O Sage! ( Parker puppies chapter 2)

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 6:52 am

I'm learning each day that this litter is smart!
The other puppies are thriving, daily if not weekly updates from their people. Makes me feel good to hear the pups are happy.

So last night I did a little test. Sage has been sleeping at night in a crate by my bed. Parker and Claro are free to sleep where they like- usually on my bed. Anyhow I allowed Sage free range last night. At one point I woke to hear her get off the bed and go in her crate. Not 5 minutes later she jumped back up on the bed. She crawled between Parker and I, stuck all 4 feet in the air and was Zzzzzing away. She has got it figured out!
Back to smart...
Sitting on the couch having my coffee this morning and she comes over, jumps up and I notice she is chewing on something. MINE- as I take it from her. It's a zipper pull from my rain jacket! How did she get it without chewing through it? It loops through the zipper- does she have thumbs I don't know about?!

A little pheasant scent on one of her toys has sparked the neurons in her , she really gets excited when we play fetch with it- so does her momma!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 1:50 pm

You chose a good one alright...

Looking forward to picking up some tips on training should I ever get another Labrador.

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 2:52 pm

Knew she was special right off!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 4:31 pm

Well John here's what I can tell you first off!

1. Keep the toilet seat/lid down- you don't want to know why I know this first hand!

2. Toys, toys and more toys until you find what the pup wants- a little scent helps!

3. Trust must be earned, both you and by the pup.

4. It's gotta be fun when training. Labs are the original foodies so keep tasty tidbits on hand.

5. Get a pup from a breeder that has a busy, loud, house- a socialized pup that has heard cars, doors slamming, loud music, TV noise, popping balloons- whatever you can think of will make an as we say a bullet proof dog.

6. See #1

piller · Post by **piller** » Thu Oct 19, 2023 8:04 pm

Sounds fun, or frustrating. My terriers can open doors. No, I haven't seen it happen. Just come home to them in rooms that were closed.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Oct 20, 2023 5:44 am

I had one lab that could turn a door knob after she flipped the dead bolt!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 8:25 am

3 nights in a row with free access to the whole house and ( knock wood) no accidents!
However she does take up a whole lot of my queen size ! Toss Parker and Claro into the mix and I keep waking up with no covers and on the edge!
But who could say no to this face?

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Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 8:38 am

Not me!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 8:48 am

Heck Will it didn't take her long to get you suckered.....

Dogs, you just can't help loving them….

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 11:07 am

Oh John they suckered me in with their first breath!!

Bronco · Post by **Bronco** » Sat Oct 21, 2023 11:35 am

Used to have two Rotties!
They would snuggle up tight on each side of me and I would be pinned by the sheets! Could not roll over , sit up, would have to squirm around and yell until I could get them to move and give me space to roll over!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Mon Oct 23, 2023 4:11 pm

Holy cow little puppy what have you been eating?! Knock a buzzard off a manure spreader with those loud little toots of yours! Man just about clears the room.
She could almost get in the scene from Blazing Saddles and fit right in!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Thu Oct 26, 2023 3:11 pm

Just scrounge up a few CB shorts and brought out the ol Winchester 60A I put together from parts.
Out the back door with an excited Claro, Parker and Sage leading the way.
Standing on my deck I have a 3/4 scale steel deer to shoot.
With Sage and Parker by my side I drew a bead and plunked the deer . No reaction which is good! I opened the bolt and blew the smoke towards Sage, she sniffed with enthusiasm!
I shot another and still no reaction from Sage. Parker was starting to creep forward so I called he back. Next shot was too much for Parker- she had to go see! Sage followed her momma with unknowing excitement. Again called back and 2 more shots down range, checked the group, a bit low but less than 2"- no I wasn't TRYING to shoot small while watching the puppy.
The model 60A is quiter than my air rifle with CBs.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Oct 26, 2023 3:48 pm

That's a perfect start Will....

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Fri Oct 27, 2023 7:40 am

Outstanding, Will! Geez. Another guy who gets to shoot in his own yard!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Oct 27, 2023 9:05 am

Bill in Oregon wrote: ↑Fri Oct 27, 2023 7:40 am Outstanding, Will! Geez. Another guy who gets to shoot in his own yard!

In the old days I would occasionally shoot my shotguns here but the 'good' neighbors moved away... Now the closest neighbor is known in the neighborhood as A.H. and I only shoot my airgun and CBs just to fly under the radar. In the old days I knew all of the PD but they too are all new. Last thing I want is headaches.

