Larsen waits his turn at a hunting practice session.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Afield
Is there anything in the world like a spaniel in the field?
Larsen waits his turn at a hunting practice session.
Larsen waits his turn at a hunting practice session.
Training (part 1)
The day began with some chalk talk. We reviewed the force fetch and weekend goals.Larsen and I attended Judge Joe DeMarkis' training session this weekend, along with about 15 or so other dogs, handlers, and assorted hangers-on. We learned quite a bit about where we were with our training regime, and, more importantly, what steps we can take to improve. There were high and low points for us, and I think that the others would probably say the same thing. Build on those highs and work on those lows and see what comes of it.
A grand weekend, and we'll report on it in stages.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
SEWE report
Aki and I went to the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition with friends John and FB. The exposition included a nice display of shotguns from Brescia, Italy gunmaker Ceasar Guerini, including the Apex and Ellipse EVO.
The artwork was varied, and included big game and small. We ran into spaniel friends John and Dianne from Apex, NC.
The day was beautiful, in the mid-70s. We brought Larsen and traipsed our way through displays of the knife makers, jewlers, gun sellers, sculptors, and painters.
Artist Jim Killen is justifiably proud of his beautiful acrylic painting of two English Spring Spaniels.
This carved bobwhite quail seems ready to take flight.
This welded steel English pointer may well have made game of that wooden quail.
The artwork was varied, and included big game and small. We ran into spaniel friends John and Dianne from Apex, NC.
The day was beautiful, in the mid-70s. We brought Larsen and traipsed our way through displays of the knife makers, jewlers, gun sellers, sculptors, and painters.
Artist Jim Killen is justifiably proud of his beautiful acrylic painting of two English Spring Spaniels. This carved bobwhite quail seems ready to take flight. This welded steel English pointer may well have made game of that wooden quail.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Westminster results
A little black cocker took group, which naturally started off a sputtering discussion on the Upland Journal about the decline of American civilization.
I'd probably put those American cockers into the toy group, myself, although I fully realize that there are a couple of people who have some very accomplished hunters. These are extraordinary exceptions to the rule.
Here's the WSS breed. Recognize anyone?
I'd probably put those American cockers into the toy group, myself, although I fully realize that there are a couple of people who have some very accomplished hunters. These are extraordinary exceptions to the rule.
Here's the WSS breed. Recognize anyone?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Larsen's JH
This Saturday, Larsen got the 4th and final leg and earned his Junior Hunting title.
The wind was blowing briskly from back to front, causing the dogs to hunt further up the field than you normally would want. Larsen did this and found the far bird first, creating a long and difficult shot for the gunners. It was a fly-away. He returned and made a nice flush and reasonable retrieve of the second bird. The judges tossed a (dead) bird for his second retrieve, which was a little long. I took two healthy steps to get the bird. Maybe a little too healthy. The judges conferred and agreed that they'd like to have seen a better finish to the retrieve, and so they tossed yet another bird. This time his retrieve was in the same Zip code, I was able to take it, and we advanced to the water.
On the water, Larsen went in and returned with the bird. He set it down to shake, then picked it up, scrambled up the bank, and handed it to me and we were done.
One of the judges was Meghan Bassel, which made the day more special.
Larsen and Frank are ready to go.
Off he goes.
This nice water retrieve puts it into the books.
Frank and Larsen relax after their run.
The wind was blowing briskly from back to front, causing the dogs to hunt further up the field than you normally would want. Larsen did this and found the far bird first, creating a long and difficult shot for the gunners. It was a fly-away. He returned and made a nice flush and reasonable retrieve of the second bird. The judges tossed a (dead) bird for his second retrieve, which was a little long. I took two healthy steps to get the bird. Maybe a little too healthy. The judges conferred and agreed that they'd like to have seen a better finish to the retrieve, and so they tossed yet another bird. This time his retrieve was in the same Zip code, I was able to take it, and we advanced to the water.
On the water, Larsen went in and returned with the bird. He set it down to shake, then picked it up, scrambled up the bank, and handed it to me and we were done.
One of the judges was Meghan Bassel, which made the day more special.
Larsen and Frank are ready to go. Off he goes.This nice water retrieve puts it into the books.
Frank and Larsen relax after their run.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Westminster
This weekend. Kim Parkman of Pocotaligo Kennels will be there with her little brown Boykin Spaniels, Peach and Sly. Rindi Gaudet will handle the two dogs in the first ever showing of Boykins at the Westminster.
The Welshies will be represented by several great dogs.
- CH Rock Springs Hawk Of The Battle ("Gavin")
- GCH CH Heatherstone's Jopa Blue ("Winston")
- GCH CH Holly House Empres Josephine
- GCH CH Rolyart's Full Of Grace JH ("Grace")
- GCH CH Statesman's Corinthian ("Starbuck")
Gavin (Kit Goodrich) was 2010's Best of Breed at the 2010 WSSCA National Specialty.
Winston (Shannon Gandee) was 2010's Best of Breed winner at Westminster.
Empres Josephine (Holly House) is a WDX.
Grace (Shelley Traylor & Cindy Ford) was a 2007 and 2008 Westminster entry and is a Junior Hunter.
Starbuck ( Meghen Basel and Susan Riese) was Winner's Dog at the 2009 WSSCA National Specialty.
Get the popcorn ready!
