Welcome to Urbanduckman.com Hunting Forum

If interested
posted: May 14, 2010
author: BoggyBottomMudDuck

I have a 6 year old male Lab that is out of Koch's Maxwell, he has 98 champions in his pedigree. He is a natural talented dog that lives to hunt. If you know anyone with a good female that would want her bred to a power house blood line then please feel free to contact me.

NO MARCH YELLER PUPPIES!
posted: March 11, 2010
author: UrbanDuckMan

The breeding between Lucy and COdy DID NOT TAKE. Lucy was look'n like she was gonna Domino...but...turns out she gave me a FALSE PREGNANCY!

I will at some point in time...probably in about 9 months breed her AND/OR Ruby.

Ruby has turned 2 years of age and will get her OFA and CERF Tests done along with several others...ELBOWS...CNM...and EIC! She has proven to posess what most folks want in a Gun Dog/Companion Dog!

NONE LEFT....ALL SOLD OFF!
posted: August 23, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

It's always a good thing when a litter of pups is underfoot. The three months they was here produced some good times. All 8 was born healthy and none were lost.

They was AWESOME TO LOOK AT...very EASY ON DA EYES. IMO the 3 females in this litter were all 3 exceptional in most all areas you look at when deeming a breeding a good one or not.

Usually the bitches are a bit smaller but this bunch of gals was some BIG GIRLS. They were all 3 on the ALPHA side of things with NO FEAR and could mix it up with the best of'em.

They all 3 were take'n to the bumper and pick'n up stuff...they was also swim'n like fish before they went to thier new homes.

ONLY negative I can come up with is that they were ....the best way I can put it is...they were a bit more into themsleves than they were anyone else.

The males were FRIG'N HUGE! Biggest puppies I have ever had. I like'm on the smaller side but SOMETH'N HAPPENED WITH THIS BUNCH. 4 of the 5 males were bigger than what Lucy has had over the years with the RUNT being just a hair smaller than the rest. Not so small that he could clearly and distincly be termed a runt as im most litters he would have been a good sized pup.

The males were a bit more laid back than the bitches. Noticeably so. Probably due more to thier size than anything else. They also projected a bit more of a ME ATTITUDE.

All of them except for the smaller dark colored male. He was spoke for but when it came time to pick him up the guy took a pass due to financial troubles so I ended up keeping him 3 to 4 weeks longer than the rest.

I got attached to Reno. I worked him everyday and I had him passed that ME deal as he was into PLEAS'N ME. He was a TERROR on the bumper and was very aggressive when I took it out of the truck. He loved the water and was run'n 40 plus marks in both the water and on land.

Got the call Friday that a feller was interested in him. It was late in the evening when it came and the meeting for the guy to look at him was to take place early Saturday morning down at the Farm. I hung up and immed. went out to his run and brought him in the house. I had been bring'n him in each evening for short periods of time getting him used to the indoors.

I pulled him up in the Big Recliner with me and he went to sleep on my stomach. He was a very CALM little pup and as I petted his head and stroked his sides and belly I KNEW that our time left together was short.

While it made me sad it was surely better than the situation I'm facing with Daisy. She's really get'n to where she's feel'n and show'n her age and that deal ain't gonna be any fun at all.

I was hope'n that the guy that called was like several in the past and that was they DID'NT SHOW UP. But he pulled in right on time. I gave him a good interrogation to make sure he was someone that I felt comfortable with send'n my lil buddy home with. He was.

With not being able to find an excuse to turn this feller down we made the deal and Reno was GONE...gone to his new home...MAYBE one day I'll run onto him and his new Pappy on a Duck Spot somewheres? Hope so!

I would have kept Reno and continued to TRIAN HIM UP ...to the point where he was a STARTED or FINISHED DOG in need be. I would have kept him his whole life if need be. When the back end of the truck he was in cleared the gate and hit the pavement I was feel'n like...GET'N DRUNK!

But as luck would have it I ain't exactly puppyless. Buddy one of the big Males and LuLu one of the bitches are here locally. Seems like I got a spot help'n with thier TRAIN'N.

In fact, LuLu's owner called and was a bit upset that she wasn't any longer go'n and get'n the bumper like she was when she left me. We met up at that lake and in no time we had her on dat bumper with a vengenance. Thing is while this all ain't exactly ROCKET SCIENCE it really is easy to do. Especially when you got good dog flesh to work with.

The owner of Buddy a male lives but a few houses west of me. I checked in with him and he's do'n great. Course he's got two young boys that keep him busy. Seems they ain't bought any train'n bumpers yet so they toss empty plastic pop bottles for him and he SNATCHES THEM UP.

I had not really seen Buddy since he left here so I got down and took a close look at him. He's damn near SCARY. Bet he goes well over 25 lbs. or so! He's EATN'M OUT OF HOUSE AND HOME. Went thru a 20 lb. bag of Purina Puppy CHow in about a week and he quits still WANT'N MORE!

I will on a regular basis walk over to Buddies and take him and his guys over to a field and we'll run some good Puppy Marks.

I got permission to pick up LuLu whenever I want as they are all work'n and in school. Plan on pick'n her up quite often.

With Duck Season just around the corner there won't be no more puppies at least till this comeing Spring. It's a HOOT ...just wish they was here with me a bit longer.

Only 1 Left....
posted: August 3, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

out of the 8 pups born on June 1! Reno was spoken for but when it came time to pick him up things did'nt work out.

