No real mischief this week (other than the mischief my new camera is playing on me). The brown dawgs got out to do some group training on Saturday. It was cold with times of clouds and a bit of fog. Despite the weather, a lot of people showed up to train. I guess they were as anxious as we were to get back in the swing of training.
Storm did not seem to miss a beat. She handled the two long singles and a double easily. She still needs to work on being steady because she was a bit twitchy at the line and I think she may have actually left a beat or two before she was released on one mark.
We thought that we might only train Storm, but we decided that since there was no snow we would run Thunder and Freighter too.
Thunder did really well despite being on layoff for so long. He ran the two long singles just fine, but came up limping after the double. We may have to think long and hard about retiring him. He is fine around the house and has been running while playing with no limp. He just seems to have the issue while training or running tests.
We also had Thunder and Storm practice honoring the work of another dog. Honoring is required at the higher level tests. The dogs must sit and watch while the marks for another dog are thrown. We practice this every chance we get.
We also decided to run Freighter on some marks too. He was a bit rusty on the first single. It was long (100 yards or so) and thrown to the corner of the field. He put on a hunt and didn’t come up with it so he needed help. The second single he marked quite well. Maybe he was paying more attention? 🙂 He was also steady for the singles which was nice to see.
The double was a bit more of a challenge for Freighter. He has been doing doubles for us, but generally we don’t have two people in the field throwing the marks. Usually we have a winger in addition to a hand thrown mark. He was a bit preoccupied by the throwers, but with more practice at this, he will get it. So much of training is about exposing the dogs to different scenarios so they can learn.
All of these pictures were taken with my new camera. I need to work on getting the lighting setting right for clouds. Also I need to figure out the focus for fast moving dogs. The camera is plenty fast enough, but the focusing is different from my point and shoot, especially if I use the zoom. I may need to concentrate on getting closer shots until I get the hang of it. The only post processing I did to some of these pictures was to crop them. That is a big improvement over my old camera.
A dvd tutorial came along with the camera. I figure if I watch it 50 or 100 times, it will sink in. 🙂
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.
This makes really interesting reading!! Well done to all the dogs, they love training don’t they?
Yes they love it, especially Storm. It will kill Thunder to have to sit and watch.
I’m so sorry Thunder is still having difficulty.
I know. It stinks. He runs so hard when training.
Sounds like a fun weekend for the dogs! The Pictures look good! Does your camera have a sports setting? That’s what I use when I’m out and about with the dogs.
Yes but it was picking the wrong thing to focus on. I need to mess with it more. 🙂
Great pictures. sorry to hear that thunder was limping again after time off. so hard to make decisions when it involves something the dogs were born to do. freighter looks like an adult dog with his thick coat.
Mom is still working on her camera…3 yrs later but she enjoys it. We have a big open field near us where lots of people go with their retrievers to train we enjoy watching them. Since my sister and I are not retrievers we don’t really get it but it is fun to see.
Good job to all of them. But I am sorry that Thunder came up limping. Dang it. Hope it gets better.
Blessings,
Goose
Great job with the new camera, my Mum is rubbish at action shots!
Also great job especially to Storm, it must be really hard to watch other dogs running off to have fun 🙂
Big wags,
Your pal Snoopy 🙂
Look like you all had a fun time. A new camera is fun when you got it sorted but can be a real pain in the butt when it is all new. I am still trying to sort my new Leica out since June. It was a birthday present and is all singing and dancing. I just never seem to get beyond point and click. I refused to take it outside as it is so expensive so I got another small camera as a Christmas present. Now that is double trouble. Have a marvelous Monday.
Best wishes Molly
Wow, that is all so awesome. They look like they love every minute of training.
I feel bad for Thunder! Hope he gets to continue something!
I bet the dogs were just as happy as you were to get out and back at training. If you retire Thunder, will he still be able to practice and hunt? I imagine he would really miss it.
Wow Thunder and Storm, you guys are incredible. Now to get Kirby to behalf as obedient as you two are and Im doing prettty good! Looks like some great exercise and fun out there. I’m sure if thunder has to retire though he will find something else miraculous to do with his time, he seems like that kind of dog. I nominated you over on my blog btw:)
I hope Thunder’s condition is not permanent.
If Thunder has to retire, at least he’ll have fun around the house and yard. I’m sure Freighter will continue the legacy. 🙂
Obviously the gang was happy to be out and moving. Sorry about Thunder limping, maybe it was just the cold injuries even healed tend to stiffen up (mine always do). I think you did a great job on the pictures! The clouds and shade is where I still have trouble;)
nice pictures and nice dog work. Honoring is something I’m going to need to spend time on this year. I’ve been told that honoring is easier to teach, it’s just a matter of cooperation. I’m not sure how true that is.