Another month and I'll introduce her to real gun noises.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Oct 27, 2023 3:09 pm

This afternoon was Ranger day!
I got the Ranger out of the shed and through the gate into the yard. I left it running so Sage could see, smell and hear it. Then I shut it off and she decided to investigate closer, a little kibble helped.
Then Aunt Claro decided she wanted to go for a ride and climbed aboard. Nice slow ride with Sage giving chase.
Shut it down again for some more sniffing and she stepped up into the cab and walked through. I coaxed her in again and turned the key- mild panic but gracefully exited...I pushed my luck and then took Claro for a high speed ride down the driveway and put it away. I'll give it a few days and try again.
Parker won't ride but Claro and Winnie would ride double on my quad, Winnie just jumped on and off we went, never had to coax her and Claro followed mom's lead!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:07 pm

It's funny how some dogs almost want to drive and others shake with fear

I knew a little dog that loved the car but one trip in a strange car with a nervous dog and he needed coaxing to even get him in the car afterwards.

Griff · Post by **Griff** » Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:52 pm

gamekeeper wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:07 pmIt's funny how some dogs almost want to drive and others shake with fear I knew a little dog that loved the car but one trip in a strange car with a nervous dog and he needed coaxing to even get him in the car afterwards.

Same with horses and trailers.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Thu Nov 02, 2023 3:59 pm

So I got home from work today and took the pack out for a fetch session. Sage is really getting that if she brings me the ball I keep throwing it. With slobber on the ball I decided to put my fingerless wool gloves on, right side fine as I'm trying to get the left orientated the little creep jumped up and stole it out of my hands! Oh what joy she was having- she knew she was wrong and wouldn't come to me. I just ignored her and played with the big girls. Finally Sage decided to bring it to me and she got lots of praise as I took it back.

This morning I restarted the cuckoo clock, she noticed the pendulum swinging right away! A couple low growls and a bark when the clock struck the hour. She still gives it a sideways glance.

She is fast! But that leads to many crashes as she tries to grab the ball at speed.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Nov 03, 2023 1:49 pm

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Someone has taken over MY bed!!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Fri Nov 03, 2023 2:29 pm

Looks like she's in control of the remote too....

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Nov 03, 2023 4:31 pm

No, no remotes but she sure likes to smear her nose around on my phone screen!

For scale, Claro and Sage

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GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Wed Nov 08, 2023 5:43 pm

Really Sage? You had to puke on the couch!?
Just what I needed to cap off my day... garage door broke this morning, someone tried to hack my email account, and then puke to clean up.
Oh well I guess I could be changing diapers !

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Nov 09, 2023 10:40 am

It must be your cooking.....

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Fri Nov 10, 2023 2:10 pm

You know Will, Sage has several godparents on here.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Nov 10, 2023 3:43 pm

Yeah Bill I know.
I tell ya she is quite well behaved for 5 months old. Don't get me wrong, she has her moments!- like trying to get her to come in the house! Be ing a smarty pants she will stand on the deck at the door acting like she wants in. Open the door and she walks away. Call her by name and she'll give me a sideways look - and if you listen closely you can hear her laughing! Open the cookie jar and she will come in though. However I get the last laugh as she doesn't always get a cookie!!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Fri Nov 10, 2023 6:35 pm

Parker and Sage

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GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 5:04 am

O-Sage! Please stop...
Last night we were watching the idiot box, about 830 I take them out for their last trip of the night. Back in the house and I had to practically stuff Sage in her crate- she wants to sleep on my bed, so I bribe her with a rawhide. 15 minutes later she is whining and yipping which led to a very high pitched bark. I get out of bed, get dressed and take her out again. Sure enough she dropped a loaf that would make a St Bernard envious. Back in and fight her to kennel. Where she continued to do her coyote impersonation for another 20 minutes.
0345 it starts again! I did my best to stay in bed until 5( that's all I'm asking for Sage, 5 is the alarm clock! ) but she wouldn't let me. I crawled out of bed about 0415.Ok I'm up, out we go and all she wants to do is play. Finally a tinkle , no poop, even though I walked her longer.

Fed them and she has passed out in a food coma on the couch!

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 6:56 am

Will, perhaps things will improve when Sage spends a whole day working her butt off, then you might get a full night's sleep....

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:01 am

Great pictures!

Really making me want another Lab!!!

jb

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 8:14 am

Yessir. Let Sage chase pheasants all day in a cattail swamp. Bet you'll get some rest!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Thu Nov 16, 2023 9:37 am

Saturday she will get her first taste of feathers!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Sat Nov 18, 2023 11:57 am

Today was our pheasant opener!
Claro got the honors, she has the seniority.
As usual she hunted very nicely but she is definitely showing her age, going on 11- my how time flies, seems like just yesterday she was a little ball of fur.
We got 3 today, 2 were a bit of bad shooting on my part and she had to work at catching the cripples.
So I got home and put the birds in a pile of leaves to work Sage on.
First was a small dead hen, bring Sage in downwind and she really didn't get it at first to use her nose until right on top of it- literally standing on the bird. Then walked her to where I put the big rooster. About 8 feet she turned into the wind and walked to the bird and gave it a going over showing much more interest.
Back in the yard and I let Parker out to show the little whippersnapper how it's done. She picked up the hen and Sage tried to take it. Took the bird from Parker, a short toss and Sage snatched it off the ground and ran off with it.
It's a start to hopefully a long hunting career for Sage!

