Busy bees! Pearl wins + Ducati Videos

It's been a whirlwind here of late.  Multi-tasking is an understatement!  We whelped Nellie's litter, then headed South to California City for a Field trial (where Pearl WON the Open Gun Dog 4 point retrieving major!); then...

"Pearl" Willowynd's Rebel-Ette takes the Blue at the South Coast Vizsla Club trial handled by Owner Karen Bravender.

 stopped at Jim and Pat Searles ranch for a couple of days on the way home and picking up a new horse...
and believe it or not - there's still training happening!

Ducati - aka "Duke" is coming along nicely in his development.  He's getting stronger and more coordinated as he matures.  That affords us the opportunity to expand his exposure and training.  He has been scent pointing since the second day he arrived at around 10 weeks old.  As you can see in the video, he uses his nose well - smelling the flag I use to mark a general location picking up the hand scent (and YES, I used gloves!).  His point is solid (close, but that's young puppy stuff that will get sorted out quickly with wild bird exposure).  Enough talk - here's a short video of him working a couple chuckar.




We also work on encouraging a "carry" or play retrieve at this age.  Chuckar are a recent step up for Ducati from the smaller Quail.  It generally takes a few sessions with a recently expired bird for the pup to learn how to hold and carry the increases size and weight.  This is one of my very favorite things to do.  I absolutely love spending time with young dogs seeing their natural instincts develop. 
 


Tomorrow it's off to Walnut creek for the Vizsla Club of Northern California Holiday Party!  Hope to see many of you there!