Pigeons, Roadkill, and Controlled Hunts

We've moved now and Artus is having a good time learning to live on the farm. It's nice to have access to a field out back to let the dogs run. We've added another dog to the pack. Kaci's Shiloh Shepherd has come to live with us. She was being kept in Utah with a friend while we were living in an apartment. She and Artus get along pretty good, meaning she puts up with his puppy antics.

I have some roller pigeons that have been at my in-laws' house and they will be coming out to the farm this week. Today I took one and braided it's wings and put it out in the yard for Artus to find it. I put Artus on a long lead and when he found it I made him "whoa" until he held a point and didn't just rush in. Then I let him get the bird and bring it to me. We did it a couple of times. He didn't really want to give the pigeon up but eventually he did. He acted like light bulbs were going off in his head. He loved having a bird in his mouth. This is a great thing.

Another thing we've worked on is drags with wings or animals. We found a squirrel that had been hit in the road the other day so we tied a string on it and drug it through the yard and had Artus look for it. He is doing a decent job with that too.

He is getting much better at coming when called and heeling. Lots of people recognize him and give him lots of attention when we go to town.

On another note, I put in for controlled hunts (I got lucky and was just in time for the deadline.) I'm hoping to get my first deer this year. I made sure I applied for a late hunt so I could hunt deer after my layoff for the winter.

Unfortunately I don't have many pics this time so these will have to do.

Alleviating Boredom

We have been very busy remodeling a house that we're moving into and as a result, Artus has been very bored lately. I have been feeling bad about not doing much with him so today I took him with me to the farm and took him out to the fields. He had a nice point on a couple of doves (ignored a couple that flushed right next to him too). He also flushed several ducks and pointed them after they flew. It's pretty amazing to watch him learn to use his nose. I took some pics while we were out. It will be nice when we're all moved in and I can just walk outside and run him in the field where we live.

Shooting Clay Pigeons and Moving to the Farm

Just a short update this week. We have been working on cleaning and remodeling a house we're going to move into on a farm in Firth and haven't had lots of time to get Artus out on hikes. He's been learning to get along with the dogs on the farm and stay away from cows.

I went with some friends to shoot clay pigeons this morning and the boys came with me because Kaci was working. They're pretty tough kids because it was cold and windy but they would rather watch from the tailgate of a truck than sit in the Jeep. We had a great time and I didn't do too shabby shooting clay pigeons.

Here's some pics from today along with a video link of Artus playing with some of his chew toys at home.





Link to Artus video:

Time Flies

Not much to say this week other than Artus had been progressing just fine in all areas. His housebreaking is going really well. He's had the chance now to meet many other dogs and people and socialize with them. He will wait to come in and out of the house until I tell him it's ok. He will "sit" good, go to his kennel and dog corner well, and will lie down with a little prompting. He adores my wife and all small children.

Outside on our yard work, he will search and retrieve training bumpers as well as sit, mark, and fetch them. In the field, when we hike with him, he points ducks and robins and deer. I've been able to get him to hold pretty steady on the points so far. Not bad for a 3 1/2 month old pup. I can't believe we've only had him six weeks. I plan on introducing him to birds in the next few days and hopefully I can get some pictures of that when I do.

He's quite the celebrity when I take him out to stores. He thrives on all the attention he gets. Lots of people either haven't ever seen a dog like him before or have and loved the one they knew. Here's some more pics for everyone from an outing we went on in the river bottoms.















He was one tired dog after this hike. He got to point lots of ducks and deer. Thanks to my wife Kaci for taking all these pictures!

Socialization and Random Pics

Things have been busy around here and I haven't been able to do a whole lot with Artus lately. Last week we did go out to several places repeatedly to get some socialization time. They love him at Sportsman's Warehouse, Petsmart, and PETCO. He's also been to several people's houses and also the PETCO socialization day last Saturday. All of this helps him learn to get along with other dogs and people. I've noticed he doesn't play as rough with other dogs as he did and he loves people, especially kids. I've been exposing him to cats too because aggression towards them can be a problem with this breed.

We had him out at the farm the other day and he didn't like the cows much which is just fine with me. All I want him to do on the farm is go around with me and hang out. No working cows for this dog. He wasn't sure of them at first and then just got used to them being there and didn't worry about it.

In the next week or two I'm going to be introducing him to wild birds and maybe some planted pigeons. I think he will do good. Everything I've seen in Artus so far leads me to believe he has great instincts.

In other news, we'll be moving to the farm in Firth in a couple of weeks. We're looking forward to having more space and less neighbors. I will be raising birds again there and some of them will be used in my training.

Here's some shots of Artus. He's now doubled in weight in the five weeks I've had him. He's 25 pounds now.

Pointing ducks and geese at the river:




Getting in trouble at Sportsman's Warehouse:


Random pics from the park and other outings:








Watching bulls being tested at the vet.




Thanks for looking!

Artus in Utah, Snow in April, and 300K

I took a trip to Utah on Friday and Saturday to pick up some water barrels and attend a training day for the Wild West Chapter of the VDD-GNA. There was lots of rain and snow the whole trip. By the time I got back, Artus and I were covered in mud.

We met at Wasatch Wings west of Lehi, Utah for a mock test/training day. It was cool to see all the other people and dogs and learn more about the test Artus will go through next year. We did a simple rabbit drag with him. I'll practice a lot more of those with Artus now that I know better what to do. He got a lot of nice compliments from the people there and I think it was good for him to meet lots of other people and dogs for socialization purposes. I got lots of good advice from some knowledgeable people there too. Here are some pics of the puppy and the weather conditions:











On the return trip, my '94 Chevy passed 300,000 miles. It's been a pretty good truck to me. It's not nearly as pretty as when I first got it but every scratch and dent has a story. This year we're saving up to buy a new truck. This one just has to make it one more year.

About Me...

A little history about me. I was raised in a home with no guns and no hunting. I had extended family who hunted but no one in my household. I started shooting with friends when I moved to Idaho when I was 16. Over time, I developed an interest in shooting and firearms.

It wasn't until my first marriage that I got interested in hunting. I was 26 and my ex-wife's family got me involved in hunting. My friend Ryan Cook got me started hunting upland birds over his Springer Spaniel and his son-in-law's Golden Retriever. Another friend, Steve Higley, got me interested in hunting waterfowl. Most of all, I love being outdoors and also the rush of making a good shot and the satisfaction of eating or using what I hunt.

After my divorce a couple years ago, I started looking for a dog I could use to hunt birds with. This eventually led to the purchase of the pup I'm working with now.

I find that taking my boys with me hunting is a great way to spend time with them and to teach them outdoor skills. These are skills that can benefit them the rest of their lives. Some kids can get good at video games. I'd rather my kids get good at skills they can use to be more self-sufficient.

Here are some pics of my boys last summer with their first shooting experience.

Derek:


Tony:


Drew: