Cooling Period?
After what has felt like the warmest and most humid summer conditions we've ever had, this morning was finally a cooler one for us to get back in the woods.
That's Rocky with a solid point on the only woodcock he encountered in his run this morning. After an abbreviated "whoa" session to remember all that we have worked on but not been able to put in practice on birds, we ventured forth and Rocky handled well for me, responding to the training collar when I beeped him back.
His highlight was the point from the picture above, and it all played out like you would want. He was already close to me and I heard his bell barely tinkling (no, I could not see him because the woods are still ridiculously thick right now), meaning he might be on some fresh scent, then the bell went silent. At that, I gave him the whoa command and repeated it as I found him and moved in. Just as I was getting to him, the woodcock flushed to our right. In all, he probably held this point for 15 - 20 seconds - not a record breaker, but a good step for a young dog, and more importantly, he held for the whoa command.
Bella had the first run this morning, when it was cooler (low 50's) and she did some good things as well. Almost immediately, she pointed a woodcock that within a few seconds she broke on. The woodcock came flying out across the trail I was on, and obviously I needed to be more "on my game", even when we're only fifty yards or so from the truck.
A few moments later, she established another point that I was able to witness. I gave and repeated "whoa!" like a mantra for her. She held, and once again just as I made it to her, the woodcock flushed through heavy cover ahead of us. Had it have been hunting season, it would have offered a shot, and that's all I could ask for. She also hunted well and responded to my pleas on the training collar when her range got a little too far for my liking.
That's Rocky with a solid point on the only woodcock he encountered in his run this morning. After an abbreviated "whoa" session to remember all that we have worked on but not been able to put in practice on birds, we ventured forth and Rocky handled well for me, responding to the training collar when I beeped him back.
His highlight was the point from the picture above, and it all played out like you would want. He was already close to me and I heard his bell barely tinkling (no, I could not see him because the woods are still ridiculously thick right now), meaning he might be on some fresh scent, then the bell went silent. At that, I gave him the whoa command and repeated it as I found him and moved in. Just as I was getting to him, the woodcock flushed to our right. In all, he probably held this point for 15 - 20 seconds - not a record breaker, but a good step for a young dog, and more importantly, he held for the whoa command.
Bella had the first run this morning, when it was cooler (low 50's) and she did some good things as well. Almost immediately, she pointed a woodcock that within a few seconds she broke on. The woodcock came flying out across the trail I was on, and obviously I needed to be more "on my game", even when we're only fifty yards or so from the truck.
A few moments later, she established another point that I was able to witness. I gave and repeated "whoa!" like a mantra for her. She held, and once again just as I made it to her, the woodcock flushed through heavy cover ahead of us. Had it have been hunting season, it would have offered a shot, and that's all I could ask for. She also hunted well and responded to my pleas on the training collar when her range got a little too far for my liking.
Our work seems to be paying off, but every time I'm feeling good about our progress, and daydreaming about what we might have with the pups this fall, I am almost always brought back to earth. This happened this morning when Bella stopped maybe 15 yards ahead of me, on point for perhaps a second or two, then breaking ahead to hear the flush of a startled ruffed grouse heading away from us. At least she stopped on point, but grouse may prove to be a tough quarry for both Bella and Rocky this fall ...
She closed out her session by steamrolling one more woodcock before we got back to the truck - no daydreams for me for a while, but I think we're on the right track with these two. They'll run again tomorrow and we'll see what the weather in the week ahead looks like. More updates to come ...
She closed out her session by steamrolling one more woodcock before we got back to the truck - no daydreams for me for a while, but I think we're on the right track with these two. They'll run again tomorrow and we'll see what the weather in the week ahead looks like. More updates to come ...
Bella points a Vermont woodcock this morning. Her progress with the whoa command is getting better, but we still have work to do.
