Kooly's
Timeline from December 28 through April 30, 2004
Dec. 28 purchased Pro Plan (Large Breed) Puppy Food
Dec. 29 checked with Kooly's (my) vet to find
out what he wants from the breeder
Dec. 30-Jan. 1 It's hard to wait until next year (very slow process).
Happy New Year!
Jan. 2 600+ miles and a 10 hour drive to Columbia, Tennessee
Jan. 3 Kooly leaves Tennessee as a young KwickLab, the long drive
back to northern
Illinois is eased by the familiar scent of his mother
and siblings (placed on a towel
before leaving) 50 days old.....today
Jan. 4 Not all of this on the
first day! feed twice a day (in crate), take outside every four
hours
(or less), use an alarm at night, keep night time crate in pool room, take for
a short
walks in the yard, set up play schedule in house and pool “rec” room,
two hall way
paint roller retrieves after each feeding and go outside trip (put little
collar on
just before each retrieve play time), kibble reward into crate before enter,
take on
short errands in truck crate, start treat sit in four days,
ONLY say “here”
when Kooly is coming in fast & get
low key, quiet, silly excited!
NOTE:
all went well, backed off on retrieves , seemed to not
notice
because of
newness of it all (to be expected), forget the collar, no need for
kibble when entering crate, not feeding in crate
(eats better out)
Jan. 5 Kooly (11.4 pounds) went to the vets for a 11:20 am appointment,
take Taffey to
weigh- 62 pounds, Lick - 72 pounds, check ear problem & new tumor exam, had
an older
adult blood screen "pulled" on Lick, stool of all dogs - two older =
clear, Kooly - minor
coccidia and two round worms - treated, excellent shape and really pleasant
in the
office, two very aggressive pounces and retrieves with the hallway paint roller
tonight,
very excited with himself, neat! (looking for another, but no more), taken out
at 9:00 pm,
1:00am and again at 4:30 am in the morning (held for 30 minutes after each
"lawn" break),
already going to the door to be let out when playing with the grandchildren
(quick study),
still likes to snuggle, but has braved up quickly and now is exploring his
boundaries, very
little yelping when put back in crate. super for only two days
Feeding Routine: twice a day 7:00 am and 5:00
pm (spaced enough to go to three times a day
if necessary) 3/4ths cup ProPlan Large Breed Puppy moistened in warm water for
40 seconds
(drained), put two fingers in the bowl and move around as he eats, reason: he's
been sharing
meals with his siblings, now he thinks he is still sharing plus he stays on task
(perceived
competition), later he will not mind others near his food (possessiveness can
lead to snapping
and growling when older), the "finger thing" is another strong bonding technique
as he is
eating with me (so to speak)
Jan. 6 fed at 7:00 am out to "snow lawn",
back in to play with Noah before he leaves for school,
ride along in crate to Toubl Game Farm to pick-up ten chukars, minus 4° with
minus 22°
wind
chill
(winter is finally here), perfect day to skim
re-read a couple of books - "The Pointing
Labrador" by Paul & Julie Knutson
(unique, concise, accurate perspectives of the handler &
puppy relationship & Evan Graham's Smartwork (vol. I
- Basics)
(review the path and
sequence),
this afternoon after "the Walk" two very eager retrieves to hand with a pup
looking for a third!
(only two), back to the crate for a nap, later played in the house for about
an
hour, back to crate
after quick trip outside, late afternoon fed (started feeding
on a place
board tonight), outside
and back into hallway for two retrieves, when I closed the doors to
"make" the
hallway, he began bouncing around like "Oh, boy........Oh, boy.........I know what
we're goin' to do!" and he
did three snappy retrieves, let him hold his prize for awhile, back
to his
crate, David played with
him for an hour tonight (he is everywhere now and those teeth
are sharp, watch
your toes!)
Note: He is beginning to understand the routine and
is totally happy with everyone. Crate and
house breaking is going really well. ONLY because he has quickly learned to
depend on us.
Every single time he leaves the crate he is taken out (so far never longer than
4 hour wait).
Funny "stunt" today.....Kooly brings a glove to the front of Taffey's crate and
chews for
awhile.........he then leaves, brings the other glove, lays down in front of
Lick's crate and
proceeds to chew that one. Soon he goes exploring leaving one glove neatly
placed in front
of each crate.
Jan. 7 "The Routine" has taken on a predictable
structure.
morning: feed at 7:00 am, out side, two hallway
retrieves & back to crate
7:30 am Noah gets him out and plays until school time (8:00 am) back to crate
9:00 am "The Walk" sometime during the training of Lick and Taffey (crate trip
in cab of
truck)
late morning back to crate at home for good nap
afternoon: another "Walk" and two hallway
retrieves, play in living room near Taffey & Lick
(crated), fed at 4:00 pm, two hallway retrieves, crated half hour then
grandchildren play
with
him, out every time coming from crate or after fed
night time: limited water (some) crated at 9:00 pm,
out at 12:00 midnight (one night owl
retrieve and held for half hour), up and out 4:30 am
never left alone except in crate He has accepted
crate time as relaxing "downtime" and
knows fun will come soon enough. "The Routine" is clear to all including Kooly.
