Wasn't sure where to put this. Here are my 2 soon to be Bikejoring partners showing what they do normally.

On this particular day I started out with the dummies first to get her attention, only managed one photo though, two hands + treats + clicker + camera - doesn't work so well.


Then I put the bird out for her to fathom.





Not bad for a kidda.

Then the boys turn.




I love love love this one.


What a clown!



Thanks for looking. And the bird is slightly frozen.

Pen gets the hang of it.








And we've recently just had 2 bouts of deep snow.
photo bucket really needs to get this organisation problem sorted. None of them are in order so apologies for it. I'll try my best to sort them right.










SLOW DOWN!




Where is it:












Oops no head


"My bum is cold" (Whistled sit)


Lou was at my parents when most of these pictures were took because Pen was in season.

Very impressive! I love the speckled chest on her! I'm assuming that's from the springer in her... Is that a common working mix? Or was it just an accident? Either way- very cute!

And I like that you use positive methods for that training, I have to admit you don't see that much here in the states with the working dogs. Especially gundogs. Congrats on your success!

arooroomom wrote:

Very impressive! I love the speckled chest on her! I'm assuming that's from the springer in her... Is that a common working mix? Or was it just an accident? Either way- very cute!

And I like that you use positive methods for that training, I have to admit you don't see that much here in the states with the working dogs. Especially gundogs. Congrats on your success!

The speckling was the deciding factor. That and I wanted a girl and when we went to see them she was the only girl left. Would've liked a black one this time around - too easy to compare them when they're related and the same colour (but at least I have a matching team for bikejoring!) It's not a common one on shoots, but they were purpose bred. (there are two dogs in those photos just incase you didn't see the swap over)

We're all about positive methods, although I can and will be firm if I need to be. We like to learn tricks:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h8H3ZwK378k

We haven't actually been on shoots yet. Louie should be ready by the next season - according to the person who runs the training class we attend sporadically (due to lack of transport). So he should be on his way. Lou's also trained up in Obedience (which doesn't make him obedient at all )

Pen was supposed to be trained up in both Gundog and Agility. Shooting season is over winter but I needed something to keep them focused and entertained in the spring/summer months. But Agility and Obedience are both expensive - just for classes then theres the travelling to competitions. And a lot of the commands clash. Like for example - send aways clash with get out. On a send away Lou has to stop between a certain point, where as get out in gundog work is go and flush/retrieve..

So that brings us to Bikejoring.

Awesome photos! I had gun dogs growing up (Brittanies) and loved helping my dad train them. My poor dad was so bummed with their recent one who is 8yo now, he's gun shy. That dog is a princess...lol.

MGoBlue wrote:

Awesome photos! I had gun dogs growing up (Brittanies) and loved helping my dad train them. My poor dad was so bummed with their recent one who is 8yo now, he's gun shy. That dog is a princess...lol.

I would love a Brittany but they're a bit headstrong for me. Lou's recall took forever to get right and his hunting (spaniel side) needs reining in as does Pen's but I've hardly done any work with Pen she's just a natural.

I've never heard of Brittanies as headstrong! Higher energy, yes. Ours have always been extremely biddable and eager to please. Are French Brittanies more common there or do you see more of the American style?

MGoBlue wrote:

I've never heard of Brittanies as headstrong! Higher energy, yes. Ours have always been extremely biddable and eager to please. Are French Brittanies more common there or do you see more of the American style?

I would say they are considered the hardest out of the common HPR breeds we get here, but then I guess that leaves a lot of room to consider the breeding lines over here. I've only ever seen two britts and one was American looking and the other looked more of the French.

That's interesting!

MGoBlue wrote:

That's interesting!

Gundog folk here like what they like, they're either spaniel fans or lab fans. A small majority are HPR fans and they tend to have the German pointers and the Hungarians. English setters are facing extinction Clumber spaniels are a rare breed now too..

I'd have a Brittany - but after I've gone through a few dogs - wouldn't feel experienced enough to have one atm.

I grew up with a shorthair pointer and 2 brittanies, loved them dogs, my dad trained all 3 as hunting/ retriving dogs. I went out with him when we had the britts since I was older to help with training, I also went on scouting trips with my dad but never got to hunt with him not sure I could have killed anything anyways.

Great job on the training!

Not sure what's up with my phone but can't see the snow pics... will look at work.