Letters to Bob

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Bob

        Just a quick note to let you know how much I appreciate the work you put into turning Bear into a finished retriever prior to this past duck season.

        Bear and I spent several days afield early in the duck season with some friends hunting some big water here in Virginia.  He displayed good manners on these hunts despite the lack of birds.

        In January of this year.  I took Bear with me on a big hunt down in Stuttgart, Arkansas.  It was a big test for him.  He passed the big test with flying colors.  While hunting a small puddle, one of the other hunters took an extremely long shot on a widgeon and connected.  The bird sailed about 250 yards away from the blinds we occupied across the puddle.  Bear honored (though not happily), as I thought the gent who shot the duck would send out his retriever: however, he realized this long retriever was beyond what his pup was capable of.  So I cast Bear and he worked for me right to the bird.  I had to cast him far right of the bird, and then work him to the left as he would nose some dead ducks that were in an unoccupied blind over on that side of the field.  He was on the whistle, and it only took me about three left casts and he had the duck and returned with it.  Bear's abilities impressed my fellow hunters.  As we left the field later that morning, our guide told me that was one of the best retrieves he had ever witnessed.  By the end of our three day hunt, the guide asked me if I could leave Bear to work the rest of the season.  He has seen many dogs, but he really appreciated Bear's abilities as do I.

        Thanks again for developing Bear into a finished retriever.  Our little girl is next in line to spend time with you, and I look forward to hunting over her this coming season. 

Sincerely

Jeff Buffa     3/30/2008

 

   

Dear Bob,
Just wondering how your drive down was and wishing you some warmer weather than we've had up here.  I just wanted to send you an email thanking you for the hard work that you put into making my retriever the the envy of my duck hunting partners this season.  My lab, Hunter made leaps and bounds in his hunting ability thanks to you.  I can only imagine how much more in-tune he will be when he returns in the spring.  It really is a true pleasure to be able to have my hunting companion in your care, and to know that his obedience, marking, retrieving and all around hunting skills will be honed by your professional training regiment.  I am looking forward to you coaching him through this springs Hunt Test's, and I really can't wait to show him off again in the duck blind.  All of this is thanks to you and your staff !
Thanks from the duck blind,
Byron Childs    1/31/2008

   

  Dear Bob,
        I am writing to thank you for your help with my dog Toby. March of 2008 he will be 2 years old. I have a back ground in horses, riding & training , showing too. I’ve not had dog training in my past. We had 2 labs before this one. I did Obedience 1 & 2 with my past dog. Then there was Toby!!! He’s a lovely yellow lab VERY smart. He had us figured out by time he was 10 weeks old. He ran our lives ragged. I started him in puppy head start, 4 rounds of Obedience / rally. We did 1 class of Agility. He did so good in all these things but when we came home to our farm, on State Route 534 he would run away every chance he could. He escaped getting hit by a car 3 times. He ran in the swamp took us hours to track him down. We built a 2,000 fence to keep him in and we NEVER could take him even to the barn with out a leash. He lost all loose privileges. His other problem was he pulled when you would lead him. His nose was always stuck to the ground and he would drag you around. In classes he would do good, but in the free world it was very tiring and a drag to deal with him. I used halite’s, pinch collars, even The Dog Whisper “illusion collar “. I have 2 quarter horses over 1200 lbs each, I can lead them anywhere with the least effort a 2 year old could do it. But my dog, no way. I felt at my wits end. Then I met you.
        I was not sure of training collars, when you talked to me about it. But the one thing you said that stuck with me was “It May Save His Life”. I thought about it for awhile and ended up calling you to see what kind to buy and where. I am so thankful to you! You were kind enough to help me use the new tool and I really can’t thank you enough. I can walk him anywhere and he no longer pulls me. He’s happier too because I can take him out to fields to run free with the control I need to reassure he doesn’t get into trouble. We had 11 people here for Christmas and I was not worried if someone left the gate open. I put the collar on and called him to heel and he was the best canine you could ask for. I hardly ever had to use it either. I’m so excited even if he has to wear it forever, I know you told me he won’t, but I’m just saying it has given me so much relive from worrying about him getting hit by a car.
        I take him to the barn off leash, by the cat, who he would ALWAYS chase. When we work in the brush out back he loves going with us and just hang out like our other dogs used to. He really seems happier & I am definitely happier. I can’t believe how simple this was to get used to either. You were certainly right! I had been to the Doctor 2 times from my arms being pulled too much. I’m embarrassed to admit that. I’m a believer and it didn’t hurt my dog in any way. He’s happy to have the collar put on, he just hated that leash! I’m really thankful to you Bob. I know you have such a busy life, but you took time out to help me. Really it was 2 weeks till this dog was off leash. And I thank you!
Your Friend Forever,
Jeanne L. Higgins / Toby too!    January 4, 2008

Dear Bob

Dakota did very well during his first duck hunting season.  He retrieved ducks, geese and even pheasant during a trip to Iowa.  My close friend and hunting buddy (who also is a Lab man) calls him a retrieving machine.  He is a most aggressive retriever with a super soft mouth.

The first goose he retrieved was a neat experience.  The dog saw the bird go down and quickly ran to retrieve.  When he got to the bird, he hesitated just a second before retrieving the still live bird to hand.  I think he was initially stunned at how big the bird was.

During a early duck hunt at Mosquito Lake, Dakota and I hunted with another party that had a Black Lab as well.  We took turns with our dogs, retrieving alternate birds.  When it wasn't Dakota's turn, he would sit watching intently as the other dog made the retrieve, shaking from his desire to go get the bird.  During that same hunt, I sent him on a long, blind water retrieve.  Waves and distance made the bird very hard to see.  (I couldn't even see the bird, but generally knew where it was).  And although he did not make the retrieve, he showed amazing heart, not wanting to give up and even paddling his body up in the water to improve his vantage point for seeing the bird.

You, Kathy and Peg did a good job getting the dog ready for his first season.  The dog did tend to break when I shot.  I probably should have not taken a gun this first season so that I could concentrate on the dog's work and force the sit command until released.  However, he stylishly retrieved to hand on every retrieve, heeling and sitting prior to releasing the bird.

As you know, he is a high energy dog with a bit of an independent streak.  But this dog has heart, a personality and loves to retrieve.

Thanks for all of your hard work with Dakota.  Susan and I will be out to see you either at your training facility or at the nursery this summer.

Randy & Susan Werner  2007