Hi Don & Pirette,
It’s been awhile. A quick update on Isla (now 19 months old). Lots of adventures over the summer. Here’s a photo (taken from a video) of Isla working on water down at Keji yesterday, a portrait of her at 19 months, and a right proper “hold” (with me 15 feet away). The water along the shoreline was shallow (maybe up to her shoulders). When sent, Isla goes like a torpedo for the training dummy (the plastic one in the lake, not the one wearing sandals on the beach who is throwing the dummy… HA!), racing through the water and then coming back to hand just a quickly for round two, three, four, five, etc. (basically until my arm gets sore). Fun to watch for sure!
Lately, we’ve been working on all kinds of elements, from obedience to retrieving. Isla is doing great at managing her drive. Her discipline is coming along beautifully. I really enjoy (most times, HA!) working with Isla early every morning. This morning, things came together really well on some steadiness drills…. I’d put her at a “sit”, walk about 50 feet away, then throw a dummy back toward her, about 10 feet in front of her, making sure it bounces. She doesn’t move a muscle (stays at a really nice sit) until I release her for the retrieve and back to hand (which is amazing for a dog who will go through literally anything to get at the dummy).
Other times I bring to her a “heal”, walk a bit, put her in a “sit”, launch the dummy about 75 to 100 feet, wait for it to land, and then wait some more, then send her and off she goes, fast and straight as an arrow to where the dummy has fallen in the grass… a quick retrieve and then back to hand with a “sit”.
I work her by myself so some of the exercises are a bit harder to do, but we still have a good time. She loves to work, that’s for sure. To make things more interesting sometimes, I put her at a “sit”, walk away (with my back to her) for about 100 feet depending on the space available, toss the bumper another 75 to 100’, wait until it lands, then wait a bit more, and then send her… off she goes and then back to hand, all a top speed. Working on blinds as well… she’s getting the concept beautifully.
Isla weighs in at around 57 lbs and looks great (when people see her conditioning, they’re surprised she only weighs 57lb)! Wonderful dog to have around the house (her sleeping by the campfire last night was lovely to watch). Doesn’t bark – which is great! A number of trainers who work dogs (field work) have seen her over the summer and all are impressed with her drive, conditioning, speed, smarts, love of birds and guns (her posture and attitude completely change… up a notch when guns and birds are around), physical ability, never quit attitude, fearlessness, and trainability (she’s a very quick learner, I’m the slow learner!) and love of work.
It’s been a great summer for both of us. We’ll be ramping up the field training through the fall. Can’t wait to see what she’ll accomplish!
Thanks again for a great all-round dog and a companion!
Bruce
