New Addition to the Family

[802-603hunter]

We picked up a new lab puppy a few weeks back. The kids settled on the name Gracie. She's an Irish/UK breed that we picked up a Kirby Mountain Kennels here in northern VT. I'm hopeful we can get her into finding sheds, both deer here around the house and moose up to camp. She's almost 12 weeks old now and seems to be at home in the woods. When we go for walks she has the "hunt" of a beagle looking to pick up a rabbit; making zig zags around us with her nose to the ground. Hopefully that is a good sign for her shed hunting future. She seems to be easily trainable as well, with a few expected spells of pure-puppy mixed in for good measure.





Tough day at the office:

 

[NH Hunter]

Huge congrats!!!! We did the same a year ago December. I’ve owned or been around a ton of dogs in my lifetime. I’ve never had one like the current character that is taken over our house. She’s a black female and is constantly cracking me up. Love me some Labs!!

 

[groundtender]

Great pictures. Your boy must be thrilled

 

[longbow]

Great looking pup! Best of luck.

 

[mowbizz]

Looks like a lifetime buddy for your boy…nothing better than a boy and his dog. Even at 72, my 10 year old Springer brings out the boy in me every day. God bless dogs.

 

[JDK]

Cute pup.

 

[NH Mountains]

Beautiful pup. Here’s to many years of joy.

 

[802-603hunter]

Great pictures. Your boy must be thrilled

For sure, and she’s usually pretty excited to see him as well.

 

[Gwlambo]

Congrats - what a cute little pup! Years of fun and memories coming your way.

 

[tobydog]

Beautiful dog. Good luck with her.

 

[Mainewoods]

Congrats Travis! Nice looking pup. I got my first Chesapeake from John and Wendy back in 2008.

 

[shawn_in_MA]

Great looking pup!!!

 

[amclimber]

Awesome looking dog. We just picked up our puppy this morning and he's instantly become a part of the family. Im looking to shed hunt with him also. Do you have any resources you would recommend that guide how to start training even as a puppy?

 

[802-603hunter]

Awesome looking dog. We just picked up our puppy this morning and he's instantly become a part of the family. Im looking to shed hunt with him also. Do you have any resources you would recommend that guide how to start training even as a puppy?

I have watched a few videos out there on you tube. Most of them are generally the same and include some training scents you can apply to antlers along with some basic hide and seek techniques. I think at the end of the day, like many things, real world experience will be the best bet. We have started off slow, with the most important thing being time in the woods and letting her range out and roam a bit comfortably. The last thing I want is a dog that is at my heels in the woods, I want a dog who is out searching (a product of my days with beagles I suppose). She does very well in that respect and seems to be more content in the woods than on any sort of established trail.

We did start her off with antlers to play with and fill her spare time. Recently my son and I have brought a shed antler with us in the woods and plant it for her to find. When she does, we give her a ton of praise and some treats. She has gotten to the point where once she finds it her attention is all on you knowing the treats are coming, which I think is a positive. I'm looking forward to getting her out up north sometime soon. I know she's a bit young for it, but I think getting out and finding a couple with her at my side will go along ways as she is pretty impressionable at this point.

I would also recommend checking out the Standing Stone Kennels youtube channel for some general behavior training techniques.

Nap time with a paddle:

 

[NoDeerHere]

There is nothing like a new puppy. My 4th Golden just turned 8 and it seems like we just picked her up yesterday, but it was Mother's Day 8 years ago.

 

[hedwigpong]

Your dog looks healthy and happy, and the kids are excited about their new friend. I think such a wonderful animal will positively impact the whole family and will be a loyal and faithful friend to you. For example, did you know that dogs most often serve as emotional support animals because they are capable of empathy? Labradors are often adopted by people who are single or, conversely, large families because this breed is peaceful and considered companionable. If you are interested in learning more about it, esaregistration.org may be helpful. People are treated or rehabilitated for depression or chronic stress thanks to such animals. In today's world, these are extremely common ailments that we have to deal with.