Our First Dabble Into Big Game Recovery-September 30th, 2022

 

Big game recovery? What is that?!?

A newer working sport has been emerging out here in the West. Dogs being used to track and recover big game animals. Most often heard of in the Midwest and in the Southern regions of the states, the Rocky Mountain Region has been developing a good list of trackers to aide hunters in the recovery of animals they have harvested, but been unable to locate. A well trained dog and knowledgable handler will be called out by a hunter who will then start them at the original shot site. With a quick introduction to the blood and a cue to search the dog begins to use their nose to work along the wounded animals path. The goal? To find the deceased animal and take it home or complete the kill and save the animal from any additional suffering after the original shot. Not all times will the dogs recover the animal, but with an incredible nose the odds of locating the animal are higher than a human trying to track the blood that may not be fully visible.

We quickly found the only nationwide club designed for big game recovery teams called the United Blood Trackers. After a phone call with a local tracker he encouraged us to "just try it." He explained that the dogs natural instinct quickly chimes in and with nothing but encouragement a dog can become extremely successful. He explained a few ways to practice at-home tracks, but really pushed us to take a few calls and try out the real thing.

I took a call from a local gentleman who explained that his son had shot a deer earlier that evening and they were unable to locate him. They were hoping we could go out and help them in the search. I explained that we were brand new, had little tracking experience, but would love the opportunity to try out a live track. Long story short, we didn't track the original deer, but we did track and recover a second deer that the daughter shot on our way out to the first. With such a short window of light, a lack of packs to carry out two deer, and not even reached the starting point for the first deer we called it a night and helped pack out the newly harvested animal. This experience was a great first experience for us as it taught us a lot of different things to prepare for with future tracking calls. From gear to wear, questions to ask, and expectations to set we we're one step into building experience for our future in tracking.

Advanced Obedience Trainings-September 26th, 2022

 

Lottie's obedience skills have come along really nicely. She is a softer dog who doesn't require much more than a stern "No" when not listening to a command. She will quickly correct herself and learns for the next time when asked. We are tightening up our skills so we can take the Canine Good Citizenship test. She has a large majority of the skills down, but needs to additional practice for the commands of "Down" and "Place." We just don't typically require those two things around the home so it's tougher on her to master them. She heels nicely on and off lead and her recall has been solid. I love watching her when we're out exploring because she often finds herself skidding to a stop to only spin around like a barrel horse and come running back to me. I try not to recall unless needed so they don't become complacent and disregard the command. We're hoping to complete the CGC test here soon and then begin advancing our obedience in preparation for the CGCA and CGCU.

Over the last year of having Lottie I've learned so much as a handler on how to curb the bad behaviors so many dog owners often find themselves experiencing. Attending group trainings when she was a small puppy was just the start to her socialization and really helped us find neutrality while around people, dogs, and a busy environment. The commands we've learned together have helped her learn when a behavior is acceptable and because we're putting her brain to work she finds herself tired after and hasn't developed destructive behaviors. 

Looking back on Becks and his lack of training from the beginning I see where we went wrong. We were too cheap to invest in formal classes back then and too prideful to admit that we didn't know what we were doing and that we really needed help. He's never really been one for destruction, but he is a busy-bee and needs an outlet in more than just physical exercise. Dedicating time to training has been one great source in creating a more obedient dog, but has also given him time to work his brain and become mentally tired after a lesson. We have made progress together this year, but we are most definitely not as advanced as a team as Lottie and I are. Our two goals we are working towards are loose leash walking(this boy wants to go go go and is very antsy) and recall training. Leash training has gotten much better over the last few months after a few private sessions with a trainer. Our recall training has gotten better, but we are breaking that selective hearing problem so he knows that the only option when recalled is to come. Coupled with the recall is our "Free" command that cues him to run and have fun without worry of checking in.

How is training with Oakley you may ask? Well, Oakley is...just Oakley. She has been great with leash manners and only has slight reaction to dogs when on lead but it's not aggressive behavior, just excitement when they are barking at her. It's easily corrected and curbed which leaves me happy. She could work on recall, but she stays by my side and doesn't wonder far so it hasn't been a huge priority for me. She's been a great pet, but outside of the basics she doesn't need much more as she is naturally a calm and composed dog at home. She will literally sleep all day with no need to a run. She just needs potty, water, food, and a walk around the block.

Did you know you and your dogs can work towards a CGC title even if they aren't a purebred dog? The AKC offers a Purebred Alternative Listings(PAL) program that allows you to register your dog and begin earning titles for certain events. For details on the PAL program click here: PAL Program

To learn more about the AKC's CGC testing, click here: CGC Testing

Dove Hunting Season-September 5th, 2022

 

A little dove hunting never hurt no one right? 

Becks has dove hunted with us since the first season after we welcomed him home. This last season was pretty quiet for us, but one of the days we went out we did come across a few birds, one of which came home with us. Becks made a wonderful retrieve. The dove flew up and into a rocky part of the canyon. Becks with no fear, jumped the canal, ran up the hill side and began climbing the rocks to make the retrieve. We've been working his left and right commands to he knows where to move towards should he need a little bit assistance. He quickly located the dove and brought him right to us. We were so proud of him for quickly and efficiently. He's more of a flusher and retrieve for us so he enjoys dove hunting and we hope to try him at chukar hunting one of these days.