Spring Training All The Way Around

J & A's Apple Jack of Acton J.H.

Taken during a recent training session in Kennebunk on live birds.  Pointing (holding) a planted quail in this photo Jack's been honoring the English Setters who are also in training and having 'tune-ups' along with him.  The dogs are all just doing a stellar job with John, Mal, and Rob.  Pippin is sitting it out this week.

Just a little update tonight. Returned home not too long ago from True's handling class. He is doing so well as is Pam. Tonight the class practiced handing off each other's dog and it was a great exercise.  The composition of this class is extremely varied so the handler of a small Retriever could end up with a massive Great Dane!  It was a very fascinating experience.  We went through an entire mock show, explaining each step of the show ring and the procedures involved.  Penny is an excellent instructor. During the mock show she taught folks what to do in each situation of being in the ring including the placements, where to go, when to leave the ring, etc. etc.  Although there was absolutely NO competition among the students and their dogs, a Winner's Dog had to be created so... I was happy when it was True who demonstrated along with Pam exactly what to do!  I got a kick out of that and came home and told John about True winning WD (this is basically when your dog defeats all the other dogs of the same sex in the classes and depending on how many that is - could earn minor or major points towards a championship!)  One more week of classes and then I think we'll try True in a few shows to see how he does.  It may still be too early for him but we'll see! 

The dogs are enjoying the pond on a near daily basis now and I'm getting good at using the outdoor propane camp shower  to rinse them off with the warm water afterwards.  I like that they are swimming out further.  When Sassy was here on Sunday she jumped in and would have swam forever.  Still undecided about whether or not to pursue something with NAVHDA as far as testing goes but at least we'll have the opportunity for the water training?!

I have a few phone calls to return and will do that - between the both of us John and I have just not been home.  Yesterday we actually had a real dinner and movie date and capped it off by driving up to one of the new Tractor Supply Stores.  Strange but true.  Enjoyed ourselves so much.

The Brittanymobile is undergoing yet another transition as we prepare for the Maine Bird Dog field trials.  Three weeks of trials to work at in one way or another. Still time to enter your Brittany in Central Maine Brittany Club's spring trial May 22 and 23 - especially those youngsters, just to let them run.  We plan to run True and Piper. (I say we - it won't be me!)  The older dogs can enter either derby or gundog depending upon their level of training and/or ability to be steady to wing, flush, shot... something like that. 

I have just uploaded the Road Trip video to youtube.  Hope you enjoy it! By the way, the video of Treasure training her pups has been viewed almost 1,000 times!  Take care and God bless you and yours,
John, Ann and All Things Brittany