I feel like a pup on a spring time romp

After finishing with spring trials a week ago and a few days rest, I have been going at it non-stop!  I actually am thrilled to be back home taking care of business back here at the training grounds.

A dog trainer is like a mechanic in some ways.  One way in particular is that if you show me a busy mechanic, I’ll show a mechanic whose own personal vehicle needs work!  The same is true with me.  Often my own dogs take a back seat to clients which I suppose is the way it should be if you’re busy.  This past week I have not only been busy with client dogs but have been working my own!  Wow! 

Maybe it’s the time of year that brings that out.  I grew up with ’spring cleaning’ chores each year and I guess I could be programmed.  My wife and I cut limbs, trees, weeds, grass and more.  It was good work.  Working up a sweat on something you like to get done with someone you love I guess just makes life that much easier.

My little Brittany Tula is on her way to being green trained for this fall.  She really is handling well for just a few lessons and acts like she would like to be steady to wing and shot so I guess we’ll do that.  Shooter, my 2 year old who took 2nd in last years Texas Derby Classic (26 starters), is finally green trained to wing and shot.  I can’t wait to take him up to Montana this fall.  I’ve got 3 new Brittany pups I’m working with that aren’t quite ready for anything but puppy training and I really am having a good time playing with them nowadays.

All of my mature dogs are aging and I have had 3 pass away in the last 3 years from old age.  My personal hunting dogs are dwindling so it’s good that I am motivated to start my young dogs.  It took my wife to point out that I was nearly out of bird dogs for me to start keeping some pups.  Can you believe Nubbin’ is 8 years old?!

I hope your spring has you motivated as well.  Enjoy the moderate temps now if you are down south and if you are up north, they’re coming!

Spring is kinda like the New Years resolution to me.  It’s a time when I know youngs dogs have to be prepared for fall hunting season.  It’s a good time to plan training, diets and exercise for the dogs as well as for me.  This year, I think I’m gonna do just that and shed a few pounds while keepin’ my dogs in good shape.  The Polaris Ranger and horses sure don’t help.  LOL

God Bless and give your bird dog a treat for me!

Dave

P.S. Yeah, I changed the look of my journal again.  The other theme for my journal didn’t have the clean feel that this theme has.