Traveling Pointing Dogs

We had a cool morning Wednesday, the second of June, so I worked all 5 dogs.  Thursday morning I needed to take Boss to the vet to get all of his shots for his trip to North Dakota so I took  Abby along too. My vet doesn’t sonogram but he felt of her and determined that she was indeed pregnant. She should have a litter near the end of this month.

Boss

Abby pointing a pigeon.

Boss pointing a pigeon.

I’m sending Boss to North Dakota near the last of this month for two months. Before I give the mans name that is taking him I will talk to him about my blog. But he wanted Boss to have all of his shots, including Lyme disease, before he leaves so I took him to my vet, when I took Abby. The vet doesn’t allow anyone in the office, because of Covid. A lady vet tech comes for the dog and you tell her what they need. She leads the dog into the building, they work on it and bring him back. When the vet tech lady brought Boss back she said, “that is the nicest, one year old dog, we’ve ever had in here”. Makes all of the time teaching manners, worthwhile.

I let Luke out to run wearing the GPS collar. I don’t ever do much with him except pet him a little. He’s starting to really enjoy the petting. I can’t take a chance on turning him loose without the GPS collar but, here at home, he’s always stayed close and comes when called. After petting him while I sat on the rock wall, around the water faucet, I put him in his kennel run.

Mann was next to be brought out wearing an e-collar, a GPS collar and dragging a check cord. I whoaed him several times as we went toward the back. I walked to the very back of my side of the training grounds as Mann ran. When we got close to the retrieving bench, on the way back, Mann jumped onto the bench. I walked up one side then down the other petting him occasionally.

I placed 4 retrieving dummies on the far end of the bench, after telling him to whoa. When I sent him to retrieve he came back and held the dummy until I said, “give”. After he retrieved each one I set him on the ground and said, “whoa”. I placed the 4 retrieving dummies on the ground out farther than the bench is long. I sent him to retrieve each one. I insist that he hold until I say give. He retrieved each one. I tapped his head to release him.

Then we went to our favorite thing. I sit at the rock wall around the water faucet and pet him. I think, Mann would stand there all day. He rests his head on my leg and doesn’t move. After a few minutes I put him in his kennel.

Boss was next to be led out. He was wearing a GPS collar, an e-collar and dragging a check cord. I whoaed him several times before releasing him to run. On this day he jumped onto the retrieving bench on the way to the back. I petted him as we went up one side of the bench then down the other. I placed the retrieving dummy in his mouth 6 times on the bench. I set him on the ground and had him hold the retrieving dummy twice. I tapped his head to release him.

Boss pointing a pigeon.

We went on to the back then back toward the kennels. When we got to the rock wall I petted him for a few minutes then put him in his kennel.

Then it was Abby’s turn. I put the GPS and e-collar on her, hooked the check cord to her regular collar and led her out. I whoaed her several times in the first hundred yards then released her to run. Abby has one spot that she expects me to whoa her. When she gets there, well ahead of me, she waits for me to tell her, “okay”. I must have whoaed her in the same spot several times.

When we get near the retrieving bench I help her jump up. Mann and Boss always jump on with no help but Abby and Sally usually want my help. I walked both sides of the bench petting her. I placed a retrieving dummy in her mouth and had her hold for a few seconds before saying, “give”. I had her move her head off the dummy. After she held the dummy 6 times I set her on the ground and said, “whoa”. After I had her hold the retrieving dummy two times I released her to run.

Abby on point.

After petting Abby at the rock wall for a few minutes I put her in her kennel and led Sally out. I whoaed her several times before releasing her to run. We went to the back then back to the retrieving bench. I helped her on then petted her as I walked down both sides. I put the 4 retrieving dummies on the other end and sent her for the retrieve. She retrieved each one and held until I said, “give”. I set her on the ground on whoa.

I placed 4 retrieving dummies farther out than the bench is long. I sent Sally to retrieve each one then released her to run. We went to the rock wall where I petted her for a few minutes. Some days she really likes the petting but on this day she would just as soon eat grass. I put her in the kennel.

I hid 2 pigeons, in release traps, on my side of the training grounds. I use the pigeons that, I think, will fly the best for Abby. She holds really well until the bird flushes but if it has any problem, hits a limb or doesn’t fly fast enough, she is fast enough to catch the bird.

