Monthly Archives: January 2012

Monday Mischief–The Black Bone

Posted in Monday Mischief, Puppies by

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Where Did I Leave My Favorite Black Bone?

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My Puppy Teeth Are Bothering Me

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What Can I Chew On

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Here Is Something

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I Think One Of The Big Dogs Usually Chews This Bone

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Chew

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Chew

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Chewing Is Exhausting

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Hey Freighter That Is MY Bone

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Mine Now

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Monday Mischief

This is a Blog Hop.  Thanks to  Alfie’s Blog, Snoopy’s Dog Blog, Luna, a Dog’s Life, and My Brown Newfies for setting up this hop.  Please go to any of the sponsoring blogs to find out who else has been mischievous or to join the hop.

Puppy Retriever Training

Posted in dog training, Puppies by

Freighter is a too young for a formal retriever training program.  Usually those don’t start until the dog is a bit older.  We wanted a program that we could follow which would help us start Freighter on some basics before it is time to start more formal training.  We purchased a dvd titled Training A Retriever Puppy-with Bill Hillmann.  Bill Hillmann is a field trial trainer and has trained Field and Amateur Field Champions.  According to his website, he has trained more High Point Derby Dogs than anyone in the history of Field Trial.  That is quite an achievement.  If you are not familiar with Derby, it is open to dogs under the age of two and consists of long marked retrieves.  Obviously he knows how to train the younger retrievers.

The dvd follows the training of an 11 week puppy (a black lab of course ;) ) until he is about 22 weeks old.  We have heard very good reviews of this program.  In fact, our trainer used it with his new puppy and felt that it really helped to speed his puppy’s progress when more formal training started.

This program stresses the fun of the retrieve above all else.  The program is appropriate for gun dogs and competition dogs.

See more video samples here.

We plan to start Freighter on this program at week 11 (although he is already chasing and wild to retrieve).  We have skipped ahead a bit and he is currently getting some leash work (using Bill’s technique).  We need to be able to have him walk with us on a lead so that we can take him places.  We hoped to take him with us when we went to train this weekend, a good opportunity to socialize.  However, the weather looks like it will make driving too dangerous to go.  Bummer.

I Am Ready To Work

I will let you know how our training progresses.  Have a nice weekend!

An Award & Luncheon

Posted in General/Misc, Puppies by

First The Award

Last week Everyday Adventures in Havachon Heaven awarded us the very pretty One Lovely Blog Award.

Thank you so much for this award.  The brown dawgs really appreciate the recognition.  We just love little Daisy the Havachon and if you haven’t been over to visit her, you must stop by and check out her antics.  There are also dog toy reviews which you may find very helpful.  :)

The award is to recognize the work of fellow bloggers and to let them know that their work is appreciated.  Heck I could share this one 100 times over.  :)   But as I still have a couple of awards to share, I will pass this one on to three that I enjoy:

Misty Shores Chesapeakes –Stop on over and check out the two new Chessie pups that have been added to the pack.  (Plus I think this award will look pretty on this blog ;) ).

Tanner Trains the Family–A young Golden who is recovering from an injury.  Tanner isn’t letting his injury get him down, he can still rip up a toy like nobody’s business.

Bongo Dog Blog–Everyday presents a new adventure for Bongo which he shares on his blog, (and he is a great storyteller).

Thanks again to Daisy and her people for this great award.

Now For Lunch

Freighter sure has fit in as far as eating times are concerned.  We call every doggie meal “lunch time” here.  I don’t know why, it is just the word we started using with our Golden and we still use it.  However with Freighter, I don’t even have to say the word.  Once he sees “his” bowl being readied, as far as he is concerned, it is lunch time.

OK I Am Ready To Eat

We soak his kibble, add a bit of soft food and a dollop of yogurt so it takes a bit to get the bowl ready.  Freighter has learned to come and wait in the kitchen which at this point I allow because I like to keep an eye on him and don’t want to always shove him in a crate.  (Plenty of time for him to learn boundaries.)  However somebody can get a bit impatient.

I Am Really Ready To Eat Now

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Come On Put The Bowl Down

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Maybe If I Bark I will Get The Food

We are still feeding him four times a day, so eventually he gets the picture and waits patiently.

OK I Will Wait

He is starting to look like a big dog.  Jodi Stone asked how we were enjoying the puppy.  He is great.  Such a sweetie (when he isn’t trying to bite with his razor puppy teeth :) ).  But I am always behind these days.  Between the four times a day feedings and potty training, (which is going well just takes time) and running back and forth to work…behind.  I am also always behind on reading/commenting on blogs, updating my blog roll/side bar, and passing on awards.  I hope to catch up soon.  :)