Retreiver trainer

Saw a poster in the local hire shop for lessons by a FT Ch Flat coat retriever breeder /trainer. If anyone knows how to teach a dog to retrieve then he must. Phoned up and went to a one to one assessment evening. He like T and offered us a place in the class. Home work was to make a list of all the commands i was using and edit it down to one command for one action. Found i had about 35 words or signals for 12 responses.

Mid Wales Gundog Soc'y GWT

Hmm, not worth the drive. lovely spot but we were made to run with a tail wind - after great show had been made of checking the wind with a handkerchief. Topaz only had a short hunt over short grass on top of a knoll. Wind from the right cheek over gorse and obviously carrying scent as he was more interested in working towards that than where the judge wished him to go. Water retrieve not good as although i thought he saw the drop he swam out about 5 yards before returning to shore and investigating the path intently.

basic day

took Topaz for a bit of hunting. Patterns not good but he did point a pair of pheasant. we have a GWT at the weekend. Hmm not sure it will be worth the drive.

general run

Worked topaz across teh field at home. Came on a hare from upwind - he had been takeing to large bites ! but that is another matter. He sat and watched it move away - slowly as it was obviously rather stiff or cold.

BCGB Open Show

both dogs behaved quite well - let down as usual by the handler fussing. Pleased with Ellie - she had never been in the ring before, was really quite steady by the third time and stood still.

Brittany Club Training day

Really nce weather. topaz was on form. training sessions run by Fiona Wensley and Rory Major. it was really heartening to see Topaz do retrieves - albeit simple with some considerable vigour. With an audience. He must at last be maturing a bit.

Water retrieves - he loves those and ended up being the sweeper for all the other dogs who failed. i think he rather liked playing to the audiene.

Ellie did her usual run out to a dummy - all paws and enthusiasm, followed by her usual return - fast until she reaches about 4ft from home when she spits it and starts doing her own thing. Not to worried about this as she is still only 14months. got her into the water and she swam and she picked a dummy up of the surface. very pleasing day.