The neighbors black Belgian Shepard barks when out. Kooly was very nervous about
him
today. After awhile Kooly started to relax, and the wire puppy fence is a very
good idea.
The dog wears an electric fence collar, and I have seen him maul two
unsuspecting dogs
that have wandered into his territory. I will have to watch Kooly very
closely in the back
yard. He is very friendly to other dogs, and this attitude must be maintained.
As Kooly the puppy grows and turns into Kool dog, the downtime will increase to
a
combination of crate, kennel and living room "supervision". The puppy
"mini-sessions"
will evolve into formal, sequential training. This all makes "fun and games"
into something
productive......a confident, brave puppy that has a "learning mode". He is
expecting
things to happen which are interesting and stimulating. He will become a "What's
next?
I'm ready!" dog. This may appear to be very time consuming and labor intensive,
but think
of the long lasting benefits of training a dog that loves his job and trusts his
master.
Note (well, actually a lecture to myself): The timeline was written to provide
structure, but
it is not static. Observations and modifications are plugged in continually
every day.
Recording them regularly is like leaving a "paper trail". Tendencies are
not easily
noticed on a day to day basis. So these written "pictures of the past" provide
fodder
for personal feedback.
No one writes or thinks in the same manner. To be productive, actions must be
described in your own words. Then you can truly understand their significance.
The
more you force yourself to do this, the better you will become at it. To do an
excellent job of training you must go beyond wanting and hoping. However,
excellence is relative. It is kind of like the horizon. You move toward
it, but there
is always room for more. Develop a working plan with realistic, yet
ambitious
goals. Look at the dog as an extension of yourself because he is what you have
created. What's the old expression?,,,,,"The harder I work...the luckier I get."
My favorite driving force comes from a sentiment expressed in the book written
by Paul &
Julie
Knutson...........(paraphrased) besides a healthy
interaction with
man, a dog needs to have a meaningful job. Give him the
skills to do it well.
New Issue Tonight - Kooly has suddenly become a marauding piranha. The family
discussed an immediate tactic......for now......no easy targets (avoid laying
on the
floor with him), push and hold mouth away (no sudden hand motions) and say no,
zero
tolerance (do not accept it at any time)
Jan. 8 usual feeding and retrieves at 7:00 am, played with
Noah, taken for a short "Walk" and
came into living room to watch me vacuum the rugs, cautious but not afraid,
played in
house and then took a long nap in his crate, another "Walk" in the late
afternoon and
played with the grandchildren, two more hallway retrieves which he dearly loves,
the
biting problem is being addressed he shows some understanding without affecting
his
happy attitude, neat pup!, crate at 8:30 pm, out at 12:00 pm with two more
retrieves
and a half hour snuggle, stretch night crate time to 5:00 am
Jan. 9
eight weeks old today - the extra week is very useful for bonding & I believe
makes a
huge difference, but ONLY if you have the time (all
day, every day) to devote to the pup,
every time Kooly comes running to me from a remote position (which is
often), I say
"here" and praise him (this is a critical step, as it greatly enhances the pup's
desire to
come when called) it's an early experience which forever imprints the joy of
"returning"
and makes it much easier to enforce later on
8 weeks old -
13 pounds
Jan. 10 up late at 1:30 am and went to check on the boys, both were
asleep in Noah's bedroom
with Kooly stretched out and snuggled up between them, so much for structured
crate
time (but very pleasant thoughts), routine going well, after tomorrow's trip to
Wern Valley
add soft small puppy collar around the house while being supervised, start to
introduce
sit (very passive imprint), "here" imprint going well, start with trading paint
roller (no
rush, just something new), move him into dry bath tub and play, in a few days
start
running warm water and go slowly (prepare for indoor swimming pool)
Jan. 11 Kool went to Wern Valley with Taffey, handled the trip well,
introduced a collar to him
tonight and it seemed like no big deal, tethered him to me and sat for awhile,
again no
big deal (I like this pup even more!)
Jan. 12 long walk in the morning, house breaking set back a bit by
yesterday's trip throwing off
his schedule, played with some "rag" toys in living room tethered to me, moved
away and worked on computer, he was OK with that, worked on imprinting "here"
outside, and used two paint rollers inside
Jan. 13 slept last night from 1:30 to 6:00 am (I woke him up), nice
walk in the morning (around
and through obstacles in the yard), afternoon - truck trip to Kinnikinnick Creek
Conservations Area for first away from home "Walk", three nice paint roller
outdoor
retrieves in some "natural terrain hallways", everyone plays with him on a
tether in
the house (he has quickly adjusted to this and ignores it), the biting issue has
noticeably
decreased in intensity - holding his muzzle and saying no works best and today a
simple "no" was getting good responses, very active yet content, confident pup
("Kool"
may just be a perfect name, I hope)
Jan. 14 slept from 1:30 to 7:00 am and was fine, played with Noah
before school, went for a long
"Walk" at Kinnikinnick Conservation Area, 29°, cloudy and gusty winds to 35 mph,
two
paint roller retrieves, started intro to water in bathtub, regular tethered play in the
house
is going
well and biting has decreased, walks in the yard through and over various
obstacles,
8:30 pm this evening Kooly walked around the pool steps and soon was
swimming with the grandchildren, water 84°, shook off and dry in a few minutes
(easy!)
