Making Progress

I have been remiss in posting on the Blog - I have been really busy and I beg your indulgence. Since Jim M arrived from MO - we have been working pretty hard. Jim and I handle a dog each while Daniel roads another young dog. This is a new concept and approach - just as we know dogs learn from watching on the chain gang, I believe that this will help the younger dogs get broke easier. It basically works this way - while Jim or my dog is pointed we bring in both the other dogs for a back and make them stand steady through the flush and shot. This looks very promising so far.

Chewy - This is the newest dog at camp and arrived last week. He is a strong pointer, that handles and listens well - he is young and green but show loads of promise and runs at moderate shooting dog range - I feel with more exposure and birds he will get bolder and independent.

Jakey - I really like this young dog - runs hard to the front and handles well, he points birds with style and I think he is special. He has great owners and I given the opportunity he would be a field trial winner - but know first and foremost he is a part of the Fernandes family. He is either the Number 1 dog or Number 2 dog of the dogs under a year at camp.

Maggie - Wow, she is the best young bitch at camp. Today, before we got rained out we put her down with Jakey and one of Jim's nice young prospects. She had contact with 3 groups of birds - the first a pair of sharptails, which she was working but flushed and she gave chase - shortly thereafter we saw her chasing another bird. And finally she had a nice point and I was able to ride up and dismount before she broke and chased.

Buster - Gaining more experience and has been in the vicinity of several birds that flushed - we have still not seen a point from him - but he is extremely green and inexperienced, and wild birds are different to handle than liberated birds. He is a nice quality dogs and I am sure he will get it down soon.

Molly - Running hard and pointing birds - close working dog but beginning to stretch out more - she has had many contacts and several points with wild birds. She is easy to handle and a nice front running dog.

Dolly - She is a nice little gal - loves to point and points everything - doves, larks, pheasants, sharptails, even sunflowers! Tough as nails and strong endurance

Star - Nice easy handling dog that points well, and is steady to wing and shot. She finds birds on almost every outing and listens well.

Lucy - Runs hard, big running dog - had 1 broke find and 2 others that she broke at the flush or shot.

Trevor - Getting more solid - the roading is helping him - I feel he will be broke and finding birds better all the time. Good attitude and solid ability.

Tech - Running all over the prairie - we had seen him point several birds, and fortunately is coming out of his shell and really starting to enjoy training camp.

Dot - Super wild bird dog, starting to really stretch out - finds birds but is not really honest yet on them. We are making progress in that area, however.

Max - Starting to really build up - had 3 nice finds on the last workout - on pheasants, still moving with happy feet, but our new training regiment is really helping that.

Haley - Actually, listening and finding birds - still a bit of an air head sometimes but coming along.

Collin - Has learned the meaning of "Here" is running big and finding and knocking birds, last time out I got almost in front of him to flush before he knocked the birds and chased.

We are overall pleased with the progress we are making - like every year some are coming along slower than others but all are making progress in varying degrees.

Keith - Posting from Under the Rusty Windmill