However, THE BEST thing of all was saved until the very end...... this is me on the shoot today with my first retrieve.....
It wasn't all 'work' I also got to play with my friend Blue..
Saturday 31 December 2011
Saving the best until last......
Even though I have only been around for eight and a half months of 2011 it has been a FABULOUS year for me, I have done LOTS of really exciting things.
However, THE BEST thing of all was saved until the very end...... this is me on the shoot today with my first retrieve.....
However, THE BEST thing of all was saved until the very end...... this is me on the shoot today with my first retrieve.....
Friday 30 December 2011
Rushcliffe Country Park
Today we went to Nottingham. It wasn't a very exciting trip for us dogs until we stopped off at Rushcliffe Country Park for a walk, and what a great park it is, just off the A60.
It has over 8 kilometres of footpaths, grassland, conservation and landscaped areas. Dogs are very welcome and there are maps and signs showing very clearly where dogs can be off lead, where they must be on lead and certain areas where they are not allowed.
Unfortunately it started to rain whilst we were enjoying our walk so we decided to cut it short but we will certainly go back there next time we are in the area.
It has over 8 kilometres of footpaths, grassland, conservation and landscaped areas. Dogs are very welcome and there are maps and signs showing very clearly where dogs can be off lead, where they must be on lead and certain areas where they are not allowed.
Unfortunately it started to rain whilst we were enjoying our walk so we decided to cut it short but we will certainly go back there next time we are in the area.
Wednesday 28 December 2011
So that's how Fergus earns his biscuits!
After a few days off over Christmas we all went to a shoot again yesterday. It was a lovely warm sunny day and there were lots of people there and far more dogs than usual. Some of the dogs I hadn't seen before, normally there are just Labradors, Spaniels, a Border Terrier and a Jack Russell but I met a Wire Haired Visla and even a Border Collie!
Just before lunch Mum let me watch a drive with Fergus. I have done this once before, but I didn't get to see much action then as there was nothing for Fergus to retrieve. This time was much more exciting. To get to the drive we had to jump over a small fence and across some ditches. I had never done this before but I just watched what Fergus did and copied him. When we had to jump Mum said 'over' I remembered her saying this word when I was a tiny puppy and I had to get over the back door step.
When we got to our place we had to wait a while before anything happened. Fergus was really good (I would say boring!) he sat there perfectly still, paying attention all the time, whilst I preferred to sniff around in the grass and find the odd twig to chew, but as soon as I heard a bang from a gun I sat up and paid attention.
It wasn't long before I heard another bang and then a pheasant fell out of the sky. After a few seconds Mum told Fergus to 'fetch' and he went running off after the pheasant. I was desperate to go and help, but Mum had a firm hold on my lead. When Fergus brought the pheasant to Mum it was flapping in his face but this didn't seem to bother him. Mum told Fergus to 'give' and he gave the pheasant to her, then she told him to 'sit'. I recognised the words, fetch, give and sit, Mum uses the same words when I am retrieving my tennis ball or dummy.
Fergus had just sat down when there was another bang and a much smaller bird fell out of the sky. The same things happened again, Mum told Fergus to 'fetch' then 'give' then 'sit'. This bird was a Woodcock.
It was all very exciting. I was desperate to have a go but Mum said no, my time will come. I hope 'my time' comes quickly!
Just before lunch Mum let me watch a drive with Fergus. I have done this once before, but I didn't get to see much action then as there was nothing for Fergus to retrieve. This time was much more exciting. To get to the drive we had to jump over a small fence and across some ditches. I had never done this before but I just watched what Fergus did and copied him. When we had to jump Mum said 'over' I remembered her saying this word when I was a tiny puppy and I had to get over the back door step.
When we got to our place we had to wait a while before anything happened. Fergus was really good (I would say boring!) he sat there perfectly still, paying attention all the time, whilst I preferred to sniff around in the grass and find the odd twig to chew, but as soon as I heard a bang from a gun I sat up and paid attention.