Jan. 15 slept all night 1:30 to 7:00 am again and comfortable doing
it, played inside well and
walked obstacles in yard, "Walk" on the Ledges Golf course in the afternoon,
played
again in the evening and had no house breaking mistakes (again), really doing
well!
shows signs of understanding "no", started "kennel up" with treats and short
sits before
eating (actually looking for him to quit bouncing around a bit before eating -
he did
this for the first time today), loves his crate and scented towel continues to
be the key
Jan. 16 9 weeks old
- 15 pounds "Walk" in the morning, swimming this evening, Kooly is
really catching on to the routine and follows me around easily anywhere I go,
being
retired and "there all the time for him" makes for a tremendous bonding
situation
Jan. 17 two "Walks" today and he is starting to move out some,
tonight played hide-an-seek
caught on quick and thought it was fun, sitting before eating on his own,
kenneling
up on his own (goes right in and lays down because whatever we do is over and he
likes quiet time), biting not much of a problem other than an occasional
reminder
two hallway retrieves with towels to jump over, tether is fun he sticks his head
into
the collar
Jan. 18 "Walk" at Kinnikinnick Conservation Area (morning
at 9° and minus 8° wind chill),
has started running out in front more, less underfoot and takes trips off path
into cover,
swimming
in the evening,
continue with
playtime "stuff" activities
(laying around
playing with toys, checking out the older dogs, "snuggling", ear
scratching and just
plain playing, no accidents (house breaking going very well),
situational biting issue
with David (explained with him and corrected)
today's schedule: 2:00 am, couple sips of
water, out to "pee" in lighted back yard & walk
around for about about five minutes, back in and "kennel up" with two
"kibbles" of dog food, slept until 7:15 am, out for a quick "pee", back
to short sit and eat on place board (one full cup of Pro Plan large Breed
Puppy in hot water, right back outside to do both and go for a short walk
(usually longer - but, below zero wind chill), back in for some water
and follows me to the hallway where he does three paint roller retrieves,
then it is off to the living room where both older dogs are now crated,
put on tether - he plays, snuggles, checks out adult dogs, and chews
a Nylabone, smaller puppy bone and two rope toys, gets a couple of
minor reminders not to bite and lays around relaxing, 8:15 am collar
comes off and we head for the back door, drink some water and go
outside again, does his duty quickly comes back in and jumps in his
crate for two kibbles, curls up and I leave him there to look out the
patio window or sleep until later, hardly ever barks, the crate is in the
swimming pool area isolated from noise, about 10:30 am up for some
water and 5 minute (or less) walk outside, back in crate which is carried
to the truck, 10 minute ride to forest preserve and "The Walk", back
home, watered and put up in his crate until 2:00 am - same routine up,
out & back, three retrieves, then to living room for an hour and back to
crate, sleeps until 4-5 o'clock then given second feeding (again on a
place board), out for five minute walk back to living room for an hour,
sleep til 9:00 pm, go swimming, dry off, go quickly outside, back to living
room to play where shortly we go back outside to get rid of the extra
swallowed pool water, around 12:00 am outside, do his "stuff", play a
couple of "hide 'n seek" and then to bed, up a 2:00 am for quick "pee"
to start the new day
What's neat is he knows what's next! Kooly
is off to an excellent start.
He is thriving and content plus
there is a bounce to his attitude!
