From baby bangs to Big Bangs!

It's getting closer and closer to 'entry into the Field' of the 'bestest-gundog-in-all-the-world'. Having done the little gun thing last lesson, Rory-the-trainer turned up this week with the 'rocket launcher'. So loud and powerful that ear-guards are needed when firing it! It's as loud as a shotgun but fires a dummy. So off we went to a large field of mixed linseed and mustard seed. Very picturesque and just tall enough to hide the whole of the dog. All that could be seen was the ripple! And , occasionally, his head and shoulders as he jumped up to see where either he or I was!

When the rocket launcher fired its first dummy Gunner dropped to his bum and snapped his head round to the sound. Sent off to 'fetch' he was there and back in a flash.

No problems. "A Natural" I thought to myself....

Big guns definitely more the thing than small guns.

Is this a dog bred for the job or what?

The rest of the lesson continued in the same vein. He did everything better and faster than before. Followed every instruction and found every 'blind' retrieve. A joy to behold!!!

Ok - it wasn't all bliss and perfection. The handler came in for a fair bit of criticism: "Not quick enough"; "Make a decision for goodness sake"; "I don't need all that commentary, just get on with it"; "When he asks for help, tell him quickly where to go...!"

etc etc.

It's probably just two or three weeks from Gunner's first experience of the "REAL THING"; he'll be fine. ...............If the handler gets her act together!

Meanwhile, I'm off for my first day's beating (without dog) at the end of the week - I've no doubt it will be very instructive. And Gunner's waiting with baited breath for all the news........