H.A.R.D. Headed, You Ask?

Last week Bill, Casey and I loaded up and headed back to Lake Andes for a visit with our friends and some 'dog whispering' for Casey.  She may almost be 5, but South Dakota bird numbers have been so low the past 3 years her hunting maturity level is far closer to 1.  It's just the way it's been and with bird farms getting the price they get, it is what it is.

Well, day 1 went OK.  The first part did NOT go well, once Casey ran herself into the ground and Terry was able to come join us, The last couple hours went far better.  Even got a bird over her.  We were also working with a couple of young dogs of Terry and Tracey's - Tux had an excellent flush and retrieve.  Each one of us got a bird on day 1 - Tracey got 2.

 

Tux flushed and retrieved this bird 100% on his own.

Good boy, Tux.  Good boy!!

 Next it was Casey's turn.  Fiona (not pictured) worked this bird, but it dropped right by Casey so she got the retrieve.  And since she was *ACTUALLY* paying attention and working the way she is supposed to, Terry had her bring it over to me rather than taking it from her.  A little extra time with the bird in her mouth never hurt nothin'.

Retrieving to hand.  By golly, she can act right.

"Take it to Mom."

This next bird was all Casey - including showing off to Fiona that she worked the worked bird and was going to retrieve - except it was her bird.  Not giving this one up unless you came to her.  Yep. Still showing the independent hard headed-ness. 

At lease she worked this one in shooting range and I actually connected!

I would say good girl, but maybe not.

Day 2 was nothing short of a fiasco.  Talk about gettin' flipped off!  I told Terry I hadn't seen this much hard headed-ness in a long time.  His answer:  "Don't kill her.  She's a good dog.  She's way to smart, but a good dog."  We all talked and decided the best thing for her would be to have a second dog in the house; and Terry and Tracey just so happen to have a couple dogs that are needing some one on one, be in the house, get socialized dogs.  Jade came home with us for a little while.  Boy, has Casey had her nose bent out of joint this past week!  That's OK.  She's figuring out that she best start paying attention or that other 4 legged being is going to take all the lovin'.

*Jade*

Jade came home with us, got to go to 'the spa' where he got a warm water massage complete with really cool bubbles.  Once we got back to the house there was his very own 'welcome to the house' toy, treats, and a blanket for him to lay on.  Neighbor even called to see if they could meet the new handsome guy in the neighborhood.  Maybe this house life ain't so bad after all.