Jan. 19 second worming meds oral dose, slow day bitter cold,
usual retrieves, feeding,
short walks in the yard and play time, final out at 1:30 am (next morning)
Jan. 12-19 living room playtime now on a tether (precursor of leash
breaking), start one or two
retrieves on “The Walk”
always make the first outdoor attempts in natural
"hallways"
like a path with high weeds or grass on the sides, attach
tab to very light cloth collar
on “The Walks”, introduce to
indoor, heated pool
for swims, feeding twice a day on
place board with slight
chest restraint,
each family member
has started supervised play time of a half hour (calm
&
quiet
is the focus), quick sit before eating and
chest release, intro "no bite" and "off" (no
loud voice
command pressure, he is a tough little
"bugger" and comes at you
like a
piranha.........holding his muzzle, making eye contact and saying
"no"............good
response, start imprint of "no" and "off", started sits before feeding - doing
well,
taught kennel up with food treat
(did not do) start hot dog treat sits
toward the end of the week (on the 2nd place
board five feet from the feeding PB)
Jan. 20 what a day, Kooly has a huge mess in his crate at 7:00 am
(major diarrhea). forty-five
minutes later he smells like orange blossoms (shampoo) and everything has been
cleaned up, called vet about possible worming dose side affects (none), fed very
little,
made sure watered well to avoid dehydration, assume he ate something or the
amount
of food at each feeding needs to be decreased and back to three times a day,
take out
every two hours or less, he held it but was glad for the shorter wait, at
midnight the
stool was still loose but improving, ate all his food and no temperature, did
some
walks in the yard but no play time on the living room carpet, slept hard during
breaks
Jan. 21 things continue to improve - out at 1:30, 3:30 and 7:00 am, fed
two-thirds cup of food
at 7:15
am and given a long playtime in the yard, feed again at noon & 5:00 pm, stool
sample
negative and the coccidia has been cleared up, vet suggested Immodium to
control
diarrhea, gave halsf a pill at 4:00 pm, out regularly (every two hours tonight)
Jan. 22 out at 12:30, 3:30 and 7:00 am looking better, gave one more half
pill of Immodium and
he is running and jumping as if nothing is wrong, more solid stool this morning,
three
retrieves in the hall and resume play time in the house, no forest preserve Walk
today,
bitter cold & windy (Kooly doesn't seem to mind the cold, but I do!) , at 9:00
am it is 0°
with a wind chill of minus 21°
Jan. 23 10 weeks old -
17 pounds,
same daily routine, walks, feed three times, play inside
on tether, do some hallway retrieves and sits before eating, no more diarrhea
Jan. 24 put low pillow barrier for hallway retrieves, add kibble
dog treat sits on a place board,
collar on when out of crate, introduce frozen quail and retrieve, same daily
routine
Jan. 25 gone to tower shoot, slow day for Kooly
Jan. 26 regular day, leash walks in the house (to and from fun)
Jan. 27 went to vets at 11:00 am for second set of puppy shots
(Corona Puppy #2), Lepto LGP
Booster, #1 Lyme Vaccine, and second clear fecal (after treatment), loose stool
again
Jan. 20-27 increase time between “taking out for hurry up duty, keep
retrieves at no more than
three in hallway,
put low pillow barrier for hallway retrieves,
continue two or three
on “The Walk” in terrain enclosed
areas, start taking short trips in truck crate with
Taffey (warmer days!),
see no need to continue swimming in the pool (he loves the
water, swims well will be ready for it in the spring - well, maybe just once a
month),
short
treat sits before exiting
door to go outside, lengthen tab on collar, introduce bird
boy in living room, introduce frozen quail and retrieve
Jan. 28 leash walks in the house
Jan. 29 regular day, leash walks in the house, switch (gradually) to
Eagle Pak Large Breed
Puppy food, bitter cold with high of 2° (Kooly doesn't seem to mind it)
Jan. 30 11 weeks old -
20 pounds,
regular day, still cold, throw only one mark in new areas
(he is easily distracted by what's going on around him), a sit before a mark
seems to be
an easy thing for him to do, back to the diarrhea problem (switching to Eagle
Pak still in
progress)
Jan. 31 nothing new today, still waiting our the bitter cold weather
Feb. 1 one accident in the house last night and two messed
crate incidents in the early morning
(diarrhea back - gave half pill of Immodium), taking out every two hours today,
fecal
sample
to vet tomorrow, puppies are fun! (I keep reminding myself of this.)
Feb. 2 no sample things look better, out and running
everywhere, sometimes out on checkcord
which he handles well, sits before feeding without any pressure, sits and
focuses before
short marks (without any pressure), loves to run and brings dummies straight
back (no
more than two retrieves per time and usually only a couple times a day)
Feb. 3 another good day and he is becoming more aware of me
(improved eye contact)
Jan. 28-Feb. 3 maintain schedule,
biting still a slight issue with the grandchildren, con't muzzle
clasp and a stern "no & look
in the eye"
Feb. 4 diarrhea back with a vengeance, took sample to vets and
it was sent off for a more
thorough screening, vet put him on Panacur (whip worms?) for three days, gave
monthly
Interceptor pill, after Panacur treatment seven days of Metronidazole, the
Panacur back
in three weeks (whip worms can be extremely difficult to diagnose (taking no
chances
and being aggressive)
Feb. 5 eating well, still diarrhea, took along on training/hunt trip
to let out regularly, ripped into
his
first fresh pheasant and tried to shield me from taking it back (very intense -
keep this
in
mind!), diarrhea, but the late night showed big improvement
Feb. 6
12 weeks old -
21 pounds,
small weight gain (not surprised), still eating and feeling
well, stools
very improved, last day of Panacur
Feb. 7 spoke too soon, diarrhea
in the early morning, , rest of day OK, take along to Blonhaven
tower shoot, start seven days of Metronidazole, only ate two meals, didn't want
lunch ??
meds
upset appetite??
