Definition of a Deutsch Drahthaar(according to me)

A lot of people ask the question, What is a Drahthaar? Well, here is my definition of a Drahthaar.

A Drahthaar is like a Mercedes Benz, a Lamborghini, a Tonka truck, A bad ass cage fighter, and a one of a kind piece of art all in one. A Mercedes because they are the ultimate versatile breed (and they are German) a Lamborghini because they go balls to the walls, a Tonka truck because they can get the shit beat out of them in the field and still do their job, and a bad ass fighter because, well, just keep your lab on a leash and everything will be fine, and last a piece of art because you can be sure that there is not another identical one in existance!

So the next time someone asks, What is a Drahthaar? Just tell them its a super nice,high performance, durable, tough as hell piece of art!

Long Time, No Blog

Where do I start? Hanks progress is going very well in all aspects of conditioning/training. He is successfully retrieving DFT's at longer and longer distances all the time. He now is really starting to understand the sequence of events and what needs to take place during a retrieve. I have slowly and methodically incorporated certain actions into this. A retrieve for Hank and I isnt just simply go get the dummy. It consists of sit at heel(even though he hasnt been introduced to "heel" this is a precursor to the intro to the command. As i was saying sit at heel, mark, fetch,deliver, sit,praise! He does this a good 85% of the time with the remaining 15% being him forgetting to sit in which case he gets no praise. I have been able to achieve this by incorporating sit into the equation, I am now wondering if i shouldnt start to do some baby pile work with him to introduce to him the fact that something doesnt have to be thrown by me in order for fetching to occur. Hank has also been getting introduced to the whistle and his obedience(puppy obedience) is coming along nicely!
Sit 99%, Kennel 95%, no 0%(stubborn little bastard) come 95%, four toots on the whistle used as come is at about 65-70% he does it 100% of the time if i sit him first and then walk away and then use the whistle but he is going to slowly be introduced to the fact that it means stop what u r doing right now and get ur little german ass to me pronto buddy. He understands "alright" as his release command from his kennel, sitting position, and also used for going through doors etc. It is also being used as a way of getting him out in the field away from me. I have started the intro to hand signals and he got his first up close encounter with a live pigeon a couple of days ago. I have been doing rabbit drags for him once a week or so and working on track. I did a couple of 100 yard plus drags for him last week and bingo. No problem whatsoever. Hank is doing very well and is growing just as fast as all the corn around here. He weighs about 35 lbs right now and is in good shape. I have made sure to keep all of the training fun for Hank and have actually realized what my expectations should be of him, there should be none! As long as he doesnt do his business in the house and doesnt bite, im cool!

Until next time,

David

CHAPTER MEETING AND DRAHTS AND BRATS

OUR CHAPTER MEETING WAS THIS WEEKEND AND SO WAS THE 7TH ANNUAL DRAHTS AND BRATS HOSTED BY GENE AND LONA KLUCK. THEY HAD ALL KINDS OF GOOD STUFF GOING ON THIS WEEKEND AS FAR AS TRAINING FOR ALL AGES OF DOGS AND HANDLERS. THE WEEKEND STARTED OFF WITH A WELCOME BBQ ON FRIDAY EVENING AND A FORCE FETCH CLINIC BY JOHN LUTRELL. THE CLINIC WAS TWO HOURS OF GREAT INFO AND GREAT TECHNIQUES. IT ALSO GAVE EVERYONE A CHANCE TO MEET AND LEARN FROM EACH OTHERS EXPERIENCES. SATURDAY MORNING WAS ARMBRUSTER EVALUATIONS FOR HARE TRACK AND GUN SENSITIVITY. THIS BEING MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH BOTH I WAS A SPONGE WHEN IT CAME TO LEARNING WHAT WAS EXPECTED OF THE DOGS. THEY HAD ANOTHER BBQ AT AROUND NOON AND DID ALL SORTS OF ACTIVITIES WHEN IT CAME TO YOUNG PUPS LIKE HANK INCLUDING INTRO TO DRAGS WHICH I HAD ALREADY STARTED A FEW WEEKS AGO. SO I GUESS HANK A BIT OF AN ADVANTAGE WHEN IT CAME TO THAT. I WANTED TO MAKE IT A BIT MORE DIFFICULT ON HANK SO INSTEAD OF HIM WATCHING THEM DRAG THE RABBIT I TOOK HIM AROUND THE CORNER AND HAD THEM DRAG IT CONSIDERABLY FARTHER. HANK FOLLOWED THAT SCENT TRAIL ALL THE WAY TO THE RABBIT AND WAS IMPRESSIVE AT THAT. EVEN THOUGH WE ARE VERY EARLY IN HANKS DEVELOPMENT IT IS REWARDING TO SEE HIM USING THE NATURAL ABILITIES THAT HE HAS AND THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE WORKED ON. SATURDAY EVENING WAS THE DINNER AND AUCTION. WHAT A GOOD TIME THAT WAS. I PICKED UP A LARGE CRATE IN THE AUCTION FOR $45.00. SO NOW I HAVE ONE TO REPLACE THE SMALL ONE I WAS USING IN THE VEHICLE THAT HANK HAS PRETTY MUCH OUTGROWN. SUNDAY MORNING WAS THE BUSINESS MEETING AND LETS JUST SAY SOME VERY GOOD THINGS ARE TO COME IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR THE BREED. IT WAS NICE TO MEET SOME OF THE PEOPLE FROM OUR CHAPTER AND SEE ALL THE DOGS WORK. IT WAS MY FIRST TIME SEEING ADULTS IN HUNTING SITUATIONS SO I WAS IMPRESSED IMMENSLY AT THE PREY DRIVE THAT THESE DOGS HAVE. AS FAR AS HANK HE IS DOING WELL. HE WAS INTRODUCED TO THE CHOKE CHAIN THIS WEEKEND AND IS REALLY COMPLYING TO ALL OF THE COMMANDS THAT I HAVE STARTED HIM ON. I GUESS OBEDIENCE IS REALLY MY MAIN FOCUS AND ALSO LETTING HIM KNOW THAT HE IS NOT SECOND IN COMMAND AND ALL HUMANS ARE TO BE RESPECTED. NEXT FOR HANK IS INTRODUCTION TO LIVE PIGEONS TO BRING OUT THAT POINT INSTINCT. SORRY THE POSTS HAVE BEEN SO FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. HANK HAS KEPT ME BUSY AND MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER ARE IN TOWN SO FREE TIME IS VALUABLE! THE PIC OF HANK AND ME IS IN OUR YARD WORKING ON TRACK LAST WEEK WITH BACON GREASE AND CANNED FOOD AT THE END. THE OTHER TWO PICS ARE FROM THE AUCTION AND THE GUN SENSITIVITY TESTING FOR THE ARMBRUSTER. WHAT A GREAT WEEKEND. THE WHOLE WEEKEND WAS VERY WELL ORGANIZED THANKS TO GENE AND LONA AND JOHN AND JULIE TIEDE.

