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Thread: Field Trip

  1. #1
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    Field Trip

    IRISHWHISTLER was kind enough to invite Brooks and I to visit for a weekend of training. I will never profess that I am a competent field trainer, and Mike has helped me a great deal over the past year with training Brooks. We've talked on the phone at length, plus numerous emails. Brooks and I made the trip to Connecticut this weekend, staying with Mike at his hunt club. We were able to train on live birds, which Brooks had not seen since he was about 6 weeks old. I told Mike that I wanted his honest assessment of where Brooks and I were in regards to field training, and to help us with a plan going forward in pursuit of a JH title. Mike was very direct in his assessment, and provided me with a clear path to go forward.

    All I can say is Mike clearly knows his stuff regarding field work, and I have no doubt that his observations were spot on, and his recommendations will aid me in moving forward towards our goal.

    Here are some pictures from this weekend.

    Upon arrival we headed to one of the ponds available for training. It was just fun time for the dogs, and allowed Mike to observe Brooks and myself working together.





    Brooks and I on a basic mark





    "Diamond in the rough"



    "A true Labrador"



    Brooks has not had an opportunity to retrieve a shot bird to this point. He did a good job moving though thick cover to flush birds, and marked the falls pretty well. On the last bird, he finally picked it up and returned it to me. A huge moment in any retrievers development. Mike worked with Brooks when we returned to the cabin, helping him build confidence in picking up actual game. This exposed a hole in our training, both with hold and force fetch, with Brooks dropping the bird short of the handler. Mike and I discussed this at length, and we will work on this before moving forward.





    I was also able to watch Mike work with TRAD which was a highlight of the trip. I have always thought TRAD to be a nice looking Labrador from pics I've seen, and I can say pictures don't do him justice. He is a very handsome boy, exhibiting all the qualities that make a Labrador a Labrador.

    "Combat Roll" Mike sent TRAD for a dip in a stream to cool off between retrieves. He came out of the water and promptly rolled in the grass with great joy!



    "AHHHHHHHH, yeah that was GOOD!"



    I cannot thank Mike enough for all the help and hospitality this weekend. I had a great time, met some great people who share a love for these wonderful dogs, and took away a lot of great ideas and memories.

  2. The Following 16 Users Say Thank You to barry581 For This Useful Post:

    Blackboy98 (09-18-2017), IRISHWISTLER (09-18-2017), JackK (09-19-2017), Meeps83 (09-17-2017), OHfemail (09-21-2017), POPTOP (09-17-2017), SamsonsMom (09-18-2017), smartrock (09-18-2017), Snowshoe (09-19-2017), Sue-Ram (09-18-2017), SunDance (09-18-2017), TuMicks (09-18-2017), WhoopsaDaisy (09-19-2017), windycanyon (09-19-2017), zd262 (09-18-2017), ZEKESMAN (09-21-2017)

  3. #2
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    What an excellent opportunity! Bet the comradeship was excellent too.

    Love the pictures. Brooks is looking good cutting through the water. TRAD, first time I've seen the crazy lab in you, love it.
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  4. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to POPTOP For This Useful Post:

    barry581 (09-18-2017), IRISHWISTLER (09-18-2017)

  5. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by POPTOP View Post
    What an excellent opportunity! Bet the comradeship was excellent too.

    Love the pictures. Brooks is looking good cutting through the water. TRAD, first time I've seen the crazy lab in you, love it.
    We've all seen TRAD's serious side here, and it was really fun to see that not only is TRAD an amazing gundog, but he's also a typical happy, fun loving Labrador!

  6. The Following User Says Thank You to barry581 For This Useful Post:

    IRISHWISTLER (09-18-2017)

  7. #4
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Hey, are either of you guys football fans? Maybe the Ravens need a pup to retrieve their tee!

    tee retrieving dog at Boise State - YouTube

  8. The Following User Says Thank You to smartrock For This Useful Post:

    barry581 (09-19-2017)

  9. #5
    Senior Dog TuMicks's Avatar
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    Barry, keep us posted on your progress. Yeah, so you want to do obedience and are doing great. But this whole feathers and hunting and retrieving and water and all of that... it's in their DNA and giving them the chance to do it can only make them better at everything else we ask them to do.

  10. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to TuMicks For This Useful Post:

    barry581 (09-19-2017), ZEKESMAN (09-21-2017)

 



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