Monthly Archives: November 2016

At one day over 8 mo. old, Voodoo earned his Senior level Barn Hunt title with no NQs!  And he then went on to get his first 2 Master legs on Sunday!  The next trial I had planned to attend was the one I’d be Judging in February, but when I found out there was still some openings, I couldn’t resist trying for his Master title this weekend.  So I entered at Muncie for Friday and Sunday (Saturday was full). He needs 5 Master legs total and already has 2, so he has 4 tries to get the 3 legs needed.  Master level is really hard and back to back Qs is not the usual result, so I’m not holding my breath. But it would be really cool if he can get it at 8 mo. old!

Video of his Senior runs: https://vimeo.com/193405723

Video of his Master runs: https://vimeo.com/193410462

Other News:

The day before he turned 8 mo. old,  I measured him at 22 5/8th, so just over 22.5″ tall! So only 1 inch shorter than Dazzle now!

Once again this puppy blows my mind!! I’m almost embarrassed to say this is only his SECOND nosework training session with me! The breeder introduced the litter to Birch oil odor before their eyes opened and a couple weeks ago I did ONE “intro to odor” session in which I paired the odor tin in a box with treats that were put into the box through another hole. The other day I was cleaning up in the training area and decided to try some nosework hides for him. Granted, he has had several Barn Hunt sessions, so he knows how to follow a whiff of odor to source, but he did incredible!

We haven’t been doing much except working on stuff Voodoo already knows. But I did get out today to enjoy the last of the warm weather before the bottom drops out tomorrow. I got some action shots of Voodoo and a few of Dazzle as well.

Stride for stride

Both racing for the Jolly ball

Dazzle won this race

Flat out in the field

How does he not trip over his feet?

He loves to retrieve

Profile shot at almost 8 mo. old

Profile shot at almost 8 mo. old

Front view at almost 8 mo. old

Cell phone photos:

Happy and shiny and soaking up the sun

Dazzle being a “hall troll”. He lays like this so Voodoo can’t get past

2 bones are better than one

Voodoo and Dazzle continue to get along wonderfully, but they are both bed hogs!

Voodoo was 43.6 lbs at his last vet visit (Nov 9th)

Voodoo loves the GoDogGo machine 🙂 Today I introduced him to the GoDogGo ball thrower. At first, he was just chasing Dazzle (who is obsessed with it). But then I put Dazzle in the house and Voodoo realized the machine was throwing the ball!! Next I’ll teach him to drop the ball into the top bucket.

Video: https://vimeo.com/191224436

Here is a short clip of a game Voodoo and Dazzle play. It’s the first part, before it turns into a game of tug.  They drag each other around the house and yard by whatever toy they have. No destination in particular, just taking turns leading the other around 🙂

Video: https://vimeo.com/191225040

Voodoo earned his Open level Barn Hunt title this weekend in 3 runs! He also got one Q toward his Senior title! I couldn’t accept placement ribbons because I was the Judge for the event, but he would have had 2 first place and 2 second place ribbons. He is really getting into the game! I’m so proud of him and how he’s doing!

Videos:

His 3 Open level runs: https://vimeo.com/190485085

His first official Senior level run: https://vimeo.com/190487834

I have been remiss about posting on Voodoo’s blog and have mostly been posting on his facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1624424201217618/

But here is most of what I have posted over there recently:

The “fruits of all our labor” so far. Voodoo’s intelligence, stability and energy has made the training such a pleasure! Many thanks to his breeder Erin Lynes and her wonderful Eromit Labrador breeding program! Eight titles in one month in six different sports/activities, with very good scores! All listed on this page

Voodoo’s 2nd Senior level barn hunt practice. I think he likes this game 🙂 https://vimeo.com/189216111 I should have gotten video of his first run. He was even more crazy! He was struggling on this hunt. They were not easy hides and we ran out of time but he stayed with it and was so happy when he found the rats! Senior has 4 rat tubes, 3 tubes with just dirty bedding and 1 completely empty tube on the course. I love seeing him having so much fun!

Some photos and a video from our recent Field Practice (retrieving ducks) Video: https://vimeo.com/189399575

Voodoo is now seven months old – 22″ tall and 40 lbs. This photo was taken at the park on Oct 31st. (Dazzle is 23.63 tall, so he is catching up!)

The other night I had fish for dinner. I got a lemon wedge with it and I don’t use lemon. So I held it out for Voodoo to sniff/lick just to see what reaction he would have to it. But he didn’t sniff or lick it- he GULPED it right out of my fingers and immediately swallowed it- rind and all! I don’t think he even tasted it because he never made a face and was begging for more. Crazy Labrador!

Voodoo had a meltdown today because Dazzle wouldn’t play with him and was ignoring him. I usually stop this sort of thing because it creates conflict stress in Dazzle (he wants to “handle it” himself, but knows I’ll get mad if he goes after Voodoo). But I wanted to see how long it would go on. Answer: too long! 🙂 Even my husband came in to see what was happening. https://vimeo.com/189401840 I added some captions to keep it interesting. Watch for Dazzle’s “eye roll”.

Voodoo is almost as fast as Dazzle now! This is a very short clip: https://vimeo.com/189400687

And finally, my post from today:

I think Voodoo has entered his teen stage, where all previous training is forgotten 🙂 I went to the petstore to get more dog food and he was a wild man, totally out of control! Impaled the employee (who walked over to see if we needed help) with his front feet as he jumped on her, was lunging at the end of the leash in every direction, and he climbed on a customer that passed by us closely. SO glad this is just a phase and that it will pass! Just hope it passes quickly!