The May training day started out with a little rain and then cleared up
to be a perfect day for the black gnats. Actually it was a good day for
the dogs too. Not too hot with a slight breeze. Most of the training
was focused on getting the NA dogs ready for our spring test. All the
dogs did very well even though the birds used in the field (punch drunk
pigeons) didn’t really fly too well, even out of the launchers. Moral
of the story is, bring your own birds to training day if you can get
them. “Most” of the gunners shot well regardless. After stopping at the
General Store in Smithville Flats for the world’s biggest $3.00 turkey
sandwich, we headed to the Green Rod and Gun Club for our water
training. Once again, it can not be emphasized enough, training on the
“home field” has a definite advantage. Several pups that “always swim”
were a little hesitant to enter the water. Bad news if you’re going for
that Prize 1. This is an area where we (myself included) always become
over confident and sometimes end up with last minute after work
training sessions prior to test day.