NEW VEHICLE FOR ME AND HANK

WELL I GOT TIRED OF NOT HAVING A VEHICLE. I SOLD MY OLD TRUCK BEFORE MOVING TO SOUTH DAKOTA AND WITH HUNTING SEASON JUST AROUND THE CORNER I DECIDED IT WAS TIME. AFTER SHOPPING AROUND FOR A COUPLE WEEKS I FINALLY SETTLED ON A SUBURBAN. I LIKE THIS ONE BECAUSE ITS E-85 READY SO WHEN AND IF GAS GOES UP IT COULD SAVE ME SOME BUCKS. I ALSO LIKE IT BECAUSE IT HAS PLENTY OF ROOM FOR HANK AND ALL THE HUNTING CRAP IN THE BACK. I ALMOST BOUGHT A TRUCK BUT DIDNT WANT TO DEAL WITH THE HASTLE OF CLIMBING IN AND OUT OF A BED AND IT CAN GET PRETTY COLD HERE SO IT WILL BE BETTER FOR HANK. IT WILL ALSO MAKE A GOOD FAMILY VEHICLE TOO. FIRST THING I KNEW I HAD TO DO WAS PUT A GRILL GUARD ONIT SO I WENT TO A FRIEND WHOS FAMILY OWNS A GMC DEALERSHIP HERE IN TOWN AND HE HAPPENED TO HAVE ONE THAT CAME OFF OF A NEW VEHICLE BECAUSE THE BUYER DIDNT WANT IT.SCORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! $40 BUCKS FOR A LUVERNE BIG TEX. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? IM NOT COMPLAINING. SO AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF RETRO FITTING HERE IT IS. NO PHEASANTS TOUCHING MY RADIATOR! YOU KNOW A COUPLE OF VDD-GNA STICKERS FOUND THEIR WAY ONTO THE GLASS THE FIRST DAY!

AS FAR AS HANK GOES, EVERYTHING IS GOING GOOD. I HAVE STARTED THROWING THE DUMMY INTO A BIT OF COVER AND HE IS REALLY SEARCHING FOR IT. WE R STEADY WORKING ON TRACK. I THREW A DUMMY INTO SOME BUSHES THE OTHER DAY AND HE SEEMED CONFUSED AT FIRST BUT THAT SEARCH PART OF HIS GENETICS KICKED IN AND A MINUTE OR SO LATER HE FOUND IT. YOU COULD REALLY TELL THAT HE WAS PROUD OF HIMSELF THE WAY HE HELD THE DUMMY HIGH AS HE RETURNED TO ME. OF COURSE HE GOT A TREAT FOR THAT ONE. HE IS FULLY HOUSEBROKEN AND SITTING BEFORE ENTERING EVERY DOOR AND ALSO WAITING FOR MY "ALRIGHT" WHICH IS THE COMMAND I AM USING TO LET HIM OUT OF HIS KENNEL OR CROSS STREETS OR GO THROUGH DOORS. IT WILL ALSO COME INTO PLAY IN PLENTY OF SITUATIONS IN THE FIELD. SORRY I HAVENT BEEN UPDATING THE BLOG OFTEN. BEEN REALLY BUSY.

