Saturday, September 14, 2013

Little Update On Galla Creek Texas "Piper"
 
Still a little package of dynamite, we took Piper to the vet 2 weeks after her first visit to see if we could get a better flea control. Fleas are really bad around the farm this year. This one did the trick. All fleas gone after a few hours never to return again. In the two weeks since her last visit she went from 3 pounds to 4.1 pounds. Pretty impressive for a two week period from our little girl.
 
Obedience work has been a joy. She's so smart and picks up so easily. We have "here" down well, "sit" was doing great until we introduced "lay down" which seems to confuse her just a tad. Sometime when you say "sit" she will lay down or vise-versa but hey she's just 10 weeks old now and she will learn to distinguish between the two quickly. Gets it right most of the time.
 
She has picked up "speak" pretty dad-gum good to. New to this squirrel dog training but have heard if you can get them to speak on command it will help later when treeing.
 
She's a ball of fire with a very scrappy personality. She's a very tough cookie and doesn't seem to be scared of anything. We tried her outside today around the riding lawnmower. Seems I've had a lot of dogs that didn't care for the mower. She thought nothing of it.
 
I know these dogs are not necessarily meant as retrieving dogs, although I have seem many videos where they do, but we are working at that as well. At 10 weeks of age she is doing as well as any lab I've ever had on retrieving.
 
I have heard that Feist personalities can be more soft than labs or curs and not for sure if force-fetching her later after permanent teeth are in will be a good thing or not. Right now she shows no softness at all when being scolded. Its more like you don't hurt her feelings at all but rather "tick" her off. Sometimes I really have to demonstrate that I am the alpha male to get her to settle down ... but it works.
 
Anyway here are a couple videos of her demonstrating what she's learned so far. You get the good with the bad with my videos. I don't believe there is a perfect puppy at 10 weeks old but I think you'd agree after seeing the videos, this pup is above par. For those of you who disagree with training at such a young age, just keep in mind this pup spends 99% of her life just being a puppy. All we do is play fun teaching games at this point that she enjoys.
 
Oh I must also mention I play games with her and there is constant encouragement for her to look up. I am seeing good signs of this. When in the house or outside she looks up most of the time. Goes by a tree, stops and looks up in the tree, the bush, back of the truck or whatever.
 
She is getting more riding time too. Take her with us whenever we can in the truck.
 
Again, thanks to Mr. & Mrs. Renfroe at Galla Creek for such a great little pup. I look forward to getting a male from them next year.
 
After getting Piper and spending near about a month with her now, I am starting to think there really may be some merit to getting the "runt" of the litter.
 
Enjoy the videos!
 
 
First video is of "here" and "sit"
 

 
Next video is of "speak"
 
 
Retrieving games
 
 
 
 
 


Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Piper Is Now Home!
 
Got Piper home and she is adjusting well. She may be small (3#s) but she's a package of dynamite for sure. She's sleeps a lot as a puppy her age would but when she's awake she's been all-out rowdy.
 
Doesn't seem to be afraid of a thing and loves to bark and growl while playing. I think she's going to turn out to be a great 'lil dawg.
 
Again we really appreciate Galla Creek Feist out of Pottsville, AR for us having the opportunity to get Piper.
 
Few more pics from the trip home from Arkansas.
 




 

Ouachita River Haven Weekend
 
We had the pleasure of stumbling on Ouachita River Haven Resort which is on the Ouachita River right outside of Sims, AR this last weekend. What a beautiful place.
 
Not only was this a great campground but honestly these were nicest folks we've ever stayed with. We will for sure be back! The campground is well run and well maintained. You'll receive friendly service and information with the host. We plan to make it a basecamp in October for some squirrel hunting.
 
They have canoes & kayaks for rent along with shuttle service. The fishing is great and this place would be hard to beat if you are looking for a scenic river getaway.
 
If you get the chance, make plans to stay and enjoy the weekend. You won't regret it.
 















Pics of Scrappy The Squirrel Dog
 
Here are a few pics of Scrappy. He was too young to hunt last season but he is treeing and just needs some "woods" time now to work on turning him into a great hunter.
 
We really look forward to getting him into the woods this season.
 
 

 


Friday, August 16, 2013

More Piper Pics
 
Mrs. Betty and her granddaughter Sigrid took some more pics of Feona (Piper). Really looking forward to picking up this Galla Creek Feist this weekend.
 




Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Piper Pic Updates - 6 Weeks Old Tomorrow
 
Again I am so impressed with everyone at Galla Creek. Updates are regular and its nice to see a pup you bought come along. Galla Creek is the BEST!
 





Monday, August 12, 2013

New Puppy Comes Home This Weekend
 
We get to run up to Arkansas this weekend and pick up our new pup from Galla Creek Feist. Very much looking forward to the drive. We plan to take our time heading up the slow way through the mountains. Keeping up daily with the Galla Creek Blog has built up quite a bit of anticipation on the new pup. Last night this 6 week old pup even treed a few squirrel. She barked them up real good on the tree and went after them something awesome when I shot them out to her. At least thats how it was in my dream, but hey I am somewhat given over to self-fulfilling prophecy anyways. Sure it will be that way after some age and boot time in the woods.
 
Here is a reminder pic:
 
 
I have been very impressed with Mrs. Betty at Galla Creek and the whole way they run things. They are great communicators, really nice folks with awesome advice. They keep you abreast of all the goings on around Galla Creek, how the pups are doing and post pics. Of course they have an excellent reputation in the squirrel dog/feist business.
 
Mrs. Betty's blog inspired me to create this one for myself. I don't post daily as I don't get to hunt/fish/shoot or play outdoors daily but I am sure over time this will become a decent blog. I  enjoy reading and seeing the pics daily on the blog. I love farm life and enjoy seeing everything from the tractor pics to the garden shots. I still see myself viewing the blog almost daily even after we have brought the pup home. Its just interesting to check in daily.
 
If I ain't mistaken I think Galla Creek still has a couple of male pups available. If interested, better get 'em while you can. As soon as the though starts crossing minds about the upcoming hunting season they will be gone.
 
I will get a sidebar link to their blog as soon as I take the time to figure out how to do that.