MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's that time of year when we tend to act on our better traits--kindness, charity, love, sharing and our relationship with Deity to name a few.  The Christmas season is such a wonderful time because of the things that Providence has done for us.  Here at the Swetthaus we extend our warmest wishes.

It's also a great season for renewal.  Even though the bird hunting screeched to a halt, we're holding out hope for at least another day or two before the New Year Holiday.   New Year's Day gives us a benchmark to begin again.  So, rather than feeling down about January, we're upbeat.

Co-pilot

K-Lee and I are already plowing snow together.  She has a cute little habit:  When we are plowing and pushing snow into the banking, she leans into me and puts her head firmly on my shoulder/chest area.  She braces her feet on the seat and leans right into me.  I find that rather nice.

See that grassy area in the field?  It  isn't a landing strip.  It's a section we've plowed in order to have an area for exercise and training.-- and avoid having to constantly struggle through knee-deep snow.

Not a runway

We still work on fetch, come, sit, down, whoa, heel, walking at heel, hold and anything else that comes to mind--though at 16 degrees F, the sessions are shorter.   This morning before going outside, she fetched my socks which had fallen to the floor. Cool!  Now I have an excuse for being a 'slob'.  I'll just call it "training"!


Looking forward to what we can 'chronicle' in 2014, we send our best holiday wishes as we settle in for a long winter's nap!
 

THE BOOK OF PUPPY TECHNIQUE

Last year, I was cleaning and preparing for the 2012 holiday season and my thoughts wandered as they always do during such chores.   I began to wonder “If puppies were given an instruction book to help them in their mischief, how would it read?”   I imagined that it would probably be hidden under my puppy’s bed and would be a “How To” manual.  

Here are a few of what I thought could be “excerpts” taken from its leaves:

NOTE TO PUP:  Be Affectionate!  This is rule number one!  Be sure that the humans are hopelessly fond of you.  This requires sleeping on the lap, cuddling, lapping the face at the right moment, and convincing them think that you are cute, loving, and affectionate.  It is important that they have a strong attachment to you.  This is the foundation of your emotional control over them and allows you to exercise the following techniques:

INDOORS

101:       Toilet Paper: 

This is an essential skill of puppyhood.  It requires stealth and agility.  Do not try this until at least 3 months old.  Quickly move into the bathroom, and grab the last section of paper in your teeth.  Turn and run as fast as you can down the corridor, around the kitchen table and back down the hall.  (Optional:  Run the paper into the living room.)  The most recent record was 58 feet.

102:    You can’t trust me yet! 

This technique requires some self-control.  It is important to go pee outside at least a week and a half without fail.  Then, while the boss is looking directly at you, bark once and then immediately pee on the floor.  The boss will think that you had been trying to tell him that you had to go, and he missed the cue.  You’ll be able to get away with this at least three times if properly executed. 

103:  Shredding: 

Identify a piece of paper or Kleenex.  When everyone is looking at something else, deftly pull it from its place and disappear with it into another room.  If you have been successful with the “theft”, shred the paper.  Scatter the pieces in a large area—this makes clean-up more difficult.  When discovered, give the “happy look”.  This technique also works with gloves, hats, socks, pillows, and insoles. 

(Note to pup:  The most expensive things are the best targets.)

103.4   Dog Beds:  

Dog Bed Technique

This is best begun at about four to eight months of age.  Quietly lie on the dog bed after an active period (running, swimming, training, or whatever…).  Once you awake, quietly start to chew at the seams and zipper until a hole is created.  Pull the stuffing from the hole, chew it thoroughly, then spit it out and go for another mouthful.  Properly done, a dog bed can be ruined in 18-24 minutes.

(Note:  Don’t be discouraged, Inexperienced pups take a little longer.)