It wasn't long before I heard another bang and then a pheasant fell out of the sky. After a few seconds Mum told Fergus to 'fetch' and he went running off after the pheasant. I was desperate to go and help, but Mum had a firm hold on my lead. When Fergus brought the pheasant to Mum it was flapping in his face but this didn't seem to bother him. Mum told Fergus to 'give' and he gave the pheasant to her, then she told him to 'sit'. I recognised the words, fetch, give and sit, Mum uses the same words when I am retrieving my tennis ball or dummy.
Fergus had just sat down when there was another bang and a much smaller bird fell out of the sky. The same things happened again, Mum told Fergus to 'fetch' then 'give' then 'sit'. This bird was a Woodcock.
It was all very exciting. I was desperate to have a go but Mum said no, my time will come. I hope 'my time' comes quickly!
Fergus in action
Sunday 25 December 2011
Sunday 18 December 2011
In the beating line
Yesterday we all went to our favourite Saturday shoot. Mum normally picks up at this shoot with Fergus, and Max works for Dad when he is shooting. However, yesterday both Mum and Dad were shooting. The guns take it in turns to stand and shoot for 2 drives and walk with the beaters for 1 drive, and you will never guess what happened in the afternoon........................ when it was Mum's turn to walk with the beaters she put Fergus back in the car........................ and took ME!!!!!!
Fergus has told me all about what happens on a shoot so I just took it all in my stride. First we blanked in a big field of rape, then went through a small wood and finally through a maize cover strip. When the birds started to fly and I heard the guns shooting I sat and watched. I don't know why I had to sit and watch, but I remembered Fergus telling me it's really important to do this. Mum said it will all become clear when I am a bit older - I can't wait to be a bit older!!!!
Fergus has told me all about what happens on a shoot so I just took it all in my stride. First we blanked in a big field of rape, then went through a small wood and finally through a maize cover strip. When the birds started to fly and I heard the guns shooting I sat and watched. I don't know why I had to sit and watch, but I remembered Fergus telling me it's really important to do this. Mum said it will all become clear when I am a bit older - I can't wait to be a bit older!!!!
Friday 16 December 2011
8 months old
I am 8 months old today. The day didn't start too well - the scales came out - it was time to be weighed. I am now 20.5 kg.
This morning I did some training with Mum, this week we have been practising the stop and recall whistles. Mum only used to blow the stop whistle when I was close to her but now I can be at the other side of the field when I hear it, but I know to stop and sit (most of the time!) What I never know is whether Mum is then going to come to me or if she is going to blow the recall whistle for me to run to her, she likes to keep me guessing! I don't mind, whichever it is there's usually a tasty morsel as a reward.
This afternoon I got a BIG surprise, a great 8 month 'birthday' present was delivered for me......... a whole ton of gravel to jump on and dig in!! It was such fun, but Fergus was boring - he wouldn't join in.
This morning I did some training with Mum, this week we have been practising the stop and recall whistles. Mum only used to blow the stop whistle when I was close to her but now I can be at the other side of the field when I hear it, but I know to stop and sit (most of the time!) What I never know is whether Mum is then going to come to me or if she is going to blow the recall whistle for me to run to her, she likes to keep me guessing! I don't mind, whichever it is there's usually a tasty morsel as a reward.
This afternoon I got a BIG surprise, a great 8 month 'birthday' present was delivered for me......... a whole ton of gravel to jump on and dig in!! It was such fun, but Fergus was boring - he wouldn't join in.
Tuesday 13 December 2011
I'm a big boy now!
I feel very grown up, I am now allowed to retrieve full size dummies. When it's cold and dark outside I get to practise in the house. Mum is teaching me to hold them in the middle rather than carrying them by the toggle - but it's fun carrying them by the toggle!
Mum's cheated with this one, she's taken the toggle off AND sewn down the end flap - now that's what I call cunning!
Mum's cheated with this one, she's taken the toggle off AND sewn down the end flap - now that's what I call cunning!
Friday 2 December 2011
Out with Duggie
We are in the middle of the shooting season so Mum, Fergus and Max are very busy picking up on local shoots. Mum says Fergus and Max get more than enough exercise doing this so at the moment they are not coming out for walks. This means I get to go out with Duggie. Duggie is my oldest brother, he will be 13 in February but he still likes to have a good run and bounce!
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