Good boy, Chaco!

Al Hansen

Well-known member
Bev and I took Chili and Chaco swimming this morning. The only contact with water that Chaco has ever had has been our fish pond by the house. I think most of you on this site have seen the pictures I have posted with him in the pond. Well, today marked the first time in his life that he ever went swimming and it also marked the very first time that Chaco retrieved a bumper by himself. To say the least, we are very proud of this little guy. It was quite a day for him.
Al

We had Chaco watch Chili as she went out and retrieved several bumpers. Chili is the instructor.

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Then we tossed the bumper/bumpers several more times to see what Chaco would do. On this, his first attempt, he followed Chili for a short while and then decided that the water was too deep, turned around and headed back to shore.

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Finally Chaco went all the way out with Chili and came back in with her. The thing that amazed us was that he never once "doggy paddled".

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He was becoming quite comfortable with following his instructor's lead and followed Chili wherever she went.

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I had Chili sit by my side and Bev held Chaco. This time I flipped out the bumper maybe 20 feet and said, "Chaco, dead bird!" Well, the little bugger took off like there would be no tomorrow and was on his way. Then as he approached the bumper he started to doggy paddle. Heck, we were both laughing back on the shore line. Chaco got so excited that he pushed the bumper under the water with one of his front paws. Finally, you'll see him stick his head under water and grab the bumper. The rest is history.

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Good boy, Chaco! You can tell he is excited by how high he is holding his head out of the water.

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Within a half dozen feet he settled down and swam like he had been doing this all his life. What a pup!

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These last few shots will tell it all. My heart was about to burst I was so proud. Any of you that have trained a dog know exactly what I am talking about.

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Well, after much praise, we had them both sit with Bev holding Chaco's leash. I then tossed out two bumpers to see how the instructor and the student would do. I wanted to see if they were starting to get tired. I'll let you be the judge. I had my camera ready, tossed the bumper, then yelled, "Dead Bird!"
Al

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Al,

Nice series of photos. Chaco is coming along great. I'll assume you were not water training in the Rio. :>) :>)
 
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Al
I feel so pleased for you, chaco has got the makings of a good waterfowling dog and I know what you mean when you say you are so proud of him, he,s only a baby yet but he does,nt seem to have any fear. Its not often we get the sun where I am but a few days back we had a nice sunny day and it was warm so off Amber and I went down to the lake for some water work and then onto the river, by the end of the session she was retrieving the bumper dummy from the other side of the river and taking my directions, so like you I had that feeling of proudness, and now mate I can relate to how you and Bev feel.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
Al
I forgot to mension that when I look at Amber now she is a dead ringer for chilly and if I did,nt know any better I would of said that they have both come from the same litter.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its all about Building that Bond.
 
Al,

Nice series of photos. Chaco is coming along great. I'll assume you were not water training in the Rio. :>) :>)

You are so right about the Rio Grande, Dave. It is dry as a bone. About thirty miles worth. Farther north you will find it still flowing.
Al
 
Al
I feel so pleased for you, chaco has got the makings of a good waterfowling dog and I know what you mean when you say you are so proud of him, he,s only a baby yet but he does,nt seem to have any fear. Its not often we get the sun where I am but a few days back we had a nice sunny day and it was warm so off Amber and I went down to the lake for some water work and then onto the river, by the end of the session she was retrieving the bumper dummy from the other side of the river and taking my directions, so like you I had that feeling of proudness, and now mate I can relate to how you and Bev feel.
Take care and God Bless
Eddie and Amber
Its all about Building that Bond.

Thanks a lot, Eddie. I'll bet you and Amber had fun with the bumpers. Sounds like she is so ready for duck season to begin. Good luck this year.
By the way, I agree with you on the "dead ringer".
Al
 
what a handsome pup. I wish my dogs were young again. It pains me to see them slowing down. John

Thank you, John. I think we all wish to have younger dogs. This keeps us away from facing the inevitable--old age/then death. Funny you mentioned this because just this morning I was looking in the mirror and noticing more of those age related symptoms like wrinkles, more redness in the eyes, I shant go any further but it would be easy to. I, for one, am happy that I was born in 41, was raised as a kid through the 40's and 50's. I'm just thankful that I can still go duck hunting. Like my LG cell phone----Life is Good.
Al
 
Al - What a great series........that little guy is a keeper for sure !
Takes me back to a lot of happy days with pups.........thanks for such a great post !
sarge
 
Al - What a great series........that little guy is a keeper for sure !
Takes me back to a lot of happy days with pups.........thanks for such a great post !
sarge

Sarge,
I sure do appreciate those kind words. It means a great deal.
Al
 
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