So, I'll keep him and Train Him Up to at least the STARTED PUPPY LEVEL. That will include such things as learning basic commands such as SIT, HERE, OFF , QUIET and KENNEL! He will be running Land and Water Puppy Marks with the goal to getting him stretched outwards of a hundred yards on both. The Marks will be SIGHT MARKS that will help sharpen his eyes and MARKING ABILITIES.

If he don't sell by that time I will keep him and Train Him Up to what is termed a STARTED DOG. This will include an expansion of his vocabulary to include such words as commands...HEEL, BACK, OVER...etc...etc..! He will not only have had a solid Basic OB course but also what is termed PERFORMANCE OB or more like what one would encounter in Military Boot Camp.

Last but not least he will get his Force Fetch or Learned/Conditioned Retrieve Training. Areas covered will include Force To HOLD, Force To FETCH, Force To Pile , Force To Water and Initial 3 Handed Casting.

If interested at anytime feel free to contact me at the mark@urbanduckman.com or urbanduckmn@yahoo.com!

Garbage Gut & Molly , El Bruche and Cooper and Urban and Reno Now Have Thier Own Puppy Training Update Areas....
posted: August 3, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

click on GUN DOG TRAINING on above line and check for properly titled areas. They are a part of a collection that has built up over the years!

Thanks Guys!

Sunday evening dip at the farm
posted: August 3, 2009
author: GUT

7-26-2009

Ther wife and I took the clan out to the farm in washington and let them take a swim in the pond. Molly would follow Laci into the pond and plowed threw the fairly heavy moss with no problem. Only one thing went wrong, I forgot to bring my camera along. Afterwards Molly took a good long nap in great form as you can see in the pic.

Kennel training
posted: August 3, 2009
author: GUT

7-23-09

Kennel training came fairly easy except the part of getting her to stay in it. She is very hard headed and a mind of her own. But when she decided to go and lay down in it then that was ok. Sucess even if it was her idea.

The Queenbee, Molly
posted: August 3, 2009
author: GUT

07/18/2009

Molly making the trip to her new home. She has no problem going to sleep once the old chevy's moving. She laid up next to me and was out like a light before we hit the superslab.

Urban's Cooper Landing
posted: August 2, 2009
author: elbruche

All is well in AK with the little blond dog that Urban sent up to us 3 days ago.

He is intelligent, tractable and full of personality.

We are enjoying him immensely and he shows a LOT of promise.

Attached is an image of him crashin'.

Morning Report
posted: July 30, 2009
author: elbruche

Cooper made it through the night with a minimum of trauma and separation anxiety. Of course if the inside of his enclosure in the sunroom was any indication there musta been a small tornaod that came through but I didn't hear a peep outta him (probably because I was wearin' ear plugs).

Got him out of his enclosure and into the dog yard to pump the bilges and got him some food and water to start the morning.

Also introduced him to his first moose femur bone which he gnawed on enthusiastically for about 10 seconds and then wandered off to investigate a corner of the garage.

He's currled up on my left foot now as I'm typin' this, standin' at the work bench in the garage.

More adventures scheduled for later today.

Cooper Delivered!
posted: July 29, 2009
author: elbruche

Attached is an image of Urbanduckman's Cooper Landing crashin' on the deck.

He made it here to Anchorage in fine form and no doubt charmed everyone along the way.

We adventured all around the property and even got a fun retrieving session in (if you classify grabbing a paint roller tossed about 8 inches a retrieve!).

Urban, cool little guy. Thanks a million!

El Bruche

The Cooper Express!
posted: July 29, 2009
author: elbruche

Well everyone, just got off the phone with Urban and he informs me that all went according to plan this morning when he dropped Cooper off at Delta Cargo at DFW for shipment up here to Alaska.

We picked Delta 'cause they claim to have climate controlled facilities for critters at their hubs in DFW, ATL, CVG and SLC and his routing takes him through SLC. All the carriers adhere to an 85 degree max temp cutoff which makes shipping out of the southern tier just about impossible in the summer. We considered routing through MSP as it will be cool up that way for the next few days but the folks at DFW assured Urban that everything will be OK going through SLC.

We can't wait to get our hands on the little guy and get him going on his new Alaska lifestyle. Since there are a lot of transplanted Okies up this way I'm sure he'll feel right at home!

He'll get to demonstrate his ability as a water dog right away as it's been raining for three days! Hah, hah . . . There's not a dry patch of ground anywhere.

Images to follow when he arrives and we'll keep ya'll posted, periodically, on his progress.

El Bruche

0615, 29 Jul 09

Down To Three Pups...Soon To Be Two...
posted: July 28, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

as the Very Light Colored Male went to his new home on Sunday as scheduled. He is here in town and his new family Deer , Turkey and Duck Hunt. Two young boys to keep him TIRED OUT and a Dad that does a lot with the kids. The boys are a bit young but they are kept in line and be'n raised ...LIKE WE USED TO RAISE BOYS!

Made a run down to the Triple Nickle with the Tribe in tow day 'fore yesterday and we all got MUDDIED UP. Everyone went in for a bit of a swim and then explored while PaPa changed out the Brush Hog for the PTO Driven Tiller.

I was gonna go ahead and prepare some new Wildlife Food Plot Areas with the Tiller as it's time to plant the Jap Millet and Turnips ...BUT...there was no way I was gonna be able to PLOW SAFELY with all dem lil Yeller Heathens run'n around.

Rained all day yesterday but it gave me time to get things together to get the Big Yeller Male prepared for the trip to Dallas and the airport where he'll get on a plane on Wed. the 29th. for his flight up to Alaska!