note:
diarrhea started Jan. 20 and it's been going on for almost three weeks
Kooly's general make-up analysis to date:
knows what
"here" means and responds well when not distracted
"sits" when focused on the task - eating, putting collar on, exiting door and
retrieving (easily distracted, but patience wins out)
"hurry" - responds well to this quick airing command
"kennel-up" command works, he really loves his kennel and travels well
plays in living room (relaxed on a tether), but still need more children and
other visitors
wears check cord or leash without much fuss (untangles himself and doesn't
play/chew much anymore)
responds to "no bite" for me, but still a bit mouthy with others
is a bit "yappy" at times, but has toned that down since learning the
routine
getting much better about eye contact
much more focused on retrieves and brings back to me (not trying to run off
by himself)
intro to water went well and he lovers to swim
doesn't fight a bath and lets you play with his paws
very aggressive with birds
excellent vision and hears everything
loves to run
overall fun attitude
things to watch: bird aggressiveness, very excitable with anything new (people),
"snappy" little mouth, wants to chew and/or swallow everything,
the diarrhea issue, the big dog next door
Feb. 8 went along on trip to Illinois Upland Championships,
travels well and enjoys riding in
crate
next to me in front of truck, ate three meals (no intestinal problems), started
short
remote sits
Feb. 9 regular day, remote sits, leash conditioning,
short retrieves, play in house, work with
grandchildren, three meals and still on Metronidazole treatment
(23 pounds)
Feb. 10 repeat
Feb. 11 bought MIdwest crate with divider for Kooly, living room with
other two dogs
Feb. 12 spent the day getting use to his new living quarters, retrieved
quail today and was
gentle
with it plus returned to hand, 24 pounds, , if I pick
up a
dummy...he runs to the area where we do retrieves, attitude and focus has
moved
to a new level (looking at me much more), calm and relaxed in crate,
weight
and body appearance much improved after solving the diarrhea problem
Feb. 13 last day of Metronidazole, warm weather late next week
(finally), still can't keep his
mouth
off of eating sticks and shrubs (even with a lead)
Feb. 14 3
months old -
24 pounds,
and doing everything I ask of him
Feb. 15 first full play time with Taffey in the living room,
her full "lion mane" hackles were
up, but she was extremely gentle and tolerant, she acted like a loving parent
(neat!)
and Kooly soon settled down from the initial wild child moment, ate everything
at
5:30 pm, seemed to spend a long time "straining" at 9:00 pm and midnight
Feb. 16 this morning at 5:30 am very bad diarrhea, cleaned him up
and he immediately
bolted toward the door to empty again, then proceed to strain several different
times back to the door, glancing down there was a pretty good size pool of blood
in
the snow, DAMM!, got the flashlight ---- no blood in the stool, but the seven
straining
spots on the way to the door showed ever increasing amounts of red blood, it is
now 6:15 am, I had a bit of trouble talking to my vet, he said meet him at the
clinic
in 35 minutes, Kooly did not appear to be in any distress, after checking his
blood
for clotting characteristics (poison) that was ruled out, left Kooly for
observation,
Sonogram (sp) first and then possible Barium solution study (what ever that
means),
left vets at 7:30 am knowing he is in good hands (I'm sick and very worried),
red
blood means large intestine (I think that's what he said), the lining is very
thin and
irritations (stick, stone, glass, plastic) can produce blood even without a
puncture,
other possibilities, puppies are fun (most of the time) Sonogram
negative, bleeding
has ceased at vets, culture for infections sent to university lab and Kooly home
at
3:30 pm - tired and a little gaunt, start second Panacur today and another round
of
Metronidazole after (BIG vet bill! ouch)
Feb. 17 still passing some blood and very loose stool with
lots of straining, up every two
hours all night to let him out, plenty of water, getting really adept at working
on
check cord, normally wouldn't use one this early, but he eats anything he can
get
his mouth on and the dog next door is a threat (loose and thus a safety issue)
Feb. 18 no blood today and still very loose until PM, then
much improved (third day of
Panacur) sure looks like whip worms, didn't eat evening meal , played hard with
Taffey in controlled living room situation (she was very gentle, yet put him
carefully
in his place), can't get over how easily he works on the end of the check cord,
lifts
his feet over it and hardly skips a step, moved up to a puppy dummy from the
paint
roller and he picks up 2" rubber knobbies right in the middle (good pup!)
Feb. 19 good day today, started Metronidazole, but stool not
real firm, again would not
eat evening meal, but let it sit in some water and an hour later he ate it
easily, the
hard food may be an indication of teething ? (keep checking) two good playtimes
with Taffey, never had a pup 3 months old start humping like Kooly, hhhhhmm?
loves his living room time sleeping between the two babes , yesterday when
passing
through the rec room he snatched up one of the kids gloves and I said
"no....drop"
and he did, surprised me and thought it was a fluke, today a stocking cap and
same reaction, he associated the picking up of those two things as something he
wasn't supposed to do (drop was hardly a taught command) - smart pup!?, he is
starting to anticipate what's next - excellent!, when exiting I say sit and he
sits and
jabs his head through the collar so we can go out, scary!
