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 Triumphs, Trials and Tribulations of Bay, Belle and Gracie 
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King of Spring

Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:09 pm
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Location: Seacoast NH
Post Triumphs, Trials and Tribulations of Bay, Belle and Gracie
VA Turkey members have been very supportive in the new chapter of my life. I have started an e-diary on the development of Bay. I would like to share it with you.

I would like to start this thread to record Bays training and progress on her way to becoming a duck commander.

Carlton Brook's Great Bay Babe is named for my love of tradition and my hunting, fishing and trapping background.

Carlton Brook is the waterway that runs by our Maine hunting camp. It is our kennel name.

I grew up on the banks of a tidal estuary that feeds the Great Bay in New Hampshire. Great Bay has become my summer playland. I trap lobsters and fish for striped bass.

A good friend and mentor bestowed upon me the nickname "Bayman". I wrote a story about my adventures and the NH Fish and Game published it. They were kind enough to send me a link.
http://wildlife.state.nh.us/Wildlife_Jo ... Bayman.pdf

When discussing with Dick a name for the dog my choice was Babe. He suggested Bay. I like both so it was a done deal.

My goal is to train Bay on upland birds. Ruffed grouse (partridge where I come from) and woodcock. I am not a big waterfowl hunter. But I have been known to enjoy a morning listening to whistling woodies in the local beaver ponds.

Stay tuned. This is going to be a long ride.

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Last edited by Coalman on Thu Apr 12, 2018 1:29 pm, edited 2 times in total.



Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:09 am
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King of Spring

Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:09 pm
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Location: Seacoast NH
Post The little things.
09-24-09
Bay was the dominate puppy in the litter. Now we have become her little-mates and she has a strong will to continue as boss.

Last night she slept from 11PM to 5:30AM. No 3AM bathroom calls. She woke us up with her bark. A quick trip outside was successful. I checked the kennel.......it was dry.

We are learning that if Bay barks other than feeding or play......it means outside. I failed this morning. She barked, I told Karen she needed an outside. The moment didn't allow it. She spun her little circle and made a deposit. No scolding, no excited voices. We just let it happen. We will know better next time. Bay is training us.

The puppy collar has been on a couple days now. She still tries to scratch it off. But it is becoming much less frequent. You should have seen her the first time I attached a lead. She didn't like it at all. She looked like a stubborn mule. Now she carries the lead in her mouth. A note on puppy leads. The retractable lead worked much better than the long lead. She stumbles on the long lead. The retractable keeps the collar connection high on her neck. I can see she likes it better.

She is still biting but we pay close attention to it. The occasional soft play nip is allowed. The aggressive litter play bite is not. She is told no and given one of many of her toys.

A very good friend of mine and successful trainer of Labrador retrievers for waterfowl told me in an email today

"The bonding between the two of you is the glue that ensures a great dog."

I can't wait.

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Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:11 am
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King of Spring

Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:09 pm
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Location: Seacoast NH
Post The bite is on.
And I don't meaning fishing.

Bay has two personalities. One good and one rough.

She is slowly learning our hands are not chew toys. Even when she starts biting and we give her a toy she still targets our hands and if not protected....... our feet. We have been turning her lips into her teeth when she bites and say "no bite". Sometimes it just seems to wind her up more. She is my little fighter/biter.

I took Bay to work Friday to meet the staff. About 11PM that night she got sick for the first time. She threw up and had a bout with diarrhea. God love my wife. After 20 years of beagles she knew the cure and Saturday she cooked up a bowl of rice. We have been mixing that with her kibbles and happily she has come out of it. Her stools are firm again.

Bay is way ahead in outside training. There hasn't had an accident in the house or kennel since her first day home. We are religious in our attempt to house break her. After any play time and after every nap she is taken outside. It is taking a commitment but the rewards are sweet (smelling).

I have owned hunting dogs all my life. I am lucky to be able to say of all of them two were outstanding hunters. Dixie, a beagle, was a natural born hunter. I was 15 when I got her. That is an awkward age for a young man. Our time afield taught me sportsmanship and patience. She hunted for me.

Brandy,an English Springer, was the love of my life before I met my wife. She was my only experience training a bird dog. There wasn't an upland bird safe when she went afield. She barked at flush and was a natural born retriever.

I mention this because I am seeing some of the same qualities in Bay. She will crouch and wait. She studies her target before pouncing. Maybe she will point?

Bay is retrieving her toys when we play. I don't make much out of it other than to praise her when she brings it back. We do not play tug of war. When the time comes to give she will be way ahead.

Bay knows when it is time to eat. I start every feeding with a couple of hand fed kibbles. She is shown the food with my right hand and with my left I gently push down her butt and command sit. Can it be this easy?

