My Hunting Dog Training Blog

Shortly after moving to the country my Father purchased a Brittany Spaniel that we named Allie. We had never owned a dog before and my Father marked me for his assistant in training and caring for Allie. I remember the first few nights she slept by my bedside in her makeshift kennel which consisted of a 4 foot plastic swimming pool with a chicken wire fence around the edges. My job was to take her outside when she started to whimper and whine so she could relieve herself. It was winter and sometimes she would take her time while my face went numb from the chilling wind. I didn't know it, but we were bonding in the wee hours of the night.

My Father was a busy man back then but he had taken the time and done his homework and knew that a few minutes a day invested in training Allie would make her a valuable member of our family. So we worked with her in the cold confines of our detached garage just a little while each night. Dad was the coach and I was the assistant and it seemed like Allie was eager to please. She caught on fast and before we knew it she was sitting, healing and staying like a pro. We didn't teach her many commands, just the basics to mold her into a good citizen and a good one she was.

Allie lived nearly 12 years with us in the country and we had some fun times. She was a loyal friend and a good listener. She died when I was away from home in my early twenties. I was grateful to be gone when she passed. My Father took care of the burial and later told me of her last moments of life. Her death marked the end of a chapter in my life and with her memory I begin a new chapter. Last week I made a $300 deposit so I could have pick of the litter on a German Shorthair Pointer or GSP. The German Shorthair pups were born just a short while ago on September 22nd, 2005. This weekend I will go with my own son to see the prospects and to find our new friend.