Test Training and Lee Kay Hatchery/Dog Training Info

Went out to Lee Kay for a little training Saturday. I worked on some HZP test things. Using a thawed duck and a Dokkens Mallard bumper i threw numerous unmarked blinds for Hessian. Doesn't seem to be much of a problem for him at all he will search and search until he catches wind of it and then he's all over it. I am amazed at how long he will stay in the water or in the field after being commanded to fetch. What a nose on this dog, i am more and more impressed with how well he can scent anything i put out there and sometimes it is so quick.

I also worked a little on the gunfire sensitivity in water, by sending him out after a thawed duck or bumper he saw fall and as he approached would fire a shot at the duck or bumper. It would only fire him up more, making him bark and swim faster for it. His manner of retrieve is getting much better since i've been working with him on every retrieve.

I was also able to do a little bit with a rabbit drag that went very well also. I had my partner Zac lay out the drag for me, right now just straight ones until he gets it down, got Hessian on the start of the drag track and when i knew he was following the scent I released him with the fetch command. We watched as he lost the track, began a search and as he ran across where the track was he stopped, turned and nose to the ground followed the scent all the way to the rabbit. I had to command fetch once he was there but this is really only the second one i have done so i expect problems like that. All in all it was a great day of training. We were able to work with Grizz as well and in my own opinion that dog will be a great hunter. His search has really developed well, and his nose as well. He loves water and swam more than i have ever seen him before. Zac has been working the obedience angle and is doing great. We were able to put some pressure on Grizz and work with "hold" and "heel". Mind he needs more training but doesn't seem to have a problem holding things and and walking beside anyone while still holding. We were even able to get him to hold and heel with fur! We were even able to toss out the fur and without even being told to fetch went out grabbed it up and returned it to Zac eagerly! We didn't have any issues with possession as we did in the past either, if he had something we didn't want we would walk right in behind him reach into his mouth and grab it out with no attitude from him whatsoever. Good dog. Keep up the work Zac you will have it down in no time.

Also I stopped in and was able to talk to a representative at Lee Kay about the hatchery situation that has recently arose. It seems like it will actually be a good thing and won't ruin the dog training area but actually improve it! I was told they want to build 4 hatching ponds. In order to do this they need to do alot of digging which in turn will give the dog trainers a new pond! They seem more than willing to make the new dog training pond the shape we would like with islands and all. The hatchery ponds of course will be fenced off with no worry for the dogs or fish. Also the fresh water for the hatchery ponds will be pumped in and the constant flow of fresh water will continue into the new dog pond and existing ponds making it that much nicer for swimming. They are still planning on putting in a community fishing pond as well but again will be fenced off and accessible from its own area, without having to go through the training area to fish. I think it will be beneficial for all outdoors men whether it is fishing or dog training. I guess we can only wait and see.