Storm loves to retrieve. Retrieving birds during hunting season is her favorite, but when hunting season is not open and birds are not available, training bumpers will do. A few weeks back Storm got out for some training and was working the water retrieve.
Water retrieves are a great way to exercise a senior dog because the water is a little easier on their joints than running over land. Storm turned 9 in June and while she needs to stay in shape for hunting season, she does not do a lot of heavy training. As long as she gets out to do some retrieving, she is happy.
Normally when the dogs are doing water retrieves, we start them back from the edge of the water so they run a bit on land before getting into the water.
On a hot summer day, there is nothing better than splashing into the water.
Sometimes we will throw the bumper so that it lands on land on the other side of the pond. That way the dogs have to also exit the pond. On this particular day, we put the bumper in the pond. We have had such a hot dry summer so most of our ponds are down from their normal water level. The water we were using on this particular day was decent swimming water.
After a nice swim, Storm has her bumper.
Storm retrieved a few more, but never enough for her liking.
Do your dogs like to to swim?
Drove about 30 minutes to reach Bernice’s. She has been in Golden rescue for decades and has a pond, which is shrinking. The closer we got, the more certain the girls were of where they were headed. It was early in the day and the water was shaded. Four Goldens and two Chessies were very happy with the swimming. More of a fun day fetching lots of soccer, tennis and basketballs. An old favorite is the red ball….twenty years old, very hard plastic which is wonderful for dunking, popping and “porposing”.
As you’ve seen, Sheba just loves it. Luke has been a little timid about it, but I think he has it in him. I look forward to having our own pond next year so it will be easier to work with him on that. Our beagle Cricket likes to cool off in the water, but she doesn’t really care to swim out far.
I loved seeing those pictures of Storm doing what she loves. That little bit of gray on her muzzle means years of experience hunting and retrieving and years of joy you’ve shared together. There’s something really special about senior dogs. 🙂
We had her our training on Saturday. A person could never throw enough retrieves for Storm. She would just go and go.
Storm your looking so great! Looks like you had a great time. My gang loves to swim and Preacher never wants to leave the water.
Storm you are really like a storm when you work… it’s pleasure to watch ya… and your ears look super great!!!
We’ve had a fairly dry summer also. A month ago our reservoirs were high, and now I can see they are receding again.
Delilah loves to swim, I just haven’t found a nice place to let her do it.