The first two birds were big pigeons so I put an e-collar and GPS on Abby and heeled her out with the piggin’ string. I whoaed her near the 4-wheeler, took the piggin’ string off, got on the 4-wheeler and started it. I watched her for a few seconds then said, “okay”. She crossed the little creek way ahead of me. I had to slow down to cross. There was hardly any wind and she was on the wrong edge to smell the first pigeon. We went on to the back. She hit the scent cone and slammed on the brakes.

Abby.

I took some pictures then went to her. I stroked her sides and told her what a good girl she is. I walked in front kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and it flew back toward the pigeon coop with Abby right behind. She came back and went back to hunting.

As we went back toward the front she hit the scent cone of the pigeon. I took some pictures then stroked her sides telling her what a good girl she is. I went in front of her, took another picture then flushed the pigeon. This pigeon had some problems getting in flight but had the problem too high for her to catch it. She followed it back toward the pigeon coop. I put her in the kennel.

After I reloaded the release traps I heeled Boss out wearing an e-collar and GPS collar. I whoaed him near the 4-wheeler. I got on the 4-wheeler, started it and watched him for a few seconds. When I said, ‘okay” he was off. When I made it across the creek he was on point on the first pigeon. There wasn’t much wind and he was a good 25 yards from the pigeon. I took some pictures but didn’t think he was getting much scent. I tapped his head and he moved up about 10 yards and pointed again.

I went to him and stroked his sides before walking in front of him kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon. This pigeon just flew into a tree right above the release trap. Boss wanted to stay under the tree but as I rode away he moved ahead of me. We went on to the back.

Boss on a pigeon.

Boss went around the edge and wanted to go back to the first bird but I called him back. He was closer to this pigeon when he hit the scent cone and slammed into a point. I took pictures then stroked his sides telling him what a good dog he is. I walked in front kicking the cover. When I flushed the pigeon Boss watched it fly off for a couple of seconds then chased. I picked up the release traps and went back to the kennel. I put him in his run.

I was going to force break both of these young dogs but decided to send Boss to North Dakota for a couple of months. If the bird crop is good he should get to find lots of wild birds. And Abby should have a litter of puppies near the end of June. When I force break dogs to retrieve I’m really slow. I only have to please me and it may take 3 months or more. I probably use less pressure and more repetitions than the pros do. But I don’t have a time line and it doesn’t cost more for me to go slow. I have to feed these dogs anyway.

I did the training over the last week. It’s raining today as it has many times this month but, hopefully, this is making cover and bugs for the quail. Kansas, Oklahoma and New Mexico are getting rain so it certainly can’t hurt anything.

Abby pointing a pigeon.

Boss pointing a pigeon.

Abby pointing a pigeon.

A friend, Vince Dye, was needing someone to take care of his German short haired pointer female, Ally, for a few days while he was out of town. I have an empty kennel run so I kept her. Vince really doesn’t need for her to lead. He just goes a few feet from the kennel to the truck when he goes hunting. I have to walk the dogs a little farther so I needed her to lead.

Ally, also, gets out of my big pen if I turn her loose while I clean pens. I tied her once with Vince’s leash and she ate that. I have some short drops made out of cable that I lead her out with and hook her to the fence, while I clean kennels. When I would lead her out she would jerk me around so I decided to teach her to heel.

When I told Vince I was going to teach her to heel, he said it would be alright if I got her steady to wing and shot before he got back. He brought her over on Wednesday and was going to pick her up on Sunday.

Because of the weather I was only able to work Ally two mornings but she is pretty smart. She figured it out pretty fast. I put the piggin’ string on her and when we got out of the kennel I just went in the opposite direction she did for a few minutes. Some dogs buck like a bronco but she didn’t.

After a couple of minutes of her trying to lead me she started watching me to see which direction I was going to go next. We started around the yard. I walked for a few yards then stopped. With young pups I don’t even give it a name for quite a while but I could tell she had been worked some. About half way around the yard, about a quarter mile, I started saying, “heel and whoa”. She still tried to get ahead and lead me. Sometimes I turned to the rear and sometimes I tightened the piggin’ string.