104:  Wet kitchen floor: 

Drink from your water bowl, carefully submersing your lower jaw into the water.  Then, with wild abandon, lift your head and flick the water on your beard like a child would do with a paintbrush.  The objective is to create a glistening arc of flying water that leaves a long trail across the floor.  Done correctly, this will excite your female human for hours. 
 (The males are generally less responsive.)

105:    “Mr. Myagi” technique: 

Similar to “wax-on, wax-off” in the Karate Kid, the Mr. Myagi technique is  performed after the boss has learned to recognize your signs for “needing to go” outside but hasn’t gauged how long you can “hold it”.  Make noises and motions that you have to go out to do your business.  Once successfully outside, go through a few motions of elimination, then bark to come in.  Actual success in “doing your business” is not necessary.  Repeat the process.  The “Mr. Myagi” technique can best be described as “dog-in/dog-out, dog-in/ dog-out”  repeated incessantly.

Nest building

106.8   “I have a dream”:  

This is especially good if you sleep in the same room as the boss. This technique works best if the human is completely tired out before retiring. (A person that hasn’t learned to sleep when you sleep is especially vulnerable to the “I have a dream” technique.)  .   In the wee hours of the morning, make “I have to go out now!” noises and yip once or twice.  When the boss turns on the light, pretend that you are asleep and dreaming—that you are totally unaware that you just barked.  Greatest effect is obtained when the boss has an important meeting the next morning.

. 

OUTDOORS:

203     “Body Slamming” Flower beds: 

Body slamming technique

This requires a suitable flower bed.  A daylily or Iris bed would do just fine.  Form is important in this effort and high scores are given for originality.  Velocity must be as high as possible.  First take a 30 foot run, and with absolute abandon, leap into the air and body slam the plants.  The result will be a satisfying landing amidst the greenery.  Important:  After doing this properly, the puppy should look the human in the eyes with an extremely happy and satisfied expression, vigorously wagging the tail.  (This usually gets you off.)  Building nests in the flower bed is optional.

203a    Flowers: 

Flowers are particularly fun to chew because they not only have fragrance, but color. When the color disappears prematurely, the people in the house go “ballistic”.  It’s fun to watch.  Care must be taken however, to look absolutely innocent when the loss is discovered.  This may take practice.

Practice Flower Chewing

206:    Rose Bushes: 

Most owners think that because rose bushes have thorns, that you will not be interested in doing damage to them.  Care must be exercised, but rose bush excavation is very possible.     This method works best when a human hitches you outside and gets distracted by the phone or other things.    Imitating an excavator, start with a small hole near the bush, and silently proceed to throw as much dirt all over the immediate area.  If you are successful in this endeavor, they will never find enough dirt to fill the hole again.  The last recorded hole exceeded two feet wide by two feet deep.

207:    Hitching post:  

This technique requires a great deal of self-control.  When the boss hitches you out on the chain gang—or on a stake,  wait until everything looks like it is going the way the boss wants.  When he/she drops his/her guard, immediately dig a hole at least 1 foot by 1 foot and two feet deep in the lawn.  This is guaranteed produce new words which are not part of the training vocabulary.  They sound like Chinese.

212:    Woodpiles:   

Size of the pile is not important, but as you physically develop, you may want to increase the size of your “stick”.   This technique almost resembles work—except that it is done in reverse of the actual human work.  Steal a piece of wood and run across the lawn for about 50 feet.   Chew on it for a moment or two, then leave it, go and steal another piece.   Don’t rush!  An average of 30 pieces within 1 hour is a good “ratio”.   Be sure to spread the sticks far and wide.  Above all, do NOT return any to the pile.  Doing so is considered “bad form” for pups.

Charging through gardens

213.5   Gardens:

This is a technique that is very exciting.  When just out of reach of your humans, charge through a newly planted garden as fast as possible, throwing a rooster-tail of dirt behind.  (Vegetable gardens seem to provide the most fun because of their size.)

