Last Saturday was a beautiful day in Michigan. We finally had cooler temperatures and less humidity, so it was just about perfect. It was a great day to train and to visit with Freighter.
When we pulled up, the trainer was working with a Chessie. Who is that dog? Could it be? He has to be told to sit for marks. Yep that dog is Freighter. He sure has matured in a couple of weeks.
Unlike our last visit, Freighter actually seemed happy to see us. He even licked me. I am not one to encourage a dog to lick on me, but since I missed the pup, I was OK with a lick or two. 🙂 I guess maybe the excitement lead to his being a bit uncooperative with the show dog stuff. Hopefully we redeemed ourselves because my husband got to run him on a couple of water marks.
But first Freighter had to watch a younger puppy run the marks. Better hang on tight to that collar! He was so impatient he barked at the bumper in the water. It was as if he was saying: “Let me. I can get it.” Of course it could have been: “Get out of my way! That is my bumper!” 🙂
His water work is coming along very nicely. He goes straight out to the bumper and comes straight back. He still needs to be reminded to hold the bumper as he exits the water. That will come with training.
He sure loves the water…
His land still needs work. He goes straight to the mark, but won’t always pick it up quickly. Again that will come with training. We are very pleased with his progress so far. Darrin is doing a great job with him. He is a male Chessie and I am sure he can be a stinker at times. 🙂
We are trying to figure out our hunt test schedule for late summer and early fall. We are not sure whether Freighter will run a test this season. There are certain skills we would like him to have before we test him. Working with our first two dogs has taught us a thing or two and one of them is how easy it is for the dog to pick up a bad habit at a test, like poor line manners, bank running, or dropping birds. You then have to spend time training that bad habit away, or the bad habit may never really go away and can show up again at higher levels. With Freighter we would like to avoid those frustrations.
Later this week, some of Thunder and Storm’s work.
You’re right. Sometimes it’s better to wait until they are solid before entering them. I remember one dog who learned that the obedience ring is correction-free. At one show, it took 15 minutes and lots of ring stewards to catch him. He did it again at the next show. There’s nothing worse than a ring-wise dog.
Your cooler weather has managed to make it out this way, what a welcome relief! It sounds like you’ve got a great dog in the making with Freighter, I imagine it is important to test him at the right time, in order to avoid setting him up for failure and it seems like you are on the right track. Keep up the good work!
Freightner sure looks all grown up. I am glad he gave you a little kiss. It’s our way of saying I love you and have missed you. And in his case probably also say, “now lets get that bumper.”
Blessings,
Goose
Wow those two weeks really did make a difference in Freighter’s maturity – he looks like one of the big boys now! Wait ’til Thunder and Storm see him – they’ll be equals! Looks like he’s doing great in training. 🙂
Yay Freighter! I miss him too, and I’m not even at your house 😉 That he was barking at the bumper is hilarious!
Milo and I SO love catching up on your posts every now and then. Milo spends the whole time barking at the pictures of the dogs. 🙂 Thanks for keeping us updated!
That is great that Freighter is coming along so nicely. He looks so mature and handsome in the first photo!
Good job Freighter!! Won’t be long and maybe we will run into you at a test 🙂
Looks like he did an awesome job!
He sure looks like he’s doing an awesome job and he loves the work. Glad that you want to be 100 percent sure that he is ready before putting him in a test situation though. Training is the fun part anyway, so there’s never a rush to compete. 🙂
My goodness but he’s a beauty. My dogs love water, but they’re dunder heads about it. My boy, Flash, will fetch rocks thrown into a creek. 🙂
It must have been so nice for you to see Freighter and it sounds like he was happy to see you. 🙂 Your little boy sure is growing up! He has almost lost all his puppy look. I’m glad his training is going so well. You must be pleased.
Wonderful pictures. I especially like the one of Freighter coming out of the water.
He is maturing nicely. Looks like a gorgeous day for training!
Slobbers
Dante, Daisy Boo & Sampson
Hey Freighter! You’re looking more and more handsome since the last time I saw you. 😀 Great effort you!! 😀