HANK'S PROGRESS

WELL THE LAST FEW DAYS I REALIZED THAT MAYBE MY EXPECTATIONS OF HANK WERE NOT UNREASONABLE BUT A BIT ABOVE WHATS NEEDED FOR A PUP OF ONLY 9 WEEKS. I DECIDED TO LET HANK HAVE MORE FUN AND KICK BACK ON THE "TRAINING" A BIT. NOT TO SAY THAT I STOPPED WORKING WITH HIM OR DIDNT TRY TO CONDITION A BIT BUT I HAVE NOW STARTED TO ADAPT THE TIMES THAT I WORK WITH HANK IN THE YARD OR OUTSIDE TO WHEN I FEEL THEY WILL BE THE MOST PRODUCTIVE. FOR THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OR SO I HAD A PRETTY SET SCHEDULE ON WHEN WE WORKED TOGETHER. I WOULD WAKE UP AT 6 AM AND FEED HANK THEN TAKE HIM OUT TO WORK ON STUFF FOR TEN MINUTES OR SO, BUT I FOUND THAT EARLY IN THE MORNING ALL HE WANTED TO DO WAS LAY IN THE GRASS AND CHEW ON BARK OR GRASS. SO NOW I HAVE STARTED FEEDING HIM THEN TAKING HIM OUTSIDE TO DO WHAT HE WANTS THEN TAKING HIM BACK INSIDE AND KENNELING HIM WHILE I GET READY FOR MY DAY THEN WORKING A BIT IN THE YARD. ITS MORE PRODUCTIVE AND HIS ATTENTION SPAN SEEMS A LITTLE BIT BETTER AND THE "DRILLS" GO MUCH BETTER. IN THE EARLY AFTERNOON I TAKE AN HOUR OR SO LUNCH BREAK AND WORK WITH HIM BEFORE HE EATS. SINCE I AM INCORPORATING TREATS(PIECES OF HIS FOOD) IN TO TRAINING HE IS A BIT MORE EAGER TO PERFORM WHEN HE IS HUNGRY, MAKES SENSE TO ME. IN THE EVENING OR AFTER I GET OFF WORK I AM TRYING TO EXPOSE HANK TO HUNTING TYPE SITUATIONS. LIKE TAKING A DRIVE OUT TO THE LAKE AND GOING IN THE WATER, OR GOING TO A FIELD AND LETTING HIM SMELL AROUND AND EXPERIENCE COVER. IF I DONT GO OUT TO ONE OF THESE PLACES I WORK IN THE YARD WITH HIM CASUALLY. I DONT WAT TO DENY HIM HIS CHANCE TO BE A PUP.


THIS MORNING WHEN WE WERE LEAVING TO COME TO THE OFFICE I LET HANK EMPTY OUT BEFORE WE GOT IN THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS A PIECE OF COTTON(OR WHATEVER THE TECHNICAL TERM IS) FROM A COTTONWOOD TREE STUCK TO THE GRASS. HANK STALKED IT AND LOCKED UP ON POINT FOR A GOOD TEN OR SO SECONDS. A BEAUTIFUL SIGHT.I GUESS MAINLY BECAUSE IT WAS THE FIRST TIME HE DID THAT WITH SOMETHING NATURAL OR UNPLANTED. ACTUALLY BESIDES THE ONE OR TWO TIMES WITH THE WING ON A STRING ITS REALLY THE FIRST TIME FOR HIM. ONE THING THAT I HAVE ALLOWED MYSELF TO GET CAUGHT UP IN WAS HIS PROGRESS,CORRECTION, HIS PROGRESS WITH MY INFLUENCE. I HAVE EXPECTATIONS OF HIM BEING SOME GREAT POINTING,RETRIEVING,TRACKING ANIMAL THIS FALL. NEWSFLASH........NOT REALISTIC. HIS NATURAL ABILITIES ARE WHAT IS GOING TO MAKE HIM A GREAT DOG, WITH MY GUIDANCE FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD. UNTIL HE HAS HIS CHANCE TO BE A PUP AND LEARN THAT HE HAS THESE ABILITIES, I NEED TO SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE RIDE. YES I CAN HELP CONDITION THESE NATURAL ABILITIES BUT HELPING TO CONDITION AND TRAINING ARE DIFFERENT THINGS. THANKS CHAZZ!

