The days are a bit longer. The sun is a bit warmer. It is time to get back to some regular training.
We were not sure what to expect from our dogs because it has been a few months since they trained. In past years, it took them a few sessions to get back on track.
The first mark our trainer set up was a challenge. It was clear across the frozen pond and up on a little hill.
This is one of our training buddies running the mark which I have marked with a red arrow.
This mark was a challenge is because the dog had to run over small hills to get to it. The dog’s eyes are taken off the mark every time it has to clear a hill. The snow also adds to the challenge.
Storm was the first of our dogs to try this mark. To be honest, I thought this mark might blow her mind. It didn’t. She ran straight out and picked it up with barely any hunt.
Some pictures which are not great because I was playing with the settings since it was so very bright.
Storm ran some more marks and they were not all as clean as this one, but this one was a good way to start.
Next it was Freighter’s turn. He headed out…
Freighter was on track until he hit the area next to the island. (The island is the hill with the pine trees.) He got all confused thinking that the thrower was on that hill and not the one way far back.
He started to come back in, which is not good. The thrower yelled a bit, got his attention, and tossed another bumper. That helped and eventually he was able to find it.
The next mark was kind of the same, half way out and he started to mess around. Again the thrower helped him and he was successful. The next two, he did great and marked them perfectly.
I guess he was a bit rusty and it took him a couple of marks to get back in the swing. We are going to have to keep stretching his distance so that he gets used to longer distances.
Over the course of the day the dogs had to jump a lot of snow banks which was fine with them.
The dogs did great, but the best part of training was when this flew over:
He was pretty high and pretty far away, but I was able to get a decent shot.
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Very cool – a bald eagle sighting is rare!
Always love shots of the dogs in action! Sounds like they did pretty well for the first time out for the regular training season.
They did better than we expected. Perhaps because they are so tired of not being able to get out. 🙂
Looks like a lovely day white snow, blue skies.. I’m sure you’ll have them very reinforced in no time 🙂
It was a nice day with light wind. This time of year the wind is important because if it is windy and blowing over snow, it seems that much colder. How has you weather been?
The weather is totally different here. It is disgustingly bright and hot and dry. Some of the grass is turning yellow and the leaves on the trees are drying up. There’s no rain at all.
Bright side to that is no Storms to worry Donna. 🙂
Yes, but I also know that when the storms come, I have to redo the desensitisation all over again… and she was getting quite ok towards the tail end of last year too! Oh well, all in the day’s work when I have a dog… and you have 3! 😛
Looks great! Nice day for it too, it seems!
Earl and I.
It was a beautiful day, but now the snow is crunchy and not as nice. 🙂
Hi Y’all!
Oh that looks like such fun! Only I don’t care for the snow part. It freezes my feet and if my Human wants me to retrieve something, it freezes my mouth too. Guess since I live where it’s warm most of the time I’ve lost that Chessie “love of cold”. But like the Chessies my Human grew up with, I love to lay in front of a warm fire.
Y’all come by now,
Hawk aka BrownDog
Storm will stand in front of the heater at our cabin. She takes the cold pretty well, but she still like that heater…lol.
We are laughing where you say Freighter headed out because for us that sentence would be and did not return for hours. He is still young, probably had wabbits on his mind at first and not bumpers. What a great work out for them in the snow!
I think you may be right about the wabbits Emma. 🙂
Pristine snow and blue skies and lots of snow banks to jump……well one word, Fabulous. Love the eagle in the sky. Have a tremendous Thursday.
Best wishes Molly
Fabulous sounds about right Molly!
Perhaps hunting is like riding a bike. 😉 Awesome pictures and I bet the Brown Dawgs were super excited to get out there and run!
Happy Thursday!
They sure were happy to get out and the snow was so nice. Now it is too hard and crunchy.
Finally a day to get out and train. The snow just needs to go away, there talking more cold weather here this weekend and snow. The pictures are great but that eagle is stunning.
I agree that the snow just needs to go away. We are supposed to get cold weather again next week….yuck!
What great fun and great exercise. I can imagine they get a little rusty not being able to get out and then the landscape keeps changing with all that snow. Love seeing your guys do their thing.
Thanks, yes our digs are not used to training in deeper snow. The last couple of years we haven’t had it like this year.
Oooo. You really did get a good shot of the eagle. We love seeing them here in winter. And I love that your dogs are limbering up, getting ready for the season!
Thanks Flea! 🙂
Wow, that looks like a great workout! Wish we had some snow (just for one day though – I’m not a snow girl…) so Rita could experience it. Still hot here – and she’s not crazy about hot weather. Fabulous bald eagle pic!
I am not a snow girl either….lol. Glad you like the eagle picture. 🙂
So glad you all are back outside for some training! I know you all have been missing it. Great photos…I imagine the snow doesn’t help get good photos of dark dogs. The bald eagle is amazing.
Happy Thursday,
Oz
Taking pictures when it is so bright against the glittering snow is very difficult for me and it tends to cast shadows on their faces. I like it a bit overcast. I get better pictures.
You guys are so cool literally and you do such a nice job with those bumpers.
Thank you Laika! 🙂
So happy that you guys are back outside for training!
agle! Great pics, and the eagle is amazing!
–Siamese Smothers–
Thank you Christie. We may have a pause in training due to ice. 🙁
Awesome pictures!
Thank you!
I’m so impressed by the training you do. It must have been hard to have that break. The bald eagle is breath-taking.
Terry from MatildasJourney.com
I’m so impressed by the training you do! The bald eagle is breath-taking!
Terry from MatildasJourney.com
Thank you. 🙂
What perfect weather to train in, and seeing the eagle was really an added bonus! Glad you all enjoyed your day!
Thanks Kim. The eagle was cool and against a crystal blue sky. 🙂
What a beautiful day you had. I love to see pictures of your dogs training, and your photo of the bald eagle is breathtaking!
Thank you Miss Harper Lee. 🙂
That looks like so much fun – at least to Rosie and Rudy 🙂
I bet they would like it too. 🙂
I’m sure they were tired after working out in the snow! Have you found any difference between their ability to run marks in the snow and on grass?
Yes it is more of a workout running in snow and their ability to mark seems a bit different. I think as far as the marking goes, it is just because they don’t get to do it as much in the snow. Their enthusiasm level is the same for both. 🙂
It sure looks like they had a lot of fun. 🙂
The definitely had fun!
Good job, sweet Brown Dogs! Loved all the pictures, you all look amazing jumping those snow banks and running back with the bumper. Wow, you not only saw a bald eagle but got a great picture!!! How I would love to just see one, getting a picture would be a super plus. Hugs and nose kisses all around from all of us!
I knew you would enjoy the bald eagle picture Mags. 🙂