~ WELCOME REX ~ Retriever Boot Camp
Posted: Fri May 01, 2020 7:42 am
Aye Mates,
I recently welcomed REX to retriever boot camp and I will be working with him for a minimum of three months. As is my standard operating procedure, I conducted an assessment of REX prior to my acceptance of him as a trainee. I had previously worked with the owners of REX and knew from that prior experience that we would be on the same page with regard to my approach to training and in my encouragement for them to participate regularly so that they could learn how to handle him proficiently. I look forward to training with REX and his owners. I will include regular updates here on his progress as we move through the training process and toward meeting our well identified training objectives.
~ REX ~ This chocolate Labrador Retriever pup recently arrived for an extended training stay and will be with me for a minimum of three months. This photo was taken by one of his owners at an AKC hunt test we were all in attendance at last year in Maine. REX really impressed me that weekend with regard to his extremely focused and calm demeanor relative to his age. Observing in REX many of the traits I like to see in a potential retriever trainee, I welcome the opportunity to work with REX and his owners.
~ Introduction To Birds ~ Seen here as a gangly pup of about 12 weeks old, REX was introduced to both birds, water, and gunfire last year under my guidance. REX exhibited great prey drive during his introduction on live pigeons whilst on a check cord and in fact demonstrated a nice natural retrieve during those early exercises. We also conducted an intro to water last May once our New England waters warmed sufficiently for conducting water intro for a young pup without any negative effects. Water intro was an exercise in fun as we extended our early bird intro into the aquatic environment. What true Labrador pup would turn his or her nose up at an opportunity to chase birds about in the water?
I had invited REX and his owners to participate in several group training sessions that I was conducting over the last several months and they eagerly took me up on that offer. REX is no stranger to me, nor am I to him. The dynamic has now shifted as REX is now in my sole care during the duration of his training for the next few months. Our time spent together will be intensive with initial work focused on bringing his obedience up to my expected standard. His owners have conducted some good preliminary work with regard to early basic obedience under my guidance and in my absence. I will now take the reins and form the foundational obedience that is critical to all of the gun dog skills development that will follow.
~ Let The Journey Begin ~ So we begin the forging of REX into what will be his life as a Labrador Retriever gun dog. A strategic training plan in place, that based on well identified objectives, we will seek to impart all of the necessary elements required in the making of REX as a fundamentally competent gun dog. REX will be cross-trained to hunt both upland birds and waterfowl. We may likely enter REX in some hunt tests when his skill level development warrants doing so and when hunt tests are hopefully once again being conducted given the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and its far reaching effects, those including the dog games. REX is seen in this photograph as we conduct a "bolding walk" that served as a chance for him to get some well needed exercise after spending his first evening away from his family at the training kennel. REX exhibited good RECALL skills throughout our time spent together during this initial session.
I recently welcomed REX to retriever boot camp and I will be working with him for a minimum of three months. As is my standard operating procedure, I conducted an assessment of REX prior to my acceptance of him as a trainee. I had previously worked with the owners of REX and knew from that prior experience that we would be on the same page with regard to my approach to training and in my encouragement for them to participate regularly so that they could learn how to handle him proficiently. I look forward to training with REX and his owners. I will include regular updates here on his progress as we move through the training process and toward meeting our well identified training objectives.
~ REX ~ This chocolate Labrador Retriever pup recently arrived for an extended training stay and will be with me for a minimum of three months. This photo was taken by one of his owners at an AKC hunt test we were all in attendance at last year in Maine. REX really impressed me that weekend with regard to his extremely focused and calm demeanor relative to his age. Observing in REX many of the traits I like to see in a potential retriever trainee, I welcome the opportunity to work with REX and his owners.
~ Introduction To Birds ~ Seen here as a gangly pup of about 12 weeks old, REX was introduced to both birds, water, and gunfire last year under my guidance. REX exhibited great prey drive during his introduction on live pigeons whilst on a check cord and in fact demonstrated a nice natural retrieve during those early exercises. We also conducted an intro to water last May once our New England waters warmed sufficiently for conducting water intro for a young pup without any negative effects. Water intro was an exercise in fun as we extended our early bird intro into the aquatic environment. What true Labrador pup would turn his or her nose up at an opportunity to chase birds about in the water?
I had invited REX and his owners to participate in several group training sessions that I was conducting over the last several months and they eagerly took me up on that offer. REX is no stranger to me, nor am I to him. The dynamic has now shifted as REX is now in my sole care during the duration of his training for the next few months. Our time spent together will be intensive with initial work focused on bringing his obedience up to my expected standard. His owners have conducted some good preliminary work with regard to early basic obedience under my guidance and in my absence. I will now take the reins and form the foundational obedience that is critical to all of the gun dog skills development that will follow.
~ Let The Journey Begin ~ So we begin the forging of REX into what will be his life as a Labrador Retriever gun dog. A strategic training plan in place, that based on well identified objectives, we will seek to impart all of the necessary elements required in the making of REX as a fundamentally competent gun dog. REX will be cross-trained to hunt both upland birds and waterfowl. We may likely enter REX in some hunt tests when his skill level development warrants doing so and when hunt tests are hopefully once again being conducted given the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic and its far reaching effects, those including the dog games. REX is seen in this photograph as we conduct a "bolding walk" that served as a chance for him to get some well needed exercise after spending his first evening away from his family at the training kennel. REX exhibited good RECALL skills throughout our time spent together during this initial session.