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My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:17 pm
by master of the timber
A buddy of mine asked me in June if I wanted a puppy off of his dog and that they would be born in August. I told him of course i wanted one b/c Drake was one bad A dog. I named her Rivers. I got her at 6 weeks and fell in love. Another buddy of mine let me borrow his book Water Dog and I read a few pages every night. I decided I was going to save the money and train her myself. I am glad I did because about 2 weeks ago I took her huntin for the first time at 4 1/2 months old. I know that this might be a little early to take her but it was an easy hunt and she was able to sit on dry land. I shot down a greenhead and I cannot tell you how excited I was when she went out into the pond and brought me back that big drake. It was more exciting than killing 10 limits.
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:23 pm
by free78
Damnit I thought this was gonna be another one of those video interviews.
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:25 pm
by slayem
free78 wrote:Damnit I thought this was gonna be another one of those video interviews.
Dont worry, one is in the making!
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 5:34 pm
by Chuckle12
Nice. There is not much that is more fulfilling (& frustrating) than training your own dog. I'd probably drop the waterdog book & get evan graham's smartworks books though.
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:46 pm
by flyntwt
Chuckle12 wrote:Nice. There is not much that is more fulfilling (& frustrating) than training your own dog. I'd probably drop the waterdog book & get evan graham's smartworks books though.
+1 billion
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 6:54 pm
by master of the timber
Thanks yall. I'll give it a read.
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:17 pm
by donia
congrats on the first retrieve
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:18 pm
by bottomland84
Congrats!
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:31 pm
by CBrown
Love that second photo, good looking puppy you got there.
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 7:35 pm
by hillhunter
thats good stuff right there
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:05 pm
by webfootnut
One of the best parts of our sport!!
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 8:57 pm
by billyho
Congrats man and great pics. Nothing... And I mean nothing in duck hunting is better in my opinion than watching a pups first retrieve. I've got an 11 year old choc that i trained myself, not saying he's the best but I remember his first retrieve like it was yesterday! Funny thing is his name is drake also... Good stuff man thanks for bringing back some great memories
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2012 9:15 pm
by medic11
Congrats on the puppy man, I was going to train mine on my own but uncle sam had other ideas. I dropped him off with Steve Vires last wednesday. I cant wait to get back from Afghanistan next season and hunt him. And no I am not making anymore videos the Army has me way too busy right now
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 1:42 am
by rawalley
good lookin dog
Re: My first duck dog
Posted: Wed Jan 04, 2012 8:03 am
by greenheadgrimreaper
Congrats, there is nothing like it.
I have waterdog and all of the EG Smartworks books. But with that being said for a total newcomer the book The 15 Minute Retriever was the best and the one I referenced most often during the first several months. I highly recommend it as many experienced trainers recommended me to it. I was in gun dog supply just the other day and they had several copies.
I wouldn't worry too much that isn't too young especially if the pup isn't held to a very high standard while not being allowed to begin any bad habits. Kinda like being a pilot in training bf you get to do it for real.