WEEKEND FULL OF NEW STUFF FOR HANK

I FOUND A FRESHLY DEAD RABBIT ON SATURDAY MORNING ON THE WAY OUT TO THE LAKE SO I DECIDE TO LET HANK CHECK IT OUT. THREW IT IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK AND CONTINUED OUT TO THE LAKE. I WAS HEADED OUT THERE TO LET HANK SEE SOME MORE WATER AND HOPEFULLY GET HIM TO GO IN PAST HIS BELLY. THE RABBIT DID THE TRICK! HE PLAYED WITH IT A BIT ON SHORE THEN I TOOK IT WITH ME OUT INTO THE WATER AND HE FOLLOWED. THEN AFTER I WAS SURE THAT IT HAD HIS FULL ATTENTION, I TOSSED IT IN, AND THERE HE WENT, INTO WATER DEEPER THAN HE IS TALL AND OUT HE CAME, RABBIT IN MOUTH. I DID THAT A COUPLE TIMES AND THEN KENNELED HIM. I DECIDED TO DO A COUPLE OF SHORT DRAGS FOR HIM JUST TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED. I DRUG THE RABBIT 30 TO 40 FEET AND HID IT IN SOME TALL GRASS. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HANK ON "TRACK" SINCE ALMOST DAY ONE. I PLACE A SMALL PIECE OF MILK BONE OR A PIECE OF HIS FOOD IN SOME GRASS AND POINT TO IT WHILE SAYING "TRACK" HE NOW KNOWS THAT SOMETHING IS THERE. SO I POINTED TO THE START OF THE DRAG AND SAID TRACK, AND THERE WENT THAT DRAHTHAAR NOSE. DIDNT TAKE LONG AND HE FOUND THE RABBIT. WHAT AN EXCITING MOMENT FOR ME! I THEN KENNELED HIM AGAIN AND DECIDED TO MAKE IT A BIT MORE INTERESTING, I DRUG THE RABBIT IN A ZIG ZAG PATTERN AND MADE IT A FEW FEET LONGER, HE FOUND IT. GOOD BOY! I SUPPOSE THAT SINCE IT WAS DRY OUT AND THE RABBIT WAS WET, IT MADE IT MUCH EASIER FOR HIM BUT A GOOD EXPERIENCE NONE THE LESS. I ALSO LATER LEARNED THAT IT WAS NOT THE BEST IDEA TO USE A RABBIT IN WATER SINCE THIS WILL NEVER OCCUR IN A HUNTING SITUATION AND WET RABBIT CAN GET MESSY SO I WILL NOT USE THIS ANYMORE, BUT IT GOT HANK TO GO IN THE WATER SO I GUESS IT WAS ALRIGHT FOR THAT ONE OCCASSION. HANK HAS REALLY STARTED TO LISTEN TO THE "COME" COMMAND AND THE "KENNEL" COMMAND. WITH THE KENNEL COMMAND HE IS STILL HESITANT AND NEEDS ME TO LEAD HIM INTO THE KENNEL MOST OF THE TIME BUT SOMETIMES HE GOES IN WITHOUT HELP. HE IS ALSO RETRIEVING WELL(FOR A PUP) AND I AM SURE TO REWARD HIM PHYSICALLY AND KEEP IT FUN AND NOT OVERDO IT. A SITUATION THAT IS IMPORTANT REGARDING TRAINING CAME TO MY ATTENTION THIS WEEK. A NEIGHBOOR OF MINE FELT THAT IT WAS HER DUTY TO TRY TO TELL ME THAT BY PULLING HANK TOWARDS ME AGAINST HIS WILL I WAS "UNPROPERLY"TRAINING MY DOG. SHE ALSO MADE UP SOME STORY THAT I HAD "KICKED" HANK. UN-FREAKING-BELIEVABLE! KICK MY DOG? THE DOG THAT IS BECOMING MY BEST FRIEND AND THE DOG THAT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ME ENJOYING HUNTING THE WAY IT SHOULD BE ENJOYED. IT JUST GO'S TO SHOW THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH KEEPING TO THEMSELVES AND STAYING OUT OF OTHER PEOPLES BUSINESS. THERE IS NO WAY I WOULD EVER KICK A DOG, NO MATTER WHAT!!! AND FOR SOME PERSON TO CONCERN THEMSELVES WITH MY TRAINING AND ALSO BRING UP ANIMAL CONTROL FOR SOMETHING THAT NEVER HAPPENED IS COMPLETELY OUTRAGEOUS AND DOWNRIGHT EVIL IN MY BOOK. I KNOW THAT NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE READ THIS(IF ANY AT ALL) BUT FOR THOSE OF YOU THAT DO, MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE CAREFUL OF WHO CAN SEE THE WAY YOU ARE WITH YOUR DOG. SOME PEOPLE DONT UNDERSTAND THAT HUNTING DOGS ARE DIFFERENT THAN YOUR EVERY DAY HOUSE PET. THEY REQUIRE MORE STRUCTURE AND DISCIPLINE THAN A DOG THAT ALL YOU DO IS FEED AND TELL TO SIT. IN NO WAY AM I SAYING THAT ABUSING YOUR DOG IS RIGHT BUT HEY, WE USE E-COLLARS ON THEM DONT WE? THIS IS ALSO A SITUATION WHERE I HAVE TO EITHER LOOK OVER MY SHOULDER AND ALTER THE WAY I TRAIN HANK, OR GO SOMEWHERE WHERE WE CAN BE COMPLETELY ALONE AND NOT WORRY ABOUT SOME IDIOT WATCHING ME TRAIN MY DOG CORRECTLY! F#$%^NG PEOPLE!!!!!!

LONG DAY FOR HANK(AND I)

FIRST OFF, I WILL CONTINUE THE HOUSEBREAKING DEAL BUT SINCE THE POTTY TRAINING IS THE ONLY THING I FEEL I HAVE COMPLETED, I WILL WAIT UNTIL THE ENTIRE PROCESS IS DONE BEFORE I WRITE ANYTHING.

