Hunter is a hunter!!!

[Gina Heitz <brier@oregonsbest.com>]

Carol,

I am sure you don't mind but guess I should tell you:  I am so proud
of Hunter I took a portion of your post here and copied it to a GR
breeders list I belong too.  Also sent a full copy onto my friend
George Tookey who has not only a field trail golden but a lab as
well!  Don't worry didn't tell him where you live! <LOL> 

Carol makes some very good points below, and hence why I am re posting
her entire message. <smile>  With some comments... 

 
At 05:02 PM 11/26/00 -0800, you wrote:
> Hello
> All:
> Just thought I would brag a bit about my VERY SMART Moon Boy!!!
>  
> As you all know, we bought Hunter to hunt
> birds, hence his name.  Well we took him on his first real hunt
> yesterday, and he did AWESOME!!!!  He got 4 pheasants and did like a
> pro, out, flush, back retrieve to daddy give and wala a bird dog is
> born!!!  He has such an instinct and focus when it come to
> birds.  It is so fascinating.  I know some may not agree with
> the hunting of birds, but we do NOT hunt for sport, we eat what we hunt
> or we do not hunt it.  I do not agree to hunting just to kill
> something, our meat comes from wild game and that is our main source of
> meat.  I hope that I do not offend anyone by these brags, but I hope
> it helps knowing that the animals are not wasted.  The animal is
> always used to the full extent, bird wings are used for future training
> the meat is dinner and the feathers are used for projects at
> school.  

Carol and Shaun are incredible people, they not only truly live off of
what the land is able to provide for them, they enrich the lives of their
children by teaching them to be kind gentle and only take what they can
use.  Austin went hunting for two weeks with his dad this season
during school.  Took along the books did the work, but also had his
life enriched by the trip and what it means to be responsible. 

Goldens ARE sporting dogs and for Carol to report to me that Hunter is
showing the ability to do what the breed is intended to do warms my
heart, validates my program.  Hunter is by no means a field trial
dog more a gentleman's hunting companion and that is just fine.  The
ability is there and the aptitude has been enhanced by nurturing and
training. :-) 
>  
> He has such a drive to be given direction, his
> focus is so intensely on us.  He thrives on his training sessions
> and was so completely high from his hunt yesterday, you could just see
> that his brain has grown by his experience.  I recommend training
> them for something, these dogs are so smart!!!!  They NEED the
> stimuli of some kind of training.  Even if it is just ball
> throwing.  These are not your average dog, they are SMART beyond
> words.  It would be such a waste to throw these dogs in the back
> yard and not give them their full potential.

Yes, finding a balance for each puppy is important.  I don't get the
impression that most of the moon litter are exactly couch potatoes and
with out some kind of structure, left to their own devices like most
puppies,,, but maybe just a bit more with these guys they are bound to
find trouble...  Throw away the leashes, and the restraints, find
what trips the trigger with these guys, I am sure you will find that not
only they will be happier but so will you. 

 Games you can play indoors for those of us who live where it's not
amicable this time of year to be out side are ( of course do these
outside too):  Fetch and find, sort of like hide and seek. 
Start by hiding toys in sight while the puppy watches you
"hide" it.  Then send them on a search for it. 
Reward when returned.  Step two is to hide the toy out of sight like
in another room but still out in plain sight in that room.  Drag the
toy on the carpet, encourage your puppy to track the toy by smell. 
Might even scent the toy.  Next step is to hid the toy in a not so
easy place to find it, like under the bed in the other room.  Of
course this game takes two to start with one to hide toys and one to hold
the puppy.  Advanced work with this game is done after your puppy
knows sit stay reliably and then only needs one handler.  Good old
fashion hide and seek is fun and stimulating too.  Human hide and
seek...  Starts the same way as fetch and find.  

At any rate these guys are smart and as you all know by now do require
stimulation.  Some need more to get their attention and focus...

>  
> Ok, I have compared our friends yellow lab
> several times on the list, same age, but that is it!!!  Hunter has
> been worked with, not by a professional, but by novices (us). Luke has
> not done anything but exist and eat expensive food.  Hunter showed
> him what a smart dog can do.  Luke would not even do anything. 
> Labs are supposed to be better at all of that, but he would not touch the
> bird at all.  He has no idea what to do and really does not care to
> do anything but run around.  Hunter just sat and waited for the
> fetch it up command and was thrilled that he was the only one getting the
> bird. 

The Lab puppy just has not been exposed to the stimuli that Hunter has,
the balance between structure and freedom.  Hunter's life has been
balanced, by not just training, but enrichment of his natural ability,
his drive and desire to retrieve and give pleasure and in return be
rewarded with love and food. :-)  Two things goldens live for: 
Food and love. 

>  
> A follow up on his wound from surgery:  He
> is healing really well, he was sewed up so tight under his chin, I don't
> think he will ever have a double chin.  I wish I had that vet do
> some work on me!!  He seems to have more energy now, I don't know if
> that is related to getting rid of the bump but I am glad he is feeling
> good.

Oh so he won't need a facelift eh? <smile> 

>  
> We put up the Christmas lights and our reindeer
> that move their heads, it has been 4 days now, and he still barks like
> crazy at the deer!!!  He is afraid but insistent that they leave his
> front yard right now!!!!  He doesn't understand that they are not
> real.  We have walked him up to the deer but he still doesn't get
> it.  Quite the comedy scene!!!!


Perhaps he, Iris and Angel Shipman should have a chat about yard
ornaments...  Linda??? 

>  
> Excuse my major brag, but we are very very
> proud of our boy today!!!


Excuse me but I am very proud of Hunter and so is George!  

>  
> Carol

Gina :-) 

>