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Hunt Test weekend
Larsen and I have our next attempt for a Junior Hunting title this weekend. He had a nice practice this past Sunday, and I've been working him on some of Joe De Markis's exercises. It really comes down to having a nice time in the field and letting the little dog do what he can do.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Sometimes ok is good enough
Larsen squeaked through to his Rally Advanced title by posting a score of 72. The minimum passing score is 70, so the way he looked at it, he left two points on the table.
He was a normal happy spaniel walking into the ring, but as soon as our turn started, he dropped his nose and started to quarter. I'm so very sorry to interrupt your self-hunting escapade, little prince, but if it is not too terribly much of an inconvenience, would you mind hupping beside me?
We went around the course and I pulled out every trick I could to get him to pay attention to me with little success. But, we ultimately finished, got criticized by Elaine the ring steward for something (no day at Rally would be complete without it) and got our green qualifying ribbon.
Guess which one is our registration number.
I told you it was in the bag.
He was a normal happy spaniel walking into the ring, but as soon as our turn started, he dropped his nose and started to quarter. I'm so very sorry to interrupt your self-hunting escapade, little prince, but if it is not too terribly much of an inconvenience, would you mind hupping beside me?
We went around the course and I pulled out every trick I could to get him to pay attention to me with little success. But, we ultimately finished, got criticized by Elaine the ring steward for something (no day at Rally would be complete without it) and got our green qualifying ribbon.
Guess which one is our registration number.
I told you it was in the bag.
Friday, February 4, 2011
Weekend plan
Saturday, Larsen and I go for a Rally Advanced title. If I'm calm and clear, the little dog will follow my lead and we'll walk off with that one. On Sunday, a reward of sorts, with some hunting practice at JL Lester WMA. I've got six chukar with Larsen's name on them. It will be cold, wet, but mostly sunny and should be a rewarding day.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
GI problems
Maybe not the most appealing of topics, unless your dog is sick.
Larsen, like many dogs, has a total disconnect between his nose (and mouth) and his rear end. He can (and does) have diarrhea, but his appetite and energy is very good.
He's had this diarrhea and GI problem for a few days now, with Monday being a nadir. He had no energy and no interest in playing. He woke us several times Sunday night and asked to be let outside. He vomited twice on Monday morning and was listless the entire day.
Here's the course of action that I took, and that is generally how to approach a GI problem:
The three keys, though, are to stop feeding him until his tummy stabilizes, enforce rest through crating, and feed him a bland diet until the diarrhea stabilizes. Antibiotics, if the doctor thinks they are necessary.
We forwent the bordetella booster and will revisit it this Friday. If Larsen improves and I elect to take him to Jonesboro on Saturday and JL Lester on Sunday, I'll get the bordetella booster. If his GI doesn't improve, we'll move down the testing road for worms, bloodwork, and the like.
Larsen, like many dogs, has a total disconnect between his nose (and mouth) and his rear end. He can (and does) have diarrhea, but his appetite and energy is very good.
He's had this diarrhea and GI problem for a few days now, with Monday being a nadir. He had no energy and no interest in playing. He woke us several times Sunday night and asked to be let outside. He vomited twice on Monday morning and was listless the entire day.
Here's the course of action that I took, and that is generally how to approach a GI problem:
- Crate that dog. Meghen Basel once told me that it is not good enough just to let the dog sleep, but instead, to crate him and really force some quiet time on the dog. Enforced rest is very important.
- Stop feeding him until his tummy stabilizes. For Larsen, in this episode, I just skipped breakfast, and then put him on a bland diet.
- Put him on a bland diet. A bland diet consists of a poached chicken breast or boneless thigh, chopped, and mixed 50:50 with white rice. (Lately, and as he has progressed, I've amped this up by giving him a 50:50 mix of kibble and the chicken & rice mix). Dr. Todd Jones of Peachtree animal hospital said that the rice had the benefit of soaking things up as it went through the intestine. Stop any probiotics or anything like that if you put your dog on an antibiotic diet. A bland diet is a bland diet.
The three keys, though, are to stop feeding him until his tummy stabilizes, enforce rest through crating, and feed him a bland diet until the diarrhea stabilizes. Antibiotics, if the doctor thinks they are necessary.
We forwent the bordetella booster and will revisit it this Friday. If Larsen improves and I elect to take him to Jonesboro on Saturday and JL Lester on Sunday, I'll get the bordetella booster. If his GI doesn't improve, we'll move down the testing road for worms, bloodwork, and the like.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Rally and Hunting
Larsen is set for his try at a Rally Advanced title on Saturday. We've also signed up for Rally on Sunday. Instead, we will go to a hunt-test training day at JL Lester, hopefully with an RA ribbon in hand.
The little dog has not been feeling well. Some sort of GI upset. I've kept him quiet and crated this week. We will take a day-by-day review as to whether anything happens this weekend. Larsen is young and fundamentally healthy so he should be fine. All of this has cut into our Rally practice time, but with the little that he has done, he is performing nicely.
I've taken some time this week to look at the Rally Advanced stations to make sure we understand how they work. We will limit our exercises to those that we are not used to. It's more important for me to understand how the stations work and to get my own timing down, since he gears his actions off of me.
The little dog has not been feeling well. Some sort of GI upset. I've kept him quiet and crated this week. We will take a day-by-day review as to whether anything happens this weekend. Larsen is young and fundamentally healthy so he should be fine. All of this has cut into our Rally practice time, but with the little that he has done, he is performing nicely.
I've taken some time this week to look at the Rally Advanced stations to make sure we understand how they work. We will limit our exercises to those that we are not used to. It's more important for me to understand how the stations work and to get my own timing down, since he gears his actions off of me.
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