I end this chapter with a keen observation. There is no easy street. I hear puppy horror stories. Ripped up clothing, chewed shoes, etc. Bay could easily fall into these bad habits without supervision. I praise my wife and son for making sure we see these faults. We have simple rules of do's and don'ts in her infancy. We are investing the time now.

Bay has become the newest, best-est love of our lives. I feel her presence has made our marriage and family stronger.

Thank you Lord for your blessings. Long live Great Bay Babe.

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Sun Sep 27, 2009 11:13 am
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King of Spring

Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:09 pm
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Location: Seacoast NH
Post Puppy legs
I took Bay on her first walk in the woods last night. We are fortunate to have some private land close by with trails, rivers and marshes where we can walk uninterrupted.

We went about 100 yards. I took baby steps the whole way. She had to sniff and bite, every stick, fern and stump. Fallen logs and brush piles got lots of attention. I always let her lead.

I am impressed with the little I see. She definitely has the right hunter qualities. We will continue this walk going a little further each time. Wait till she sees the beaver pond. Hopefully a wood duck will whistle hello.

One negative of our trip was I found a wood tick on her. As much as I hate ticks they are a part of the woods where we live. We will deal with it.

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Mon Sep 28, 2009 8:32 am
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King of Spring
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Joined: Sat Dec 04, 2004 9:27 am
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Location: Roanoke, VA
Post Re: The Triumphs, Trials and Tribulations of Great Bay Babe.
Really enjoying this thread. Have watched PeaceMaker and Max the Dog develop the bond you speak of. Be careful as waterfowling can be as addictive as the rest of the seasons, especially when Bay starts to sense birds before you do. I long for the days of watching Max the Dog eye the sky waiting for the next duck or goose, even if it means I must take a back seat to a much better retriever than I. Please, keep them coming.


Mon Sep 28, 2009 11:45 pm
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King of Spring

Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:09 pm
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Location: Seacoast NH
Post Poisonous plants
We have a cherry tomato plant just outside the door of our house. Bay loves to chew and fight the leaves that stick out over the stairs.

Last night I picked a small ripe tomato and gave it to her to play. She loved it like a toy. She rolled it around in her mouth and played cat with her paws. When I took it away from her it was not bitten or punctured.

Bay loves to chew plants. She doesn't ingest them. She just likes fighting and biting the leaves.

Bay recently developed diarrhea. Since her stool was solid when we got her we began looking at two possibilities, food and plants.

We have identified she does not like her food. Since she has an upset stomach our vet has her on boiled hamburg and rice.

Would you believe out of the list of dangerous plants for dogs Bay has been in contact with 10 of them? 8 of them are in our yard. I can see clear cutting in my weekend future.

She started her new diet last night. Today's stool was like soft serve ice cream. That is one level up for the better from her brown liquid squirts.

Since Bay doesn't seem sick and still is a bundle of energy the vet recommended this diet and if things improve we will keep our first vet wellness visit for next Thursday.

I never knew how much I (we) could love a puppy. :D

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Wed Sep 30, 2009 11:56 am
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King of Spring

Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:09 pm
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Location: Seacoast NH
Post Feeling better and a new friend.
10-03-09
Bay is feeling better. I thought it may calm her down. NOT! Now that she feels better she is a wholly terror.

I took her for a walk in the woods last night. She has to put EVERYTHING in her mouth. It scares me that she will swallow something wrong. Everything is so new to her. She tastes everything.

She likes picking up a sticks, acorns, hickory nuts, etc and holding it as she runs down the trails. It is cute. I don't think she will have a problem with hold. I may have a problem with give.

The restless nights are paying off. This morning she did her normal outside. Back in the house while cooking breakfast I noticed her standing by the door. I instantly reacted and she followed outside obediently. She did her business and wanted back in the house. Chock one up for house training.

The only trick I have been trying to teach her is sit. With food I get instant response. She can't sit fast enough. I notice when we play and I ask her to sit she doesn't respond well. I am going to stick with food for training.

I am about 75% the Alpha now.Instead of biting me she is soft mouth and tests me. My wife is far behind. I tell her it is all in the tone of your voice. You can't softly say, no bite. You have to mean it.

My son's girlfriend's family lost there 15 year old cocker spaniel Wednesday. He lived a long life. We got a call from them Wednesday in the afternoon asking if there were any puppies left. Bay has a yellow brother. They picked him up 20 minutes after a phone call to the breeder. His new name is Buddy.

Bay and Buddy. I like the sound!!

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Sat Oct 03, 2009 1:19 pm
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King of Spring

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Post The training begins.
Bay has been feeling better with her new diet. But we were noticing she wasn't gaining any weight. We could see her ribs and feel her hip bones. This concerned us.

We looked at the canned food the vet recommended for her intestinal bout. It was very low in protein and fat. The vet said to start mixing kibbles in slowly after her stool was firm again. We started this treatment Saturday. Increasing kibbles and less canned with each feeding. She is doing approx 1/2 and 1/2 now.

