Tru story

The Tru Nord compass.




Now, this is a little funny.  I was walking in mid-town Manhattan, right in front of Grand Central Station, and a guy stopped me and asked "which way is west?"  I put down my packages, and reached into my pocket for my Tru Nord compass.  "Well, let's just see!"  I pointed west to him and he sort of disagreed (with a compass!).  "New York is on an angle," he said, and walked off.  I wondered what he was talking about, and only later figured that what he was really asking me was where do the "west" streets start (we were on E. 42nd at the time and (evidently) the dividing line between E. 42 and W. 42 is 5th Ave).

I wonder if he went home that evening and said, honey, you won't believe what happened to me downtown.  Only in New York!

Big Apple

There are no real dogs in Manhattan, I've decided.  Once in a while, you'll think you see a r&w, but (of course) it's just a Cavalier.  On occasion, you might see a lab.  Typically, though, you see small dogs that (poor things) spend their lives in high-rises.

An exception is Joe Augustin's "Feathered Tales".  It's about a country boy (upstate New York) made good on Wall Street, and living (it seems) pretty close to Central Park.  He picks up a couple of bird dogs and decides to get out of town.  He makes his way around the country in search of the "grand slam" (i.e., hunting all of the North American game birds: 20 species-American woodcock, greater prairie chicken, sharptailed grouse, Northern bobwhite quail, blue grouse, chukar partridge, greater sage grouse, gray "Hungarian" partridge, spruce grouse and ruffed grouse.)

It's a cute book, not all that well written, which is part of its charm.  It is a book-length love letter from a bird dog man to his bird dogs.

Training Spaniels

A how-to book that is based on a consistent, firm, caring approach.



Joe DeMarkis, the trainer and breeder with whom Larsen and I spent a weekend in March freely admits to using the training approach offered by Joe Irving.

Interpreting Irving's book through the DeMarkis seminar implies that the approach is soft, but definitely not touch-feely.  In DeMarkis' seminar, and described in Irving's book, there is some ear twisting and firm correction here and there when the dog blatantly disobeys, but there was also a huge premium put on building trust.  Or, as Irving would put it, a premium on genuine training rather than breaking.  Irving explains the difference thusly:

Some trainers are reluctant to admit [to their failures], but if we are honest, we must.  In the training of gun-dogs, more so perhaps than in most pursuits, an invaluable asset to the trainer is the ability to look inwardly, to understand himself and his own shortcomings, to recognize when the mistakes are his, and to learn and profit from them.

It is this gift of insight, coupled with the ability to understand a dog, that differentiates the trainer from the breaker.

Honest self-assessment, the ability to look at your own failures and shortcomings and learn from them and the ability to adapt your training approach to the particular dog separate the trainer from the breaker.  We will spend some time describing some of the finer points of this book.

Zap

It's impossible to get a rational discussion about the e-collar, I decided.  Some trainers, frankly, are too harsh in their use of these devices.  Others, and this includes esteemed dog trainers with popular books, take a self-righteously pious attitude that leads you to conclude that a bona fide trainer would never resort to the e-collar.  Neither will engage in a solid discussion about the pros and cons.

I get a ton of email ads and usually delete them.  This one from Dogs Unlimited caught my attention and got me thinking about the e-collar once again.  As luck would have it, I have the very brand that DU is advertising.  I don't mean to advertise it here, but only wonder if I can trust the ad copy that I'm reading.

Have you ever seen someone "training" a dog to come, then zapping it with an e-collar when it refused? I have, and let me tell you, I wanted to come unglued! A dog will never obey a command that's followed by a jolt of pain.

Have you even seen a dog that blinks birds? More than likely, someone has used a hot e-collar while the dog was in close contact with birds, such as in the breaking process.

E-collars are not meant to inflict painThey are a tap or a tickle -- at most, a discomfort -- to correct unwanted behavior. Here's how Alan Davison of DOGS Unlimited puts it: "A pro handler grabbed me by the ear, twisted it, as hard as he could then shouted at me, "What's your social security number?"

"There was absolutely NO WAY I could remember it, let alone repeat it." This is what you do to your Good Dog when you inflict pain to try to achieve a positive result.

The best use of an e-collar is to break your dog's attention on an unwanted activity, like running off in the wrong direction. Starting at the lowest setting, send a momentary  stimulation. No response? Turn it up one level and try again. Keep increasing the intensity until your dog responds by slowing down, perhaps looking at you. Now give your command to turn, come back, go left, go right, whatever it is. All you need to do is get him out of "the zone" and reminded him of what the two of you are there for: to hunt as a team.

