Every day is a 'training' day!

In one of the many 'dog training seminars' and 'best training secrets' books, someone said "you are always training your dog'! Whoever the author was, he is so right. Even in 'non formal' moments, the dog is learning something and sometimes, its not all 'good'.


I learned so much from the late Stephen Harwood about starting puppies. From the moment they were weaned, the 'training' began. Just getting them acclimated to the new world is the first step...jumping over bushes, chasing butterflys, staying with the owner on walks...every new experience becomes part of their future. My wife Sharon is one of the best 'puppy trainers' in the world.

Bird contact came early at Sundown Kennels (Stephen's wonderland home and training facility). Puppies on 'chain gangs" with someone throwing pigeons in the air, all of them barking, thrashing, going bird crazy. Walking with puppies, letting them chase squirrels and meadowlarks, learning how to stay with the handler, discovering things full of 'wonder'...all of this takes 'time'...and for many of us, that time is why we do this.

Our new pup from the latest litter is Daisy Mae De Lamont. My dad's last dog was "Daisy Mae", a yellow lab he loved and talked to like she was a human. Our Daisy is my tribute to his gentle and loving spirit. Our 9 week old Daisy is already pointing, retrieving live birds....but nothing she does is 'wrong' at this point...and we are also teaching her english. NO PRESSURE! Just the joy of discovery. Plus she sleeps each night at the foot of our bed and, so far, all night long without a trip outdoors!

Come to think of it, that 'joy of discovery' is the reason I still love this game!