A year ago we brought a bouncy little Llewellin pup into our home. In some ways the time has flown by astonishingly fast. On the other hand, it feels like we've already got many years of memories together. Aside from family and career, I can't remember the last time that I've been so absolutely invested in any one thing. I'd never trained a pointing dog before, but never have there been so many resources available to an amateur handler. Between YouTube, podcasts, books and and second-hand advice (both solicited and unsolicited), taking in all the information was sometimes like drinking from a fire hose. Truer words have not been spoken when they say, "The only thing that two dog trainers can agree upon is that the third guy doesn't know what he's talking about."
Thank goodness for the mentors in the Toronto NAVHDA Chapter with whom we spent many hours together and for all those who took the time to listen to my questions and offer sage advice: Robert, Marty, Ian, Rino, Pat, Steve, Andy, Ugo, Jack, Chris, Rosanno, Harvey, Spencer, Stefano and David.
The pup and I still have much to learn from each other and its lifelong learning as they say. But to see all our work to-date in the yard, in the training field and in the woods come together this week on opening day was absolutely priceless!
So here it is; bird season, the big show! More than ever before, the birds will be the teachers. Compared to the pen-raised birds she got to know over the summer, the pup will now be up against chess masters. The pup will make mistakes which I will forgive, and hopefully she will forgive mine. The journey continues.
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