I was only able to work her two mornings, Friday and Saturday, but she really was doing well. When I put the drop cable on her of the evening, to tie her to the fence while I cleaned pens, she heeled. She wasn’t perfect but she didn’t hurt my shoulders pulling, either. Vince is going to need someone to watch her again in a few days so I may get her back. If so, I will work her some more. She’s a smart little dog. I enjoyed working with her.

After working Ally I put the GPS collar on Luke and let him run for a few minutes. I wish he would stay with me in the field as well as he does at home. He has always run big but he stayed in front of me. With the way he runs and other things I think he’s had a stroke. If he would stay with me he wouldn’t be retired. He seems to be in good health, for his age. He still may be the fastest of my dogs. He’s only retired because he goes wherever he wants when I turn him loose to hunt.

Boss pointing a pigeon.

The last time he pointed birds I was about a quarter of a mile from the truck and Luke was 800 yards farther, on point. I went to him and when I got close he moved up about 30 yards and went back on point. He was pointing a covey of scaled quail that got up 20 yards ahead of him. There were cows in the direction the quail flew and I had one long shot off to the side that I missed. All of the covey went toward the cattle so I went back near the truck and Luke came with me. But most of the places I hunt aren’t big enough for a dog to just go where he wants.

After I put Luke back in his kennel I brought Mann out wearing the GPS collar, e-collar and dragging a check cord. We worked on heel and whoa several times on the way to the back. After he ran for a little while he jumped onto the retrieving bench. I petted him as we walked up and down the bench. I put him on whoa and placed 3 retrieving dummies on the other end of the bench. He retrieved each one, held until I said give then waited for me to send him after the next one.

I set him on the ground said, “whoa” and placed all 3 dummies out past the end of the retrieving bench. He retrieved each one, held until I said, “give” then waited for me to send him for the next. After the third one I let him run.

Petting Abby.

Mann likes the petting at the rock wall around the water faucet more than the others. He would stand with his head on my leg and let me pet him for a long time. He never gets through first. I put him in his kennel.

Boss was next. I brought him out with the GPS, e-collar and dragging a check cord. It has taken him longer to get used to the check cord than most. But now after I heel and whoa him several times and tap him on the head, he goes. After he ran for a while he jumped onto the retrieving bench. I started to make him hold better on the bench but since he’s going to be leaving in about 3 weeks to go to North Dakota I will wait until he comes back.

I petted him as we walked up and down the bench. Then I had him hold, with my hand under his chin, then give. I just hold the end of the retrieving dummy and he has to move his head off. I forgot to have him hold after I set him on the ground. I did have him whoa then I tapped his head to release him. We went to the water faucet where I petted him. I put him in the kennel.

I’m sitting on the rock wall petting Boss.

I heeled Abby out, with the GPS and e-collars, dragging the check cord. After heeling and whoaing her several times I let her run. All of the dogs are a little different. When she knows there is no birds planted on the grounds she will get just the west side of my brush pile and stop. I must have whoaed her there a couple of times and she thinks she must every time. But never when there are birds out.

Usually I have to help Abby onto the retrieving bench but on this day she jumped on as I was reaching for her. I knew she could do it, she wasn’t sure until today. I walked her back and forth petting her. I had her hold and give 6 times on the bench. I’m not going to force break her right now either. I think she will retrieve naturally, but I would still force break her, but she’s going to be having a litter of puppies near the end of June. I wouldn’t be able to get it done before then.

I set her on the ground, had her hold and give then tapped her on the head to release her. We went to the rock wall around the water faucet. After petting her for a while I put her in the kennel.

There’s a pigeon in a release trap in there.

Sally was waiting just not very patiently. I put the stuff on her and led her out. I let her run then helped her onto the retrieving bench. I petted her as we walked up and down the bench. I put her on whoa then placed 3 bumpers on the other end. She retrieved each one, held until I said, “give” and waited to be sent for the next. After the third one I set her on the ground and said, “whoa”.

I have been putting the retrieving bumpers on the ground but I had already tapped her on the head to release her before I remembered. Oh well, we went to the rock wall. After petting her for a while I put her in the kennel.

We have had so much rain it’s wet everywhere. I put two pigeons out on my side of the training grounds. It’s been so wet I haven’t used the neighbor’s side all year, I don’t think.

Boss pointing a pigeon.

