All Together Now!

                                         When I had discussed Molly with the breeder he asked me if I had had enough of puppies for a while as adding a third meant an additional challenge obviously. My response was I'm OK and let's proceed. I understand his questioning the sanity of the situation knowing full well how these beautiful playful dog's can also be a handful especially as developing adolescents as I was soon to find out. However my empty nest was now filled and I loved it. I was really lost for a while. If you ever have known anyone who was on the Soccer or Hockey circuit for several years and suddenly gone cold turkey it's a very strange feeling. I thought I was going to have to find a new family of kids to hang around. But this was great. It was all consistent with my end goal and lifestyle. Perfect. I was loved and needed once again!

Beau and Mick Sharing

The multiples factor had it's advantages just like with the kids. They played together. Learned from each other and even prevented me from focusing to much attention on anyone of them. This actually was a real advantage I discovered as"knowing when to put a dog on the shelf so to speak" avoids frustration and putting to much pressure on a dog that just needs time to grow up a little. My ageing short hair Bernie was also a help when I needed him to set the example for kenneling up and changing direction. Follow the leader! It worked!

Beau and Bernie at age 13

Her Majesty! Watch that finger R!

Molly thinking about how to deal with the big dog's

I had outdoor kennels for all 3 separately and an insulated and heated indoor garage. In the house all dog's had their own crates as well. At 7 and 9 month's when Molly arrived the boys were housebroke of course but Molly took quite a while to get there. In fact she wasn't ready until the 4 or 5 month mark and spent evenings in the outdoor kennel until she seemed to catch on.
                                         Because of the differences in ages I had to keep the dog's separated so Beau being the most active and biggest dog would not hurt or intimidate the other two at least until they could hold their own.
                                         At 12 weeks Molly was pointing quail with incredible intensity. Clearly all business! I was right about the prey drive. She moved fast and meant business. The attitude got better with time but she was clearly different from the males and had no problem staking out her territory. In the picture below Tony Rikli had stopped over to see the dog's and I set out some quail for Molly behind the house on the hill. Here's what happened! I was very excited about this dog! Once that bird flushed she was off like a rocket to find another.

Molly pointing quail at 12 weeks

My vet had mentioned a workshop the local pointing dog club was putting on and that I might want to stop by. Like I've said I believe in using experts and always am willing to learn so since Mick was well on his way and already steady on point I thought I'd take Beau who at the time was around 4 or 5 month's old. The activity for the puppy group put on by the members was for a pigeon to be staked out in the open then they wanted the handler to bring his dog into the scent cone and let the dog approach the bird. Just let the dog go at that bird so they won't be afraid of it they said. Let them grab it chase it whatever they want to do! OK then. A few people led in dog's that strained at the leash jumping and chasing and a couple that didn't know quite what to do. And these were all pointing dog's! Good Luck I thought! I hung back until asked to bring Beau forward preferring to watch the show and listen. So when it was our turn I led him up to the edge of the circle of people and dog's into the scent and he simply lifted one foot and held his gaze on the bird. At this point I think I was the only one that noticed that my dog was pointing as the group leader said just let him go it's OK he'll get used to the bird! You want him to have fun with the bird! I thought to myself I don't know about anybody else but I want my dog to point! Thank You! Afterwards One of the members came up to me and asked about Beau and where he had come from. He then told me he thought he was going to make a pretty good pointer. Nice people who were obviously passionate about pointing dog's but I decided this venue wasn't for me or my dog's.
                                          Again these people meant well but I had to sort through all the options for knowledge and resources to decide what was best for my dog's because I was the "Trainer." My vision was to create an environment at my farm to lay the groundwork for my crews basic training. Basic obedience was first and visited daily then came exposure to birds. Having and maintaining control in the field was the goal. Instincts and wild birds did the rest I came to realize no matter what I did! I had been following Ben Williams in The Pointing Dog Journal and had read all of Ben's books regarding hunting with multiple dog's and instinctive training so it was interesting to experience it first hand.
                                           My crew was doing well and I was really excited about their potential. I believe every one although different had the potential to be great bird dog's. Mick was rock steady. Beau loved to run and always worked the wind with his head up just surfing for scent. And the Queen of the Valley Molly was 100% all business! Wow! 3 for 3!

                                                          Then something called adolescence came along.....