One down and hopefully many, many more to come!

 

Tripp went to his first hunt test and came away with a pass in the Senior Class. He was the youngest dog running the class and while there were only twelve dogs (I believe) entered ony four passed. He really nailed the land series and did ok on the water test but could have done better on the water blind. He kept wanting to get to land but still did it okay....just not perfect. The weekend was bitter sweet as Chase failed his first....and last Master. Two years ago he started to get very vocal at the line which is a major fault and will get you disqualified. I sat him out for two friggen years while trying to get him quieted down. For some reason he knew he was back at a hunt test and by the third series became a train wreck......and the judges failed him. He only does it at hunt test so it is very hard to cure that bad habit....if  not impossible so rather than waste more time and many $$$$ he is done. What really hurts is he did the complete test and did it very well marking all 9 marks with no handles and all his blinds went really good. I am so depressed  I am not sure I will get over it anytime soon. The poor dog....all he wants to do is his job.....he just loves the job too much.

Chase must of had a long day!

 

While I was working I looked over and saw Chase taking it easy. It hurt my neck just looking at him.

Tripps first duck hunting trip

 

                                               I think Tripp is hooked!!

Chase in Texas

 

                                                                       Chase getting it done

Chiloe again

      

                                  My partner Chiloe

The boys hunting in Texas

Chiloe making a retrieve.
 

Chase is breaking in the little guy

   

Well. let,s see. Temperature is hovering right around zero with 15 mile per hour winds and the river is half frozen over. Chase decides it is aa great idea to go for a swim and of course Tripp is right behind him. As you can see their coats turned to ice as soon as they got out but didn't seem too faze either one. Chiloe? He would go in without a second thought for a duck.......but too smart for these two to go in for nothing.

First duck of the season !

And it is a WHOPPER !!! This is Chiloe's first hybrid duck and after approx. 50 years of duck hunting mine as well. It is a Drake Mallard/ Black duck mix. You can bet this one is getting mounted. This damn dog hates to have his photo taken and it shows. The minute the phone comes out the ears go back.
 

Tripp is thinking ahead

 

Tripp is thinking just in case we wear out the duck we can have the stick as a back up. LOL I don't know how the hell he managed to grab both and bring them back.......but he did. He is one incredible little guy. I just can't believe how easy he understands everything in training but he does. I keep waiting for something bad to happen but he just keeps rolling. Watch.....he will get to a hunt test and fall apart.

Hope my dogs are not scared of the water!!!

 

I think they will be OK!!

Happy Birthday Tripp!!!

 

True to form I am a little late posting this picture but this is Tripp at 1 year old!!  Damn, where does the time go. I am chomping at the bit to run him in a hunt test but am going to wait until next spring and then turn him loose. (I think LOL) We are skipping the puppy class with him and going straight to Senior with him. (Yes, I think he is that good......don't let me down Tripp LOL)  I was Hunt test cordinator at our clubs last hunt test and , anything can go wrong but I really thought he could have passed that test no problem. I need patience to hold back and just keep making him (us) better.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TRIPP !!!

Dang...I am dropping the ball

 

I have damn near let Tripps whole puppyhood go with almost no photos. That doesn't mean he is getting neglected. We are doing tons of training and the little guy is not letting me down. He is really showing a ton of promise.Even people I am training with are very impressed. Most times when our group trains we set up tougher marks and run them as singles. Dogs 3 to 5 years with Master Titles and Tripp runs them as good as any dog there. He is just transitioning from pattern field to cold blinds , which is a hard thing to do and he is just OK on it. No problem.....it just takes time. This is Tripp at 8 months old.

The Three Amigos

 

Better late than never! Middle of July and I finally get Tripp out in the boat  for his first boat ride. He loved it as I knew he would. This is one of the few things the other dogs can really help on. When Tripp saw how excited the other two dogs were he just followed suit. First time he has been exposed to white caps and waves crashing as well......no problem. I have really lapsed on posting stuff but just so busy mounting birds and training that I just don't stop to take pictures. Tripp is doing pretty darn good for being under a  year old.....I hope it continues. 

You are still the one Chiloe

Ang and I both see it. Since the pup has arrived we feel Chiloe senses the change and really has become a little depressed. I still try and love over him as much as possible but he ain't dumb. I have taken him duck hunting a couple of times.....just the two of us.....and he made one hell of a nice retrieve on a crippled green wing teal. the bad news is he and I are having a really bad season and not gettin much. Hang on Chiloe...I am not through trying. I just wish you knew how I feel about you partner.....you might not be so depressed.
 

Chase wears me down

You don't have to be a drunk to own a Chessie......but it helps. Thought it was kind of cute and if you notice Tripp is copying Chase and has his own corn stalk! Not quite as big as Chase's but the thought is there. I hope Tripp picks up some good habits as we roll on....we will hope and find out.
 

I don't think water is going to be a problem

This was from October and Tripp went wading without hesitation. It was cold enough I wasn't going to push it so we didn't stay long. 

Didn't hurt he has two big brothers swiming away while he was wading so I am quite positive once spring comes the Tripp will take to the water quite easily.
 

Chase has a new friend

 

Chase has really taken Tripp under his wing and these two are playmates beyond belief. Non stop when Tripp is out of his cage and they really go at it. Chase has been super calm with him and Tripp takes advantage of it and really gets rough. One of these days Chase is going to let him have it back and I for one won't care. LOL

Sucking up to the "Big Guy"

 

Tripp is trying to buddy up to Chiloe. Chiloe tolerates him and that is about it. LOL Learn what you can from him Tripp.....he is one of a kind.

New Game in town

 

Well, I decided to roll the dice again with another puppy. I couldn't find a Chessie breeding I liked so I went back to my roots and bought a lab. His AKC Registered name is The last Tripp. Doing the math with my age I figure this could be it......but is it? Only time will tell. This boy comes from an incredble breeding which sometimes doesn't mean crap.......we will see.

A DEEP DIVE INTO THE AKC SENIOR HUNT TEST

River Dazes

Chiloe looks on while Chase dives for rocks.

Chase went deep for this one!

 Chiloe loves eating the weeds as he swims. The last week was sooo hot about all we accomplished was swimming in the river. None of us mind!

Are you suppose to be in here???

 

No , he is not!!!! But when you are the Chiloe dog certain rules get overlooked. He loves "sneaking " in the bedroom and laying near the bed. Ang thought she would punish him by giving him the pillow.

Chiloe still loves the game

 

He is not about to let me leave him at home and I sure would not anyway! He did pretty good but did cheat the water a bit. Since he is retired I did "pretend" not to notice as the electric colar is more for show than anything. LOL

A little traning at the dog park

  

Took the boys down to the park. Chiloe to swim and Chase to train! LOL I can't believe Chiloe let me take this good of photo with him....every time I try his ears fold back and he looks like crap. Chase is looking so mature in this picture.....the little guy is growing up. I hope I don't jinx this but he has been running really good. Hope it continues as he is running a finished test this weekend. Today Chiloe was coming back with a dummy.....stopped and spit it out........and rolled around in the grass for a couple of seconds!!! I would have been pissed if I wasn't laughing so hard. Enjoy your retirement Chiloe, you earned it.

How time flies when you have a great dog

 

Damn, but this is getting depressing! We are at a training day at Butlers and everyone here is commenting how they can see Chiloe has lost a step or two. I don't care how bad he runs from here on out, but I know for a fact I will always be damn proud of him for what he has accomplished with a fumble fuk like me running and training him. For being April 22 I must say I froze my ass off.