Roux's Intro to Vest, COLD Water & Deke Spread

Well, I always say don't hesitate to push a talented pup, so I figured I'd hit 5 month old Roux, who is proving to have phenomenal potential (thanks Bonni!!!!) with a bunch of new stuff at once. So, I suited her up in neoprene and hauled her down to the frigid ponds to retrieve thru a decoy spread. All new stuff. Yes, she's worked thru a deke spread on land a bunch of times, but it all looks different in the water, down low, where dekes are looming large and the bumper is hidden behind them somewhere.

Roux did great with the vest - barely seemed to notice it. Lots of pups will scratch, claw, shake... drives them nuts at first, but she just took it in stride. She's too focused on the task at hand to notice inconveniences. But I about fell over laughing when she first hit that frigid water.... I could tell it took her breath away. She stopped dead in her tracks, then did an about face and headed back to shore, trying to catch her breath. I gave her a moment to recoup - she sure wasn't expecting that - then I pointed to the bumper, still out there...

"Fetch it up, Roux!" Pup runs a few feet, stops at water's edge... "G'won... fetch it up!" front paws in the water, antsy, agitated stepping & whining... "Git it Roux! Git it!" Few steps in, hesitates... then 'what the heck... ' she figures - and takes the plunge. GOOOOOOD! GOOOOOD! Fetch it up!"

Well, she did... 6 decoys, to be exact... until she cleared a path to the bumper and when she could see it, 7th try's a charm. Yeah, I coulda stopped her, but we'll work on the decoy thing later. At least she was willing to jump back into the frigid water repeatedly to do what she THOUGHT was her job!

Roux waiting for the release


Roux takes the plunge


FINALLY gets to the bumper (almost thought she was gonna grab those dekes right there! lol)

thats great! how are the other pups training comming along?

That's awesome Dawn, sounds like you have a great prospect on your hands.

Rebel's very sweet, beautiful, submissive and much smaller than the other two. She has more drive to please than for the sport itself. She can get the job done, but not the kind of focus & intensity I personally like to hunt over. She has an exellent temperament, however for the family/hunt dog and a person who is not an experienced handler.

Dixie is CLEAR on the other end of the spectrum!!!! An absolute machine, but super independent, dominant, stubborn and needs me to put the hammer down to stay out in front of her. She is a one person dog, she will listen to me only and requires a dominant, capable handler. Not a dog for the impatient, faint of heart or inexperienced. Does 'in your face' stuff that infuriates my son, but I like her spirit. She could easily be FF'd and be better off for it, but I'll stay that decision til she's older. Pretty brazen for a 4 month old, though!

Lil Roxy is in Colorado with Kiddo, who is going thru "phases." Don't think any of her dogs - Echo, Roxy or Sarge - are seeing action or getting the chance to develop. Kids.

is Dixie Keke x Modo daughter? sounds just like Keke's personality. I did wonder about lil'Roxy if she ever hit a growth spurt LOL!

Dixie is the Lean Mac bred girl. I think that's out of Faith. Keke, I believe that is the Texas Rex bloodline... usually a stubborn streak. I've seen that stubborness in both Rebel and Gix (both Tex Rex bred), but much more manageable than Dixie's ROCK HARD HEAD!!!! lol. Gotta love that Dixie. I affectionately call her a 'brat.' She's got spirit!

I thought Rebel x Gixxer would be nice - double up on that drive... but then I thought, it'd double up on that hard headedness, too. Wouldn't wish that on anybody! lol. Once you penetrate the shell, there's a whole lotta working dog inside, tho'!

Keke is out of Texas Rex, you got one of that bloodline and 2 out of Faith.

Most of the offspring have gone on to be hunting companions, one of Faith x Modo pups has earned HRCH SH titles before the age of 2

And a keke x Modo pup who is sister same litter to your pup is in San Antonio going through bomb dection training.

Yes, Rebel. And we have Bandit & Gixxer (our own males) that are Texas Rex bloodline.


Dixie & Roxy - Lean Mac bred, like my Rascal. Which is why I know Dixie, after I get past her hard head, is going to be a great gun dog. ;-)


...and then there is Roux. Always some place close enough to pet... her crate stays right next to my bed, too.

Pics added! Think I'll take her on another hunt soon. She learns so much when she's out in the field. The LAST time, she learned that mommy can miss a snow goose, standing in the decoys, 30 yards away. (Yeah, really!) OK, well there were extenuating circumstances, in my defense!

thanks for the pic's