TODAY WAS A BUSY DAY FOR HANK AND I. WE WENT TO WORK, PLAYED SOME FETCH AND LEFT AROUND FOUR OCLOCK. IT WAS REALLY NICE WEATHER OUT SO I DECIDED TO INTRODUCE HANK TO COVER. I TOOK HIM TO A TREE BELT OUTSIDE OF TOWN WHERE I KNOW THERE ARE PHEASANTS(NOT THAT I EXPECTED ANYTHING TO COME OF IT) BUT MAYBE HE WILL STORE IT IN HIS MEMORY AS A SCENT HE HAS SMELLED BEFORE SO WHEN I INTRODUCE HIM TO PHEASANTS HE WILL KNOW. THE TREE BELT WAS COVERED WITH WAIST HIGH GRASS. HANK JUST WENT BARRELING THROUGH IT LIKE NOTHING HE WAS LEAPING AND EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE, HE WOULD LIE DOWN AND ENJOY THE COOLNESS OF THE GRASS. WE HEARD A ROOSTER SOUNDING OFF TWENTY YARDS OR SO FROM US SO I HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION HOPING TO HAVE ONE FLUSH. NO SUCH LUCK. HANK DID PICK UP A SCENT TRAIL OF SOME SORT AND WENT CRAZY. THE GRASS WAS SO TALL I WAS CAUTIOUS TO STAY RIGHT ON TOP OF HIM JUST INCASE IT WAS SOMETHING THAT COULD HARM HIM(HE IS ONLY EIGHT WEEKS OLD AFTER ALL) HE TRACKED FOR A MINUTE OR SO THEN I PICKED HIM UP AND WE WENT BACK TO THE TRAIL. I ALSO MADE SURE TO STOP EVERY FEW MINUTES AND GIVE HIM A DRINK OF WATER. THIS PIECE OF PROPERTY IS WHERE A GOOD MAJORITY OF HANKS TRAINING WILL TAKE PLACE. AT LEAST HIS INTRO TO LIVE BIRDS AND THE 12 GUAGE. IN SOUTH DAKOTA, IF YOU HAVE A CAPTIVE GAME BIRD LICENSE, YOU MAY PURCHASE LIVE BIRDS, TAKE SOME SURVEYERS TAPE AND TIE IT AROUND ONE LEG, RELEASE THE BIRD ON PRIVATE LAND AND SHOOT IT. EVEN IF IT IS NOT SEASON. THE LICENSE ONLY COST ME $10.00 AND WHAT A TOOL THAT WILL BE!

SO ON THE WAY BACK INTO TOWN, I DECIDED TO STOP BY THE LAKE(KAMPESKA) AND EXPOSE HANK TO MORE WATER. I WAS ABLE TO ENTICE HIM WITH A TREAT TO WALKING IN ALMOST BELLY HIGH. HEY, PROGRESS IS PROGRESS! WE WALKED ALONG SHORE AND I GOT HIM TO GO IN AGAIN AND I WAS HAPPY WITH THAT.

GOT BACK TO THE HOUSE AT ABOUT 7 OCLOCK(HANKS DINNER TIME) AND GOT A CALL FROM A BUDDY WHO WANTED TO GO WET A LINE SO I FED HANK, LET HIM DO HIS BUSINESS AND OFF WE WENT. HANKS FIRST FISH WAS A WHITE BASS ABOUT 3/4 OF A LB. I REELED IT IN AND LET HIM SMELL IT AND HE GAVE IT A COUPLE LICKS AND STARTED BARKING AT IT AND JUMPING AROUND TRYING TO PLAY WITH IT. BAC K IN THE WATER IT WENT. THE FISHING DOESNT PICK UP UNTIL AROUND 9PM OR SO. WE DECIDED TO GO SHOOT SOME GROUND SQUIRREL AND I LOOKED AT IT AS A GOOD OPPURTUNITY FOR HANK TO HEAR A GUNSHOT. UP UNTIL NOW ALL HE HAS HEARD WAS ME PICKING OFF SQUIRRELS WITH A PELLET GUN AND SINCE HE PAYS NO ATTENTION TO THAT I FIGURED IT WAS ALRIGHT TO STEP IT UP TO A .22. WELL,WE DIDNT FIND ANY SQUIRRELS, BUT WE DID SHOOT SOME OTHER STUFF. I WALKED OUT IN A FIELD WITH HANK WHILE MY BUDDY STAYED AND WHILE I WAS WALKING AWAY FROM HIM I GAVE HIM A SIGNAL TO GO AHEAD AND SHOOT BUT BE SURE TO SHOOT COMPLETELY AWAY FROM US SO THE SOUND WOULD BE LESS INTENSE. HE STARTED SHOOTING AND HANK WOULD STOP AND LOOK BACK IN HIS DIRECTION AND I WOULD PAY NO ATTENTION AND JUST KEEP WALKING. HE SHOWED NO SIGNS OF FEAR SO THAT WAS GOOD. WE ALSO TOOK SOME SHOTS WHILE HANK WAS KENNELED IN THE TRUCK, NO WHINING AND NO FEAR. PRETTY LONG DAY FOR A LITTLE PUP. WHEN I GOT UP THIS MORNING I DECIDE TO BE SURE IF HANK HAD DEVELOPED ANY TYPE OF FEAR FOR NOISE BY SHOOTING THE PELLET GUN A COUPLE TIMES, NONE AT ALL. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE,GUNSHYNESS IS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM TO HAVE WITH A DOG. I HAVE HEARD THAT IT CAN TAKE A YEAR OR SO TO CORRECT, IF YOU CAN CORRECT IT AT ALL! THIS IS THE ONE THING I AM GOING TO BE THE MOST CAREFUL ABOUT. AN E-COLLAR, CHECK CORD, OR TREATS CANNOT FIX IT, ONE OF THOSE CAN FIX ALMOST EVERY OTHER ISSUE YOU WILL ENCOUNTER.


WELL TODAY WAS VERY GOOD PROGRESS. I WILL JUST HAVE TO KEEP EXPOSING HANK TO NEW THINGS AND NEW HUNTING TYPE SITUATIONS ALL THE TIME AND COME THIS FALL, WE SHOULD GET SOME BIRDS IN THE BAG.