Feb. 20 usual day, retrieves, leash outside
Feb. 21 repeat day, play with Taffey, start loose (in the
near area) heeling
Feb. 22 ride along to Blonhaven tower shoot, increased food to
four cups per day,
same routine with night times of 11:30 pm, 4:00 am and 7:00 am, three retrieves
and continued check cord outside, nice little quartering run in light cover, he
can't
find enough things to smell
Feb. 23 start treat "overs" indoor training area, loose heeling left
side
Feb. 24 remote sits seem to be easy for him because when sitting he
focuses, three nice
retrieves outside with check cord and return to hand, 27 pounds today, weather
finally
breaking for spring and snow almost gone
Feb. 25 walk at Medical Center area, tethered to place board to watch Taffey &
Lick do 8 two
dog walking "poor man" marks, Kooly thrown two 30 yard marks - sits (a bit)
before
toss, sent while in air & retrieved to hand, walk to corner & back, loose heel -
nylon
collar isn't going to work anymore, Kooly sits exiting & entering all doors and
before
putting on collar (no more treats & doing well), down time now crated near other
two
dogs & has short structured playtime with Taffey
Feb. 26 morning place board watch Taffey do remote launcher KRD, three
singles for Kooly from
place board, afternoon "vets" for shot (very relaxed), bird boy marks at the Medical
Center
area,
three remote sits and then to place board
at all feeding times using verbal
"OK...place",
buy small pinch collar, evening airing getting almost automatic (out at
11:30 pm and 5:00 am)
Feb. 27 repeat watching Taffey run KRD with three singles again
afterwards, run with me to pick
up orange flags and work on whistle chained "heres", sits at doors, truck and
crate
going very well, still shoving head into collar & and sits calmly when taking it
off (neat!),
entering and leaving truck went much better today, eye contact really picking
up, just
about finished with small pet porter, sleeping & snoring REALLY hard this
afternoon
note: sit and here coming along very well with no
pressure, the "loose heel" shows
some awareness of being at my side, but still lunging too hard into collar,
short inside
intro to pinch collar
3 months plus two weeks old -
28 pounds
Feb. 28
three nice retrieves after watching Taffey work, sitting really doing well,
barking way too much!
Feb. 29 intro to bark collar by checking correct stimulation with
regular e-collar (after fine minutes, he
understood)
Mar. 1 used bark collar on truck when training Taffey
(effective & excellent response), three nice
retrieves with focused sit & sent before dummy hits the ground (two inch rubber
dummy with
black & white flags, all returns to me with good intent, even with rope and
flags he still picks
it up in the middle, whistle here's in the field very good, sits putting on
collar and leaving
doors almost automatic, walk around the block with pinch collar
Mar. 2 slept from 11:30 pm last night to 7:00 am this
morning (finally!), watched Taffey run her angle
back drill from truck, then did three sharp 30-40 yard marks with retrieve to
hand, starting to
show a need for a short check cord when marking, here's to whistle looking good,
afternoon
walk around the block with pinch collar quite relaxing and he sits well each
time I stop & is
heeling (without command) on both sides comfortably
Mar. 3 last day of second extended Metronidazole
treatment, walk around the block and three
retrieves (hint of keep away mischief today)
Mar. 4 this morning Noah and Kooly played before school
(calmly), ride along on Taffey's upland
training day at Blonhaven, out for quick airing and then waited until after for
a good walk
(little gentleman in his crate), when let out he romped through the knee high
grass checking
all the new scents out, suddenly his head went in the air and he veered off to
the left, after
about thirty yards of "searching" he stops, walking in behind him...surprise!..a
chukar jumps
up and Kooly watches it fly away (point?....not sure, and I'm still wondering
because I didn't
get a good look at him), he did retrieve a few dead chukars earlier this week so
the smell
was familiar, bold on birds next month should be interesting, monthly Interceptor
Heartworm pill
today (takes care of
whip worms, also)
note: March 4th lakes and ponds - no ice (last year it was March 26th)
Mar. 5 3
months plus three weeks old -
30 pounds,
walk around the block and four
retrieves, played several times today
Mar. 6 last night at 11:30 am the big "D" was back, took
crate to bedroom to monitor him during
the night, vomited at 2:00 am, ran to "pottio" door and scratched impatiently to
go out,
still had straining "D", vomited again at 5:00 am plus straining "D", out again
at 7:45 am
same pattern, then ate a a picky cup of food, 8:45 am relaxed and sleeping in
big living
room crate (16 weeks old)
note: finished long prescription treatment of Metronidazole two days ago (March
3rd),
gave monthly dose of Interceptor March 4th, started fresh bag of Eagle Pak large
breed puppy food yesterday (March 5th)
last time he was on Metronidazole three days after
finishing treatment he went
back into the big "D" straining mode
Mar. 7 road along to Blonhaven for Taffey's "Euro"
shoot, three retrieves wearing 6 foot light
poly rope (from now on when retrieving) because it's much easier to step on it
than
reach for him, adjusted to stop in "Metronidazole" (best guess) and stool now
good
Mar. 8 slept from 1:00 am to 7:00 am (back to normal),
feeding one and a third cups of Eagle
Pak Large Breed Puppy and he is looking very fit, call vet for final/permanent
shots,
three excellent retrieves thrown past white stickmen (he ignored them)
Mar. 9 rode to Stoughton FT grounds, watched Taffey run and
heard primer pistol in the
distance, walked out and ran in field when I took down the stickmen, three
retrieves,
really
likes the truck training trips
Mar. 10 rode along with Taffey to Macktown Forest Preserve dog
training area, dead ducks,
pheasant and chukars plus two live chukars to plant for Taffey, after she
finished the two
chukars (not shot & were marked down), Kooly was to get his first official bold
on live
birds session, he scented the first about 30 yards out and moved in quickly, it
stood up and
he rushed it - nice flush and he chased a bit, the next was well hidden
and he approached
more carefully and suddenly there he was locked on a sharp, natural tripod point
- WHOA!
