Jack's first time in the Field

Jacks first time out in the field! Yes, I changed my mind and decided to take him out. It was rather nerve racking for me at first. I had my hand gripped around the e-collar control like it was going to try to run away. I was so worried that Jack wouldn’t listen to me and would run away.

It was a really rough start because Jack was not listening to me. After a while and a couple of hits on the e-collar Jack started to listen. From there on I was able to let Jack do his thing. He’s a natural….he still needs a lot of work but I was really proud of him today.

The moment I was the most proud was when Tess accidentally flushed a bird, Mitch shot and the bird went down in some really tall grass (hip height). We told the dogs to “find the bird” and they both started to weave in and out of the grass. Then Jack took off to the left into the tree line. I called him back and made him search the grass again. Then again he took off to the tree line. This time, I stopped and just watched him. He stopped for longer than normal and I yelled over to Mitch, who was closer, to check on Jack.

When Mitch got there, Jack was pointing the bird…at least we think he was pointing the bird. You could only see Jack’s rear end sticking out of the grass. The bird was not dead but injured.

The part where Jack needs work is holding point. Jack went after the bird when the bird started to run. We did eventually catch the bird and took care of it.

I was proud of Jack because he was able to follow the scent and found the bird. I was proud of him because he started to respond to me when called. Jack also stayed pretty close to me most of the day. We were out there for about 3 hours and I only lost sight of him 3 times.  Jack and I started to get into a really good rhythm for the rest of the day.

We worked well as a hunting team. We still have a lot of work but for the first time out I think he did a great job!

Here is Jack at the end of the day with the one bird he found! (note: we only got two birds today).

Jack's First Day Training

I took Jack out training yesterday and boy do I have a lot of work ahead of me. After yesterday, I've decided I'm not taking him out this year. He still has a lot of things to learn and some growing up to do.

There were a few good things that came out of yesterday.

1) One of the most important things: Jack IS NOT gun shy. I didn't think he would be since during July when every the fireworks went off he would run outside and look up in the sky.

2) The other most important thing: Jack has a very good nose. He was able to get the sent of all three birds Mitch planted

3) When he's in the field he's focused on birds and not other dogs. I was worried that taking Jack to the dog park might have gotten him used to playing with dogs and when I get him out in the field he would want to play and not hunt. Worry no more, Jack knows what to do in the field.

4) Jack also response very very very well to the e-collar. I have to say his previous owner trained him well on the e-collar. The think I have to learn is not to be scare that I will hurt my dog. We got into a situation where Jack discovered Mitchs horse (who HATES dog and will try to step on them). Jack started barking and was trying to run into the pasture. I had the setting on low because Jack was responding to them before but in this situation Jack was not responding at all. He was way to focused on the horse. Mitch had to grab the controls when Jack ran through the fence and headed to the horse. Of which the horse started to hoof at Jack. Mitch cranked up the controls and Jack came running back.

Lesson learned, when Jack is not responding, especially in a situation where he could get seriously hurt, I need to get his attention and if that means on second of shock it's better than the alternative.

Over all Jack did well.

Things we need to work on:
1) Holding point: I figured I would need to work on this since in the back yard he chases birds.

2) When a bird is in our hands DO NOT snap at it. Not sure how to brake this habit but I will figure it out.

3) Keep him trimmed of long hair! I spent an hour in the bathroom with Jack bathing him (he was full of mud) and clipping burs out of his fur. I know after a long day of hunting I am not going to want to spend an extra hour or longer pulling these things out of his fur. So to the groomer before we hunt and I need to purchase this stuff call Show Sheen or something. Apparently guys use it on their dogs to help make the fur silky so the burs will almost brush out of the fur. Anything to make this process less painful.

He did exactly what I thought he would do and I kinda knew going in what I will have to work on. So no actual hunting for Jack until he gets better at responding to my command and he holds point better. Maybe next year. So for now, this year I will just work on training him.