We left to travel to the eye cerf clinic early Saturday morning. It was a bright sunny and morning.
The cerf clinic was at a dog show and there were people and dogs everywhere. We did not take Freighter into the show because it was so crowded inside. Freighter had fun hanging with me in the parking lot while hubby took both dogs in for their exams. The way it usually works, you pay the fee and get the paperwork and they put the drops in the dogs’ eyes to dilate them. Then you wait for the drops to work while you fill out the paperwork. We did it a little differently because hubby paid the fee, got the paperwork which he brought back to the car so I could help him fill it out. He then he took both dogs with the completed paperwork and got the drops put in their eyes. They had to wait in line at least 20 minutes to let the drops work. Once their eyes were dilated, it was a quick test by a veterinary ophthalmologist and voila done. Both of our dogs had normal tests. 🙂
Thunder has had the test a couple of times so I figured he would be fine with it, but I wasn’t sure how Storm would do. She did great. She didn’t like having the drops put in, but she did not fight it and she was fine when the doctor shined the light in her eyes for the exam. I was a bit concerned when hubby said that he would take both dogs in at the same time for the test. It used to be that a place like that show, with all of the hubbub and noise, would worry Storm. She has matured so much that it didn’t seem to bother her as in the past. I think sending her for training last year really built her confidence so that places like dog shows which used to make her antsy are just another place for her.
It was such a bright day, the dogs were a bit uncomfortable after the test.
Once we finished with the tests, we headed to the trainer’s place to drop off Storm. It was a beautiful day, but with the dogs’ eyes still dilated, we couldn’t train. 🙁 We wished them a good training day, said goodbye to Storm, and reluctantly pushed north to our cabin. Storm will be there through the 20th of May, and after that she will return periodically until she comes into season.
Since we did not train on Saturday, we made sure to do some training in on Sunday. It was another bright and sunny day, but very windy. We have been working on getting Freighter super excited about retrieving bumpers. At his age, there are no rules except have fun. We want to see him move quickly to the bumper, and hopefully bring it straight back, but the return is not as important as the going out. He has been doing well getting to the bumper, but sometimes takes detours on the way back. We decided to throw marks on a back road hoping that the visual of the road and less tempting smells, would help him come straight back. I was a bit nervous because on one side there is nothing but forest and Freighter’s recall although coming along, is not perfect. We put an extra check cord on just in case.
First we started short.
Then we moved him back to make the retrieves longer. I took some video. On the video, you will hear a chain saw. That is one of our neighbors who decided that he had to cut some branches right at that moment. I don’t think he had any idea we were training so close. It worked out fine because as you can see on the video, Freighter looks to the sound, but stays focused on the bumper. You can also see that Freighter still runs like a puppy. 🙂 I did not edit the video so you can see what a basic training session for him looks like right now.
If the video doesn’t play, try here.
We took Freighter to the vet last night to weigh him because we have to figure out which Frontline to use on him. He was 5 months old yesterday and weighed in at 46.5 pounds. He gained 3 pounds from last week! He might look like a big dog, but his brain is still very much a puppy.
Thursday some video of Thunder’s training. Friday, Freighter training outtakes. 🙂
I’m sure Freighter is going to wonder where Storm is for the next while. You must miss her when she’s gone too! Freighter’s doing awesome with his training! I had to laugh as he is easily sidetracked just like a little boy. Like you said he is still a puppy, but boy he brings his attention right back. And what dog can resist poo!
Glad to hear that everyone passed their eye exams with flying colors!
I’m so glad the eye tests went so well! Whatever will Freighter do for a playmate while Storm’s away?! I’m sure he’ll miss her!
I like the way he runs. So full of life. Good job Freighter.
Blessings,
Goose
Hi Y’all,
Freighter’s lucky to learn the “how to” so young. When I came to live with my Humans I thought the name of the game was keep away. I was 14 months old and had never had to “fetch” anything…whichever one of the pack got there first got the prize and raced around to keep it from being snatched by an older member.
My Human wisely started me inside in a hallway with a check cord and loads of treats! Once I had that perfect, we advanced to the water. Why water? ‘Cause my Human could throw out a bumper, then send me while holding the check cord, and physically pull me back to her if I tried a detour. Finally, we graduated to what Thunder is doing…and by the time I was 2 yrs old I had it down pat and was learning to help around the house.
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Good idea for an older dog. I have heard of that method before. As I said, right now the going is more important than the coming back. But once Freighter starts more formal training, he will need to come straight back. Wonder where we can find a long hallway…lol.
Hi Y’all,
Doubt Freighter will ever need that hallway! Once I realized my Human wasn’t going to keep the bumper and that it got thrown again I couldn’t get back fast enough! I wasn’t even interested in the treats…just throw the thing!
Hawk
Oh, it is so easy to get detoured on the return, I can imagine! And what a pretty balloon to see out on the way to the dr as well!
How fun! He looks like he’s having a marvelous time and knows what his job is about.
Good news on the eye tests! Boy, that Freighter sure is doing good with his training! I think I’d forget what I was going to do by the time I got to the bumper to pick it up. Those woods sure look mighty tempting…
😉
Have a HAPPY day!
Hero
Glad the eye checks went well. Bet you will miss Storm till she comes back to stay.
Doggy Kisses,
Tanner
It looks like everyone got to have a lot of fun after passing their eye tests!
Too bad the dogs didn’t have sunglasses! BOL! Freighter sure seems to be enjoying himself.
Lovies, Miss Mindy
Happy to hear that both of their eye tests were clear. Bet they would have appreciated two pairs of doggie sunglasses on the way home. 🙂
Well it looks to me like Freighter is coming along nicely!! Do you find the “hey, hey, hey, hey” works better than, here or come or woo hoo?
I can only imagine how the dogs felt with the drops in their eyes, I know I hate it when I have to have it done. My Dr. puts undilating drops in when we are done and the dilation usually goes away much quicker. I do think Delilah needs to see an opthamalogist because I don’t think she sees well close up.
How will you manage without Storm for the next six weeks? I don’t think I could bare to be away from either one of my dogs for that long. 5 days was long enough!!
We use “hey, hey, hey” to get the dog’s attemtion whe we throw the bumper. Sometimes we use a duck call. Freighter is a young’un so I am trying to really build excitment for him. I suppose you could use anything, but at our trainer’s they use “hey, hey, hey” so we are being consistent. On the return, hubby is using the whistle and “here”. “Hey” is iused as an attention grabber too.
Yes I miss Storm, but I bet she is having fun. She loves her training. 🙂
I use a bunch of different calls for the dogs, I may try “hey, hey, hey” and see if it works.
I’m glad Storm is having fun!