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Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 1113

I had a really great bird season with my new GSP, Rowdy last year, and had plans for working him on birds this spring and summer before the shelter in place order struck. Luckily, I was able to get in touch with Ronnie Smith down in Oklahoma and get him into his three month training program where he's getting daily exposure to birds plus learning some other skills such as heeling and backing. One of his last hunts in February was quail down in Alabama where on the final hunt, my buddy and preserve owner/guide Tyler Silcox suggested a puppy clean-up hunt after the older dogs were put up. He ran his 13 month old DK female, Betty and I ran Rowdy. When we finished up,11 month old Rowdy had 6 finds and retrieves to hand, and Betty had two finds. He promises to be a great dog.

I got an E-Maill update from Ronnie's wife and training partner, Susanna Love last week along with a picture of Rowdy on point:

"Rowdy is doing nicely. He is much more composed in training than Bode ever was. He is able to focus on a lesson, comprehend what is being asked of him, and respond appropriately. He has a good mindset overall and has joined up with me. We have been really focusing on obedience training. Rowdy has completed the whoa post series and has transitioned to the collar on the flank for stopping. He has a solid understanding of the cue and we will continue working on practice reps for the remainder of the week. We will be able to begin the actual steadying up process soon. I’m very pleased with his progress so far."

Susanna

Really nice looking shorthair and great intensity on point. I have heard that is a great training program. I have several friends that went to the Smith’s seminars, but I have never known anyone who sent their pup off to them for a full training program.

My 10 week old pup goes off to charm school in May for 90 days - he already has a slot with a trainer I have used for years.

Good Hunting,
Mike

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 369 Location: Vermont

Nice looking shorthair RM.

Rifelmeister,

Congrats on a fantastic GSP, have fun training and hunting!

Pine Creek/Dave
Pine Creek Grouse Dog Trainers

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 1113

I got another update on Rowdy from Ronnie Smith Kennels:

"Rowdy is doing well. He has transitioned to the Intermediate Level of his training. He did have a default to recall (come back to you) when we transitioned to stopping him on the flank, but I have not seen that for quite a few workouts now. He has a great attitude and strong prey drive. We have progressed to turning dogs loose to navigate the field on their own (without the assistance of us on a checkcord), working on handling, and beginning the steadying up process on birds. So far he is doing very well in all of my workouts with him!"

Sounds like he is progressing well. I got their new book on dog training and have been able to follow the training as he's going through it. Really wish I could go down there to work with him like I did with my other dogs.

Joined: 28 Oct 2015 Posts: 166 Location: SWMO

Good looking dog. You got him from John Prince didn’t you?

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 1113

Joined: 28 Oct 2015 Posts: 166 Location: SWMO

I first met John at that hunting expo they had over at Pittsburg last summer, follow his posts on Facebook to see him working all his dogs. He worked with my 10 month old shorthair for a few Friday afternoons last fall. I couldn't believe what he was getting out of him with just minimal handling.

Sorry for derailing your thread, again, great looking dog.

Joined: 26 Apr 2016 Posts: 369 Location: Vermont

Great looking shorthairs. Sounds like you are going to be having a lot of fun this fall.

Member Joined: 27 Jun 2012 Posts: 1113

Rowdy is dead. I got the call this morning from Ronnie Smith. He had developed a bacterial infection a few days ago, and the vet had prescribed antibiotics and pain meds. This morning he collapsed in his kennel and could not be revived. A necropsy will be performed to determine the exact cause of death. I am devastated. He was a great little dog and promised to be my one great dog of a lifetime.

Oh my! That hits like a lightening bolt, I'm sure. I'm sorry for your loss. Mike

Guest

Terrible.

My sympathies.

So sad, so sudden,
Mike

Member Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 1696 Location: Minnesota

Wow, what a terrible loss of such a promising dog. So,so sorry.

Member Joined: 09 Jan 2013 Posts: 2168 Location: Florida

WOW ! I am truly sorry for your loss !!!