Long time since last update

The last six months have been extremely busy. We no longer have Autumn. Autumn in essence "wacked" out and become uncontrolable for the family. We did everything conceivable to make it work with her. We met with our vet numerous times and even took her to a dog behavorist that said that she was too dominant to be in the family. Our vet even had us start using a shock collar on her to keep her from jumping on the kids and any visitors. What finally pushed me over the edge was when she jumped my daughter while I was throwing a dummy for her. Lucky for us we were able to place her in a home with no kids that has a golden and a german shepard. Sending her away was very hard but in hind sight it was the best thing. I have been told by the new owners that even though she can be the nicest dog in the world, she often attacks and dominates the other two dogs. BTW- We contacted the breeder- Green Meadows Retreivers and they didn't care a bit. We since found out from some of the owners of her litter mates that a male was returned for aggressiveness, two other dogs needed shock collars to be controlled in the house, and one great family's dog Cooper had a degenerative right leg and since had a portion of his femur removed.

Three months ago we decided as a family to try a retreiver again. This time we went with an English Labrador named Scout. Scout has been nothing but near perfect. He loves the family and is doing great training for hunting. He doesn't have the drive as Autumn, or the nose. But he is controllable and a pleasure to be with. I hope to hunt him in later in the winter.

Another great thing that has happened in the last few months is Nicholas made the rank of Eagle Scout in the Boy Scouts. Patti and I are very proud of him. His scouting journey has taken 9 years to make it to the top. Go Nick!

Pheasant season is getting close. Dave and I are heading out in a couple of weeks. Hope this year will be great.

Autumn's Orapax Plantation Hunt

I took Autumn this morning down to Orapax Plantation in Goochland, Virginia to have one last live Pheasant experience before the season ends. The temperature this morning was cold- 34 degrees, but the sun was out and made for a great morning. Autumn flushed four roosters, and in typical fashion, grabbed two in mid-air. One of the grabbed birds did get away but was taken down via a shot of lead.

Autumn was on a check cord the entire hunt in order for me to reel her in after picking up each bird to stop her desire to prance around with a prized pheasant in her mouth By the third bird she started to get the idea and with a little coaxing began to bring the bird right back to me.

I am really happy with today's hunt. Hopefully by the fall she will be off a check cord and ready to go. All in all I am pleased with this 8 month old Golden.

Autumn's First bird

I was invited to take Autumn to experience her first live bird hunt today. We were invited by Robin and Dale at Little Georgetown farm in Broad Run Virginia. Autumn did a great job for her first time out. She was a little confused at first but quickly chased down a Rooster that was shot. When she picked up the semi alive bird she started parading around with it like a prize. After some coaxing she finally handed it over.

Later in the day she flushed and grabbed a Pheasant out of mid air. Finally she went after a flushed Quail. Unfortunately for me the quail dodged my shot and got away.

Today made me realize that training at home only can go so far with her performance in the field. I had high expectations that she would do everything like she does at home. Boy was I wrong.

Overall she did well for being 8 months old. She did follow whistle commands, was never startled by my Benelli going off, stayed close, flushed and retrieved, and interfaced well with the other dog in the field, a Britanny Spaniel. I realized that we need to work with more basics of come, sit and stay. I am very proud of her....we have a lot of work a head of us.

Autumn at Phelps

A picture of Autumn at Phelps Wildlife Management area in Fauquier, VA. Late December, out for a run. 5 months old. She was a mud bug after chasing the decoys through the planted fields of corn and milo. A nice bath took care of her!

Bird Dog

Since I started hunting just a few years ago...better late than never...I have always wanted a bird dog. (Actually I always wanted a Golden Retriever since I was in college) Watching dogs work in the field while pheasant hunting amazed me. Well in September I made the step to get my dog. We have watched our friends, the Eaton's, Golden Retriever Sonic grow into a great member of the family with an incredible disposition and nose.

I did my research with Patti and found a breeder of Goldens in Wisconsin. I flew up on business and had the breeder meet me with the puppy at the airport. I instantly bonded with the puppy and brought her home. Since I picked her up on the first day of fall we named her Autumn.

Owning a puppy has been more of a challenge than I had expected. She is busy..very busy. But I am amazed that she already quarters and retrieves on a whistle.

Today we started obedience class at Liberty Hill farms in Bealeton Virgina. She did well, youngest in the class, but still has a long way to go. In class she instantly bonded with a Brittany named "Cody". Cody's owner, Robin, was a great help during the first class to give me some tips on how to train Autumn.

Above are some pictures of Autumn. One is the first week I brought her home, the other is this past week after she was spayed.