Sunday, December 30, 2007

Retrieving is a team activity ...

Yesterday we went to the beach, and this time our 2lggd mom brought a fetch toy. I like fetching with other dogs. No dog should be expected to fetch alone ... it's most definitely a group activity. I consider myself to be the finisher ... the "anchor-Newf" as it were (any of you flyball dogs know what that means). I must say, however, Emma leaves something to be desired as a "start dog" ... I wait and wait for her to get out there, so I can follow.



Bubba's idea of retrieving is to wait as long as necessary for another dog to get on a beeline for the dummy, then follow behind, and overtake just after the other dog gets a grip on the dummy. Then he snatches the dummy from the other dog, returns with it, and (usually) drops it back into the water a few feet from shore, saying "my job is done here." We did quite a bit of retrieving, and every toss went just like this one.

I don't know if I actually will ever do water rescue work with Bubba, but whether I do or don't, life will be more fun for all three of us if I can motivate him in retrieving fundamentals, beginning with simply taking and holding.

Kathy, Bubba's 2lggd mom

2 comments:

Randi said...

Hi Cub! I love your retreiving skills! You look like you are having a fantastic time!

Love & Licks,
Randi

Princess, Tank and Isaac: The Newfs of Hazard said...

BOL! You guys are too funny!