious animal rights group (which is not really an animal rights group at all) would start making snarky remarks about Sarah Palin.

Dan Matthews, president of PeTA, recently made this statement regarding the airing of her segment on caribou hunting during her new reality show, Sarah Palin's Alaska:

“Sarah seems to think that resorting to violence and blood and guts may lure people into watching her boring show, but the ratings remain as dead as the poor animals she shoots.”

I love the plucky response from Sarah Palin:"Tonight’s hunting episode of Sarah Palin’s Alaska ‘controversial’? Really? Unless you’ve never worn leather shoes, sat upon a leather couch or eaten a piece of meat, save your condemnation of tonight’s episode. I remain proudly intolerant of anti-hunting hypocrisy.”

"Proudly intolerant of anti-hunting hypocrisy." That is a great statement.

My husband is anti-hunting. Yet he gets cranky if he can't have his steaks, pork chops and bacon. My dad was anti-gun and anti-hunting but between his double Manhattens, Martinis, drunk driving arrests and accidents he always wanted his ham, steak and chops.

And there are my vegetarian friends who believe they are guiltless since they don't eat meat. Hmmm. How many animals are killed to preserve the crops grown for us? They forget that in order to grow crops, animal habitat has to be destroyed and "pest" animals controlled, ( or exterminated.)

So while I certainly don't agree with all of Sarah Palin's politics, I continue to like and admire her as a person and for sharing some of her hunting adventures with us.

What If We Had To Catch Every Meal

2010-12-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

Like a fox, our domestic dogs have incredible abilities to sense the slightest change in their environments--including infinitesimal changes in the behavior of their "humans." Our dogs know more about us than we know about ourselves, which is why they can make such great "alert" dogs to let us know when we are going to have a seizure, for instance.

For a great video

For more great footage click here

What Happened Christmas Eve circa 1903

2010-12-24T15:41:00.000-08:00

Illustration from St Nicholas Magazine

A family adopts a Mama cat and her kitten in a story published in the book "The Night Before Christmas And Other Popular Stories For Children." Released through the Gutenberg Project to public domain.
***
It was Christmas Eve and the frost fairies were busy getting ready for Christmas Day. First of all they spread the loveliest white snow carpet over the rough, bare ground; then they hung the bushes and trees with icicles that flashed like diamonds in the moonlight. Later on, they planned to draw beautiful frost pictures on the window panes, to surprise the little children in the morning.

The stars shone brightly and the moon sent floods of light in every nook and corner. How could any one think of sleeping when there was such a glory outside!

Jessie and Fred had gone to bed very early so they might be the first to shout "Merry Christmas!" but their eyes would not stay shut.

"Oh dear! it must be 'most morning," said Fred; "let us creep softly down stairs and maybe we'll catch Santa Claus before he rides off."

Hand in hand they tiptoed to the dining-room and peeped out the big window;--surely, surely, that was something climbing up the roof of cousin Nellie's house; it must be old Santa. Fred gave a chuckle of delight; to be sure the reindeer were very queer looking objects, and the sleigh such a funny shape, but the children were satisfied.

The old fir tree, whose high branches almost touched the roof,
knew all about those shadows, but it was so old no one could ever understand a word of the many tales it told.

"There's something scratching on the door," whispered Jessie; but it was only a mouse, who had sniffed the delightful odors of the Christmas goodies and was trying his best to find a way into the
pantry and test them with his sharp teeth.

"Come," said Jessie, "we'll turn to icicles if we stay here much, longer"; so up-stairs they quickly scampered.

Papa had been to town on an errand, so it was quite late when he came home. As he was hunting in his pockets for his key, he heard a pitiful cry, and looking down he saw a big, white cat carrying a tiny kitten in her mouth.

"Poor thing," said papa, "you shall come inside till morning."

Santa Claus had been there with the nicest wagon for Fred and a warm, seal-skin cap that lay right in the middle of it. When papa left the room, puss and her kitty were curled up comfortably on the rug singing their sleepy song.