Another training web site said that what you are looking for is a slight jerk of the head, as though a fly had buzzed by.  Maybe a quick lick of the lips.  I've held the e-collar in my hand and lit it up on #2, which is the strength that I would use on Larsen.  I didn't care for it, but I didn't yelp or anything.

I still refrain from using it, but I'd like some real guidance.

Friday coffee run

One of my last days with my sweet convertible.  Larsen and I head to Starbucks on a clear spring morning.  Larsen  rides with a self-satisfied Joe Cool look that says, I know I'm look'n good, here in my convertible with my homey.

Let's roll.

C'mon.  Let's go.

I can smell the coffee from here.

Or maybe it's those dumb squirrels at Blackburn Park. . .

Don't forget the springles on mine.

English style

The UK and continental Europe oftentimes feature "driven hunts."  Beaters (traditionally handlers with their dogs) drive the game toward the shooters at the ends of the field.  The driven hunt is typically thought of as an elegant affair for the aristocracy using collectible-quality firearms. 

In contrast, rough shooting typically features a man in his tweeds and wellies and his faithful dog.  Mike Swan's book (first published in 2000) is a how-to that has chapters on guns, clothing, the dog, and how to comport yourself around the woods.         

"In most people's minds the first choice [of the rough shooter] is a spaniel, of which the English springer is the most popular. The best spaniels are eternal optimists in even the most barren country, hunting the roughest cover all day long, remaining close so that game is flushed in shot and retrieving the spoils to hand beautifully."

The car

I just sold my Saab convertible to my niece.  I bought the car in Oct 1994 and it is still really nice.  It's a 5-speed with only 85k.  Now I'm reduced to driving a muddy station wagon with 91k.  As best I can figure, what happened is I fell in with this dumb little bird dog.

The car:

The culprit:

This is what a happy puppy looks like

Larsen collapses in a heap Sunday afternoon after a run and a bath.




Everyone got up at the crack of dawn, piled into the car, along with MaryAnne and Chance, and headed to the lake.  Larsen and Chance chased every critter on wing and foot, swam in circles, and found the bottom of a mud hole.  We saw (possibly) a fox or coyote den dug into the mud side of one of the steep grades around the Allatoona lake, and saw the scraggly creatures slinking from hole to hole.  We were too far away to see exactly what they were, but the animals seemed somewhat catlike and sinister, which strikes me as being fox or coyote.  They were not possum or raccoons.

We continued on our way and met up with a tour-bus full of people observing the Civil War battleground and eyeing our filthy dogs.  We found our way home, scrubbed Larsen, dried him, and brushed his coat as though he were going into the ring.  He smells great, and he is a tired, happy dog.

A nice Sunday morning run.

Atlanta Dogwood Festival

We were too tired from our busy week to attend the ADF in Piedmont Park in downtown Atlanta, so we scoped out some dogwood trees of our own.  Here are a few intrepid little trees that try their best to soften some of the pretty rough edges around Chamblee. 

Stay cool

Speaking of Boykins

Kim Parkman and Riley walk off with a successful Hunt Test run.




Kim Parkman's Pocotaligo Kennel specializes in training Boykin spaniels, but she has in the past also trained some WSS's including Brian Schmidt's Master Hunter Angus,  Susan W.'s Senior Hunters Lars and Mazie (Mazie is a step away from her Mater Hunter), and Lars & Mazie's progeny, Larsen. 

What is a Boykin spaniel anyway?  The latest issue GunDog Magazine's cover article describes these little brown dogs as an American Original.  The story goes that the original Boykin was a stray found around Spartanburg, South Carolina in the early 1900s who was found to have some very good hunting capabilities.  The dog later was trained by a Mr. Whit Boykin.

 

Devon's Amanda's (MH) beautiful and intense eyes.


The dogs are a little bigger than cockers, with docked tails.  They are muscular little dogs with a dark brown coat that is usually curly but is sometimes flat.  With their dark brown coats and wiggling personalities, they are very striking in person but can sometimes disappear in a photograph.  Boykins have intense eyes that are surprisingly blue as puppies, and then golden brown as adults. 

Only very recently have Boykin spaniels received an AKC designation, but that is just a function of that famous South Carolinian independent streak meeting up with the hauteur of the AKC.  All independent opinion acknowledges that these are fine little animals that are genuine spaniel through and through.

Boykins afield

Not long ago, friend MaryAnne stopped by Kim Parkman's Pocotaligo Kennel to pick up her dog, Chance.

MaryAnne spent some time with Kim and Kim's new litter of Boykin Spaniels.  Find a moment and treat yourself to MaryAnne's great slideshow at Artful Spaniel.

A passel of little Boykins.

Springtime in central South Carolina.

The cat is not ruffled by a flushing spaniel.

