We are taking 'proper' gundog lessons with Susie Zarpanely in Richmond Park - she's the business. I thought I was quite strict as well as soppy but Susie stands for no nonsense and she really got results from Hamish. My pup did me proud and boy did he love Susie. Tough love seems to work - when he got praise he really enjoyed it. I could really see how much my voice had become background noise to him.
Hamish will go to his first show on May 11th and Susie is helping us prepare. It's me who needs the lessons most but Hamish is a bit fidgety to say the least. Oh, god what have I let myself in for?
Teasel shows us how it should be done. So far Hamish isn't very impressed...
How fantastic we're getting some proper sunshine in the back of our garden at long last.
Enough to make you go mad with excitement (well, if you're a Vizsla pup)
Warmer nights mean you get to go to the pub and sit outside, ok well, actually this night was still freezing though and we froze to death. Lucky we had a Vizsla to keep us warm.
Attack of the 50ft Vizsla....?
They say Japan is glorious in Spring but Victoria Park is a lot closer.
Steven and Hamish finally have that Father and Son talk.
On Saturday we went to Maisies for dinner. We had lovely grub and great company and the dogs wrestled like they were in the park but did settle when we asked them (not for long though).
Hamish stares out at the night sky as Nancy and I take some air on the balcony.
Hamish will go to his first show on May 11th and Susie is helping us prepare. It's me who needs the lessons most but Hamish is a bit fidgety to say the least. Oh, god what have I let myself in for?
Teasel shows us how it should be done. So far Hamish isn't very impressed...
How fantastic we're getting some proper sunshine in the back of our garden at long last.
Enough to make you go mad with excitement (well, if you're a Vizsla pup)
Warmer nights mean you get to go to the pub and sit outside, ok well, actually this night was still freezing though and we froze to death. Lucky we had a Vizsla to keep us warm.
Attack of the 50ft Vizsla....?
They say Japan is glorious in Spring but Victoria Park is a lot closer.
Steven and Hamish finally have that Father and Son talk.
On Saturday we went to Maisies for dinner. We had lovely grub and great company and the dogs wrestled like they were in the park but did settle when we asked them (not for long though).
Hamish stares out at the night sky as Nancy and I take some air on the balcony.
9 comments:
I remember having that Father and Son talk with Tucker ... after a while, he looked at me and said, "You do remember that you had me neutered, right?"
ah HAH! So THIS is what the sudden interest in strictness is all about. Hamish you have a lot to answer for!
Dear Steven and Ross
Big well done for biting the working and showing bullets! Once upon a time (the mid nineties)we used to go to Susie Zarp's training at Hall Barn near Beaconsfield. She REALLY thought highly of my first vizsla Cleo(a pic of this lovely old girl now on our blog) My handling skills sadly even then were deemed to be Zilch. True .. all of my redgirls have hunted for themselves - not for me - every one of them has just had the most incredible natural instincts. We have always lived in the country. They disappear. I cannot see them in thick cover. I can pip and blast and yell. If they have found a bird and are on point then I might as well not exist. For a serious gundog you need unquestioning obedience. Not redgirls' forte.
Showing. Please just have fun. Enjoy the vizslas and the gossip and the day out.Please never let the results matter. Because what happens one week will be turned on its head the next. It all depends on a judge's personal interpretation of the "breed standard" and what he/she is particularly looking for. The perfect vizsla has not been invented. Tho Yogi comes close. You cannot please everybody all of the time. Hattie and Berta are very different and rarely do both do well on the same day. But I always ALWAYS take the very best redgirls back home with me. Good luck - strut your stuff - believe in Hamish and that he is the best vizsla in the world - and he will be. (Well apart from redgirls of course) Confidence matters (think Gok Wan and what he does for the "how to look good naked" ladies.
Well. This is one show career that we will be following with very particular interest!
Di speaking. Redgirls in bed. They would have a different view of course. XXX
Hello Di,
So nice to hear from you with such encouraging words.
I am a bit terrified I must admit, but also determined to go through with it. I am going to try my best just to enjoy it on the day as you have advised.
I have really warmed to Susie Zarp and Hamish is like putty in her hands - he loves her. I'm now really enjoying the gundog training and although Hamish is far from unquestioningly obedient, he is beginning to make progress and I'm learning a lot about how to handle him. Regarding ringcraft though I'm not so good, but fingers crossed on the day he won't fidget or want to play.
Whatever happens I'll be taking the best dog home. Thanks for the good wishes. I'll try to imagine you supporting us on the day to help me relax.
Hello Di,
So nice to hear from you with such encouraging words.
I am a bit terrified I must admit, but also determined to go through with it. I am going to try my best just to enjoy it on the day as you have advised.
I have really warmed to Susie Zarp and Hamish is like putty in her hands - he loves her. I'm now really enjoying the gundog training and although Hamish is far from unquestioningly obedient, he is beginning to make progress and I'm learning a lot about how to handle him. Regarding ringcraft though I'm not so good, but fingers crossed on the day he won't fidget or want to play.
Whatever happens I'll be taking the best dog home. Thanks for the good wishes. I'll try to imagine you supporting us to help me relax.
Dear Ross and Steven
Di here. Oh yes 100% you can count on my encouragment love and support. I just adore your addiction to vizslas in general and Hamish in particular. On the discussion group you are a blast of fresh air. I LOVE everything you post. You are funny humble and wise all rolled up together.
On the showing front please really do persuade yourself that the results don't matter. Hey it's a day out. That's all. I used to be SOOOOO nervous that I used to shake like a leaf. Poor little Hattie. Standing like a rock. And me trembling so much that her head was all of a wobble. Ridiculous but true. Andrea will be with you. And will be fab at good counsel.And clever Hamish will be your rock too (he always does you proud)
XX
My dear Hamish,
Sending you all the best for a FUN day tomorrow--so much to see and smell! It's hard not to get sucked into the competitive air, but remember that judges only pay attention to your outsides. All your very best bits are hidden in your heart.
Supportively yrs.,
B3
Good luck tomorrow Hamish.
Let us know how you do.
Anna and Zig
Thanks so much for your good wishes for the show. Well we got 2nd place in both categories. That's the truth. There were only 2 dogs in each categories that's also the truth. Hamish was distracted as he seen Steven just before we went into the ring and we know how much our Vizslak love to be close to their owners (both of them, one will not suffice if two are in the same room).
However, it was a great intro as everyone was very welcoming and encouraging. The judge (Jeanna Jones from Addaci) gave us a pep talk after and said he has really strong conformation all over and we just need to practice.
So we will try again. I am on a mission to clear my breeders name from the slanderous claims of Mrs. Jackie Perkins of Gardenway as published in 'ourdogs' this month. Please write letters of compmlaint to the editor. This kind of personal attack and low level journalism is unacceptable to me.
hope to hear from you all soon.
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