The sun was shining brightly in the dining-room window when Jessie and Fred made their appearance; then Fred just laughed with delight, for right in the crown of his new cap lay the cutest white kitten, with big, blue eyes and wee pink nose, while standins close by as if to guard her darling from danger, was good old mother puss.

"I never had a live Christmas present before," said Fred, "now I know Santa Claus read the letter I threw up the chimney because I told him to bring me a kitten and here it is."

Papa smiled and looked at Mamma, and then everybody said "Merry
Christmas" at once.

OLIVER HERFOLD.

That Christmas Franki Ate The Baby Jesus

2010-12-24T13:20:00.000-08:00

Frankie: Gone but never forgotten!

Fran Seagren posts this Christmas memory about her Brittany Spaniel, Franki
.
When Jessie, the youngest, was about five or six, she came home from school one year with a brown paper lunch sack. As she took her coat off she proudly announced she had a surprise for us – something for under our Christmas tree. As we looked inside the sack, I could see a little nativity scene. She showed us “the baby Jesus” who had a little red felt cape with a fancy tiny gold ribbon tied around his neck. She had painted a face on him with a marking pen. He was lying in a cardboard and toothpick manger. It was very cute; and we told Jessie how much we liked it.

Jessie had set the sack down as all the kids moved off and we started to fix dinner. Suddenly, we heard Jessie shriek, “Franki ate the baby Jesus!” As we rushed back into the living room where Jessie was, we saw Franki, our Brittany, scoot out of the room looking as guilty as she was. I remembered “the baby Jesus” was actually a peanut. We should have thought about this earlier – there was absolutely nothing resembling food that Franki wouldn’t eat if given the slightest chance. The older kids also heard the alarm and when we were all together in the living room with Jessie saying over and over, “Franki ate the baby Jesus”, it suddenly struck us as hilarious – well, everyone except Jessie.

A couple days later when I was outside cleaning up dog poop, guess what I found with his red felt cape and fancy gold ribbon? He was actually in perfect shape – just needed a little bath. Scott said “no way!” So, that Christmas we had a nativity scene without the main character. But, after all these years, I can clearly see that little face with his red cape. And if any of us that witnessed the crime utter the words, “Franki ate the baby Jesus”, it sends us into peals of laughter.

The Perfect Christmas Gathering

2010-12-21T21:21:00.000-08:00

Thanks to Adam Katz of Dog Problems for this post!

Mentally Retarded Dog Breeders On The Loose--Beware

2010-12-21T20:24:00.000-08:00

Posted by our friend Fran Seagren, who writes in an email: "What are people thinking?" The answer: Duhhhh!

When at Lowe’s today, we got talking to a guy that worked there about dogs. He told us he had a year old chocolate lab female. He went on to say he was planning on running in field trials. And, that he was having a hard time training her. He said she was “dominant” and he wasn’t sure what to do. I suggested he get with a trainer – that running in field trials wasn’t something that a person could just learn on their own. He then told me that he had run in trials some years ago, with English setters. (Uh), I debated whether I should just say, “Good luck and Merry Christmas” and move on, or let him in on a big secret. – That “Setter” field trials weren’t even remotely similar to “Retriever” trials.

But, before I could open my big mouth again, he went on to say that because his female was so hard to train, he was going to breed her and keep a male – that he would train and run in field trials. I just looked at him for a minute, I felt Scott give me a nudge in the ribs - and I heard him sigh. Scott KNEW at that moment, I wouldn’t let this one go without trying.

My first question was, “And what about the rest of the litter of pups?” I’m pretty sure by the look on his face and his hesitation before responding, he hadn’t thought of the other puppies. He mumbled a couple words that we couldn’t hear and then said something like “good pups are not cheap.” I’m not sure what he meant by that. I told him I knew of litters of pups where both parents had hunt test titles and they still weren’t sold when the puppies were getting close to a year.

Unless he got a title on his female, his chance of finding homes for a litter of labs would be slim. But, that didn’t stop him. He responded back with, “Someone will always be willing to pay $20 for a Labrador.”

