Dog training or Gundog training or socialisation

Yesterday was a big day for Hallie as she went out on her first shoot. Hallie will be 7 months old in November. It didn't occur to me that she was too young, but one could tell on our arrival that when I mentioned her age there was an element of doubt about whether she should be there or not. Luckily, I am used to people doubting my judgement and with the explanation that Hallie was Bepops' grandaughter, there was a sigh of relief from most. We had a wonderful morning, I was in charge of Hallie, and I made myself aware of where all the guns were, so that we could avoid being too close. That worked well, although a couple of times we found ourselves rather near to a gun, and it took a quick shout to ask for clearance so that we could move away as I had a young dog.....teamwork on a friendly shoot.... Anyway back to Hallie, at the sound of any gunfire, she was praised, asked to sit and rewarded and I am pleased to say that after 3 shots she had learnt that we were sort of doing training which meant a cheese reward after a big bang as long as she sat down....Bingo. So first test achieved, and now my job is to maintain her confidence which is harder, one wrong move could ruin a dog so she will only go back to the shoot when I know that I can totally focus on her. What I found interesting is that when Hallie and I investigated a bit of fur in the grass, and it jumped into the air and ran off, we were as surprised as each other and out came the cheese and she was rewarded as she showed no desire to chase, the same happened with a deer that headed straight at us, Hallie hid behind me (which nearly threw me to the ground) I remained still as deer in theory go round you not through you, and yep you have guessed...out came the cheese, Hallie soon learnt that anything weird all you do is sit and cheese appears. My best moment was hitching a ride on the trailer, Bepop knows that you get lifted in and lie down as it is a bumpy ride and you can see the ground rush by, it is scary for them but dear Hallie even accepted the trailer, and learnt within seconds that life was more stable lying down than trying to stand, more cheese......So my summary of the day would be, her age was perfect and she learnt alot, she had fun and she enjoyed it and where ever you take a pup you need to watch their reactions, a gunshot is no more scary than airbrakes on a bus, or a youngster appearing round the corner on a skateboard. The downside of yesterday were the BURRS, Bepop as shown in the photo was covered, and Hallie and I didn't escape either but hey it did keep Bepops' fringe away from her eyes. I am pleased to say that Bepop was fantastic yesterday, although she was a little grumpy over all the male attention she was getting as all the dogs on the shoot are males, she didn't deserve the attention she was getting and she did get a tad bored with it, it must be her  doggy perfume, but she worked exceptional well and lifted the birds, she worked close to Julian and no running in.......so well done to Bepop as it is hard for a dog that one week picks up, the next week will be beating and as most of you may realise, Bepop is a free thinker and generally thinks her way is best, but not yesterday all it took was a quick reminder of her name and she returned. Gold star Bepop and Hallie. So is nearly 7 months too young to go on a shoot, I think it depends whether you know your dog or not........               

British Barbet History

Auntie Bepop with three pups from Betsy and Boree

All this puppy talk has made me start looking back through my photos. The first litter of Barbet puppies born in the UK, was between Betsy and Boree. I have so many movie clips and photos that I must start sorting them out and getting things more organised. Having spent time looking at the history of the breed, at least  for the future the start of the Barbet can be recorded in the UK and unlike some of the rubbish you read about the breed on some websites at least in the UK with DNA recorded for all the pups born since 2008 there will never be fanciful stories about the British Barbet and its ancestry!.

The Barbet Club of Great Britain will soon be publishing International show results for Barbets that reside in the UK and also the History of the British Barbet.  

 

Barbet Puppy time at nearly 6 weeks

Two girls and a boy all reserved

 A lovely visit yesterday at Annettes to see the puppies who will be 6 weeks on Thursday.

I know he is having a scratch but he remained still for a second! This chunky boy is reserved.

This boy is still available, he is very sweet and just loves the big dogs.

Barbet puppies at 5 weeks

The rain stopped and the 5 week old pups at Annettes were released into the bigger world of outside. When you see this photo you can't help but think they are longing for the next stage which is 'the field'.
Tomorrow I am going to see them again, so although I will say 'goodbye' to my temporary puppy residents, I will also get a few puppy cuddles with older pups. Having so much puppy time is almost as good as having my own, but it has made me realise its time for more puppies at the Preston house, its been far too long.

Wet days and paperwork but lots of good news.

Another wet day in the UK, its getting a tad boring and with any spare time I should be down my allotment planting seeds. But instead, I am sorting out paperwork inbetween the most important distraction of puppies.
News today, two of the male puppies from Ebene and Ooli will be training for gundog work, One pup has already been signed up to start training with 'Huw' a wonderful gundog trainer in Wales where we spent a weekend several years ago. Lucky Huw will have another barbet to make into a steady gundog. The other pup will be trained as a gundog and be working on a family shoot.So 2 more barbets being trained is something to celebrate.
The video showing barbets training and working on land and water  that was requested this year by the organisers of the Sporting pavillion at the CLA Game Fair has been sent off ......a big thank you to Lorraine and David for that.
Finally the Kennel Club have been in contact over our recognition of the Barbet in the UK, the committee have  requested clarification over a few points in our submitted application. It maybe I have misunderstood a question  and ticked the wrong box, easily done at times! but I am seeking more information from France, where better than the home of the Barbet. On a positive note, more communication with our Kennel Club means I can now let them know about the 2 new litters born in the UK, our numbers have increased by 19 dogs since my application went in December. I will also be able to send them the video of the barbets working that will be seen at the Game Fair.
Strangely enough, the letter from the  KC also mentioned whether a breed club was being established, * cough cough cough* page 41 of the application........ I take that as a good sign that they never got beyond page 40.

Do barbets point?

 Remy, son of Betsy joined us yesterday on the shoot. He behaved perfectly, a credit to the flushing abilities of the barbet. As a breed in the UK, the dogs that we have do not flush like spaniels, they are bigger which makes a difference and they have inbuilt survival that tells them small holes in bramble are best left to other dogs! I was lucky yesterday as I witnessed Remy being over keen and leaving the cover during a drive, thinking the worse (commen when you own a barbet!) I watched and thankfully he flushed a rather large cock bird and returned at the same speed back into the cover. Free thinking barbets, they give you anxiety attacks, but time and time again they prove their worth.

Spot the barbet?  Remy in cover