This is called a "chukar".

Puppy is very, very interested.

A somewhat older Boykin teaches the puppies how to retrieve from the water.

It's easy to see why Boykins are so widely admired by upland hunters.




Thanks for the tour, MaryAnne and Kim.

Lissen's visit

Nothing beats having a silly puppy around.

Frank & Lissen share a joke.

Hanging out on the couch.

The dogs seem to be coniving.

And they wind up with the couch.

Hunting is watching the dog work

"Hunting ain't a competition. You ain't trying to win any prizes. Hunting is watching the dog work, and taking it easy, and shooting just enough, and walking slow, and enjoying the day."
 
Robert Ruark, The Old Man and The Boy

Alatoona

Larsen and Chance survey the trail.

It doesn't take long to find water.

Chance heads toward the deep end.

Chance is a fine swimming dog.

Everybody returns to shore.

Larsen and Chance visit the lake

Chance takes to the lake in the early morning hours.






Chance, MaryAnne, Larsen and I went to Lake Alatoona for a morning run while Aki puppy-sat with Lissen.

Larsen (L) and Lissen wind down after a big day.




We've had little Lissen Riese visit.  Larsen has treated her as sweetly as a little sister.  She, unfortunately, has responded in kind.

All for the best, the two dogs have been good playmates.

Another day

Another day and another bird.

This one flew in through the open porch door.  Visiting Lissen though it was grand fun as she chased Larsen, the bird, Aki, and anything else that moved around the house.  Larsen somehow trapped the bird, but did not bring it to hand.

Bird dog + bird

A tweetie bird (non-game bird, that is) flew into the house through an open window.  Game on.  (click on photos to enlarge.)

We finally corralled the misguided little birdie in the bathroom.  I grabbed him and tossed him out the open bedroom window, and he flew like a bat, not a bird, away.  Fast.  Larsen retraced the steps.  Through the bedrooms.  Into and out of the closet.  Down the hall.  Too amped to settle down and realize the bird had flown.  He's finally re-settling back to his bone, and chewing it hard.

Spaniel inspiration for desk jockeys

While you are working at your desk, someone else is out teaching his spaniel to quarter and retrieve.



Boykin retrieving a quail.
Courtesy: GunDog Magazine



"Different breeds of spaniels have different methods of quartering and flushing game. Generally, Boykin spaniels, cocker and springer spaniels are very bold flushers who will sometimes catch the bird in midair. American water spaniels, Clumber and Sussex spaniels are more methodical and often have a softer flush. Some spaniels actually stalk and circle the birds rather than charge in. Whichever spaniel you choose to own, they are all a joy to hunt with when taught to work close to the gun."

Pam O. Kadlec, Hunting Quail The Spaniel Way, GunDog Magazine, May, 2008.

Overtones of summer

Suddenly it is 85 degrees outside.  The Rule of 140 is of more than academic interest.  Larsen and I played a little yesterday evening, and he soon found himself nosing around for some ice water and lying on the cool hearth in the family room.  Spring, with tones of idle summer.

Summer in the South
 The Oriole sings in the greening grove
As if he were half-way waiting,
The rosebuds peep from hoods of green,
Timid, and hesitating.
The rain comes down in a torrent sweep
And the nights smell warm and pinety,
The garden thrives, but the tender shoots
Are yellow-green and tiny.
Then a flash of sun on a waiting hill,
Streams laugh that erst were quiet,
The sky smiles down with a dazzling blue
And the woods run made with riot.


Paul Laurence Dunbar
(Dunbar was born in Dayton Ohio, and a high school, Dayton Dunbar, named after the poet always fields a great basketball team.)

WSS Nationals (Update 2)

Update 2:04pm.  Adrienne Bancker (Briarbanc WSS) from the Dogwood WSS Club of Greater Atlanta is the 2010 winner of the AKC Sportsmanship medallion .  This winner is chosen from nominations made by regional WSS club members and then voted upon by the WSSCA Board of Directors.   

Congratulations, Adrienne.  

