The Training of a Dog and Hunter
(or who's training who)
On the 28th day of January, I will be picking up a new
black lab puppy. Although this not my first dog, at 61 it probably will
be my last. I say this because the last two labs I was lucky to have owned
lived to a nice old age of 15 years or better; at age 61 need I say more?
I have been without a dog for almost 15 years, due to physical and
personal reasons. In addition, I have not hunted in about 15 years, mostly
because I would not even consider going into the field without a dog. The
reason for this I will assume is apparent to all lab owners; or more to the
point, all hunting dog owners.
Now to the meat of where I am going with this. I am as I have in the
past, going to train this puppy myself. I will enlist the assistance of
the books that my previous dogs were trained under; Water Dog, and
Gun Dog written by Walters. I will do exactly as the book says, and by
next October my close hunting companion and I will strike out on our first day
in the field together. Due to my time away from the sport and that this will be
her first time in the field, I have a feeling that we both will learn a
lot about each other, hopefully good. As most good dog owners know when it
comes to bird hunting the dog is way ahead of the one caring the gun.
I plan on updating you on the puppy’s progress every two to
three weeks. Oh, by the way, from this point on my dog will be referred
to as Brandy. Both my other dogs were named Brandy and so will this
one. My son thinks I should change to a different name, what do kids know.
Speaking of kids you must be wondering or at least asking yourself
how did this guy get to write this series of articles for this
outstanding and very informative site. Well, my son owns the site -- so
get over it! He stated that I would be a staff writer, that’s good, but he also
said that I would be an Editor-At-Large, now this I don’t understand, am I a
fat editor or a editor on the run, kids.
Well back to the main topic. I am hoping that I well be able to
train Brandy to hunt for me as good as my other two Brandy's. Being that I am
older now, I should have all the patience of Job, who ever he was. Not to take
anything away from professional trainers, who if by any chance may be reading
this, I just would like to do it slow and steady, with no use of stimulation
(force training or shock collars). Now I know that most trainers would rather
do it without the simulation, but the owners all want there dogs trained in two
days, just one day before the season opens.
So as it stands I will every two to three weeks update those that
care on the progress of mine and Brandy’s training, (there will be no grades).
I hope that as you follow us you will be informed and amused.
STAFF WRITER & FAT EDITOR (I’m
guessing at this one)
Denny
