Cove Mountain Kennels

Duck Hunting the day after Thanksgiving has become a tradition for us. The ladies go fight the crowds at the malls and we head to the marsh. This year was particularly fun. Amazingly, We had the marsh all to ourselves (we didn’t hear another shot within a mile of us).
We slept in while the ladies hit the ridiculously early sales, and then we headed out at noon. We took a couple buckets and a built temporary blind with fragmities. It was a windy afternoon, which kept the ducks flying. We had steady action all afternoon and finished with our last bird (all mallards) just minutes before the end of shooting hours. It was an awesome day.
 

We are currently working with a young (6 mo.) German shorthair pup that had essentially no human socialization. Frankly, this dog is a wreck, but there is something about her that is really loveable. She has a sweet disposition in her tail-tucked way. The owner took her on rather than seeing her put down, and we are trying to see what can be done with her. It is a real challenge because the standard things we work on don’t even enter into the equation yet. We have had to step way back and work in small baby steps. Just getting her to come out of the dog house to greet us has been a major victory. We have been using classical operant conditioning and clicker training techniques, along with lots of socialization with us, the kids and the other dogs.

 This is not an advertisement for K-9 Kondos, since I’m not getting anything out of this blog. But I have to say, I love their dog houses; I have 5 of them. I got the barrel house (K-9 Kondo) about 15 years ago and it still looks great. A couple of years ago I replaced the plywood platform on the top, otherwise it is still as good as the day I got it. More recently I have purchased 4 of their Dog Dens. They are aesthetically appealing, well insulated, weather resistant and totally chew proof. The dogs love to lie on top and hang their paws over the edge. (This is an advantage over other manufactured dog houses.) Previously, I spent a ton of time planning and building a wooden dog house which was insulated, but the dogs proceeded to chew it to chips and in no time it looked terrible. The K-9 dog houses are well priced. They keep the dogs warm in the winter, cool in the summer and always look great.

We went chukar hunting this weekend; we got a good workout, but didn’t turn up many birds for our efforts. We did flush one covey and pulled a single bird out of it before they vanished. Populations this year are lower, plus I think the lack of rain has been hard on them.

 

 

The cooler weather is here and it is time to move the kennels again. During the warmer months we move the kennels facing east under two huge shade trees. During the colder months, we move the kennels to a spot that faces directly south for the maximum amount of sunlight. The dogs really seem to like the change. We also like the direct sun for the steriliztion of the kennels. They stay fresh and clean and helps the dogs stay healthy.

 

Aryia (Brittany) on point! 

The flush!

And the shot!

 

    

Nothing helps ease the loss of a dog like another dog. We are hurting from the loss of our 13 year old pointer, but the labs are helping keep us in the present. Especially the puppy, she is so fun and full of life. Just looking at her makes me happy. If you have reciently lost a dog, my recommendation is another dog. They don’t take their place, but they force you to move on and make another place in your heart.

 

After 13 years, our Aika (Deutch Drahthaar) passed away. It was bittersweet. It was definitely her time to go. I was so glad that she did it on her own and in a very dignified way. She had been going downhill for several months. I considered having her put down several times, I even called the vet twice, but I just couldn’t bring myself to schedule it and take her in. Thursday early morning Julie checked on her and she had passed, curled up on a blanket in the kitchen. We lovingly buried her under the big tree in the back. She has been such a part of our lives for so long. Julie and I talked late into the night about all our memories with her, her VJP and HZP ability tests (hunt tests), the many wonderful outings, memorable retrieves, and most of all, her constant companionship. It’s hard to see her go.