I KNOW THAT THIS YEAR IS MAINLY AN EXPOSURE YEAR. NEXT YEAR WILL SAY A LOT ABOUT ME AND MY HANDLING OF HANK.

LATER!

HOUSEBREAKING 101

ONE THING I WAS FIRM ON WAS THE FACT THAT I WANTED HANK TO BE AN INDOOR DOG. AND WHEN I SAY INDOOR I MEAN INDOOR. SO THE ABSOLUTE FIRST THING TO TACKLE WAS HOUSEBREAKING. POTTY TRAINING BEING THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OBVIOUSLY. MOST PEOPLE ASSUME THAT HOUSEBREAKING CONSISTS OF THE DOG NOT DOING HIS BUSINESS INSIDE. HOWEVER, IT ALSO INCLUDES THINGS LIKE NOT CHEWING ON ANYTHING HE IS NOT SUPPOSED TO, NOT JUMPING ON PEOPLE, AND LEARNING WHAT ROOMS ARE OFF LIMITS AND WHAT OTHER ANIMALS ARE OFF LIMITS(3 CATS). THE REASON WHY I FEEL THAT THESE ARE PART OF HOUSEBREAKING IS BECAUSE BY HAVING THE DOG IN THE HOUSE YOU ARE ABLE TO MONITOR HIS BEHAVIOR CONSTANTLY AND BREAK HIM OF THESE INHERENT HABITS. THEY ARE DOGS AFTER ALL! I FEEL THAT ALL THOUGH IT IS NOT BAD TO HAVE AN OUTDOOR OR KENNEL DOG YOU ARE TYPICALLY UNABLE/NOT FORCED TO MONITOR THESE HABITS SO HE MAY GET AWAY WITH SOME OR ALL OF THESE THINGS SOMETIMES WHICH BY HAPPENING TEACHES THE DOG THAT SOMETIMES ITS OK TO DO THESE THINGS. BY HAVING THE DOG INDOORS, SINCE YOU'RE RESPONSIBILITY IS TO POTTY TRAIN HIM, YOU SEE AND ARE ABLE TO CORRECT OTHER ISSUES ALONG THE WAY AND FROM THE START. SO HERE GOES NOTHING.
FROM DAY ONE, THE DOG IS GOING TO DO HIS BUSINESS INSIDE, DEAL WITH IT! SO HERE IS A LIST OF THINGS THAT WILL COME IN HANDY FOR CLEANUP AND TRAINING.
1.SOME TYPE OF CARPET CLEANER/DOG DEODORIZER.
2.GARDEN OR HOUSEHOLD SPRAY BOTTLE(FOR THE CLEANER)
3. TOWELS(SHOWER TOWELS WORK BEST)
4. A HOOK ON THE WALL OR DOOR TO HANG HIS LEASH
5.A STUN GUN(HA HA HA HA!!!!) NO PUNISHMENT IS NECESSARY OR CORRECT!!!!!
6.AND BY FAR THE MOST IMPORTANT ITEM IS YOUR PATIENCE AND ATTENTION TO THE DOG AT ALL TIMES.
7. YOU WILL ALSO WANT TO PUT A FEW PIECES OF HIS FOOD IN YOUR POCKET FOR REWARD WHEN HE GOES OUTSIDE.

1.WHEN YOU FIRST BRING HIM HOME CARRY HIM INSIDE AND LET HIM SNIFF AND EXPLORE HIS MAIN AREA(BEDROOM, BASEMENT, FAMILY ROOM ETC.)

2.LET HIM START TO GO, THEN AS HE IS GOING, PICK HIM UP GENTLY, GRAB THE LEASH FROM THE HOOK AND CARRY HIM OUTSIDE AND PLACE HIM IN THE AREA YOU WANT HIM TO GO.

3. STAY OUTSIDE WITH HIM UNTIL HE GOES, YOU INTERRUPTED HIM, IT MAY TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO GET THINGS GOING AGAIN.

4. WHEN HE GOES, PRAISE HIM PHYSICALLY AND REPEAT "GOOD BOY" AND GIVE HIM A PIECE OF FOOD.

5. TAKE HIM BACK INSIDE PROMPTLY. HE WILL SOON LEARN THAT THE REASON WHY HE IS TAKEN OUTSIDE IS TO DO HIS BUSINESS.

6.REPEAT,REPEAT,REPEAT,REPEAT,REPEAT,REPEAT,REPEAT,REPEAT,REPEAT! AND MAKE SURE TO ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS PRAISE HIM WHEN HE GOES.

7.I AM ALMOST POSITIVE THAT THERE ARE PLENTY OF DOGS THAT WERE INTENDED TO BE INDOOR DOGS BUT DUE TO LACK OF PATIENCE OR TIME FOR TRAINING, ENDED UP OUTDOOR DOGS.

8. IT IS BEST TO ACQUIRE YOUR PUP ON A FRIDAY AFTERNOON OR WHEN YOU HAVE A COUPLE DAYS OFF TO ATTEND TO THIS TRAINING. IT IS UNLIKE YARD TRAINING WHICH CAN BE DONE AT ABOUT ANYTIME OF DAY. THIS NEEDS TO BE DONE 24 HRS A DAY.