213.5a Green Gardens:

A later version of 213.5, this requires the pup to run into the garden when produce is green and between 4-12 inches high.  The technique requires the pup to pull up stakes or green growth.  Scatter said objects upon the lawn.   (This is best done just after a good rain because the humans won’t want to send you into the house for “time-out” because you are covered with mud.)

216:    I’m So Happy You’re Here!

When your humans receive company that you sense is too “high strung”, the “I’m So Happy You’re Here” technique is warranted.  Run gleefully to the (“high strung”) people and firmly place at least one paw on a newly laundered shirt or blouse.  Good definition of the paw-print is desired.  This shows your proper preparation.  Be sure to wag your tail (or what’s left of it) for effect.

Preparing for "I'm so happy you're here"

219:    “Help! I’ve Gone Deaf!”

The “Help!  I’ve Gone Deaf” technique should be mastered as soon as possible.  It is best used occasionally and discrimately.   Randomly using this technique will keep your humans off-guard.  Simply pretend that you can’t hear the boss when he gives a command.    (You will notice that the pitch of their voice will rise dramatically.  This is normal.)  Caution:  Use this technique only at times when you want to disobey and your humans have not prepared for this contingency.   Judiciously used, this technique is useful throughout life.

Note to Pup:  Keeping your owner “wound up” and occasionally frustrated is truly an art form.  If you don’t succeed on your first try, be patient.  New opportunities will present themselves.  Be sure to try variations on these techniques.  Be sure to sleep when the boss is awake so you can be awake when he wants to sleep.  Once you have mastered these techniques, please destroy and bury this handbook.

Well, there you have it.  These are but a few of the techniques that I believe could be found in a puppy’s instruction book.  There may have been such a handbook here by my computer, but all I see is a pile of shredded paper on the floor.  

DRIVEN TO DISTRACTION

I learned a lesson last spring that I hope really sticks.  It took me some time “to think through it all” and to understand what was wrong. With some kind help from my friends, I came to realize my error(s) of my ways.

Let me start at the beginning:  On a most typical spring day, Merrimack Valley Chapter of NAVHDA (North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association) had a “Test Day”.  The site was packed with people and dogs.  There were people planting birds, shots fired, tracking activities, and birds being flushed, shot and retrieved.  There was a gaggle of judges following each dog to evaluate its performance.  The energy level was high for dogs and handlers.

Enter yours truly with K-Lee, my 14 month old Pudelpointer.  K-Lee had been on birds last fall.  She knew that gun fire usually meant a bird on the ground.  K-Lee looked into the field and saw birds fluttering as they were planted, birds coming down, other dogs running to retrieve, and lots, lots of activity.   Her body language was shouting:  “Oh yeah!!  Let me at them!  Oh Yeah!  Me! Me! Me! Go! Go! Go!”

Before First Haircut

Needless to say, we were out of control.  Lessons for “obedience” that I thought were “learned”—were “out the window”.   At first, I thought it was “willful disobedience”—that she was just “flipping me off”, but after listening to my friend/mentor, I realize that it was natural that her “genes” were “ignited” under those conditions.    The problem was in the training—not the dog.  The training was not “deep” enough.  In spite of her lack of cooperation, we were fortunate that day and received a NA Prize III.  I was surprised, for I expected none.

After First Haircut

As I did my “forensics” on the day, I realized that although she was fine when we were "alone", I had not “trained for distraction”.  In other words, I had not desensitized the pup to such activity, so that she could remain calm while these things went on.  Being an "empty-nester", the home environment is rather quiet, and K-Lee was the only (full size) dog around the house.  (My wife has a dog that's more like a barking cat.)  It was basically just K-Lee and me, inside and outside.   So on "test day", I felt as if I were "the emperor with no clothes”.  I wasn’t embarrassed with  K-Lee’s behavior,  I was embarrassed with  the fact that I had allowed myself to be blind-sided so easily. I had failed to train “deeply”—to have a good recall, to train for distractions such as "the gallery".  K-Lee needed to know that the judges weren’t there to play “keep-away”!

