There was actually a bit of sun for our group training on Saturday and it wasn’t bitter cold. We used the snow-covered pond to run some long marks a blind. The trainer walked his pond before we started to make sure it was still frozen solid with no cracks so we knew it was safe. It was a lot safer for the dogs than the icy field. 🙂
The marks were challenging for Thunder and Storm because of the distance and because there were a lot of hills they had to navigate over. The blind was run in between two of the marks and both of our dogs had trouble with it. Thunder had more trouble than Storm because apparently he thought he could figure out where the blind was all on his own. Really he was just trying to return to the areas where he picked up the marks. His handler had to shorten it up and really work to get him to the bumpers. Eventually he got there, but he needs to get back in the swing of working with his handler.
Thunder’s marking seemed to get better toward the end of the day. He was running nice and strong.
Storm had some trouble with the blind too, but her handler was able to get her there after several casts.
We didn’t end up visiting with Freighter on Saturday. There is always a bit of an adjustment period when young dogs go back into training. We were happy to hear that it sounds like his handling is starting to come along.
Good job guys. Always amazes me how they are so comfortable in such incredibly cold environments. Even though their coats are designed for it, putting bum down on cold ice can’t be comfortable 🙂
In one picture, Storm is sitting on her tail…maybe the cold made her do it…lol. But seriously, we do practice with them sitting in all kinds of places because sometimes they have to sit in water when testing or hunting.
Brrrr that makes us feel cold. Mind you that I suppose is because we have high icy winds at the moment.
Pawsome work as always.
Have a terrific Tuesday.
Best wishes Molly
Icy winds do not sound very fun. I bet you are ready for warmer weather too. 🙂
I love the joy in every fiber of Thunder’s doggie being when he is working!
I think Thunder is finally feeling pretty good when he is running and he has definitely had a case of Spring fever. He has been rambunctious this week. He even tried to seal my shoes!
As always I think they do a great job. Is that a shack full of geese in the back ground. I swear it looks like a goose sticking it’s head out.
Blessings,
Goose
You are very observant. The decoys are stored there for the winter. 🙂
Thunder and Storm look great! Glad you are able to get some training in.
I am really hoping that Spring will arrive soon. I am tired of putting on 5 layers to go and train…lol.
I sure enjoy seeing all the pictures of your training days! Looks like an awful lot of fun!
Thanks we did have a fun training day!
Great job! You two are looking great. And look at that nice whistle sit. 🙂
Haha, you did not get to see the whistle sits she blew off… 🙂
I need to send Doggy to a detention center, he’s too stubborn and is developing really bad behaviors when I see your dogs being so obedient, I look at Doggy and see a black sheep (he looks like one too).
Doggie is a teenager. You don’t see our teenager (Freighter) in these pictures because he is at boot camp with the trainer…lol.
They always seem so happy when they are out running marks. I’m so glad they have something they enjoy so much and that you guys face the cold to run them. 🙂
The cold is getting old now. 😆
We love to see dogs so happy doing what dogs are meant to do.
Thanks jan!
Hope you get to see Freighter soon! I love seeing the training photos in the snow.
Thanks Finn. I think the pictures of the dogs on snow turn out nice….but I am ready for it to be gone….lol.
It is always so cool to see the Brown Dawgs at work; I can tell they love their job! 😀
They do love to fetch! They are not as enthusiastic when there is snow on the ground. I think they are hoping for Spring too.
So glad that you got some nice weather for the weekend like you had hoped. Sorry you didn’t get to visit Freighter, but at least you got an update about how his handling is coming along.
Storm was the same way. It took a bit for her to settle in, but she was a bit older. Hate to undo a couple weeks of training by making puppy homesick. 🙂
Glad the pond was solid enough for them to be able to use it for training. Even though we only had a couple warm days the creek was completely thawed. Was good they got to get in some exercise and training. I know how nervous ours get when they can’t get out:)
Our trainer lives a bit north of us and the warm weather hadn’t made it up there yet. His pond doesn’t have running water like a creek. The river by our cabin has been open for a few weeks now. Not sure what this week was like up there. I think it is cold again but the sun is stronger and that will help open the pond.
Great work and very lovely pictures of Thunder and Storm!
Thanks Bassa! Nice of you to stop by.
I’ve noticed with our guys that if they become confused, or maybe get a little lazy I’m not sure which, they’ll return to previous marks hoping to find something.
Our trainer explained that it is pretty normal for inexperienced dogs. They do get confused and go back to old falls hoping to find something. We saw several dogs do the same thing Thunder did, although they were not quite as determined. 🙂
The blind was run in between two marks. All three were at a long distance (over 100 yards and with small hills in between). At a Senior test you would never see a blind in between marks, but it is normal in a Master test. Thunder has run them many a time, but he was being a bit of a Chessie…thinking he was too smart/stubborn for his own good. lol So what we did was shorten that blind because it is easier to handle at the shorter distance. His handler stood maybe 1/3 closer to the original blind.