LOTS of hoops to jump thru to get it all ready! The rain was a welcome sight as it was a slow and steady type that soaked in. Won't have to DRAG WATER HOSE around in order to irrigate the place for awhile.

Dat Corn is LOOK'N GOOD! The Peas is cover'n the place up and put'n on long skinny bean shoots. Won't be long till we're knee deep in Sweet Corn and Black Eyed Peas.

Left a bit ago and came to town and Cooper ( name chosen for pup by his new Daddy ) was busy play'n with his litter mates and pester'n the 3 Big Dogs and Yorkie in the back yard. He don't know that his world is FIX'N TO CHANGE BIG TIME.

Been haul'n him around in his crate and he spends 4 to 5 hours at at time in it with no negative results. Mostly rolls over and goes to sleep. The flight will last about 7 hours total with an hour lay over in Salt Lake City for a plane change.

He should make it and arrive no worse for wear. Just hope he don't SHEAT ALL OVER THE CRATE!

It's gonna be lonely as hell when they are all gone...but that's the way it goes.

Maybe another litter in the Spring? Get'n closer to time to WHACK'EM and STACK'EM!

Cooper FLYS OUTTA HERE On Da 29th.!
posted: July 24, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

Slept later than usual for no apparent reason other than the Lil Boys BOUT WORE ME OUT YESTERDAY! It was too late to load'em all up for a trip to the Triple Nickle so I headed into town and stop by the business...HOPE THERE STILL THERE!

They were and I had lunch with Irish and Garbage Gut. Seems that Irish has a half dozen new dog clients lined up to start Train'n just after the first of August. A Mix of Pet OB and Duck Dogs.

From the sound of it he's got some nice Labs come'n in...young and well bred dogs. One First Time Owner and a couple that already have a well trained dog. What started off as a JUST FOR FUN DEAL is turn'n into a very nice business. Course there never should be any doubt in that regard as THE GUY IS GOOD!

A couple of Computer guys came by the house as we are still try'n to get the LIVE BROADCAST deal up and run'n. Yeah...the same Live Broadcast deal I wanted to have during the whelping of the puppies. I have sort of stopped worry'n about WHEN or even IF as it is just one of those things. One of those things that always take place when I get around a computer, car, or anything else on the mechanical side.

I got on the phone with Delta and finished book'n a flight out of DFW to Anchorage in order to get Cooper to his new family. I thought the guy on the other end of the phone sounded a bit on the foreign side so I asked him where he was. Seems he was in somewhere's in India!

Mingo's Duck Dog...Ike ...jumped his backyard fence and disappeared just as Mingo and the family was headed out to Florida. Mingo put leave'n foro a day or so but when Ike had not shown up and he had hung enough Lost Dog Posters aruond to make it look like it had SNOWED he decided to go ahead and leave town. Course they were head'n to visit his wife's Mother so he was in a real pickle on dat one.

He did pull in his college student son back into the house to keep an eye out for the wayward Yeller Dog. He reported that just as he was pull'n into his Mother In Laws Driveway in Florida his cell phone rings and it's his neighbor.

Seems like Ike was out in his neighbors SWIM'N POOL have'n nice swim with the guy's Golden Retriever. Least Ike could have located a breed other than a RUG DOG to HANG WITH!

Ike has now spent the whole week down in a very small kennel at the vet's. Bet he'll be glad to see Mingo!

All's Well...that...ends well!

All we could talk about at lunch was how close we was get'n to time to LEGALLY WHACK TEAL! It's time to start work'n on the gear , clothes , boat, guns, dogs, trailers and contact the Land Owners to see who has died , sold off the land and who has'nt. Have'nt heard of anything like that so MAYBE we did'nt lose any spots over the winter.

After the Computer Guys left I had one helluva nap. Slept so hard I DROOLED DOWN MY CHIN and onto my shirt. When I woke up I at first was a bit startled as I thought I had been SWIM'N!

Ended up right at dark sit'n on the Big Swing toss'n the lil red squeaky ball for the puppies to track down and FIGHT OVER. They could have gone on a lot longer but I was stream'n with sweat. Looks like the HEAT has returned at least for a bit. In a day or so we will get another set of North Winds and the chance for some Rain and for sure some lower temps..

We LIKE this weather pattern...NORTH WINDS in the middle of July and early August. Hope this is a harbringer of things to come.

Cooper FLYS OUTTA HERE On Da 29th.!
posted: July 24, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

Cooper FLYS OUTTA HERE On Da 29th.!
posted: July 24, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

Out To The Triple Nickle For a SWIM!
posted: July 24, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

Up at daylight and down to the Rail Head for some Huevoes and Pork garnished wiht Red Eye and a big bad assed biscuit. Fortified for what I needed to do I headed back to the house and loaded up the KnotHeads.

Lucy and ruby in one side of the Taj Mahal Dog Box and figure'n it was time that the Wee Ones got a dose of the Box I herded and I do mean herded the 4 Yeller Pups into the opposite side. EVER TRY TO PUT TOOTH PASTE BACK IN THE TUBE?

Man how fast they change...I can always see a difference OVERNIGHT!

Pulled in under the big Oak Tree and opened up the back end. Out come the Big Dogs and they stand WAY BACK as they know it's time to UNLEASH the Puppies. Out they come and one at a time and I make sure to catch hold of them as soon as thier heads pop out of the Dog Box.

I'm sit'n on top of a bit of a depression and that added to the normal heigth of the 4 Wheel Drive Jimmy truck means that if they fell it would be a spill that just mihgt leave them with a negative outlook on life.