The only way I can come close to keeping up, with Boss and Abby is on the 4-wheeler, when there are birds out. I heeled Boss out with the piggin’ string. He was wearing an e-collar and GPS collar. I whoaed him near the 4-wheeler, took the piggin’ string off, got on the 4-wheeler, started it and said, “okay”. I had to slow down for the creek but I was already well behind.

When I put the birds out I had rode the 4-wheeler to the west then made a ninety degree turn to the north and hid a bird on the north fence line. It isn’t uncommon to put a bird there but it’s not done often. Usually the pups run down the edges but the north fence line is not the usual way. Boss crossed the little creek, hit the north fence line, went straight to the pigeon and pointed.

It was almost like he hid the bird or at least knew exactly where to go. I rode to him, got off after taking some pictures, stroked his sides then walked in front of him. I kicked the cover then flushed the pigeon. He didn’t chase right away. I said, “get that bird, get that bird” and he chased a short distance.

Abby.

We went on toward the back and he missed the bird at the back. The way the hill behind the bird is may have blocked the wind. As I tried to get him to scent the bird he went into some heavy cover. He was pooping when he got the scent of the bird. He didn’t change his posture he just quit pooping. I watched him for a while before deciding he was pointing. I kicked in front of him and flushed the pigeon. This bird came out low and he chased for a short distance. As I rode back toward the kennel he checked everything out. I petted him then put him in his kennel.

I had Abby whoa until released. By the time I crossed the little creek she was on point on the north fence line. Both dogs had gone straight to this bird. I took pictures then stroked her sides, kicked in front of her and flushed the pigeon. The pigeon flew toward the back with her right behind.

When I got to the back Abby was standing right over the bird. I don’t know whether she pointed then moved up or didn’t smell it until she was on top. This was the bird that Boss had trouble smelling. I moved her back, stroked her sides then walked in front of her. I flushed the pigeon and she chased it back toward the pigeon coop. I petted her and put her in the kennel.

Abby on point on wild quail.

Both dogs had gone straight to the first bird and then had trouble with the second. This is the same way wild birds can be. Sometimes they are in areas that it’s difficult for the dogs to smell them. Sometimes we curse our dogs when it isn’t their fault. I’ve seen the dogs, numerous times, go to the birds like they hid them and other times almost step on them before they could smell them. I’ve never been bit by a dog after missing birds but I’ll bet they’ve cursed me more than a few times.

We have had rain for 9 days in a row. The most days in a row we have ever had rain was 10 and that has happened a couple of times. It is extremely hard to get anything done, much less work dogs, but I was able to get them out today. I was able to get them out a couple of times last week, between the rains.

Abby pointing a pigeon.

Boss pointing a pigeon in a tree.

Abby on point.

The weather is getting warmer and I tried to get out a little earlier. I wasn’t real early and it didn’t really cool down over night.

I put a bark collar on Luke along with a GPS collar and had him drag a check cord. Luke is retired so I’m not going to use a training collar on him. I put the bark collar on him and leave it on after I let him run, so he doesn’t bark at the pigeons, when I work the young dogs. He doesn’t run off here at home but just as sure as I didn’t use the GPS, he would take off.

I let him run to the back and then he went to the neighbor’s side. I waited for him at the retrieving bench but he went back near the kennels. I sat on the rock wall around the water faucet and petted him for a while. When I first started petting him, at the water faucet, he would walk away in just a few minutes. Now he will stay for a long time and he will wag his tail the whole time. I put him in his kennel but left the bark collar on him.

I didn’t anticipate having to use an e-collar on Mann but I put one on him along with the GPS collar. I heeled him out dragging the check cord. When we got a little way away from the kennel I whoaed him then tapped his head to let him run. We went all the way to the back then back to the retrieving bench. He jumped on to the bench without any help.

I petted him as we walked to the end of the bench then down the other side. I whoaed him and placed 3 retrieving dummies on the other end of the bench. I sent him to retrieve with a fetch command. I had him hold until I said, “give”. He retrieved all 3 and then I set him on the ground. As he touched the ground I said, “whoa”.

I placed the 3 dummies out a little farther than the bench was long. I went back and stood beside him. I said, “fetch” and waved in the direction of the dummies. He started then decided he needed to eat some grass. I had the e-collar on 2 momentary and held the medium button down. It was like he said, “oh, yeah. I remember”. He went straight to the dummies and grabbed one and came straight to me. He retrieved the next two with no problem. I let him run.

