The Deke Report

Time to check in on Deke, DU's youngest mascot. As Drake wrapped up the season with a quail hunt at Tumbling Creek Lodge in Tennessee and a goose hunt for DU tv, Deke, now 7.5 months old, has begun the Wildrose Basic Gundog Training course.

Deke is a biddable youngster with a calm temperament, exceptional focus and a great attitude about training. He's fast on the retrieve yet not quite as swift as his littermate sister, Penny. Best of all, Deke's a natural...just the type pup we like to see come from our bloodlines:

easy to train

intelligent

birdy

natural delivery

calm temperament, balanced with focus and drive

All background (Phase I) training is complete: social skills, crate and place training, obedience, early introductions, and basic retrieves and denials… patience in all things.

Phase II (4.5 months to 6 months) - cutting teeth (all retrieves were stopped), basic field obedience training and introductions continued. At 6.5 months we were on to the good stuff - basic retriever training. For those training along with us, here's how we progressed:

split 180 doubles/triples along a fence, short grass, 15 to 20 yards

trailing memory singles into cover, the woods and through ditches

heel work: off lead/cover; in water as I wade; in groups working side by side with Penny

simple off-ground finds, about 2 ft. off ground in a brush pile

hunting tennis balls in cover, an unseen. Tracking tennis balls rolling along the ground covered with leaves

45 doubles set up as split singles first; then as two trailing memories; finally, bumpers are placed in the same location as a circle memory. The distance is about 35 yards on both lines. The pattern is exactly the same one I demonstrate on our DVD, "The Wildrose Way, Basic Retriever Training," see circle memory.

I have introduced the back cast and a few 10-yard cold blinds at this point, just a basic introduction.

Hold conditioning (not force fetch). Deke naturally delivers to hand, but I want him to understand the "hold" command (follow the steps on our DVD.) I want a nice, clean finish at delivery. I don't rush at this point. All retrieves have been stopped until I complete the program and even with his natural delivery. It will be important to complete every step of the process.

My next step was to introduce diversions as he returns holding a bumper. I introduce diversions as part of hold conditioning. Proceed slowly. We want to keep our students' attitude interested and happy. Only 5 hold repetitions per day, then on to other activities.

By 8 months hold conditioning will have been completed and it's on to back casts and introduction to water as the weather will permit.

Deke picked his first duck, live on camera for DU tv and Chris Jennings, Ducks Unlimited. The bird was a teal and you can read the story by Chris here. Deke will be featured on DU tv's World of Ducks demonstrating training tips, beginning in June of this year, appearing on the Outdoor Network. Drake will have a few new tips for you as well.

Remember:
Wildrose Law #5 - Make haste slowly.

Wildrose Law #10 - Lining memories before hand signals; hand signals before marks

It worked for Drake and it will work for Deke. I am confident "The Wildrose Way" will work for your gundog.

Upcoming Workshops - March 20-23
Join us at Wildrose Kennels, Oxford, Mississippi, and experience The Wildrose training methodology at our Basic and Advanced Handler's Courses where the focus is on improving your ability to communicate, control and develop your gundog as a great hunting companion.

Basic Handler's Course - March 20, 21

Advanced Handler's Course - March 22, 23

Register now by calling 662-234-5788 and visit www.uklabs.com for events and photo galleries for pictures from previous events.