Chance at 5 months old

LI-Jack

LI-Jack

Active member
I finally remembered to take a camera along and developed the film, maybe this year I'll get a digital camera.

Chance, as some of you may know is a Chessie that I picked up while hunting doves down in Delaware. Not sure how he was going to behave, because I only owned a Lab for hunting, I was a little shocked at his possesive attitude when it came to feathers. At 3 months old I showed him a mallard and he retrieved the bird but went nuts when I went to picked up the bird. I got all over him and figured that was a big difference between Labs and Chessie, I needed to set the rules early on who's the boss. I stopped showing him birds and continued with the obedience training, which is going smoothly. Another month passed, and I was cleaning birds with Chance at my side, and I clipped a wing for him to retrieve. Well, the 1st retrieve was great- except for the raised lip, he delivered the wing. The second time, he down right didn't want to give me the wing and when I reached for the wing, he drew blood with those sharp baby teeth. I was pissed, but didn't give up--- he showed remorse the entire evening, because he tried to be friends but I ignored him, till I was ready to forgive him. Now he's 5 months old, and I've continued the obedience training no more feathers until he understands they are for me, but how can I not take him out while the season is going on? So, we go out and he's found cripples in the frags! and although he doesn't pounch on them he moves them out so I can finish them off. He even lets me pick them up without growling, raising the lip and biting--- it's the small details that make me smile.

This past monday, I took the afternoon to go out with Chance and while walking into the spot I flushed a group of pintails. I dropped a drake about 45 yds out into the water which was mucky towards the end. I figured I was going to have to walk and get the bird but before I took a few steps Chance saw what I was after and swam out to pick up this prized bird. My thoughts were wandering as to how much of this bird he'll eat, pluck or will he just run off and claim the bird for himself. Well the little bugger made the retrieve and I met him about 5 yds off the shore, in the water, and he gave me the bird!!! No growls, no blood drawn, no wandering off I was very pleased, and gave him lots of praise. Now, I'm proud to say that he's working out very nicely, and is a great family pet (just don't wave feathers in front of him). He's over 50 lbs, and isn't a ball of energy, but what a nice duck dog in the blind or boat.

I didn't have the camera for the retrieve, but I hope they'll be more. I'm putting the bird on the wall as Chance's true first retrieve.
The day these pictures were taken was the same day the boat in tow filled up with water. We shot a few drake mallards but Chance didn't retrieve on this day.

View attachment SnowChance.JPG
View attachment MeAndChance.JPG
View attachment Bored.JPG
View attachment Lookout.JPG

View attachment SnowChance.JPG
View attachment MeAndChance.JPG
View attachment Bored.JPG
View attachment Lookout.JPG
 
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Way to go Jack!
Keep on him and he will love you for it.
I was born and raised on Long Island, Babylon area.
Miss it from time to time.
Thanks for the pics!
T
 
Jack,
The pics came out great! I do have good aim sometimes. Correction on the day, you shot the mallards, I just followed up to finish them off. Chance is a great dog he had me kneeling on him at one point and even was sitting on my knee too. It's going to be a blast hunting with him.
Joe
 
Hey Jack -

Great story and I admire the way you have handled things. In this day and age of e collars and lots of pressure it's refreshing to hear about being patient and then putting in the time and effort which sounds like it is paying off. From what I have read about the breed, they do not respond well to a lot of pressure but really do have a strong desire to please. I'll bet you end up with a first class duck dog.

Let us know how it goes and thanks.

sarge
 
Sarge, I'll definitely keep the training fun, he's just pup ( a big pup ). I just went out to walk him down by the water and there was a dead drake Mallard along the edge (about 2 feet in from the shore). I let him off the lease, and said fetch and he brought the bird back to me. I let him carry the bird home, which was fun just seeing how proud he was with this big drake in his mouth. Unfortunately, the bird had to be discarded, it wasn't decomposing but it smelt funky. It's a shame to see it wasted. I'm really enjoying the training, like hunting it's suppose to be fun. I'm even getting my kids to do the sit, stay, come, heel, and down commands. It's a pip when you see my 4 year old, saying and showing hand signals and Chance listens.

Pete, It is so true, we are getting to know each other. I can tell already when he's birdy. Trust his nose, but watch out for poop.

Steve, I was really worried with the 3 month old exhibition of the tazmanian devil. I keep a close eye on his body language, but I think I didn't established who's the boss early, not that he won't challenge me again, but I'll be expecting the challenge ( which by the way "Challenge" became his nickname amongst friends).

Tom, Looks like the move to the NW was a good move, longer season, different species. I saw the flooding post, I'm sure you've seen this before on the South Shore of Long Island-- the north east winds with a full moon is the worst. Hope you didn'thave too much damage.

Joe, You have good aim, I just have to leave the blind for you to hit doubles. Don't get into the habit of using Chance as a kneeling pad.

Ken, I forgot what it was like to have a pup around the house. Those baby teeth are sharp!! My wife never had a puppy before, she's glad I got only one. I keep telling her that the pup listens better than the 4 year old, call both to come and see which one get there first.

All, I'll keep you posted as things move on, and try to get some more pictures (I'll keep my mug out of them, if possible). It's amazing how many things a dog can learn if you take it slow, and think about how much he's picked up (learned)since you brought him home. I can't even begin to list all the little things Chance learns, like where he sleeps, where he rides in the boat, the car, where's the food... the birds are in the garage.... feathers are yummy...


Best Regards,
Jack
 
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