It was time to dive in deeper—not to wade out of the water!  I realized that I did not have an adequate” recall” in place, and her “whoa” was not as strong as I thought.  She barely pointed before taking out a bird.  I needed to train for obedience and distraction.  I also needed to be trained myself.  My level of experience was inadequate for what I wanted to accomplish.  

My first reaction was to come up with all kinds of reasons why she was doing this.  “Planted birds smelled more like wounded birds to her”, etc … I’m sure that many of us have reacted like that at first.  

 Once I settled down and worked at being honest with myself, I came to the conclusion that I needed some experienced help.  I knew I had a dog with potential and I wasn’t going to let her down.  I contacted Blaine Carter of Merrymeeting Kennels in Brunswick Maine. He saw the problem right off, and created a program to help us.

Getting it together

A few course corrections later, and we were on the path to ‘righteousness’.  K-Lee is still a bundle of energy, but she controls herself in a more mannerly fashion.  She is much more obedient, and her field work  is better. We are continuing our training and hope to enter the "Utility Test" this fall.  I know that things often fall apart when testing, but I‘m hopeful that our next test day will be more positive and controlled than that challenging spring day when “the wheels fell off”.

UNNECESSARY ANXIETY

Yesterday, 19 month old K-Lee and I hunted part of a flood control reservoir .   We worked along a stream bed and along hedgerows of poplar and tangled brush.  We pushed through the open field that was at the heart of the area.  We hunted the river's edge, carefully combing every piece of cover that looked like it would hold a bird or two.  Nothing.  K-Lee was running big and fast.  I had to call her back in several times.  She was all "go!"

As we completed our last "sweep", a hen pheasant went up in a wild flush--not far from K-Lee.  (She didn't have time to point.)  I fired and missed, then I noticed that K-Lee was chasing after the flush.  (Mental Note:  More training work for later.)

I let her look for the hen although I was pretty sure that I had missed it.  After a few minutes, I called to her and told her to "Leave it!"   We continued north along the stream bottom when a rooster flushed from the high ground to my right.  K-Lee was in there and I thought that she may have busted up the bird, so I didn't try for it.  Again, I noticed that she didn't stop at the flush. (Another mental note:  She does alright on a planted bird, but the "wild" ones seem to pose a different challenge for her.)

We hunted the far side of the stream to see if we could pick up the birds that flew across, when to my surprise, I looked up and saw a team of sled dogs pulling a cart and driver!

I quickly pulled K-Lee out of the immediate area and they went through.  The driver was friendly enough and thanked me for the courtesy.  I had my hands full, so I just held up my shotgun to him in a sort of "wave".  They gave a new meaning to "multi-use area".

As we traveled home, I felt like we were regressing.  No points, much running and only wild flushes.  I was afraid that K-Lee was losing her desire to point and preferred flushing them.

Can you see the grouse?

Fast forward to today.  I took her to another portion of this federal area for a couple of hours and started poking around.  She became quite energetic.  It was obvious that she was hitting some sort of scent trail.  Nothing came of it, so we moved to a place I call "Frank's Corner".  (My buddy Frank almost always found a grouse at this corner in the trail.)  I sent K-Lee into the toolies and all of a sudden she was on point!   I told her "whoa, whoa" as I moved in for a shot.  As I crossed over a dead-fall, a grouse that K-Lee had pinned, rocketed from the fallen leaves  towards a distant unknown location.  The bird was perhaps two feet above the ground, flying "nap of the earth".  The bird put K-Lee between me and itself.  Clever!......."No bird!"

Later, she came across what appeared to be a scent trail of some sort, so I told her "Track!"  She put her nose to the ground and started following an invisible "line" through the brush.  This went on for several minutes, and I let her work it out.  When things "dried up",  we moved to another section several yards away.  Nothing, but she was still trying to figure out the "scent".  When she appeared ready to give up and move on into more cover, I called her over and sent her into  brush on the sunny edge of the field.   Suddenly, a point!

