Training Diary Day 40-43
12th October 2017
Training Diary Day 51-55
29th October 2017
Day 44
We did some more consolidation of the crate games at the training venue. Some good solid sends to the crate from greater distances.
We also practiced some duration settles at a café whilst I had a cup of tea and some cake. Erik was quiet throughout and was even complimented on how well behaved he was! He was even quiet whilst we queued.
I feel a lot more of this type of training is required this winter although I may be the size of a house eating all that cake 🙂
Day 45
Our first day of the shooting season and Erik was in fine voice today! He managed to be quiet whilst waiting if I walked him in circles but he got very over aroused and squeaky during the drive in the beaters truck. He was completely off his trolley to start with; he chased a couple of birds and couldn’t hear his recall whistle initially. He did calm down and was responding to all his whistle cues and started check in after about half an hour. He did some nice work during his bonkers time and did some OK quartering through a cover crop, a bit too far away and not instant on his whistle but doing a reasonable job and in the same field as me so not all bad!!! I’m hoping that I will get some time to do some desensitisation to birds before next weekend when we have a whole day on another shoot.
It was nice to get back out to work with him and just enjoy watching him do what he is bred to do. It is good to remember that whatever happens with the working tests and field trials I can always go out and have fun working him on our local shoots 🙂
Day 46
No training
Day 47+48
No training
Day 49
We have had a bit of a slow week this week as Erik had his back treated on Monday so we have been resting him for a few days. Got back to a bit of work today and did some stop whistle when the ball is thrown practice. We also did some close hunting and stop whistle work alternating hunting a small area for a ball and stop followed by release to carry on searching as a reward. He did this really well. Also whilst we were out walking and I stopped for a chat Erik actually chose to lie down to wait!!! Things starting to be shifting in that little head of his 🙂
Day 50
More Stop Whistle work today.
