Backing – 7th July 2009

We went up into the forest this evening. The harvester is in full swing so the place is very muddy, particularly after the rain we have had. I let Grace free run and kept Archie on a lunge line until I reached an area that had good visibility and wasn’t likely to hold any birds. I then let Archie free run with Grace. After a few minutes of madness Archie headed off into the distance in one direction and Grace headed in the other – this was never going to result in a relaxing session. Archie seemed intent on running and at about 200 yards I decided that enough was enough, so whistled him back. He turned instantly and came straight back. This is really quite promising. Grace responded to the same whistle so I had them back with me in no time. I decided to let them get on and see what they did with no intervention. Grace went off, head held high, in search of birds. The areas of clear fell hold plenty of pheasants but I hoped this area, which had given up few birds in the past, would be pretty barren. Archie did the same, in a different direction. I let both dogs head off and then hid from view. Within about 30 seconds Grace was back looking for me. She has always checked in regularly. Archie on the other hand was a long way off, bobbing about with his head up, obviously catching scent. I could see him but he couldn’t see me. It took about two minutes before he decided that maybe he should come back to me, and he managed to get a long way away in two minutes!

the reason I did this was twofold. Firstly I don’t want him to think that all he has to do is keep an ear open for the whistle, he must keep an eye on me, and secondly I wanted him to get out without feeling that I (or Grace) had to be with him. He needs to be confident in himself to get out far enough, but not so confident that he doesn’t look for directions from me.

As soon as he returned I put him back on the line, then released him after a few seconds, then attached him again, followed by a release. I don’t want him thinking that coming back means the end of a good time. I eventually clipped him on for good and headed back. Within ten minutes Grace went on point by the path. Archie immediately backed her which was wonderful. It may not look very staunch but he wasn’t going anywhere. The point came to nothing though, probably a pheasant from hours earlier.