Once they hit the ground the make a run at Mom and she skidaddles off towards the water as she DON'T WANT NO PART OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

SPLASH...in she goes with Ruby right behind her. Ruby is ready to play as she is still a Puppy herself. The Wee One's stop at the edge of the water and gingerly as a group step out into the shallow water. They they do what they always do or at least at some point in time. THEY TAKE THE STEP THAT PUT'S THEM IN WATER OVER THIER HEADS...DOWN UNDER THE SURFACE OF THE WATER THEY GO...and...UP THEY POP...just like a FISH'N CORK!

Once or even before they break the surface of the water dem short powerful lil legs equipped with webbed feets are flail'n wildly about keep thier heads above water and then to start moving them along. THEY IS SWIM'N LIKE WIT DA BIG DOGS!

They now for sure have learned one of the major activities of thier lives. Well maybe they really aleady knew how to do it and really did'nt learn it...whatever it was it sure as hell is FUN to see happen.

The Big Dogs paid them no mind and swam to shorer and out they came. Off down the shoreline with the 4 lil yeller butterballs churn'n hard to keep up. Ears a'flap'n and tails held high they take a short cut into the tall thick Corn Stalks.

They pop in and out as on previous trips they discovered what fun it was to disappear into the thick maze of vegetation. YOU LIL SHITS GET OUTTA MY CORN.

This they do with no problem BUT now they are into the Pea Patch and I can't see nuth'n of'em. They come out the far end of the rows and again look'n for the Big Dogs. For the next half hour we walk around the lake discover'n new and exciting stuff. They are stick'n thier noses into everything and everywhere. They roll over eadh other...take spills ...head over heels...even though they really are as clumsy as they can be there is a certain gracefulness to ther motion as they go everywhere FULL OUT.

They let me and the Big Dogs get out a bit ahead and then all of a sudden it's like...OHMAWGOD...where's PawPaw...THERE HE IS...LET'S GO and it's hell bent for leather as they cram in around my feet look'n up at me as if to ask...DID YOU SEE ME DO THAT?

Bugs in the air...turtles break'n the water...tomatoes hang'n on the vines...ears of corn on the stalk...WHATEVER...is all fair game. Today we made our way thru the BONE PILE. The spot where over the years cattle that have went TaTa's Up have been pulled in order to decay. Lucy and Ruby each locate a prized morsel and each pup does the same. They all carry thier chew bone back to the truck and I sit on my five gallon bucket suck'n down cold water and then load up a LIP OF SKOAL.

I pull my straw hat down and lean back against the big oak tree. The puppies have now lost interest in thier bones as they simply fall asleep in the middle of whatever it was they were do'n at the time that it overtook them. For some reason they like the top of the Brush Hog and they are all laid out in different poses on that.

I never heard Granny's car as she pulls up but I do hear...PawPaw...PawPaw...it's us...LET'S GO FISH'N! That can only come from the 3 Granson's and sure nuff as I turn to look behind me they are already run'n up the hill.

The puppies also hear them and they are back up and awake as they know they are about to again have some FUN! They bound off the Brush Hog and are after the boys as they turn and run for thier lives.

I get the Fish'n Poles out of the truck and tie a Top Water Lure on each for the two skallywags. HERE...HERE...HERE PUPS...and I was call'n the Dogs and The Humans.

We TRY to fish...but it's a mess with the Wee Ones sit'n and watch'n and nip'n at our feet. They are all muddy and now we are all muddy...it will take some do'n to get all cleaned up when we get back to the house but now with the fish not co-operate'n we head for the Garden to dig up some Onions as Granny asked for them.

I dig while they try to beat one antoeher in spot'n the Onions that roll over to the top as the shovel does it's thing. The onions are large and will taste SWEET when they get cooked in the Green Beans , Cabbage and New Potatoes I know she's fix'n for lunch. We get all the Chili and Banana Peppers that's ready and finish off iwth a few Tomatoes and a couple of nice Cucumbers.

Thier Mom can't figure out why they will eat veggies at Granny and Paw Paw's house but not at thier place. LET'EM DIG THIER OWN DINNER and they will.

It's time to head back to the house and I can already smell dem Green Beans...hurry up boys we need to get thier Onions home. While get'n the puppies out of the Dog Box goes quickly GETN'EM IN is hwat takes time.

A couple are liad up and fast asleep under the Jimmy and we have to send the youngest underneath to drag them out. I stand and get thier heads in but back ot they come.

They are STRONG AS OXES and getting very good at GET'N OUT OF THE BOX. Seems they like The Farm...too bad they are all go'n out on thier own by weeks end. We just won't think of that right now.

SODA POS for everyone at THE CIRCLE C!

LIFE IS GOOD!

Prey Drive And Puppies!
posted: July 22, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

Used to be that the start of train'n a Duck Dog was put off till the pup was at least a year old. Course like in a lot of areas things have changed. In today's day and time it's becoming more and more that this all starts when the pup is but weeks old.

As one Old School Retriever Trainer always replied when asked about this subject...THESE PUPS WILL NEVER BE ANY SMARTER THAN THEY ARE RIGHT NOW!

Like us it seems that the older a dog gets the more difficult it becomes to introduce new concepts or changes in behaviors. While you can still TEACH AN OLD DOG NEW TRICKS it is also a fact that like us ...DOGS DON'T SEEM TO TAKE TO CHANGES EASILY...especially the older they get.

These pups like all the pups my Girls produce get the Super Dog Program bewteen day 3 and 16. They are continually handled and placed into situations that include adults, kids and other dogs.