9.LET THE PUP SLEEP ON THE BED. YOU WILL BE SURPRISED AT HOW FAST HE WILL WAKE YOU UP WHEN ITS TIME TO GO. PROBABLY THE FIRST NIGHT, AS HANK DOES!AND DOGS DO NOT LIKE TO DO THEIR BUSINESS WHERE THEY SLEEP

10. MAKE SURE THAT YOU TAKE HIM OUT RIGHT AWAY AFTER NAPS AFTER DRINKING OR EATING AND DON'T BE AFRAID TO WAKE HIM FROM A NAP AND TAKE HIM OUT AFTER A FEW DAYS. HE WILL KNOW WHY YOU WOKE HIM. IT ALSO SHOWS HIM THAT WHEN YOU TAKE HIM OUT YOU EXPECT HIM TO AT LEAST TRY.

11. IF YOU ARE DILIGENT AND YOU TAKE THE TIME, IT SHOULD ONLY TAKE THREE DAYS OR SO FOR HIM TO CATCH ON AND START LETTING YOU KNOW WITH A WHINE OR BY GOING TO THE DOOR THAT YOU TAKE HIM OUT. HE WILL ALSO ASSOCIATE THE LEASH WITH OUTSIDE TIME.

12.ONE THING YOU WILL ALSO HAVE TO DO IS REMIND HIM THAT YOUR HOUSE IS NOT THE ONLY INDOOR PLACE HE IS NOT TO DO HIS BUSINESS INSIDE. HANK COMES TO WORK WITH ME AND I HAD TO SHOW HIM THIS. IT ONLY TOOK HIM ONCE OR TWICE GOING OUT ON THE GRASS AT WORK THAT THE SAME THING IS IN PLACE HERE.

HANK HASN'T HAD AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN ATTEMPTED TO GO INSIDE FOR TWO DAYS NOW. IT TAKE TIME TO BE SURE THAT THE BEHAVIOR IS TAUGHT BUT WE ARE WELL ON OUR WAY TO ACHIEVING THE GOAL.

KEEP IN MIND THAT BY PURCHASING A VERSATILE DOG AND BY DOING RESEARCH AND LEARNING ABOUT PROSPECTIVE BREEDERS FROM WHICH YOU MAY GET YOUR PUP, YOU CAN LEARN A LOT AND SOMEWHAT INSURE THAT YOU ARE PURCHASING A DOG THAT TAKES TO TRAINING BETTER THAN SOME.

THEY ARE,IN MY OPINION, CALLED VERSATILE BREEDS NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THEIR FIELD WORK BUT ALSO BECAUSE OF THEIR DEMEANOR AND TRAINABILITY.

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

"Progress"

Go Tiger! Congrats on winning the Memorial! Its about time he got his first win since his knee surgery. I was lucky enough to see the final round and playoff round of the 2008 U.S Open in person and watch him drain the putt to push it to a playoff. What an exciting moment.The start of a new work week. After a very productive weekend when it came to outside work and housebreaking, I still had the issue of crate training hanging over my head. Do I stick with the easy route and introduce him to the crate slowly? Or do I go the hard way and put him in, shut the door, and walk away. After working with Hank on Sat and Sun in the crate with me visible and letting him know its ok, I left the room a few times and he would remain quiet for a couple of minutes and then start to whine, which leads to barking. So I contacted Lona and asked for her advice, yes, again! I dont remember it being this difficult with Duke(gsp). But that was over ten years ago. Maybe I had more patience as a youth. Anyway, Lona suggested I leave him in there and let him bark it out. John Luttrell had also recommended this but I thought I could try the other route. So this morning, I woke up, correction, Hank woke me up, and I decided I would take him to my office, put him in the crate, and go home for a bit. Thank goodnes the tennant next door has a lab and went through the crate training process so she understood the barking. I went home and got ready for the day, returned after about a half an hour and was happy to find that Hank had quieted down within ten minutes after I left. I was sure to let him out immediately, praise him and give him a small treat. Then on the way to the door, psssssssss, oops, well not everything can go perfect. Everything else is going very well! Hank is loving retrieving more and more, I am learning to control my frustrations, and he is responding very well for a pup to "come" and "fetch". One thing besides the general house and crate training I plan on introducing to him within the next couple of days is "track" and the method I had been suggested is to leave a trail of treats, whether it be small pieces of hot dog, or taking a can of beef stew, heating it up and putting it in a sock and then dragging it around in the yard for a few feet and then repeating "track,track". I am excited to see how he reacts and also would like to know what kind of things I should be doing besides pointing to the ground and repeating "track". I know that eventually he will associate my pointing with there being something there. Time for work!

"Already Pointin"

