Puppy Joy

[RatDog]

Oh my goodness this dog makes me laugh. Twice yesterday she had me in stitches. She was in a life and death struggle with a muck boot and had her body about halfway inside thrashing around. One of the funniest darn things I’ve seen in a long time.

We had our first snow of the year and watching her jump around with one of her feet in the air trying to figure out what the heck was going on was also pretty funny to watch.

She goes to the trainer for a month at the end of next week and I sure am going to miss her. He’s going to introduce birds, gun and a little check cording before winter really sets in. I get an incredible amount of pleasure from that little dog. I’ll be glad to go pick her up.


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[Sharon]

How old is your pup now?

[RatDog]

Little over 4 months


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[Sharon]

"He’s going to introduce birds, gun and a little check cording ."

The dog is 4 months. Little early for the gun imo.

[RatDog]

I might’ve gotten the gun thing wrong. I know he said birds and check cord. He kept saying stuff like “we’ll see how she’s doing and what she’s ready for”. That’s helpful, I’ll ask him and mention that it might be too soon for the gun.

He’s a pretty well respected trainer and I trust him. I’m sure he won’t give her more than she can handle.


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[Sharon]

"He’s a pretty well respected trainer and I trust him. I’m sure he won’t give her more than she can handle." quote

That's all you need to know. I'm sure it will work out great.
May I ask who the trainer is? (PM me.)

[CDN_Cocker]

4 months is young to be sending to a trainer. She'll learn more hanging out around the house with you. Bird intro isn't time sensitive. If it has the genetics, it'll take to birds. You would get a lot more out of your money by waiting till the pup is older.

[RatDog]

4 months is young to be sending to a trainer. She'll learn more hanging out around the house with you. Bird intro isn't time sensitive. If it has the genetics, it'll take to birds. You would get a lot more out of your money by waiting till the pup is older.

I understand it’s a bit early. It’d be better to do it in 2-3 months but that’ll be the middle of winter. The way it was described to me is that it is an intro to prep for formal training next summer. He said 2-weeks to a month depending on how the training is going. If she’s not getting anything out of it I trust he’ll let me know and I’ll pick her up.


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[CDN_Cocker]

I'd be leery of that. It takes 2-4 weeks for a dog to settle in at a trainer's. Standard time is minimum 3 months. Just remember if you go to an orthodontist... They're gonna sell you braces.

[RatDog]

I'd be leery of that. It takes 2-4 weeks for a dog to settle in at a trainer's. Standard time is minimum 3 months. Just remember if you go to an orthodontist... They're gonna sell you braces.

There’s a thousand ways to skin this cat. A puppy intro course is a pretty standard practice. Ronnie Smith requires one before doing his 3 month formal training class. The minimum age is 4 months. I know of a few other trainers that do the same thing. Reasonable minds can disagree about whether or not it’s worth the money or an effective practice. I am a Delmar and Rick Smith fan so if they’re doing it then I’m into it.

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[RatDog]

This is probably going to sound weird but I am hopelessly superstitious, most fisherman are. When I was driving out of Bozeman with Nelly on the way to the trainer a big covey of huns got up and flew over the road almost hitting my windshield. When I was pulling into the driveway at the trainer’s place a rooster pheasant ran across the driveway, cackled then flew off. I took these to be good omens!

When I got there we took Nelly for a walk and visited about what he planned to work on and some goals. He said his impression is that she is comfortable in her own skin and bold for her age which bodes well for being able to put in some good work before winter sets in. I mentioned that it might be a bit early for the gun and that I’m in no hurry so please don’t lean on her. He assured me he wouldn’t and said after about a week he’d know how long it makes sense to keep her.

Missing my buddy already!


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[CDN_Cocker]

Is this your first bird dog?

[Sharon]

This is probably going to sound weird but I am hopelessly superstitious, most fisherman are. When I was driving out of Bozeman with Nelly on the way to the trainer a big covey of huns got up and flew over the road almost hitting my windshield. When I was pulling into the driveway at the trainer’s place a rooster pheasant ran across the driveway, cackled then flew off. I took these to be good omens!

When I got there we took Nelly for a walk and visited about what he planned to work on and some goals. He said his impression is that she is comfortable in her own skin and bold for her age which bodes well for being able to put in some good work before winter sets in. I mentioned that it might be a bit early for the gun and that I’m in no hurry so please don’t lean on her. He assured me he wouldn’t and said after about a week he’d know how long it makes sense to keep her.

Missing my buddy already!
)


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[Sharon]

This is probably going to sound weird but I am hopelessly superstitious, most fisherman are. When I was driving out of Bozeman with Nelly on the way to the trainer a big covey of huns got up and flew over the road almost hitting my windshield. When I was pulling into the driveway at the trainer’s place a rooster pheasant ran across the driveway, cackled then flew off. I took these to be good omens!

When I got there we took Nelly for a walk and visited about what he planned to work on and some goals. He said his impression is that she is comfortable in her own skin and bold for her age which bodes well for being able to put in some good work before winter sets in. I mentioned that it might be a bit early for the gun and that I’m in no hurry so please don’t lean on her. He assured me he wouldn’t and said after about a week he’d know how long it makes sense to keep her.

Missing my buddy already!

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Yes, it's hard. I know the trainer you are using and it all sound good to me. Enjoy the ride. .. Sharon

[RatDog]

Is this your first bird dog?

I’m not any type of expert but no not my first


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[RatDog]

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So far so good!


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[RatDog]

Had not been able to expose Nelly to other dogs until she got her last round of shots. There are a few other pups at the kennel she’s at that’re the same age and sounds like she’s been holding her own/making some friends. Great socialization I would’ve had a harder time giving her.

Met someone in my neighborhood who has a French Shorthair, I’d never heard of such a thing, looked an awful lot like a German one to me. She’s the same age so gonna try and set up some play dates maybe some training when Nelly gets back.


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[RatDog]

Going to pick up ol’ smelly Nelly tomorrow. Very excited to see her. Trainer said he’d like to keep going but there’s like a foot of snow on the ground and it’s below zero with the wind chill. They got 2 weeks of good work in. Bird intro, check cording and started re-call. Said she’s a good pup and off to a good start. Can’t wait to see what they accomplish next summer/fall but for now the family and I are just going to be happy to have our buddy back!


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