It is in keeping with this early on philosphy that I try to increase, turn or or tweak the genetically supplied PREY DRIVE. That Prey Drive is nothing more than AGGRESSION but it is aggression DIRECTED AT A SPECIFIC TARGET and instead of it being other dogs or people it is THE BIRD!

At about this point in time the pup becomes visibly excited by MOVEMENTS. Items that roll , bounce or wobble are the ticket. Once a pup starts showing signs of reacting to MOVEMENT then it's time for ...THE WING ON A WIRE DEAL.

This is simply a pigeon or duck wing tied off onto the end of fishing line and pole. I got an old reel equipped rod that I use just for this activity.

I bring the pups out one at a time and cast the wing out onto the ground right in front of the pup and start to POP IT up and down...back and forth. When they react to this and give chase I keep the wing just out of thier reach. I then try to keep the wing skipping over the ground as when it is off the ground and in the air the pup will have trouble SEEING THE WING.

I let them chase it around and then LET THEM CATCH IT! I then move in and take it back. I do this very carefully and easily while all the time I am giving LOTS OF PRAISE. I want the pup to associate GOOD THINGS when it does this.

I then toss the wing out on the ground and we repeat the process. I do this two or three times and then put the pup up as I ALWAYS want to put the pup up WANTING MORE. I keep the rig handy as I will later in the day play the game with the pup.

This is all BASED ON THE PUP'S NEED TO PLAY! I have no way to MAKE THE PUP CHASE the WING and trying in most cases turns out producing negative results that can have a lasting negative effect on the pup's PREY DRIVE or DESIRE for the bird.

Another good thing about this game is that the pup will end up BITING or getting FEATHERS IN IT'S MOUTH and this is also a GOOD THING.

With time and reps we will see the level of DESIRE or PREY DRIVE rise. This undertaking simply TWEAKS THE PREY DRIVE and the pup will need a HIGH LEVEL of PREY DRIVE as it will help them through the more structured Formal Trianing where we will produce results that will give us what we need to MAKE THE PUP DO THINGS THEY DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO DO!

So early on look to provide items for the pup to PLAY WITH as they will want to play bout all thier waking hours. Try to have items that PRODUCE MOVEMENT. Run them thru a WING ON A WIRE session at least once a day and more if you have the time. Just make sure you always PUT'M UP WANTING MORE and wait long enough between sessions so you don't run the risk of BURN'N THE PUP OUT!

Soon it will be time to transfer the pup over to a small Paint Roller as this will prepare them for the transfer over to a real Training Bumper!

Also keep in mind that there is no need to limit the time the pup is PLAYING when it's on IT'S OWN TIME. Just the times it is doing something that YOU WANT IT TO DO! They are kind of like real kids in that IT'S A WHOLE DIFFERENT GIG WHEN WE TRY AND MAKE THEM DO SOMETHING THEY DON'T WANT TO DO!

Be sure to keep it ALL POSITIVE. NO SCREAMING or YELLING at the pup. NEVER CHASE AFTER THE PUP in order to get the wing out of it's mouth. Be EASY when removing the wing from the pup's mouth.

Remember ...YOU have taken the place of the pup's litter mates and it's Momma. YOU are the one it MUST BOND TO and WANT TO PLEASE.

You know why a pup jumps up on it's Mom when she walks up? Easy answer...they are looking for a sign that they are pleasing her and are trying to get her to PAY ATTENTION TO THEM. Yep...just like a real kid...they NEED TO BE NOTICED and KNOW that YOU are paying them attention. USE THIS!

I had a WIng On A Wire Session early this morning with the 4 I still got. Gotta get home and have another one. Gonna try and take them out to the Triple Nickle and GET THIER FEETS WET and who knows maybe SOMEONE WILL STEP OFF INTO DEEP WATER...FLOAT OFF THIER FEETS OFF THE BOTTOM...and...ACTUALLY SWIM!

Leave'n Da NEST....
posted: July 20, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

is always a traumatic time for parents. Whether it be thier human babies or thier DOG BABIES. For me as a tried and true GandPappy of two fine Male Child GrandSons the nest once filled by thier parent's has now at least in a quasi or PART TIME MANNER by those lil boys. Then when there's puppies around all seems right with the world as THE NEST IS TRULY rejunvenated.

Course da GrandSons will be around a lot longer than the puppies as they are here for about two months after they drop to the ground. And we are now right at that point in time...time to BE LEAVE'N DA NEST.

It's strange to after the week end to have only 4 Lil Yeller KnotHeads come run'n up to the fence line. Had 4 leave out over this last week end and for a bit I was saddened.

A Female went to a young college kid that is from Norman ...he whacks ducks ...this is his first Pick Up Dog and he PROMISES to properly train the pup. I know he's got a run out back of a regular house and he has done his home work. Already heard back from him and seems she took right to her new home and surroundings. Even SLEPT THRU THE NIGHT.

A Male went home to a farm just outside of Chickasha. His new Mammy and Pappy both WHACK DEM DUCKS and GEESE. They operate a Guide Service and he will be added to the Pick Up Artists that keep the Dead Ducks corraled. He has first class outside accomodations but I understand that he's already STAKED OUT A SPOT INSIDE THE HOUSE.

Had another Male go to an avid Duck Killa over in Ada. I delivered him personally as I met the new owner at the ball park where the oldest Grandson was play'n in da Kid Pitch State CHampionship. The dog transfer went smoother than the ball game as we lost out to Byng but walked out tote'n RUNNER UP HARDWARE! Great Season.