In just a short few days we can all see the changes. She isn't so hungry for our hands and feet anymore. She is sleeping longer and she feels much softer.

Bay is 9.5 weeks old and we are glad to say house broken. We are very diligent when it comes to waking up and after eating to go 'outside".

When the duty is done it is time for "inside". She flies to the door.

Bay has been apprehensive about going upstairs to our bedroom. We have been carrying her. Not Saturday morning. After fixing her breakfast I took it and just walked upstairs, she followed like.........a puppy!

Now we have to keep all the doors to bed and bath closed upstairs as Bay has found a new adventure area.

We have been practicing but last night sit took on its meaning. Without her seeing me I snatched 6 kibbles. I got her attention and gave her one.

Then I started walking around the house. I don't have to say who was in tow. I would stop, raise both arms in the air and command sit. It was like clockwork. When it came time for the last kibble, I stopped and only raised my arms. She sat on command.

I really think Bay temperament has been controlled by her health. And now that she is seemingly healthy......it is getting better every day. :D

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Tue Oct 06, 2009 12:31 pm
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King of Spring
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Joined: Fri Mar 25, 2005 2:15 am
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Location: Campbell Co., VA
Post Re: The Triumphs, Trials and Tribulations of Great Bay Babe.
Dale wrote:
Really enjoying this thread. Have watched PeaceMaker and Max the Dog develop the bond you speak of. Be careful as waterfowling can be as addictive as the rest of the seasons, especially when Bay starts to sense birds before you do. I long for the days of watching Max the Dog eye the sky waiting for the next duck or goose, even if it means I must take a back seat to a much better retriever than I. Please, keep them coming.


I swear, I had no idea a man could be so in love with a dog! I've grown up with them all my life, but a close hunting companion and friend in a duck blind is something special. Coalman, I know you've got a lot of great memories to make and I'm excited to get to share a little bit of them. The puppy diary is a lot of fun for a dog guy like me! Thanks for sharing it!!

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Tue Oct 06, 2009 1:03 pm
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King of Spring

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Location: Seacoast NH
Post Bay gets her feet wet.
10-07-09
A healthy dog with a full stomach made a great walking companion last evening. We went twice as far tonight.

I like this trail for training. It is about eight feet wide with mature hardwood borders. The woods is open. This is going to make a good spot to learn to cast.

Brought the mini tennis ball tonight. Lots of interest to chase it. No interest to retrieve it. No biggy. We are half way there.

Bay saw the Little River tonight. It has been dry here and the stream is at a perfect level. I stood in the water and said nothing. She was very curious. She came to the bank and tested the water as we test water temperature with her paw. I never moved. I let her play on waters edge.

Before we left she was walking in the water and investigating the old beaver hut . We didn't stay long. She was anxious to leave. It was a positive first water experience.

I noticed on our back trail she led the way with gusto. She could smell where we had already been and it excited her.

Through the woods and over the dale there is a pheasant stocking site. I could hear gunshots there last night. It reminded me that the more time I spend with this dog now it will be Bay and Coalman's turn next year to test the wily grouse of the north Maine woods.

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Thu Oct 08, 2009 7:27 am
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King of Spring

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Location: Seacoast NH
Post Our longest walk yet
10-10-09
I took Bay for her longest woods walk this morning. The consistency of being in the woods has made chewing acorns and hickory nuts boring. A pocket full of kibbles keeps her attention focused on me.

Bay is a brush buster. There is nothing too thick she will not investigate. Today we played at the rivers edge. She got nice and dirty.

The kibble training is going well. She has sit down pretty well now so I am working on come. When she is interested in something I whistle to her and put my hand down with a kibble in it and say come. It is working. When she comes I put my arms up in the air and she sits. My goal is a whistle and hand command. We will be able to keep our stealth when her hunting life begins.

Did I mention dirty?? This evening after her supper and when she was calm I took her into the bath and we both took a shower together. It worked like a charm. She sees the water does not bother me so why should it bother her? She even let me hold her up close to the shower head for rinsing. She never fought, she never struggled. I could tell she was enjoying it. I know this won't work forever. But when she grows up she will not have fear of a bath.

I have vacation this week. I have nothing planned except to spend quality time with Bay. We are heading to camp in Maine mid week for an overnight. Bay is going to climb her first hill. I'll be armed with a 20 gauge just in case a partridge offers itself for dinner.

It is duck season in NH. Yesterday I stopped by Chapman's Landing where the duck hunters launch their boats to hunt Great Bay. I saw a hunter there and asked if he had any success. He had one black duck. I asked for the wings and he obliged.

Bay loves them!