At this point, I’m wondering if he’s even listening to himself! (He’s got puppy that he admits he can’t train. He’s told me he has “lots of experience” and doesn’t need a trainer. Yet, he wants a puppy from this female that in his words is, “dominant.” He obviously hasn’t given any thought to what he will do with the rest of her litter.)

I had just one more response. I said, “I wonder how people will take care of a puppy that they could only afford to pay $20 for?” I told him this past month, one of our dogs ate a dead salmon – cost $475. Two weeks before that our young lab got suddenly sick – emergency vet $250.” I wished him “the best” and we moved on. Good grief.

Fran: If he can't sell the pups for $20.00, he will probably just drop them off at the local shelter. Wonderful.

Do Dogs Know When They Have Been "Bad"

2010-12-21T09:44:00.000-08:00

This is priceless! This dog is guilty!

Winter Solstice The ReBirth

2010-12-20T15:35:00.000-08:00

"I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure in the landscape - the loneliness of it - the dead feeling of winter.
Something waits beneath it - the whole story doesn't show." - Andrew Wyeth

One kind word can brighten three winter months- Japanese Proverb

Homeless Man Trains Dog Cat Rat

2010-12-20T09:01:00.000-08:00

Greg Pike, a homeless man, trained a dog, a cat and a rat to perform. Notice, that he did not dump the animals at a shelter because he was homeless. In fact, it looks like they are in great health.

Tomorrow I am having lunch with a homeless woman who has had her dog for eight years.

Christmas Gift You Might Want To Avoid

2010-12-16T16:59:00.000-08:00

This childrens' book can cause dog bites! Do not encourage children to "smooch pooch." Following is a press release from the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior. Do not let small children get into the face of any dog, no matter how "nice" the dog is.

See also: Dog Bite Law

And: Preventing Dog Bites In Children

And: Plastic Surgery on Children After Dog Bite

Don't think your dog could bite your child? A THIRD of all dog bites to children are owned by the child's family!

NEWS RELEASE

Date: December 14, 2010

Media Contact: Dr. Karen Sueda

Phone: (310) 478-5035

E-mail: karen.sueda@VCAHospitals.com

Web site: www.avsabonline.org

AVSAB WARNS of THE DANGERS ONE CHILDREN’S BOOK POSES TO KIDS and THEIR PETS.

While kids are frequently seen to have a special bond with pets, children under the age of 10 are among those most commonly bitten by the dogs.

Many factors can contribute to dog bites in children, and one such factor is hugging and kissing by kids. Consequently, the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB) strongly advises that parents avoid purchasing the recently released children’s book Smooch Your Pooch for their kids. The book recommends that children “Smooch your pooch to show that you care. Give him a hug anytime, anywhere.” This information can cause children to be bitten.

Says one AVSAB member, Dr. Ilana Reisner, whose area of research is dog bites and children, “Although some dogs are not reactive about being kissed and hugged, these types of interactions are potentially provocative, leading to bites.”

In a study published by Reisner and her colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, records of bites to 111 children were examined. Says Reisner, “We looked at dogs that had bitten children and found that most children had been bitten by dogs that had no history of biting. Most important here,” says Reisner, “familiar children were bitten most often in the contexts of "nice" interactions—such as kissing and hugging —with their own dogs or dogs that they knew.”

The study also found that in addition to biting when they are hugged, kissed, bent over or sometimes simply petted, dogs are reactive when they are approached/touched while resting, when they have anything they consider "high value" (food, toys, a favorite blanket, or even the parent), and when they are hurt or frightened. These are the types of situations where children who have read Smooch Your Pooch may seek to interact with their dogs.

AVSAB recommends that children play with dogs in a more productive way such as by playing fetch or training tricks. We also recommend children avoid approaching or interacting with dogs who are lying down, resting or sleeping. Children, should instead interact with the dog only when the dog approaches willingly. Families with children are encouraged to train their dogs to come to them to be petted by have treats ready to reward the dog for approaching.

---END---