As I moved in, the bird went up and offered me a nice going away shot.  (Yet another mental note:  K-Lee is going for the fetch without being released--more work ahead.)  I told her "Fetch!" anyway.  After a few moments, she found the bird.  With a slight e-reminder that it belonged with me, she brought the bird to my side and delivered it.  We took a few moments and celebrated together.

My concerns seemed to have been unnecessary.  Two nice points and one retrieved bird in the bag.  Life is good.

BACK HOME AND TAKING A BREAK

Author and K-Lee in October

In a near-convalescent state, I’m back at home after another ruffed grouse hunt near the Canadian border.  I’m stiff, weary, aching and satisfied—for a while.  In several days, we covered about twenty or more miles through blow-downs, marshes, alders, shale, skidder trails and moose wallows.  Our flush rates were about one bird every 30 minutes.  The woods were noisy on the second and third days, and the birds tended to run more and flush farther out....perhaps we should have employed some sort of “stealth mode”.  We took a few grouse just the same, and had a good time.  What more could we ask?

If bird hunting were measured only in flush rates, kills, bag limits, statistics and such, our sport would be severely diminished.   Being much more than the aforementioned activities, “ruffed grouse hunting” has the capacity to inspire, to motivate, and to impress those of us who seek such an elusive quarry. It even causes us to dream and reminisce.   Perhaps that is why some of the greatest sporting stories written have been about ruffed grouse hunting.  Great writers have captured singular and funny events and shared them with us—their stories are perfect for fireside reading!  

Speaking of writers, one of my favorite (modern) authors is G.N. Allen, who keeps a blog called “Ruffed Grouse, Drumming on a blog”.  Mr. Allen is a long-time grouse hunter with a very extensive understanding of the north woods.  Not only does he have a comfortable and easy reading style, his humor reaches out to me.  It’s fun to read his posts as he goes through the memories of his hunts and the anticipation of future ones. He also has written some hilarious articles for the Roughed Grouse Society.  Call it "recommended reading" from yours truly.

Getting back to the north woods,  there’s the fresh "Canadian" air and the smell of spruces as we poke along in the wilderness.  Whatever it is, the lure of it all pulls us along—mile after mile—as we look for ruffed grouse and opportunities to shoot another bird for our dogs.   

You see, while some folks consider the dog as a means to get a bird, I’m one of those who consider the birds as a means to see our dogs do what they love.  My “pup” K-Lee gave us a few nice points, but the grouse had run out from under them.  She’s only a year and a half, and has a lot to learn from what I consider the cagiest bird in the northeast—perhaps in the Americas.

Dropped in for a free lunch

On our last day, we were visited by Canada Jays (Perisoreus Canadensis).  They spotted our lunch and came directly to hand, so we fed them.  Here’s one of my friends sharing his lunch with a Jay.  This is not the sort of thing that anyone can experience in front of a television or computer!   We saw brown northern hares with their feet and undersides beginning to turn white already.  We saw snow squalls raced across the hill tops, while we enjoyed the cover of spruces—as did our quarry.  We felt alive!

Soon there will be plenty of time to rest by the fire, to write and call up a memory over a steaming hot chocolate. 'Today' is the time to be out there.  Wandering from cover to cover, turning a back to the northerly wind, and working in partnership with a canine that was born and bred for the moment.

“Why abuse yourself” you say?  “Why push yourself so much?”  It’s simple.  I am recharged and alive after spending days afield with dog, my friends and ‘chasing’ birds.  I love the companionship and cooperation of a good bird dog, and K-Lee needs more bird exposure. 

The weather looks pretty good for the first half of next week, so perhaps I’ll go north one more time.  Our tomorrows are unknown, and who knows how much longer I have before I can’t navigate the north woods?  I think I’ll place a call to see if there’s still a spare bunk at “grouse camp”.  Yep, that’s what I’m going to do.  Now if I can get my lame legs to move....