Here's a little video of Oscar doing some quartering/hunting training. I'm really chuffed with how he's doing, considering he wouldn't stray 10 feet from me a few months back. He does point some pigeon at one point (no pun intended lol), but I've been advised to let him run a bit so I don't bother to stop him. Isla as usual is in on it and totally unresponsive to my whistle commands. The joys of Springers......

Oh and I do fall down a small hole at one point!

Long time no blogging! It's been over a year since my last post so I thought it about time I posted an update. I've continued to be plagued by my "dodgy hip", but now I've changed my job and with a slower pace of life it's finally beginning to ease! Anyway on to the important stuff: my dogs. Isla had cataract surgery about 6 months ago which I'm pleased to say has been a success, which at the grand price of nearly £2,000 I'm very pleased to say! Now she has her eye sight back, and as a result an increase in confidence, Isla has become a serious hunting machine. I have to be very careful where I take her now as when she has her nose to the ground I might as well not exist - any gamey walks near roads are an absolute no, no. I'm hoping that running her whislt training Oscar will steady her up a bit, but those who know Springers will know how likely that is!

And now on to my little star: Oscar! I've restarted Oscar's training these last few weeks and it started with a weekend out on the Grouse Moor at Grinton courtesy of the KC. These weekends are held every year in March at the cost of £60 and you get to spend approximately 6 hours each day in small groups with a trainer  teaching you how to hunt your dog. I have to say it's easily the most enjoyable training days I've ever had and it has helped Oscar no end. The advice I was given has really got Oscar moving and he's finally starting to hunt without feeling the need to be 10 feet from me at all times! Enough of the waffling now though, below are some of the pictures I took. Enjoy!

 

 A Korthals Griffon.

 A GSP doing what they do best: charging off into the distance!

 A lovely black GSP.

A smooth Vizsla showing Oscar how it's done!

 Another HWV named Love.

Special boy! lol

Love this shot, what a sweet dog.

 "I'm too sexy for this Moor!"

 Oscar on point here. Shortly after I took this I sent him in and he almost caught the bird in his mouth!

And finally my favourite picture of the day. Oscar got wind of something on the way back to the car and went straight into a staunch point. We didn't have time to investigate, but to say I'm proud of my boy is an understatement! He has an amazing nose and now he's gaining in confidence there's no stopping him!

Docked and Denied!

No photo updates at the moment, my dodgy hip is still dodgy and at present I'm fairly immobile, although thankfully I can still walk the dogs!

We are all looking forward to Crufts, or "dfs Crufts" as it's now known! Spare a thought for those dogs out there who are legally docked to allow them to perform their "function", but are being denied entry to Crufts for the same reason. Quite possibly the worst piece of legislation ever written! Here's a link to a few people who feel the same:

Docked and Denied

Enjoy!

A day out at Osmotherley...

Well this is my first attempt at "blogging" so please bare with me! As it's my first post I thought I'd start with some pics of a recent walk in Osmotherley when the weather was still fair!

Of all the walks I do, this one has to be my absolute favourite. There are many different terrains, grouse to hunt and if you go on a week day few people to bother you!

And as you can see, lovely views!

Although, this view isn't what I had in mind!

And here's my beautiful girl! Managing her coat has become tricky since her spay, although she hasn't turned into a burst cushion (thankfully!), the texture has changed slightly. During the winter months and the snow I trimmed her feathers off as she was finding it difficult to get about! Since then I've been experimenting with trimming her to keep it under control. Although I'm certainly no groomer, I think she looks quite smart!

Both Isla and Oscar looking out over the view! Oscar looking a bit skinny, but I'm telling myself he's just inhaling all the lovely smells deeply.

Isla showing me what she thinks of the camera!

A nice view from the top, you have no idea how long it took me to get this photo. Neither dog particularly likes posing for the camera and both have ants in their pants!

Another lovely view from the top and not a cloud in the sky!!!!

Picture of a Swaledale sheep. Growing up in Weardale I was surrounded by this breed, as a result they're still my favourite breed of sheep. Proper sheep they are!

It always amazes me that this breed is worked on grouse on moorland. Oscar is so well camouflaged I often can't see him!

Oscar striding out, could he have caught wind of something interesting?

Someone has spotted a Grouse! you'll notice Oscar is looking slightly to the right of the one in the pic. The reason is there were two initially and the one on the right got up, so I pipped Oscar into a sit just as precaution! He's a very steady dog and I don't want to ruin it by teaching him bad habits!

A close up of the Grouse. I do love these birds, especially the way they "laugh" at you as they fly away!

A nice one of Oscar on point, unfortunately you can't quite see his front leg in the pointing position.

Coming down off the moors and surrounded by sheep!

Now off the moors and heading towards Codbeck Resevoir.

Oscar being Mr Impatient! I've never known a dog who runs everywhere at 100mph, it's any wonder he's skinny!

A half decent shot of Isla looking wistful. Realistically, she's probably thinking about her next meal. Isla is ALWAYS thinking about her next meal.

Another nice shot of the woodland.

Oscar trying to look all artistic!

And finally on of the Resevoir before we headed home.

It might be a while before we're out again, I'm currently out of action with a dodgy hip. The way the weather's been lately though, that might not be a bad thing!