Boss pointing a pigeon.

All of the dogs like the petting at the water faucet but I believe Mann likes it better than any of them. He would stay all day, I think. And because I like it too we stay longer than with any other dog. I put him in his kennel.

Boss should have been next but wouldn’t quit whining when I worked Luke so I had put a bark collar on him and worked Abby instead. I put an e-collar and GPS collar on her and heeled her out dragging a check cord. We worked on whoa a few times then I let her run. I walked all the way to the back as she roamed on both sides of the training grounds. When we got close to the retrieving bench I helped her on.

Abby pointing a pigeon.

I walked down both sides of the bench petting her every few feet. I took a retrieving dummy and placed it behind her canine teeth. (On a dog, aren’t all of their teeth canine teeth?) I said, “hold” over and over. After a few seconds I said, “give” and she moved her head off the dummy. We did this 6 times on the bench. Then I set her on the ground and had her hold and give with the dummy, two times. I tapped her head to let her run. After a session of petting at the water faucet I put her in her kennel.

I put the e-collar and GPS collar on Sally and heeled her out dragging a check cord. Sally got to lagging behind because she thought I would say, “whoa” at any time. So I did. I whoaed her several times before I let her run. I walked all the way to the back as she investigated everything. When we got near the retrieving bench I helped her onto it.

Boss pointing a chukar.

After I petted her several times on the bench I whoaed her and placed 3 dummies on the other end of the bench. When I sent her to fetch she held until I said, “give”. I set her on the ground and said, “whoa”. I put the 3 retrieving dummies a little farther than the bench was long. I sent her to retrieve. She retrieved all 3 as she should have. I let her run.

I petted her at the rock wall, around the water faucet, for a while then took her back to her kennel.

Boss hadn’t been making any noise with the bark collar on so I changed the bark collar into an e-collar and put the GPS collar on him. I heeled him out dragging the check cord. I whoaed him several times before letting him run. I walked to the back as he worked both sides of the training grounds. When we got close to the retrieving bench he jumped onto it.

Abby on point, peeking through the milo stalks.

I walked down both sides of the retrieving bench petting him every few feet. I had him hold and give with the retrieving dummies 6 times on the bench. Then I set him on the ground and said, “whoa”. I placed the retrieving dummy in his mouth twice on the ground and made him hold and give. I let him run back to the water faucet. After petting him I put him in his kennel.

I hid 2 pigeons, in release traps, on my side of the training grounds. It’s so wet I haven’t been using my neighbor’s side. I don’t want the 4-wheeler to put a lot of ruts in his side. One good thing about all of the rain there is plenty of cover. The weeds and grass are growing great.

I brought Boss out first with an e-collar and GPS collar. I heeled him out near the 4-wheeler and said, “whoa”. I took the piggin’ string off, got on the 4-wheeler, started it and let it run for a few seconds. Then I said, “okay”. He was away in a hurry. No way, even on the 4-wheeler, could I keep up.

Abby pointing a chukar with Ally honoring.

When I crossed the creek he was running along the back fence. He came down the side toward the front and went on point looking into some tall weeds. It was not were I had planted a bird. I went to him and tapped his head but he didn’t move. I kicked the grass and he still stayed on point. I tapped his head and he moved up. He pointed again then went on.

I thought he was on the wrong side of the first bird but he hit the scent cone and went on point. I took pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and it went about 10 feet up in a little tree and landed. Boss pointed the bird he could see. I took a picture then walked away calling him.

He didn’t want to leave the bird he could see but as I got away from him he followed. The next bird was buried in some tall weeds and he pointed when he hit the scent cone. I took some pictures then walked in front of him kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and he didn’t move until I said, “get that bird, get that bird”. This bird also lit in a tree but in a few seconds flew back toward the pigeon coop. He chased. When we got back I put him in his kennel.

Boss in the berry vines pointing a chukar..

I reloaded the release traps and heeled Abby out with the piggin’ string wearing a GPS collar and e-collar. When we got near the 4-wheeler I said, “whoa”. I took the piggin’ string off, got on the 4-wheeler, started it and let it run for a few seconds. When I said, “okay” she was gone in a hurry.