Now what? I may have my derby dog pointing Lab sooner than expected.
Mar. 11 to the vets for permanent shots
& micro-chip, walk (romped) around the Stoughton FT grounds
helping plant blinds for Taffey (cold and windy)
Mar. 12 easy day, heeling and sitting in the yard and house
Mar. 13 ride along for Blonhaven Tower shoot, three retrieves (dummies)
Mar. 14 4 months -
33 pounds,
rode to Ottawa FT Ground for a "Walk" and helped plant four
blinds
for Taffey, one ckukar retrieve
Mar. 15 start wearing dummy e-collar (in two weeks – e-collar
condition “here”), condition to heeling
stick (only rub on body!),
“guide” with heeling stick,
Mar. 16 pinch collar heeling with left and right turns,
sits easily, rattle stick no "big deal" to him
Mar. 17 start playing “The Master’s Voice”
gun conditioning tape, continue wearing dummy e-collar,
heeling & sitting with distractions, he is surprisingly patient with high drive
(nice combo), started
short remote sits and return to heel on both sides, good focus and he is not
clumsy!
Mar. 18 heeling and sitting with pinch collar, easy day
Mar. 19 35
pounds, five
marks at the Medical Center, 6 chukars at Macktown - finished "Bold on Birds",
total of three points on chukars, caught one in heavy weed cover and really
likes birds!
Kooly's first pointing
picture - four months old and "bold on birds", nine chukars & three points
|
|
Mar.
20 usual day at home, no retrieves
Mar. 21 rode along with Taffey to tower shoot, three retrieves and mauled a pile
of pheasants
Mar. 22 repeat of the 20th and finished with stage three of Master's Voice Gun
Conditioning (sleeps
through it)
Mar. 23 ran five marks at "Macktown" as we took down the stickmen set-up, two
points when relocating
the chukars
Taffey worked, excellent nose & just learning they can walk away
Kooly Pointing and Chasing Chukar
 |
Mar. 24 ran five ladder marks out to forty yards, Noah (BB) is a puppy magnet,
need to re-think him as
bird boy and
the way Kooly is worked on marks, start feeding twice a day
Mar. 25 listened to level six on the Master's Voice (one to go and sleeping
through it), move to cap gun
tomorrow, ran
three marks with Noah coming back to me, need to shorten up, decrease number,
worked on
sit/here from remote sits on place board[, start to increase pressure in OB,
hold off
on CC to here
until next week, start chain whistling in on sits, make longer poly check cord
Mar. 26 , rode
to Blonhaven for Taffey & Lick's tower shoot, ran three marks less problem
running to
gunner but distracted by nearby dog, sat quietly amongst some handlers, used
pinch collar
and was very calm & focused (something new for him!)
Mar. 26 worked on remote sits & return to heel "maneuver", continue to wear dummy
e-collar, finished,
"Master's Voice" with no indication of "shots" bothering him, no reaction =
start cap gun
tomorrow, f, started
backward heeling with rattle stick, go for
"Walk" at Kinnikinnick Creek
Forest Preserve, went to cement bench & did five retrieves, walked in heavy
cover & got hot
before showing him the
creek, stuck paws in and drank, got legs muddy and suddenly
plunged
in to romp around in the shallow water, came out nice and
clean, went back in
again & had fun! = called it a day
Mar. 27 ride along for day with two tower shoots at Blonhaven Hunt Club , work
on OB (heeling & sit)
Mar. 28 ride to Blonhaven and stays in crate during Taffey's guide dog hunt, "Walk" at
Kinnikinnick
Creek FP work
on "here" imprint, get hot = five land retrieves and wet = two shallow water
retrieves
across the 10 yard stream and back (FIRST retrieves from
water), work on
OB
(heeling,
sitting, remote sits, two sided and backward heeling)
Mar. 29 rode along for Taffey's guiding job at Blonhaven, OB in the
evening including "pig ear drill"
Mar. 30 trained at Stoughton FT grounds - five marks, did really well,
need to start more of a
routine
for taking dummy including sit
Mar. 31
trained
at Macktown - ran marks hard and straight, looked for running chukar in the
wrong
place, stick condition not much of a problem, really likes the
truck trips
Ap. 1 ride to Blonhaven in the morning, five retrieves
plus first mallard retrieve
three
remote winger marks at Mackown (went very well)
Apr. 2 three hand thrown marks and three remote winger marks
of 30-45 yards at Stoughton,
quick
dive into the cold swim-by pond, ran around for quite awhile afterwards with
Taffey
(to dry off)
Apr. 3 day off
Apr. 4 (afternoon) started
CC to here - worked way "up" to TT- Pro 100 4 low continuous and "backed"
out, no
response until 2 high and only showed little more than a neck scratch irritation
at the
highest level
(note: recharge collar and start low again tomorrow) very effective session and
no
lagging at
the end (tail wagging and still full of it), ran four hand thrown marks while
helping
set up
pattern blinds, ran three easy short remote winger marks, finished the CC
session with
an easy 60
yard remote winger (primer shot) mark (starting to "lock" on the winger)
(evening) work on OB (heeling, sitting, remote
sits, two sided and backward heeling)
Apr. 5 gave Interceptor heart worm medicine, ran three marks at Macktown with one remote winger
mark,
reviewed CC to "here", blood on dummy = Kooly has started teething = no more
marks,
start
semi-formal OB, chain in whistle sits & remote sits on a
place board, pendulum heeling
Apr. 6 Gallagher FT grounds -
Kooly ran around briefly with FC AFC Candlewoods Rita Reynolds
(hope some of
her class rubbed off) played a lot - no marks, 65° and a beautiful day!