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Fri Oct 16, 2009 5:45 pm
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King of Spring

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Post Great Bay Babe goes to Maine.
I would like to thank my co-worker, Valerie, for the generous use of her land. Val has agreed to let me keep the camper on her property. A new chapter in our lives has started. I have always wanted to own property in my Promised Land. Val's gift to use the land as my own has made my dream a reality.

Bay went to camp in Maine this week. It was her first test at an extended car ride. She passed with flying colors. My goal on this trip was to winterize the camper and get Bay some quality woods times.

(This is my Kodak cameras last outing. She is worn out. RIP my good friend)

Bay arrives at camp.
Image

After the ride Bay was ready to hike. I took my 20 gauge for our walks. We never met any suicidal grouse. During our walk to Inch And A Half Hill where I had heard so many partridge drumming this spring we heard a grouse drumming. I don't know if he was saying hello or just teasing Bay. We will have to wait till next fall to find out.

Bay is 11 weeks old. Kibble training is going well. She comes on command. She sits without being told.
Image

Our hike behind camp took us to the spot BIL killed his spring gobbler. I want to show her the places in Maine that mean very much to me. And also to tire her out.

Goal achieved. Bay slept while I tended to camp.
Image

After our second trip up camp mountain Bay was ready for bed. Mrs. C says I'm spoiling her. :lol:
Image

Yesterday's hike took us to Sucker Brook. Inch And A Half Hill to the left.. Dad's Mountain to the right.
Image

Bay has developed a liking to stone walls. It is good balance training for her.
Image

Bay favorite time of our hike was when she found this white birch bark. She carried it out of the woods. This piece of bark fascinates her. I brought it back to camp as her chew toy.
Image

All good things must come to an end. Maine Camp is now ready for winter. I already have plans for some winter snowshoeing.
Image

The ride home. I love my new front seat friend. Long live Great Bay Babe.
Image

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Fri Oct 16, 2009 5:47 pm
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Longbeard
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Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 10:27 pm
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Post Re: The Triumphs, Trials and Tribulations of Great Bay Babe.
Wonderful story and great photo's I can't wait tillyou get the the real training part! I too have been bitten by the bug and in a few short months plan on getting my own dog to train. Finally I have a house and a yard that is worthy of a dog. Any advice you have is greatly appreciated, and any guys in VA who know of any breeders who may be having a litter late winter or early spring next year either lab's or english labs please let me know.

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Sat Oct 17, 2009 9:42 am
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King of Spring

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Post A rainy woods walk.
10-18-09
Bay and I took a woods walk in rain this morning. She is doing really well. The pocket full of kibbles works wonders. She is now responding well to a short whistle and the "come" command. She can't get to me fast enough for her treat. When she arrives she always sits. Snackies work wonders with puppies.

On our walk along the Little River there were a lot of berries bushes along the east side. It was a bird feeding haven. There was a large flock of robins feeding along the rivers edge. I also saw a grackle, a female cardinal and numerous woods thrush's. We stayed here for a few moments watching the feed bag going on. Bay paid the birds no interest. Her time will come.

On our walk back to the vehicle we heard a shot up ahead of us on the trail. The shot alerted Bay but did not bother her. I met a hunter chasing bushy tails (gray squirrels) with a 22 pistol. We spoke for a moment and then parted with well wishes. I wished him luck in his quest and he returned the gesture by wishing Bay a long and successful bird hunting career. :D

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Sun Oct 18, 2009 12:56 pm
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King of Spring

Joined: Mon Apr 09, 2007 4:09 pm
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Location: Seacoast NH
Post Where does the daylight go?
I had vacation last week. I spent every day with Bay. Our walks were long. It's back to work this week and I really miss that dog.

Her walks this week have been on the lead, on asphalt and in darkness. Last night we took a walk to a beaver pond not far from the house for duck magic time. We were not disappointed. We were a little late for the flight and only saw about a dozen wood ducks wing in but the ones already in the pond were very vocal. The whistles and feeding chuckles really perked Bay's ears up. I am trying to imprint future hunting scenarios on her.

On our walk back it was time to start "heel". Even though I never made the command I held her to my left side and briskly walked back to my truck approx 1/4 mile away. Any time I felt hesitation to stop and sniff on her lead I encouraged her to "come".

There was a little resistance at first. Then on our last couple hundred yards something kicked in with Bay. She never stopped or hesitated. She walked briskly on my left side till we made it back to the truck. I praised her greatly when we were back.

I am afraid I am spoiling Bay. She sleeps in a crate at the foot of our bed. It is me who has to pee in the night. When I get up it wakes Bay up and of course I have to bring her "outside".

Well, after "inside" last night I didn't put her back in the crate. I let her sleep with us on the bed. I know, big non-no. But if you could have seen her this morning when we woke up, sleeping on her back, paws and belly facing skyward you wouldn't be able to blame me.

It has been a long time since I had a buddy like this. Our friendship grows every day.

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Thu Oct 22, 2009 9:06 am
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