Mouse @ 9 1/2 months

[cmccmc 24]

Just an update on my little 1/4 beddy 3/4 whippet pup - I last checked in when she was seven months old (here http://www.thehuntin...et-7-12-months/ )

 

She'd been getting a bit switched off on her retrieves, so I eased off on retrieve training for a month or so and just focused on getting out and about with her, giving her more freedom offlead now that she has a solid 'halt' and recall. I don't know if we'll ever get to her dropping on command, she's a bit of a princess about getting her tummy wet, but she'll stop dead in her tracks and look back to me when I ask her, which is good enough for now.

 

 

Her nose switched into gear about a month and a half ago, and she does tend to stop listening if she smells something exciting. I figure that's all part of being a pup, and I'm not being too hard on her - it's good that she's using her nose, and she's never yet bolted or tried to evade me at all. She doesn't charge up to other dogs or cyclists on walks, and she's happy for me to put her lead on and off.

 

 

I still don't consider her stockbroken - she's no longer fearful of sheep and horses, but she is quite curious about them and I want to get to the stage where they're just part of the scenery for her.

 

I picked up on retrieve training a couple of weeks ago, and I was pleased to see that she was a bit more into it. Inside she's spot on with retrieves to hand, outside she still gets distracted at times but is doing much better. I'm just trying to keep it light-hearted and fun for her. Probably the biggest development is that her prey drive has kicked in in a big way.

 

 

That's her coursing a low-flying seagull this morning. Here's the unzoomed picture to give you an idea of the distance she was working from me;

 

 

I know it's only a seagull, but it was amazing to watch her run. The best part, though, was that as soon as she lost the bird she came barreling back to me.

 

 

 

Real heart in mouth stuff - makes me feel like all the work I've put in over the last 7 months is paying off! Here she is again, this time on a pair of rooks. You can see them on the horizon in front of her; one on the left, one on the right.

 

 

 

 

If you look close, you can see the one on the right taking off

 

 

 

 

Again, you can see the rook flying low right in front of her

 

 

I don't know what happened here. I can see three wings, but I'm not sure what's going on. It's possible she made contact with one, or came close to it at least. I was dumb and didn't go over to check for feathers!

 

 

Note the wing disappearing over the horizon on her left. She disappeared over the horizon with it; at that point I called her in and, after a moment or two, she came charging back. Again, she was working at a fair distance from me.

 

 

 

(She's the little yellow blob in the centre of the picture).

 

She'd have gone on coursing the rooks and gulls all day if I'd let her, but she was running pretty hard and I didn't want her to overdo it. One thing I was pleased about was she didn't open up - she'd opened up on the lure as a young pup and I was a bit worried the terrier in her might turn her into a yappy little thing. So far, no signs. I don't know how often I'll let her have a run on the birds - it's lovely to watch, she comes back pleased as punch and I guess it's good training for hunting up/beating, but I don't want her to get frustrated or burned out. Maybe every once in a while I'll take her up there again.

 

Anyway, that's my little dog and I'm pretty chuffed with her. I've been weighing up whether to introduce her to fur this season or wait until next. She's quite an awkward age; only 11 months old at the end of march but then she'll be 14 months at the start of September. In the end, since we're both novices (she's my first lurcher), I've decided to hold out for the new season. That way, I can take time over the summer to really get her up to scratch on general obedience and steadiness around stock, so the risk of me putting my foot in it on any permission I'm lucky enough to get will be minimised. Also, she isn't ferret broken yet, and that's something I can work on over the summer when I buy in a jill or two.

 

 

 

 

 

She's a great wee pal

Edited February 13, 2012 by cmccmc

[northern lad 2,292]

cracking read and photos pal ,nice to see someone putting time into their pups training.she looks a cracker atb dave

[sowhat 1,572]

She looks a nice little dog, lovely story,and pics,you obviously love your little pal to bits

Look forward to hearing how she progress's ,good luck with her

[kriti 274]

cracking read and photos pal ,nice to see someone putting time into their pups training.she looks a cracker atb dave

i'll second that, sounds like you're doing things right mate

[birddog 1,354]

looks a wee cracker and i'm sure with the amount of work your putting in it'll all come good