CoolWater Chesapeakes

I had a fabulous time this weekend in Crestview, FL.

Several 'retriever' people, including many Chessie owners, met in Crestview for a fun-filled training day at Kathy & Alan Luthy's -- pro-trainers and owners/breeders of Rippling Water Chesapeakes.

While I was there, I got to see Risk - who I haven't seen in several months. My, my, my has he grown. I was very pleased with how he's filling out. He has many nice attributes about him (short loin, gorgeous rear angulation, strong moment, nice little ears).  He'll be staying at the Luthy's for a while to get some 'retriever' training.  I hope to have some good news to report on him in the near future.

Also, at the training day, was "Nova", a Morgan puppy. Boy was she cute! She had a fabulously coarse coat and such beautiful fluid movement. It was great watching her, and her owner, interact and learn retrieving basics.

You can see more photos from the training day on my Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/BrownDogPhotography

Yesterday I take Risk to our 'first' handling class. The class is an hour away from me and it starts at 8:10 p.m. On my way to class, stopped to pick up a friend who was also going to class as she owns a Frenchie.

Ok - so, my evening started out promptly with Risk pooping (bad poops) in the back of my SUV. Of course, he didn't do this when I was alone but after I picked up my friend. The Frenchie promptly started snorting as she sniffed the 'fresh aroma.' <uug> So, we pull over, pull Risk out of the crate, to see what damage had been done. Thank goodness, there was nothing on him (even though it was everywhere else). So, I pulled out the matt that I had under him and promptly threw it away in a dumpster we found. We air Risk, make sure he's ok, and get back on the road again.

As soon as I got to the training grounds, I knew I was in for a wild ride with Risk. Although we have been to many places, it seems this became sensory overload for him. He was so terribly excited by all the cars, all the smells and, of course, all the other dogs and people.

Risk is big, to me anyways. At 8 months, he's a lean 85 lbs. (I need to weigh him) and I'm guessing about 25" to the withers. I wouldn't be surprised if he reaches a good 95 lbs. or larger after maturing/filling out.

We walked into the building, and Risk promptly wanted to say "Hi" to the "Springer Spaniel" and "HI" to the "Boxer" and "HI" to every other dog that came near him. After so many "leave its" and popping him closer to me, he started to calm down and instead of lunging towards all the other dogs with his overabundance of exhuberance, he simply would go 'nose to nose' with them.

Great! Now that we settle this nonsense of him lunging and choking himself, and overwhelming every other dog in the building, we get down to business in our own class. There were 6 dogs in the class a Chow, Boxer, Frenchie, Bullmastiff, Beagle and then there was RISK. All behaved beautifully except for my boy who was not only the most wound up dog in the class but he was also the most vocal and the most defiant.

The instructor moved the Boxer up first and then placed Risk second in line. It seems all the training we did at home flew out his rump when he pooped in my car earlier that night. Every time I tried to stack his rear, he'd go down and try to sit on my hand. When I'd stack his front, he would shuffle and move. When I'd hold his head, he'd try to nibble and pinch my hand. Talk about frustrating. He was definitely not willing to work with me. I can only imagine how our 'presentation' looked to those ringside.

The instructor, who deserves wings for putting up with us yesterday, was very, very helpful and oh so patient. So, she gave me a little tip. She told me she was going to grab his johnson, and while she did, she wanted me to stack him up. So, she reached down and firmly grabbed his willy and I stacked him up -- AND HE STAYED!! WHOO HOOO!!! I nearly died!!... He stood beautifully (as good as Risk can stand at this moment).

Ok, since this worked, she suggested, for now, when we train, I go down on one knee and I firmly grab him so he starts to learn he needs to 'straighten up' and behave. So, each time we stacked, I placed his feet in the proper position and I go down on one knee and I grab the sucker. HOLY POOPERS... It was like I had a new dog! Although it wasn't a perfect stack, he definitely stood there and stopped fighting me. Of course, I thought the instructor was nuts for suggesting I do this but ... it seems to have been working. I even had one lady outside the ring, who was watching the class, commented on how well he was doing and how he was like a different dog.

What a tiring night... but even with all his antics the instructor gave Risk some very nice compliments. She said he has a very nice front, she liked his movement and that his expression and coat are very nice.  Now, we need to work on presentation (oh boy) and he needs to fill out some. She thinks he'll be very nice when he matures.

Yesterday, Risk and Jessie went to the park for some good ol' fun under the sun. Pretty much, all they did was swim and goof off. Risk towers over his mother now and he's a big goof. But, his temperament is fabulous.

Today, is the 6 month birthday of Risk & Noelle. It seems like yesterday when they could nearly fit  in the palm of my hand.

Risk