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Post by Aussienot on Nov 18, 2011 21:21:41 GMT -5
I have been struggling to find the inner retriever in Piper on land. Had the chance to get her into a river on a recent trip, and voila! the penny dropped and she knew what to do. She loved it, and we pretty much had to hog tie her and throw her in the truck to get her to stop. So now, using any water we can find to make retrieving her special passion. Here she is in a small murky pond not far from my house. throw it, Throw It, THROW IT NOW! The Go Out Swimming The Bring Back Using water has made her much more interested in land retrieving, and she is now pretty good at bringing in the newspaper. She is doing very well in the show dog classes we've been taking. She's a good free stacker, needs work on her prancing. And it's a relief to not have to worry about coat care. Most of the people in my class have to carry a comb with them and fuss constantly. I have entered her into three shows. If I can get her Championship in the show ring AND at least one Retrieving Title on her, I will breed her when she grows up. If not, she will be a fun, desexed pet. I love the dual purpose of the breed, and will only contribute with a dog who can prove herself worthy in both venues.
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Post by Aussienot on Nov 28, 2011 5:29:55 GMT -5
Piper has great instincts and does a great double mark for a novice dog. She notes and remembers where the first dummy fell while she is sent to retrieve the second dummy thrown.
She is relentles in persuit of a retrieve, even like today when she went into a tangle of reeds after a careless throw and got stuck. Just about the time I thought I would have to go in to free her, she got loose but she never let go of the dummy.
She is tireless and will go into the water all day if she could.
On the other hand, on one long swim, she swam to the other bank and returned via the bank instead of swimming back. (cheating).
She also got distracted by playing with tadpoles near the shore and forgot all about work. (water freaking)
Great instincts, very few conditioned responses.
I now know why retrieving people are wary of Chessies, and understand why most retrieve trainers use an e-collar. Not saying I condone it, just saying I understand it.
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