Conformation results (copied from WSSCA.org):

Friday

• WSSCA Puppy and Veteran Sweepstakes - Judge: Dianne Kroll
  
  
  
  • Bst in Sweeps - Rolyarts for the Greater Good
  • Best of Opposite in Sweeps - Stateman's Ambassador
  • Best Veteran in Sweeps - Ch. Fanfare SwingN On the Fairway, RN, TD, NAJ
  • Best of Opposite Sex in Veteran Sweeps - Ch. Rock Springs Autumn Delight
    
    
• WSSCA Independent National Specialty - Judge: Barbara Dempsey Alderman
  
  
  
  • BOB - CH Rock Spgs Hawk of the Battle - from 7 to 9 Veteran Class
  • BOS - CH Royailes Holywood Legend
  • BOW - Royailes Hometown Superhero
  • WB - Rocksprings Arianrhad
  • RWD - NW Meadows Sir Wally of Redondo
  • RWB - Rolyart's For the Greater Good
  • AOM - Ch. Royaile's in the First Flush
  • AOM - Ch. Statesman's Winners Circle
  • AOM - Ch. Royaile's Man for All Seasons
  • AOM - Ch. Royaile's Rocksprings Dafydd
  • AOM - Ch. Ferndel Always in Fashion
  • Best Puppy - Statesman's Amicus
  • Best Bred-By Exhibitor - Saga's Codex
  • Stud Dog - NW Meadow's Harvest Moon
  • Brood Bitch - CH Rolyart's Full of Grace

Saturday, April 3, 2010

WSSCA Supported Entry - Judge: Kimberly Meredith-Cavanaugh

• BOB; Sporting Group III - CH Rock Spgs Hawk of the Battle
• BOS - CH Rolyarts Full of Grace, JH
• BOW/WD - Don's Crackerjack at Rolyarts
• WB - Rolyarts For the Greater Good
• RWD - Holly House's Making Waves
• RWB - Rock Springs Arianrhad

Sunday, April 4, 2010

WSSCA Supported Entry - Judge: Linda More

• BOB & Sporting Group I - CH Roylarts full of Grace
• BOS - CH Rock Spgs Hawk of the Battle
• BOW/WB - Statesman's Eclipse
• WD - Statesman's Amicus
• RWD - Oceanfare Aurora's Remembrancer
• RWB - Rolyart's For the Greater Good

Source: WSSCA

I'll cross-post to some of Susan's photos when they come in.  Let's get a look at Hawk!

Easter in the south

Easter Sunday, Kiawah Island, SC 2010.







Charleston is in the first real flush of spring.  Billows of pollen cover the cars.  The forsythia are long gone.  You can smell jasmine here and there, although I have not seen any.  Once in a while, you even get a whiff of that heavy summertime air.  Atlanta is probably a little cooler than Charleston, but Charleston's warm spring weather is heading its way.

Now is the time to think about your dog and hot weather.  This is when the "Rule of 140" comes into play.  The Rule of 140 means that you should not exercise your dog if the sum of the temperature in Fahrenheit and the percent humidity tally to 140 or above.

A 70 degree dawn with 70% humidity is common in Atlanta on the 4th of July.  This means no hard exercise nearly the whole day.  Try a  sunrise hike at Lake Alatoona, with plenty of time for splashing, to keep everyone happy and healthy.

Other thoughts on prevention:

1. Carry a bottle of water.  Not for you!  You're not going to shrivel up.  Your dog can drink from a bottle, right?
2. Let puppy get acclimated.  This is important when the hot weather comes as though someone threw a switch, as can happen in the south.
3. Be aware of water temperature.  Lake Alatoona can get into the 70s, which does not provide much cooling.
4. Take a break on your hike.  Guess what?  Sitting around and watching the scenery with your dog is fun. 

Saturday morning

Larsen enjoys his morning walk. (click photo to enlarge)







Aki and Larsen played with the fetch dummy in the rolling ocean last night, resulting in a calm, sweet dog for Saturday morning's sunrise coffee run.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday.  There are important things to ponder, and duties as well.  But do take a minute to hug your sweet dog around his neck.

Road trip

Chance and Larsen prepare for a road trip.

An unexpected joy of getting our first Welsh Springer Spaniel has been meeting any number of enthusiasts for showing, hunting, rally, obedience, and just palling around with these engaging dogs.

Recently, Statesman's Tiz Now Tiz Then ("Chance") stopped by for an overnight visit.  I had to give Larsen a lesson or two on hospitality.  After some huffing and puffing, the dogs settled down nicely for the night. Larsen slept right along side of little Chance, pressed up against the mesh of Chance's wire crate. What makes these dogs tick?

On Wednesday, we headed for the beach with the dogs. We took a brief detour to drop Chance off at Kim Parkman's Pocotaligo Kennels, as Kim extended a helping hand to Chance's owner MaryAnne while MaryAnne attended to some family matters.

Pocotaligo Kennels does a great job with training and maintaining the dogs, but it is melancholy, for the human, to leave behind a happy little spaniel.

Aki and Chance stretch at a roadside stop.

The boys tussle over water rights.

 


Kim Parkman's Pocotaligo Kennels provides a noisy welcome for all of us.

Kamp Kimmy.








Chance gets to know his neighbors.








It's tough to leave behind a happy little spaniel.