The Neely Chronicles pt2

[hank77]

Met up with mjflores (Mike) today and took my Llewellin Setter "Neely" and Mikes English Setter "Roux" for a midwinter romp, both dogs were raring to go!
I was surprised to see how much bigger Neely is next to Roux, tall gangly oaf my Llewellin is! ;D
We ran the dogs for a good while and they got birdy a few times, Roux was definitely the cagey veteran with rookie Neely catching on quick, some decent flash points (and Neely chomping on a clump of deer turds) and a good brisk walk on a beautiful winters day was just what the doctor ordered.
After a good run Mike was gracious enough to grab a pigeon and plant it in a launcher for Neely to find...he got on the scent pretty good, still has a ways to go before he gets "it" but he knows the birds are there...not bad for 8 1/2 months.
Roux came in and went on point pretty quick...tough conditions due to the dry air but she locked right up...impressive little dog!
Well, safe to say Nelly has to learn what honoring is...he came right in on Roux when she was on point and if it was a wild bird I would have gotten my dink stepped on by Mike for sure ;D
Mike is a super nice guy and we had a beer afterwards, what a great way to meet a new hunting friend and mentor...thanks again Mike, looking forward to the next romp!
HANK

[NHGriff]

Sounds like you guys had a great time! Hit me up next time you get together. I'd love to see your setters! I used to have a Llewellin. I'd love to train or just play with other bird dog owners.

Here's my guy in Kansas this year. Shot all of these plus two more roosters in one day. You can shoot a four bird limit on roosters. Can't remember how many quail is a limit but I think it's 10 or fifteen.

He's a Griffon and he's been trained to be a versatile dog that will retrieve any game, that's why he has the bunny.

[mjflores]

It was nice meeting you Hank, we'll have to do that again soon. You have a nice young dog there. Neely is showing plenty of potential...He'll be a bird huntin machine in no time!

[MK-M-GOBL]

Nice pics Jim

[hank77]

I would love to get together, Neely and I would greatly appreciate any and all advice...Mike was a big help the other day and a super nice guy so we will get together again real soon.

As I am out of work at the moment I have been training Neely with a "Buddy stick".. a 5' piece of 1" pvc pipe with a 1/4" bolt thru it and a snap on the end.
Being as Neely is a sensitive dog he tends to get "sticky" so the stick has really helped with control...works awezome and is the best 5 bucks I have spent since we got him.
Heel, whoa and recall all easily controlled and the stick acts as a buffer between you and the dog...no slop like with a lead or check cord...total control with being forceful or using a choke collar.. Neely will be pointing in no time!
HANK

[NHGriff]

Sounds great. I've never seen the buddy stick used but heard of it. I've done all mine with Whoa Board training. I get them to stand still on a 2' x 3' board using the command "whoa". They get used to this so eventually I can be running with them at heel get to the board, drop the lead and command "whoa" and they will stop like a point. Then I introduce a clipped wing bird while using a check cord to keep them on the board. In no time you can take away the board and they will whoa on command. Now simply bring them to a planted bird from the cross wind direction. When their head turns you know they got the scent and you command "Whoa" pretty soon you can drop the whoa and the dog will get it on his own.

I can show you this once we start training again in the spring. Best of luck!

Jim

[hank77]

Sounds great Jim!
Any tips to get us on track are greatly appreciated.
The buddy stick is a tool I find works great for Neely at this time teaching him the 3 basic commands, that way he doesnt work too close or too far and I have total control, his confidence is much higher also...the check cord and choke collar are utilized as well so it's not a be all end all for us, just a tool in the kit so to speak.
I'll bring it along when you want to start training, would love to see you and Gus in action!
Thanks again,'
HANK

[mjflores]

Hey Hank, How ya been? As soon as maple syrup season is done lets get out and see if we can find some newly arrived woodcock. I have a hen pigeon sitting on one egg so far, she'll probably set 3 or 4. You're welcome to the chicks if you want them to establish your own coop of homers. I can keep them until they're feathered out. They should go to their new coop before they associate this coop as their home. Let me know and they're yours (although I hate counting eggs before they hatch ;D ).