Diary of a Squealy Spaniel 29th Jan 22

29th of January 2022 Beater Day

Today I set out with the mindset of whatever will be will be. I wasn’t shooting and a lot of the beaters who were shooting today were not experienced so there was minimal pressure. My aim was to call him as little as possible and reward him for being in close. I didn’t do badly at all and remained calm if he was out of sight for a second or two.

Good points:

- He stayed close for most of the time hunting up

- He didn’t whine when asked to stop and wait (short periods)

- He didn’t whine at the shot

- He flushed nicely

- He was much better on the lead

- He stopped for deer and hare to pass without giving chase

Things to improve:

-We had some lunging on the lead at the start

- In a few drives he went too far left of right a couple times

- He did whine when off lead, waiting for the drive to start or keep going (longer periods)

Things that were neither here nor there… He had an argument with someone else’s dog… BUT this Labrador was standing over the top of Thorn and pushing him down with his head, so I didn’t mind at all as that dog was very rude.

I have him on the lead in between drives as he likes to go see who’s in front and who’s at the very back as we all walk up to the next bit of cover, so I don’t want that to be tradition going forward.

We didn’t get any retrieves all day which was a shame, but he did pick up a hen that had been badly torn with two bitches fighting over who was to retrieve it. He then spit it out because it was badly damaged so will re hash game just encase. I’m sad and glad its over as its been a fun but stressful season. Now I will have the run of the cover which is amazing and will therefore get more sit to shot in cover practice and sit to flush.