When I crossed the creek she was coming back from way down the field. She hit the exact same spot that Boss had hit, where I hadn’t planted a bird, and went on point. As I started to her she moved up then went on. There may have been a turkey or something crossed right there.

Abby pointing a chukar.

She moved on and hit the scent cone on the first bird and pointed. She’s fun to watch. She’s running all out then she’s on point. I took some pictures then walked in front of her kicking the cover. I flushed the bird and she was after it. The pigeon flew back toward the coop and Abby came back.

We went on to the end of the field and she pointed again. I took more pictures then walked in front kicking the cover. I flushed the pigeon and she chased a short distance. I picked up the release traps and took her back to the kennel.

In a couple of hours I had 4 solid points on pigeons and 12 retrieves of retrieving dummies. That makes my day great. What a blessed life I have.

We have been having rains, one after another, for most of last week, over the weekend and it’s still happening this week, too. April showers are supposed to bring May flowers but May showers bring summer time mosquitoes. Some days, in the summer when it’s been really wet, it’s hard to be working dogs close to the little creek that crosses our yard, for the mosquitoes.

Abby pointing a pigeon.

Boss pointing a pigeon.

I gave all of the dogs haircuts last week. Most of them stand for haircuts pretty well except for Sally. She only allows me to cut her hair up to her neck. She even snapped at me twice when I tried to cut her neck. And I didn’t even try her ears. To get a real hair cut she would have to be sedated, I believe. When I laid her on her back to cut the hair on her stomach she just laid there. On that, she was easier than all of the others.

It was misty and foggy early today so I didn’t get out very early. The temperature was in the mid sixties when I let Luke run for a while. H3e’s retired but he likes to get out of the kennel and run for a few minutes. When I crossed the creek going to the back he was coming back. We went to the wall, around the water faucet, where I petted him for a couple of minutes.

Mann was next. I had his flank collar and a collar around his neck as well as a GPS collar on him. I held the check cord and heeled him toward the back. Several times I hit the transmitter, on the flank collar, on low 2 momentary, then said, “whoa”. After the second time he was stopping before I could say, “whoa”. That’s when you know he understands the stimulation on his flanks.

I let him run for a while. I have been whoaing the dogs as they run loose but it’s making them all not want to run their best. They keep waiting on me to whoa them. Today I just let him run until we came close to the retrieving bench.

After he jumped onto the bench I petted him then said, “whoa” and put 3 retrieving dummies on the other end of the bench. I sent him to retrieve. When he came back each time I petted him before i said, “give” and some after. Then I sent him to get the next one. After the third dummy was retrieved I set him on the ground and said, “whoa”.

I took the three dummies farther than the bench is long and placed them on the ground. I went back to Mann and petted him for a few seconds then sent him to retrieve. I had to move a little way away from the bench because after each retrieve before, Mann wanted to jump on the bench. This time he did a good job. He retrieved each one, held until I said, “give” and stood to be petted. After the third one we went to the water faucet.

Boss pointing a pigeon.

The sun was pretty warm today and even Mann didn’t want to stay, to be petted, very long. After just a few seconds I put him in his kennel and got Boss out.

Mann is really calm when I’m putting the e-collars on him but Boss isn’t. I have the dogs jump onto their house so I don’t have to bend over. Boss jumps on and off 2 or 3 times before I even start to put a collar on him. I stand and wait for him to stand still. He wants to go so he tries to figure out what will work. The only thing is to stand still.

As we walk to the back I hit the transmitter, on his flank collar, on 2 low momentary, then say, “whoa”. After a couple of stimulations he stops before I can say, “whoa”. All of them except Luke has been worked on the whoa post so this isn’t new to them.

After 5 or 6 times of him doing whoa I let him run. It takes Boss a little longer than the others to really get running in the back. He’s expecting me to whoa him at any time. Today, I just let him run. I never whoaed him at all when he was just running.

There’s a pigeon in a release trap in there.

Boss likes to jump onto the retrieving bench. I petted him as we walked up and down the bench. I have him and Abby ready to be force broke to retrieve. When I put the retrieving dummy in front of them it’s not hard to put it in their mouth. They don’t reach for the dummy but they don’t fight when I place it behind their canine teeth. I still keep my hand under their chin until I say, “give” and take the dummy but they have to move their head off.