Well, I couldnt resist the temptation to pull out the ole wing and string. After chasing it around a bit with no success he finally figured it out...or should I say, his genetics took over. I have been working with Hank in the yard three times a day,morning, early afternoon and evening, for about ten minutes at a time or until he loses interest. I have been focusing on essential commands like "come" and "fetch" the latter of the two taking more patience on my part. I read somewhere that the best way to introduce a pup to "fetch" is to do the drill in a small confined area so the pup has nowhere else to go but back to you. It works and I am always sure to praise him when he returns to me. Its a bit more difficult in the yard because he seems more interested in chewing on grass and sniffing out dead bird carcasses that the cats had discarded. Its amazing how he can find one, we leave it, go inside and come out a couple hours later and he goes straight to it. I decided to try to trick him and move it ten or so feet. Didnt take long for him to put that drahthaar nose to work and locate it. What an amazing breed! Another thing I have been doing a couple times a day is waiting until he is distracted with something and then hiding behind a tree, when he realizes I am out of his sight he starts to whine and look around a whole lot, I make sure that part of my body is visible, so when he finally locates me he runs and I incorporate the "come" command and praise him a bunch. One thing I am having a bit of an issue with is crate training, I know it takes patience and I have now started feeding him in his crate so he associates it with a good experience, but the second that door closes he starts to whine even though I am right outside the crate. I have read that pups sometimes suffer from seperation anxiety which makes sense to me so I am trying to be as careful as possible so I do not cause any negative effects. I have also read that you should let him go in the crate voluntarily and then close the door and let him bark it out. I tried this and almost a half hour later, still barking so there was no way for me to wait till he stopped barking and let him out as a reward. I guess this one will take some more patience and persistence. Thanks for the resources Chazz! Other than the crate deal, Hank is already performing past my expectations and amazes me all the time. He is very playful and as far as I can see is adapting to his new environment very well. He sleeps on the bed with me by reccomendation of Lona and Gene and also do to the crate training issues. He wakes me up when its time to go outside, now I have to train him to let me know when its time during the day and off of the bed. He hasnt had a #2 accident inside yet(fingers crossed) and so it has been very easy to praise him when he does it outside but I have realized that if we are already outside and he goes then he will not associate the praise with his actions as much as if we were inside and he started to look for a place and then I were to take him outside to go and return back inside promptly. But there is no way for me to avoid this. It is deffinitely a process and something I as a trainer will have to deal with in order to have an indoor dog. Well until next time.

Early Delivery!

I went to see Hank last night for what I thought was my last visit before taking him home this weekend. I was wrong. Lona asked if I brought my crate to take him home in and of course I didnt. After she signed over the ahnentafel(pedigree) she took a couple pictures and off we were. He sat on my lap for the drive home. I was expecting an accident or two but was lucky! He whined a bit but I suppose being seperrated from your littermates is something to whine about. I stayed with him outside in the yard for a good two hrs waiting for him to do his business as he had just eaten before we left the Kluck's but he didnt get the job done until four hours after eating and once more an hour later. I made sure to take him outside multiple times after drinking and was lucky to have him go #2 twice outside. He slept on the bed with me and I was lucky to get two or three hours of sleep. Its amazing how a dog that has had no training will let you know when its time to go outside. He woke me up at six this morning and we went directly outside for him to take care of business. I tossed a canvas dummy for him 4 or 5 times and he was bringing it back like a seasoned dog. I have decided to use a bit of word/action association for his training so every time he enters his crate I say "Kennel" and praise him. Same with every time he comes to me voluntarily I say "come" so that eventually he will associate the action with the command. Also when he exits his kennel I say "alright". And "fetch" when he is on his way to retrieve something and "come" on the way back to me. Well Hank is at my feet asleep at my desk so I guess this as good a time as any to get back to work. Till next time.
Also, I just wanted to thank Lona and Gene Kluck for all the help. They are a rare example of breeders who care about a whole lot more than getting paid. I know that Lona will not allow her pups to go to anyone she feels will not hunt the dogs or care for them and give them the attention necasarry to uphold the breed standard! Thank You to the Klucks.
I also want to thank John Luttrell of Luttrell Kennels in Clark, SD. John has been super helpful in giving me tips and sharing some of his training techniques. Whats my tab at now John? $50,000.00 + or -?

Continued

Well,got cut off there. As I was saying, the cost of the pup is nothing compared to the long term investment and reward of having a drahthaar as a companion. I am overwhlemed with the anticipation of Hanks performance and my capabilities/expectations as a trainer(amateur). There is an overabundant amount of literature available for amteur gun dog trainers available. Just keep in mind that not all techniques apply to every dog. You will have to adapt to the dogs personality, and acceptance/reaction to the process. I learned this the hard way with my first two dogs. Both Shorthairs. Hunter(female) and Duke (Hunters Male pup). Holy energetic! Well I guess that is all I have for now. Also, since I am new to this, if anybody has any suggestions or comments as far as Hank or the blog, feel free!

First posting

Hey there.
Well, I am three days away from getting Hank Vom Eisbarteich so I figured I would start a blog to chronicle his maturation and also try to post solutions to problems that I encounter. Hank will be my first Deutsch Drahthaar so I am overly anticipating the privelage and challenge. He is from Vom Eisbarteich Kennels in my hometown of Watertown South Dakota. Gene and Lona Kluck are the owners and I have to say that I had been looking at Drahts for 10+ years and was considering getting a German Shorthair or Lab but when I met Gene,Lona and Cache and Katze (mutter and vatter), that all went out the door and it took me about five minutes to commit to getting one of their pups. The time and care and just outright passion they have for the breed is impressive to say the least! Not to mention that over the last seven weeks or so, Lona has put up with my daily questions and twice weekly visit sessions. I would have said enough is enough by now. Thanks Lona! I lived in South Dakota for 4 years and moved back to California for ten. I just returned to Watertown two months ago. I have been anticipating a dog for ten years since I had to sell my Shorthair, Hunter due to lack of hunting areas in the San Diego area. Back to Hank....The cost of a pup always shocked me a little but really the initial pup is only a small percentage of the total investment involved. By the time you buy all training tools and crates(one for car, one for house, and one for work) the pup is actually a great price.