30 May, 2004

Well, we had a beautiful day out on the Lost River for our first day of field training. It was the third day of training for most.....The first part of the morning was introducing the labs and the dale to birds: pigeons, pheasant and duck. Some dogs took right to it. Others, mine included, had to deep sniff the birds and then be enticed to pick them up. Pete was quite puzzled by the whole thing and exhibited none of his usual retrieve drive.
The trainer told those of us whose dogs were less than enthusiastic not to start worrying and fretting; things would kick in.

We moved onto bumpers being tossed by someone stationed out in the field who also shot a small starter pistol. Pete clicked in and did an excellent job marking. We then moved to water where Pete could hardly stand the fact that other dogs were going before him. We did some of the longest water retrieves ever and he did not want to stop after three.

The last piece of training was shooting a bird for the dog to retrieve from "the line". The dogs who had shown a bit more enthusiasm went first and I took one of the shot birds and did some refresher training while waiting our turn. I placed the bird in Pete's mouth and told him to hold.
Then asked him to give and praised. I did that just a few times and then had Bob hold Pete while I stood a few feet in front of him, extending the bird.
"Hey Pete, Take it". As soon as he strained against the collar he was released; he came and took the bird, praise, Hold, praise, Give. I then did a very short retrieve from my side. Then I had Bob, a short distance off, throw the bird and sent Pete out. The light went on and so did his drive.

We went to the line (all that obedience training also kicked in) and he did a beautiful retrieve. And while he has always loved to retrieve, and has been known to bark on the go out or retrieve in the obedience ring, as soon as I took the bird, he wheeled in place, faced outward and barked at me, the line judge and (I swear!) the gunner in the field. Everyone agreed; he was given a second bird to retrieve.

The two trainers feel that he should be ready in August for his first
NAHRA trial and started talking about beginning the work on multiple marks and directed hunting. He is so fun to watch.....

Sun, 27 Jun 2004

…Pete and I went off to Bend, OR this weekend to see what competing in Open B and Utility B might be like. This is one heck of a brag so please forgive.....We qualified in both each day, earning two UDX legs, three OTCH points, and on Sunday High Scoring Terrier and High in Combined. Quite a ride! I'm still somewhat stunned. And this was the good part--his scores and heeling got better with each performance, not worse as before.
Imagine what he could do if he had a really GOOD handler and trainer. I'd say field work has helped his outlook.....

People kept coming by and saying: Wow! An Airedale! An intact male
Airedale! Wow.

Yvonne R
Ch. Seneca's Ochoco Pete U.D.