Sunday afternoon another Female went home with her new Mom and Dad. There are two other large dogs at the place but they are Momma's Dogs whle this lil Yeller Dog is Daddy's...DUCK DOG...as he chases dem Ducks in a very SERIOUS WAY!

I have heard back after her first night at home and she's in the process of become'n QUEEN BEE...all are happy and ON THIER WAY!

The boys came over to spend the day with Granny and PawPaw and they ran thru the house to get out to the Puppy Run. They were shocked to see that we were down to 4 ...BUT...one of those 4 is go'n home with them in about a week.

They got LuLu out and the little one started toss'n the Wing On A Wire for her. She had not really paid much attention to the rig...UNTIL TODAY! The little one has a way in get'n pup's to respond to this tried method of help'n TURN ON DAT ALL IMPORTANT PREY DRIVE. Seems when it come to PLAY'N lil kids can come closer to sell'n the whole idea.

We PUT HER UP WANT'N MORE even though Coley and the pup were REALLY get'n into this thing. Gotta get back home and get'em both back out in the yard and put the Wing On A Wire back in his hands so we can WORK ALL 4 WE GOT LEFT!

Sunday morning while I still had 6 I drove all of'em along with all 3 of the Big Dogs down to the Triple Nickle and TURNED'EM LOSE! All the little one's at least GOT THIER FEETS WET...again. Had a couple look like they were gonna take the COMPLETE PLUNGE but Ruby ran thru the middle of where they were stand'n and that was all that.

From what I see it won't be long till they step off into the deep water and COME UP SWIM'N! Once that happens they'll be on thier way to become'n STRONG SWIMMERS!

Took some Video yesterday at the Lake...hope to have it edited and up on the web site late this evening.

At the end is some footage of the pup chosen to go to Alaska and his new home with an avid Duck Whacker, Salmon Fisherman and FisherWOman who also just happen to be avid LONG DISTANCE HIKERS! Now that will take a strong dog in order to keep up with that stuff.

And I Thought I Had A Litter Of SMART PUPS....
posted: July 17, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

but after what took place late last nite now I start'n to wonder.

The HEAT continued thru yesterday afternoon but the show'n up of a Cold Front started have'n a positive effect later in the day. It brought hope of not only an overall cooling down of the temps. but also of some sorely needed MOISTURE! Course here in Oklahoma anytime you get a deal set'n up like that there is also the very real chance of some ROUGH STUFF.

The kids picked me up to head for Ada and the Winner's Bracket Finals of the O.K. Kids Coach Pitch State Championships where the Grandson's lil team was to play in the Winners Bracket Finals. The whole undertaking was gonna be an uphill if not impossible undertaking as we was pitted against the Byng Barracudas...last year's State CHampions on a quest to REPEAT. We ain't bad but I had watched this bunch play earlier in the week and they are REAL GOOD. A nuetral field would was preferable to playn'em on thier own home turf but YOU NEVER KNOW TILL YOU GO and PLAY THE GAME! So , off we went as high winds, hail and rain hit the Metro Area.

All the way to Ada we could clearly see the front but it for some reason only known to the Weather Gods the once headed straight for Ada and the ball parks storm turned and missed the whole place.

The cooling down of the heat or something worked to our advantage as we KICKED THIER BUTTS and will sit in the Championship Bracket waiting to see who wins between the only two other teams left...both have one loss. It will either be Byng or Blanchard. The good thing is that whoever it is they will have to beat us twice ...my money's on Byng as REVENGE can go a long way in carry'n a ball club...especially one that has been embarrassed or it's own field in front of a large contingent of fans.

On the way home we all stopped at Chili's and chowed down as it seems everyone had been too nervous to eat much prior to the game. That put us get'n home late or at least later than what I'm used to. There was lightening north of us and as I sat down in my Easy Recliner to take a bit of a breather IT BROKE LOOSE!

The rain came down in SHEETS and I got up to see if the pup's had the sense to get in out of the rain! I mean they had a nice big dry BARN to get into and had done so during an earlier rain storm about a week ago. NOT THIS TIME!

I could see them all lay'n in a big pile right in front of the gate to the backyard. I thought about let'n them just lie there but my concience got the best of me and I slipped on my rubber CLOGS and in my undies out I went.

Good thing there's a high stockade fence that seperates us from the neighbors view cause if anyone had looked out and got a sight of me lumbering across the yard in my skivvies and cloggers drenced in rain a conranary would not have been out of the question.

I got to the fence and they wer UP as they had heard me come'n. I pushed them back gently and walked straight for the open Barn Door. They came in a line and entered...THAT WAS EASY ...now for a retreat back to the house.

I damn near slipped and went down as I hit what had been dry red dirt but now was wet RED MUD. I got to the outter gate and deftly negotiated my way thru the run off that comes in under the fence. We are the last house on the row and everyone is HIGHER than we are so the water that falls and runs off does so RIGHT THRU OUR BACKYARD.

I was almost there and something hit me against the leg. I looked down and it was a PUP! In a line all six were hot on my trail. I decided that to spend a night out on the Patio underneath the roof with the Big Dogs was'nt gonna hurt anything so I slipped on inside and looked out.

The wee one's chose a spot and piled up in the midst of thier Mom, Granny and Auntie Ruby. No one ...not even the Big Dogs seemed like it was any kind of Big Deal. This morning early when I went to the back door they were still there in thier pile sound asleep.

The cracking of the door got'em awake and it was clear that they were READY FOR CHOW. None the worse for wear we trekked back to the Puppy Run and the Barn where I filled up the Big Bowl and IN WENT THIER HEADS not to come up till they had thier fill.