After they hold and give 6 times on the bench I set them on the ground and whoa them. Today I had them hold twice on the ground before we went to the wall around the water faucet where I petted them for a few seconds. I put Boss in his kennel.

I did Abby exactly as I did Boss. When I let her run after walking her toward the back she has a place she thinks I will whoa her and she stops there. When I came around the brush pile I saw her standing watching me. I said, “okay” and she went back to running. When she came to the retrieving bench I helped her onto it.

Boss pointing a pigeon.

After petting her I placed a retrieving dummy in her mouth. I think she’s a little ahead of Boss. She opens her mouth for the dummy then holds pretty well. After 6 times on the bench I set her on the ground where she holds for another 2 times then back to the water faucet. After I petted her I put her in her kennel.

Sally, with the bad haircut was next. I call these hair cuts prison haircuts because they look like Bubba in the next cell did them but Sally’s is the worst. The blade I used skipped some of the hair and then all of her long hair is still on her head, ears and neck. Her haircut is just plain ugly.

I whoaed her several times on the way to the back then let her run. When we got to the retrieving bench I helped her on. After I petted her I put her on whoa and put 3 dummies on the other end of the bench. I sent her to retrieve and made her hold until I said, “give”. After the third one I set her on the ground and said, “whoa”.

I put the 3 dummies on the ground past the end of the bench. She retrieved each one and held them until I said, “give”. We went to the wall around the faucet. I sat down and after about 5 seconds of petting Sally decided to eat grass instead of let me pet her. I put her in her kennel.

Abby pointing a pigeon.

Over the weekend we had 3+ inches of rain plus it rained yesterday. It was way too wet to go on the neighbor’s side. I put 2 pigeons, in release traps, on my side of the training grounds.

I brought Boss out with the GPS collar and an e-collar around his neck. I heeled him out near the 4-wheeler and whoaed him. I got on the 4-wheeler, started it and after a few seconds said, “okay”. It’s hard to keep up with him when he knows there are birds in the field.

About the time I crossed the creek and came around the brush pile he went on point. I was close and had slowed the 4-wheeler but before I was stopped, he took a step. I flushed the pigeon. He chased a short distance then went back to hunting.

He circled the field and then hit the scent cone on the second bird. He went on point. I watched him real close as I rode toward him. He didn’t move. I sat on the 4-wheeler for a few seconds just watching. He wasn’t moving. I took a picture from the 4-wheeler then walked to him. I stroked his sides telling him what a good boy he is. I walked in front of him kicking the cover and flushed the pigeon. He didn’t move until I said, “okay” then he chased. I rode back to the kennel. I sat on the wall around the water faucet and petted him for a few seconds before putting him in his kennel.

Abby on point.

After reloading the release traps I heeled Abby near the 4-wheeler and said, “whoa”. I got on the 4-wheeler, started it and looked at Abby. She took off. I whoaed her and she stopped about 20 yards away. I took the piggin’ string and heeled her back to the 4-wheeler. I said, “whoa”, started the 4-wheeler and waited. After a few seconds I said, “okay”. She was gone.

She ran the edge all the way to the back and was crossing the field when she hit the scent cone and slammed on the brakes. It’s been a long time since I have seen her take a step after going on point and she didn’t this time, either. I took pictures then went to her, stroked her sides, then went in front of her kicking the cover. She didn’t move until the bird flushed then she chased.

We went back toward the front and she hit the scent cone on the next bird and slid to a point. I took pictures then went to her and stroked her sides telling her what a good dog she is. I walked in front kicking the cover then flushed the pigeon. As soon as the bird moved she chased. At the wall around the water faucet I petted her for a few seconds then put her away.

Mann pointing a pigeon.

Both of these young dogs are getting better and better on their birds. I’m hoping that Abby is pregnant and I’m planning on sending Boss with a trainer to the prairies, hoping he will be on a lot of wild birds. It will be late June before Boss leaves, for a couple of months, and if Abby has puppies it will be near the end of June. That may give me a lot of time to work Sally and Mann on retrieving.

But if Abby has puppies that will give me several puppies to play with and socialize. I enjoy the puppies as much as working with the big dogs, maybe more.