..... in more ways than one.

Ok, I know not everyone is interested in working their dog as a gundog. But if I am to become a FF Chico needs to be able to share my hobby. He has done enough with me since he arrived just under a fortnight ago for me to take him beating today.

I would not normally go beating with a dog without polishing training a lot but I know the shoot, terrain, set-up and I knew I could keep him on lead throughout and I could also call a halt for him at the end of any drive.

Mugi came too, partly cos he can only do the partridge and wildfowl for terrain/age reasons so his season will be abbreviated, and also as a definitely confident dog (which I have found previously can often help a worried dog settle).

The first obstacle was the beaters truck, a pretty daunting experience where the dog is squashed in with a fair number (over 20 today) of unknown dogs, people and expected to behave impeccably. Chico jumped in and settled with only the odd one or two 'cuddle' moments, he was sat on by a lab, growled at by a feisty young cocker lady and took it all in his stride.

We started on a duck/goose drive and Chico was fab - no worries with shot, he remained responsive to recall when I needed to let him off lead to get through some tricky terrain (a bridge had been washed away in the floods so I was balancing on a metal beam and the dogs had to negociate the drainage ditch on their own), he was a combination of interested and pottering. Old Mugi on the otherhand was throwing himself in the lakes to move the ducks .

Without boring you with a blow by blow of all day. He is hopeless on lead and hardwork so for the afternoon he was on a harness and tape flexi. He was steady to the birds, interested in the scent, didn't chase the hare we kept disturbing and as soon as each drive was formally over he was off lead and very good.

We normally shoot a max of 250 birds per day but today 414 birds were shot (for those interested in a ratio of 1:3) and the clients nor shoot owners would not have tolerated their drives being ruined by naughty dogs. Chico got quite a few positive comments and most people feel he is worth keeping. A few feel he is older than his reported age but Mugi is hardly a spring chicken and has proved age is no obstacle to enjoying a good day out.

All in all he passed his -*test*-('"), he has had a large supper and is currently spark out!!!

So does that mean I bring adoption forms and a failed fosterers badge when I see you next week? Or is there still Brice work to do before any decisions, Sue you know this is killing me don't you?

I'm really impressed with the way he's working for you in such early days of training as well

Sue, I'm really enjoying the story of how he's fitting in, and am certainly learning along the way. I'm interested in beating, and hope one day to be able to have the time to learn properly.
He sounds like he did very well in a high pressure first time

Like Vic says I am loving the story of how he's doing, what he's doing and why you are doing it....lovin it

Got to be a BIG FF this one.

So Sue do you think he has already had some training ?

Just loving this, he's so lucky

we are interested here and would like to hear more please, am i right in thinking that if you use a young dog there is a danger of deterioration over the course of a few shoots? ie starts well then goes downhill?

We've been told it's not so much to do with age, but what you let your dog get away with. It's important to continue their training at all times.

Sounds like Chico's got a great future ahead of him now

I don't know Robert , on the one hand he is steady, quarters well, retrieves a dummy (but no presentation at all) and he has no fear of the gun.

On the otherhand he does not have any responsiveness to whistle commands apart from recall (I use 211.5 and "standard" commands but yesterday one of the spaniel men used 210.5 and there was no difference to his response). He does not sit to a hand signal and he showed no interest in shot game (although he wanted to try to run after a pricked bird).

I am almost erring on the side he is like Mugi, a nice mannered un or part trained dog who has a great desire to please, a lot of natural ability but perhaps not ever going to be "flashy". So to make a nice beating companion - perfect.

Was really chuffed after our 'high heeled' chat yday . . . .can't wait to meet the little fella and for his last -*test*-('") . . . . . .how he copes with Ms Wittage ROFPSL

peee esssss - glad you were not tempted by the younger whippier snappier

Today Chico has shown no ill-effects from yesterdays work. He has spent time with Brice in the garden where both were sharing cuddles, treats and barging past each other.

Tomorrow he meets a few ST dogs but I am now pretty confident that he will be ..........................................................................................

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