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gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Sat Nov 18, 2023 2:27 pm

Sounds promising Will, something that can't be hurried..….

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Sat Nov 18, 2023 4:16 pm

Oh, what fun! You can see the lightbulbs go on!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Sat Nov 18, 2023 4:21 pm

No, im certainly not going to rush the process! Another month or so and I'll start popping primers around her, she will however keep getting dead birds every weekend!
Poor Claro is hurting, between her arthritic knee and back she gets pain pills morning of and with her supper.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:03 pm

Thought of you Will and just had to post...

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GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 12:29 pm

Well John, that just about sums up Sage! She is into EVERYTHING! there is no doing anything without her help!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 4:05 pm

Sage has been immortalized!!
Thanks Bill in Texas I can now frame the print he sent me. Please explain how you did this?

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I've been lax with updates so
She now has free reign of the house at night, knock wood no accidents in about a month ( I just jinxed myself!). She does however take up A LOT of the bed. With all three dogs I normally end up without any blankets by 4am!
She is about 2/3 the size of Parker, im guessing around 45-50lbs.
She is smart! Has figured out how to operate the lever lock on the back door. Fortunately being an in swing door she can't let herself out but she can get back in. If I want them out I have to lock the door.
She must have been a boxer in a previous life as she gets to wrestling with Aunt Claro and the paws start flying- round houses mostly but she throws some combinations too!
Oh and off leash for the 0500 walks ! That's a good thing cuz I normally mark my territory then and now I don't need to pay attention to a puppy getting marked as well!

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Tue Dec 12, 2023 8:03 pm

Will, I printed a copy of your wonderfully appealing photo of Sage, which made me smile every time I saw it. I had a number of similar images of my guys looking up at me and lost them on a computer change. I then sketched an approximation of Sage, then taped it with carbon paper to a linoleum block and traced the outline. Then I cut the outline as best I could with my Flex-cut tools, inked the resulting linoleum block, laid paper over it and pressed the ink into the paper with a brayer -- lower left. In this simple way, a guy with zero talent can kid himself that has a small amount.

As you can see, the image I sketched from your photo is reversed. I must thank you again from my heart for the post and photos you put up of the puppies. You and Saint Jim T are keeping me alive.

gamekeeper · Post by **gamekeeper** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 2:23 am

I was wondering how you did it too, that's really neat Bill

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Wed Dec 13, 2023 5:38 am

Alright, now I understand!

Happy you found as much joy in the puppies as I do!

Sitting on the couch last evening, Sage and Parker curled up beside me. Next thing I know Sage jumps off the couch and leaves the room. She squeaked out a real knock a buzzard off a manure spreader stink bomb! Not quite eye watering but it was enough to make me want to light a match!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Tue Jan 02, 2024 8:33 pm

Well Bill as per your request-
Sage is now as tall if not taller at shoulder than Parker. She is about 2/3 grown .

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I have been giving her a dead pheasant every other week and she finally figured out that she is supposed pick it up and carry it!
The tweety birds at the feeder are starting to pique her intrest and the other day she noticed a flock of geese and watched them fly by.

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Wed Jan 03, 2024 7:17 am

Wonderful photos Will! Thanks.

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Thu Jan 04, 2024 5:07 pm

I think I mentioned she can tell time?
I have a clock that plays different bird calls on the hour. At noon and 5 she would hear those 2 specific calls and be ready to eat.
Now I've transitioned her to 2x a day and she really doesn't like it! Now at 430 she starts giving me an ear full of barks, whines and she is really working on a howel!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Tue Jan 16, 2024 8:29 am

We are getting snow again, Sage is loving snow!

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The snow shovel has got to be her favorite thing on the planet as long as I'm throwing snow her way!
It dawned on my that snowballs are the easiest way to teach a dog how to catch- big and easy to see.

Bill in Oregon · Post by **Bill in Oregon** » Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:11 am

Will, we seldom had snow but once every year or two in Oregon, but oh what a treat to see the dogs' reaction, especially if it was their first time. They would go slightly crazy and get the "whirlies," kind of like a cat on catnip. Great fun to watch!

GunnyMack · Post by **GunnyMack** » Tue Jan 16, 2024 10:14 am

Here they are known as 'zoomies' and yes Sage does indeed zoom around in the snow.

Bronco · Post by **Bronco** » Tue Jan 16, 2024 12:20 pm

Ah zoomies

Mine do in the snow and right after they have had a bath !
Being 73, I sure wish I could bottle some of that to take a teaspoon or so of it every once in awhile.