RIP Boo 11/22/2008 to 07/24/2022

Boo crossed over this morning. She was the best dog I have ever had or known. We went through a lot together and I'll miss her more than anything. Love you girl!

2009 Duck Season - First Split

We have only one day left until the first split is over. Boo has been doing great. Last week, she made her first double. She swam out and picked up one widgeon of two that were only a few feet apart, then she turned and grabbed the other and brought them both back to me. Also last week, she retrieved a sandhill crane. She struggled a bit with the big bird, but she did great for only being 11 months old.

Today was her busiest day yet. I hunted with two friends and we shot 3 limits. I only remember one bird out of 18 that she did not retrieve and that was only because I didn't let her. She is getting more patient with each hunt and she loves being out in the field. She also loves to come home and catch up on her beauty sleep after a long day hunting.

Duck Hunt

Boo and I went out this morning for her first duck hunt. She was very excited, but was surprisingly easy to calm. After setting out decoys and Boo going for a little pre-dawn swim, we settled in only a few minutes before first light. Right at shooting time, a group of mallards came in and it was "go-time". Boo hit the water and swam hard right to the duck, grabbed him and brought him right back. A little while later, 2 mallards came in and both went down. Boo went right to work. She picked one up, and with a little coaxing she ignored the other bird and came back to shore. She was so excited when she gave me the bird that she totally forgot about the other one, so I had to try to direct her out to get it. After a bit, she remembered and went straight out to where the bird was and brought it back. The other 3 birds were all land retrieves, and she did pretty well finding them.

First Hunt

Boo got to go hunting for grouse the past couple of days. She did great for just a pup and made 8 real-bird retrieves in the past 2 days. We were lucky to find a lot of birds and we made the most of it.

I cannot wait for our next hunt!

Josh's Turn

Here is my best friend working with Boo. It is their first time working together and I think they did great.

9 Months

Boo is 9 months old now, and we are going grouse hunting on 9/1. We went scouting together over the weekend and she isn't quite sure what to make of these birds we found. They keep flying away. I think once one drops on the ground she will start to understand. I can't wait! Here is a video of her practicing...

July - just over 7 months

Boo has been busy. In addition to being spayed, she has been working hard on her retriever training.

Yes, that is right. Boo will not be having any baby boo's. As good a dog as she is, there are many more out there that need homes and our house isn't equipped for more Boo's.

Boo's temperament is great. She LOVES everyone - dog and human. She does give a bark here and there when she isn't sure who you are, but isn't aggressive.

Her training is starting to pick up as well. She is a strong swimmer and has done some water retrieves, but her best work is still on terra firma. She is holding well and almost always only retrieving on command. She has been working up to 2 marked retrieves and I have started to work her on blind retrieves.

On this weekend, our country's birthday, she went on her first ever camping trip. She never seemed confused or out of place and enjoyed it immensely. She was having fun and relaxing whenever she wanted.

This week, we will go fishing with Uncle Jim and Otter. We'll follow that with a day at Piney with Beth and Lily, then hopfully we'll be back in Wyoming for a backpack trip with Lily, UJ and Otter.

As far as training, we need to work more on blind retrieves, multiple marks and water retrieves.