With no game today I was able to get caught up on a few things for Granny. I'm gonna spend the afternoon play'n with the pups...WING ON A WIRE and simply sit'n and petn'em.

Will deliver two more over the week end in between make'n the Championship game...DID I MENTION THAT MY GRANDSON'S 8&U COACH PITCH TEAM IS IN THE STATE TOURNAMENTS CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM...UNDEFEATED?

One By One...Dey Is Leav'n Da NEST...
posted: July 16, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

and whether it's your human kids or your canine kids that part of it all is not all that enjoyable.

A male and a Female left out yesterday. A few days shy of the Magical 49th. day but the new owner's simply did not want to wait.

The largest of the Males...the male that was a light shade of yellow was the first to go. They came for him in the middle of the hottest part of the day. He was out under the big elm lay'n in the sand pile I keep wet for the Big Dogs asleep.

When we woke the litter up none of them wanted to do anything but lay back down in the cool sand and go back to sleep. Regardless he was what they was look'n for. He went to a new home out in the country just east of Chickasha. He's got a nice run built especially for him and a pond a hundred yards out his door.

His new Daddy not only shoots a lot of ducks but he also Guides others on some of the best Duck Whack'n spots this old man has ever seen. Got to shoot a couple of them over the years and DAMN! This lil pup is go'n to a spot where he will be Trained and Utilized to the fullest. He won't be the only Dead Duck Pick Up Dog on site but hopefully he will make us all proud.

From his new Mammy's reaction he will see some IN DA HOUSE TIME!

The Female got her looks just prior to leave'n for the Grandson's ball game an hour down the road. Since the other two females are spoken for the folks that looked her over did'nt have to think too long about it. She is a BEAUTY and again no doubt will hold up her end of the deal. She will get to pick up ducks also but not on a heavy type of schedule as her new folks won't go everyday. She was picked as much as a Companion Dog as a Pick Up Dog. She was a Sweet Heart as she was always the first to come run'n when I walked into the run.

I have heard from the Male's owners this morning and everyone made it thru the night in good shape. Seems he has been settl'n in with a mimimum of CRY'N and YELP'N!

Some more will leave the nest over the week end then there will be one that I will have to drive to Dallas in order to get on an airplane and fly up to Anchorage, Alaska.

So, now what time I got left with my puppies is bitter sweet. I could simply sit there all day long and JUST WATCH'EM!

Water, Live Birds and Grow'n Up Quick!
posted: July 13, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

In about a week some of the wee one's will be leave'n the nest and make for thier new homes. Most all are go'n to dedicated Water Fowl'n homes and that to me is a blessing as they will be involved in do'n what they was bred and born to do.

The torrid Heat has put a kink in what normally goes on with a litter but no way around that as no way am I gonna risk OVERHEAT'N ONE at this juncture. Whether they be small and young or big and older one thing that can happen without you pick'n up on it is...OVERHEAT'N one of these dogs. Dogs that were made for COLD WATER and AIR TEMPS!

With Gut's help I did put the 3 Females in the truck under the A/C with thier Mammy in the back seat and travel down to the Triple Nickle. Once there we got the pup's out and us'n Lucy as a decoy we got'em to WADE ACROSS two fairly large shallow water areas. They got thier feet wet and me and Gut got the worse end of the deal as the Mud was SLICKER'N SNOT and we both ...WENT DOWN ...more than once. But in the end it was worthe the effort.

We left the water hole and made for our Pigeon Spot. We managed to snag a pair of young Sky Carp and caged'em up in the cage. We then set the cage down on the floor of the Whelp'n Barn so's we could keep a fan blow'n on the hapless pair.

The pup's as a whole showed some good initial curiosity and would approach the cage to investigate. But, with a flurry of wing flap'n they were quickly scoot'n outta there and back to a safe spot outside.

It will take a bit for them to figure out there is nuth'n bad in the cage and the wing flap'n will change from give'n them a bit of a scare to GIVE'N THEM A BIT OF A CHARGE!

Talked to Gut this morning and he was plan'n on come'n down to the house this evening late. We would then load up the Boys and head for the water hole. But, he just called and reported that the weather man is say'n it's gonna be hotter today than yesterday...so...in order to err on the side of caution...we'll just keep'em home.

This Is More Like It....
posted: July 7, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

as the wee one's are quickly turn'n into LIL HEATHENS!

The time where all they did was EAT, SLEEP and CRAP has taken on an additional past time and that is THROW'N DOWN with one's litter mates. Course this is an important part of figur'n out who is who and just where they all fit into this litter and will go a long way in producing a well balanced, adjusted and malable pup. It sure is FUN to watch.

They have pretty much been weanded of thier Mammy but when she get'n close they BUM RUSH HER and LATCH ONTO A TEET. She has to pull clear from 8 Hanger's On and that can take some do'n.

I keep a big bowl full of food in the middle of the Run and they can put down that Puppy Chow. I also stay busy keep'n the crap piles cleaned up and Fresh Water supplied. It's like have'n your own kids as babies again...just glad this only lasts weeks and not YEARS!

I gave them all thier first taste of CHEESE yesterday. A few I had to open thier mouths for'em but when that cheese hit the inside of thier mouths ...IT WAS ALL OVER! Now of course I get MOBBED when I walk into the run...as all this feed'n and stuff put's me in the MAMMY SPOT!

