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Training my first hunting dog - Update
Sorry, it wouldn't let me bump my original thread. Guess I had forgotten about it for too long.
Anyways, we live! And we have not given up! I am in some kind of field training dead zone, but while taking our CGC test in March I met a lady who uses a trainer who does some group work on Saturdays (trainer has MHs). So I got the trainer's contact info and she was plenty willing to take on a novice. I failed to stay consistent on using real ducks, so Hailey refused to pick one up when we reintroduced them in April. I did have to do a little ear pinching (so there was force/pressure, but I hesitate to call it true FF). Once we cleared that up she wanted to play with the birds a bit, so we had to do some more training on Hold. Which she took to very well. And then we were off!
Went and watched an AKC Hunt Test May 3rd, met and talked to a lot of people who suggested we try "getting our feet wet" in UKC. Ran in back-to-back HRC Started hunt tests this past weekend. Had a BLAST. Got some great compliments on my dog, including an offer on her. The gunner commented on her water retrieve that she "almost runs on water." Her marking was excellent. She had a bit of a fit on her last bird Sunday and wanted to swim around with it at the bank, rather than return to the line. So definitely something we'll be addressing now. Need to work on heeling on lead - she was so excited she about literally drug me to the line and back each time.
Also volunteered bc they were shorthanded and ran birds during the water retrieves. Never thought I'd learn to give a spa treatment to dead ducks with a chamois, lol. Totally hooked though and can't wait to do and learn more! Also got an invitation to join some people closer to me for training. They have titled HRCH and MHs as well, so I'm eager to get involved with this small group too.
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