note: crate
barking on the truck needs a plan, TT Bark Limiter not effective ordered Dogtra
YS
Apr. 7 remote sits on a place board, ran a bit at Macktown,
worked on leash OB in the evening
Apr. 8 Stoughton - chased Chris's older pup around and ran down a
mark, teething and not very
interested in holding on, worked on OB in the evening, remote sits, really
pushing on the
crate
vocalization (begging for attention)
Apr. 9
41 pounds, yard OB - sit, front sit to
heel position (right & left), remote sits
Apr. 10 Blonhaven tower shoot - ride along and hang out (easy puppy day)
Apr. 11 Blonhaven clean-up hunt (another easy puppy day)
Apr. 12 day off
Apr. 13 (late afternoon) ride to Stoughton - staked out, helped plant
the blind
Apr. 14
43 pounds - 5 months old, right in
the middle of teething = no retrieves, yard OB (sits,
heeling and
remote sits) plus the "chew pig ear" drill
note: Taffey was 40 pounds at 5 months
Apr. 15 Stoughton - four deep water
swimming marks, no hesitation after watching Taffey
apply
monthly Frontline Plus
Apr. 16 home & leave early Friday afternoon, stay overnight Friday &
Saturday
Apr. 17,18 two day hunt test trip to Roberts, IL great learning experience
for Kooly, shooting,
excitement,
staked out, water marks with Taffey both days, lots of attention from strangers,
new routines,
he came home showing some real growth, still a puppy, but much wiser,
popper guns
near by and a trap range = a pup with no concern for gunfire
Apr. 19 ride along for field trial training group, teething about finished
Apr. 20 work on heeling & sitting
Apr. 21
wearing e-collar, conditioning to heeling stick, did remote sits, return to
heeling
"position" sits using "here/heel", walking heel sits, backward heeling against
garage door
(he is doing it easily), right & left turns note: all this is
being taught two-sided
Apr. 22 easy day - rode along on Taffey's training, short OB drill session
Apr. 23 heeling, sitting
returning to heel position off remote sit, working on both sides, using heeling
stick
(relaxed and focused) - about five minutes (smart pup!)
note: nice, high square sit
rode along on
Taffey's trip to Gallagher (too much barking = new Dogtra YS 500 tomorrow)
Apr. 24 easy day - just a bit of heel/sit with heeling stick touches, a few
remote sits with here to heel
Apr. 25 start whistle/sit chain
& he got it with a few repeats, responds perfectly to taps with heeling
stick,
backward heeling without wall, push/pull start excellent, remote sits to heel
position
without use
of dragging leash, whistle sits on return from remote sit on the first try, got
two
on the second
remote, focused & looking at me, after finishing the session, he jumped with
excitement
after I praised him, for a five month old pup he is looking very special, he has
a
beautiful,
high square sit wow - neat session!
note: don't overdo the heeling and sit drills, he's got it and want to keep
these in the
"special mode" (this means fun), we are way ahead of schedule and don't want to
get OB ahead of emotional maturity, work on place boards to spice up the games &
variety, do some more "Walks" with limited retrieves, need to start easy hold
intro
as teething is about finished
note: experimented with using choke chain vs. pinch collar the last few weeks -
the
lessons seem much smoother using the pinch collar (less distraction, easier to
finesse skill and a happier pup) the pinch collar makes teaching easier
(arguments
against the use of the pinch collar suggest easier is not good...until someone
explains why that concept is better, I will continue to use the pinch collar)
at this
stage it appears the pinch collar has a pup that wants to do the right thing
(good
attitude) and the choke creates a puppy that acts like he is being made to do
things (relatively speaking not as positive an attitude - he does it, but acts
irritated)
Apr. 26 short OB session on the grass at Macktown
- heeling, sitting with whistle, remote sits
note: grass is a distraction
note: threw up several pieces of plastic flag material (from about five days
ago?),
check with vet
Apr. 27 heeling, sitting with whistle, remote
sits
Apr. 28 road along with Taffey to the Madison
Retriever Clubs Qualifier (Taffey's FT event)
Apr. 29 day off, played in the house and started
simple hold lessons
Apr. 30 heeling, sitting with whistle, remote
sits