Well, as some of you may remember I asked if any of the Rescue Reps heard of a working dog could they consider me.

Upshot is that Chico is here as a Foster (remember I have 4 entire males here so it is not straightforward). I am assessing him as to not only will he fit with the boys but also will he fill my needs - as a beating dog.

He came here on Sunday late afternoon and on Monday I took him for a run on the shoot grounds. At that point I found he had a good recall, he also was quite tennis ball keen and he didn't really swim, he wasn't fazed by me firing a starting pistol.

Tues and Wed have been more social walks so I can see how he gets on with the guys as even if he has a working role the most important role is that the boys get on.............all went well .

So today in the foul weather I took him out for a retrieve session. I started with the Air Kong and he was great - straight out and bringing it back to my vicinity. He is not keen to give up his prize but a quick swap for sausage and he is happy - I am not asking for steadiness or more at the mo, just desire - steadiness can come and he is not guarding, just reluctant. So I swapped to a standard dummy and he was great, very keen, carrys a dummy well and I didn't have any major issues taking it off him (for sausage). He seems to be taking direction and he hunted a dummy out if undergrowth (although he was a tad anxious when I wasn't in view but I think that is more through upset of only being here a few days) so I am happy. I think he must have had some fundamental training and even his heelwork is coming together.

He has a few minor health issues that are in the process of being assessed and sorted but I really hope I can become a Failed Fosterer!!

Tomorrow I should have been in Lincs for some Chase training but as the weather is so awful Chico now has his Shotgun assessment. The person shooting over him is used to introducing pups to shot so we have a plan of action with treats and a dummy all planned!!

Ohhh getting excited, sounds like it's going quite well for you and the lad
Please, please. please keep the updates coming

Now then, no-one can say ESSW foster carers don't put in the work

You're doing brill Sue, even if this is all set up for you to hopefully fail I'm really proud of all the work you're putting in assessing him knowing that he may not stay and more than that I'm really proud of Chico and all you're dogs for just being so accepting of everything that has been thrown at them.

You are completely committed Sue at everything that involves you're dogs, I don't think I've seen drive like it before, now then I wonder if we could find Sue a nice working home

Sooooo - today we drove towards friends near Monmouth to have Chico gun--*test*-('")ed.

He started off quartering a stubble field into the wind while we checked the field to ensure it was free of walkers (permission to shoot there had already been obtained). He hunted pretty well and he remained responsive to me.

The first shot was fired with him on lead about 50m away from the gun, he showed mild interest and was fed a sausage then walked nearer the gun which he did readily. 40m away we repeated the same and same result - interest and sausage so we moved to 20m away - more interest and no fear so sausage. Final shot was with us approx 5 m away from the gun and as the shot was fired I threw a dummy and off he shot to collect it.

He passed , no worries for him with shot and my friend thought he was lovely.

His next ordeal was having the matts cut out of his ears so he now looks a tad hacked but he has no remaining knots. It took us a long time as he was matted down to skin and he was a bit sore underneath so some Aloe is now being massaged onto the pink areas. While doing a thorough grooming we have found the lad has previously lost a claw on a back foot - well healed so obviously an old injury and nothing that holds him back.

So another good day for Chico.

He, Mugi and Chase have had great fun hurtling round the garden and sniffing round the falcons aviaries.

again

love these updates Sue

Lovely updates - I am just starting a bit of gundog work with Edgar (although slightly restricted this week due to his little boy op!). I have great hopes he will be the one to take me thru the training and one day be proud of my steady, fast and obedient working dog whilst he also has fun, so I am pretty certain he will be a failed foster too!!! Hilda is I think, a bit like Chico, and has had some training already, loves to hunt and retrieve. I am getting her assessed this month with my gundog trainer to see if she may even be ready this season with some fine tuning. Stanley, although his obedience is 2nd to none and heelwork fab, had no natural instincts and had to be trained to retrieve which he will do for reward only! Great flusher but also great chaser!! So will be sticking to agility with him, which he is brill at. How nice to be able to give our rescues and rehomes a job they love and great purpose to their lives. Will be nice to RV oneday so I can get some top tips!

I'm absolutely beaming Sue, I am so pleased so when is the final -*test*-('")?

Later today I think.

Current plan is different to my original one after I have watched them together through the kennel and the patio doors.

Soooooo - Freddy, Chase and Mugi all popped in car out of the way so no comments from the cheapseats . Then Brice will be kitted out with his perfect fit harness and I will ensure there are no toys etc in the garden. Then I will arm myself with clicker and a hooooooooooge tub of sausage and cheese and I will go sit quietly in the garden.

Brice will be C&T'd for attention to me while Chico will just get treats tossed as I doubt he understands the clicker. Then Brice will just be C&T's for gentle sniffings and interaction with Chico and my HOPE is that will be enough, I don't need Mr Bouncy to get wound up and start going OTT with his play. Mr Bouncy now weighs well over 45kg and is a big lad.

Good luck today Sue, am fascinated by updates - Charlie wants to come to big school with you

Good luck Sue . . . boys you will behave won't you

Can't wait for today's update, finger s firmly crossed.