This is the best of times at least for me. I get to actually interact and PLAY with the pup's. They all get handled every day. Even Mrs. Urban gets in on the act and while she tries to act like an old Crabby Granny....I TOLD YOU THOSE PUPPIES WAS GONNA BE A PAIN THE ARSE...I catch her from time to time pick'n one up and carry'n it around. Her favorite is the Large Almost Pure White Female.

I opened up the gate that seperated the puppies run with a larger Turn Out type of Run and now they got the run of THE WHOLE RUN. It's almost midnight and I just walked away from the large back kitched window where I had been watch'n them RUN THE WHOLE DISTANCE available to them.

There are also some additional barriers and such for them to learn to CLIMB ON and they spend more time now awake and actually DO'N STUFF. Put'n obstacles out for them to climb over and figure out also goes a ways to turn'n out a pup that has got something go'n for it...UPSTAIRS! These guys ain't afraid to climb up ...FALL OFF ...and then get back up and TRY AGAIN!

Would like to do some ONE ON ONE STILLS but have'nt figured out how to do it by myself. Need to grab a couple of the neighborhood kids to help out?

Got the airlines information for the pup's flight that's go'n to Alaska. Looks like I'm in for a trip to Dallas/Ft. Worth to put him on the plane?

That's just fine with me as I NOW HAVE AN EXCUSE TO MAKE A TRIP OVER TO THE Dallas Cabella's...right before Early Teal Season kicks off!

More Later!

Urban

UpDate!
posted: June 30, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

Since the last report the kids have been get'n less and less TEET TIME! Lucy is try'n but she just can't stand them sharp lil puppy teeth.

I been given'em a double shot of Dry Milk laced Dry Puppy Chow. Once in the early morning hours and once in the late evening hours.

They are starting to follow me about the Run and GET UNDER MY FEETS! I stayed up till about 0100 hrs. this a.m. watch'n some stupid movie and when I got out of the Recliner I looked out towards the Puppy Run and could see 8 lil yeller tails stick'n up in the air. Seems everyone was up and engaged in a BIG SCRUM TUSSLE!

I slipped out and stood for sometime just watch'n what was go'n on. Funny how now we work so hard to make sure our kids, male and female , miss out on anything that even looks like what these pups was do'n.

By that I mean they are tossed into the middle of a large family and left to make do FOR THEMSELVES! Some end up DOMINATING the others...from top to bottom there will soon be a PECKING ORDER ESTABLISHED and each pup will know it's place in that order. This MUST take place in order that the end result will be a well balanced and mentally healthy dog...ready to make thier mark in the world.

I often wonder if in fact Mother Nature is try'n to tell us someth'n bout how to raise our kids? To me is says...don't OVER PROTECT'EM.

SplashDown came by with an Old Fart buddy of his and they liked what they seen of the litter. Get'n the thumbs up from fellow Duck Whackers and admirers of Find Duck Dogs is next to overhear'n a compliment of your own kids!

Don't seem possible that we are pretty much at the Half Way Point in the time I will have them with me. It goes so fast...but...there is still some GOOD STUFF left to do and they are headed full bore in be'n READY to take it on.

The Litter Is Now Right At ....
posted: June 26, 2009
author: UrbanDuckMan

4 weeks of age and change from DAY to DAY if not HOUR by HOUR!

They have on thier own moved out of the Whelping Barn into the large shaded outside RUN prepared for them. They have taken residence up against the Whelping Barn that is heavily shaded by a large overhanging Pecan Tree.

Last night late I checked for Puppy Teeth and OUCH...I FOUND each had a MOUTHFUL. This is a milestone of sorts and means that thier nursings provided by Mom are numbered. It is TIME FOR REAL FOOD! No way can Mom stand much of those Puppy Teeth on her Teets and will start KICKN'EM OFF!

So, this morning I turned her out and laid out a big pan of Puppy Chow soaked in Calf Replacement Dry Milk. Ever see 8 puppies EAT FROM INSIDE A BIG BOWL! It was a MESS but everyone apparently ENJOYED THEMSELVES as there were'nt nuth'n left even remotely worth LICK'N! That and the pup's was WEAR'N a bit of the food ALL OVER!

Now comes the daily efforts to keep the bowl full and fresh as they need to eat ALL THEY WANT ...WHEN THEY WANT in ordre to PUT ON DA JACK...da jack needed in order that they develop the type of healthy bones, brain and muscle in order to be able to DO THIER JOBS! That being...GO'N and GET'N THE DUCKS WE MAKE DEAD!

They will get the rest of this week and most of next week to simply grow and explore. Then we'll go down to the lake and see who WANTS TO SWIM. We will at least GET EVERYONE'S FEETS WET and unless I miss my bet in a day or two most if not all of'em will take to the water and SWIM. We just gotta make then think ...IT WAS ALL THIER IDEA!

They will also get thier faces tickled and teased with a duck feather with the goal of get'n them to BITE IT. Once they're do'n that a Pigeon Wing will get tied off onto a line and we'll play THE WHOLE LITTER CHASES THE WING ON A WIRE.

I have a source just up the road for LIVE PIGEONS and I will add a cage full inside next to the puppies so they can GET GOOD AND CLOSE but not actually GET A BITE on'em. That is until it's time to pull the flight feathers off thier wings and toss'em down on the ground.

THEN THE CHASE IS ON!

They will turn 7 weeks or 49 days of age on the 20th. of July and that is when they will start go'n home with thier new Daddy's. So , we got a lot to experience and hopefully learn in that short amount of time.

Don't look like the Live Web Cam is gonna work out in time so I will continue to put up new Movies that play continually across the front of the Home Page!