NEWS

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 6 MONTH OLD RMR PUP "MAXX"

Marty and Lesa,

Spoke with the trainers this AM about Maxx. They're saying that he is a "loaded" dog and has FC written all over him. This is coming from pro's that have titled lots of dogs over the years.

He completed the double-tee almost perfectly and their going to get him started on the wagon-wheel lining/casting. They are also very mindful that Maxx is only six months old too!

This past Monday Maxx did a "hip-pocket setup" mark to where he had to drive past the old fall (first mark) to the second mark which was almost 400 yards out. And as the trainer said "he pinned it" and had no hesitation with the old fall. Each mark was done as singles. He is doing easy doubles also-learning the concept.

They said hopefully he'll be ready for derbies when they take their summer trip up north.

More to come....

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 5 MONTH OLD RMR PUP "RASCAL"

Marty & Lesa;

Thought I might update you on Rascal's progress. He isn't a master yet, but he sure is showing the potential of being one FINE DOG. Even if we don't go after any titles, he is sure to be a great companion and a true pleasure to hunt over.

In early November I began taking him to a place where we plant pen raised quail for dog training. I kept him attached to my belt the first 3 weeks, but let him loose to go after downed birds he'd seen fall. Now, I let him work close to me and with Ruger, and he's doing well. He's probably done 30 or 40 retrieves on his own by now, and the other guys watch him and just shake their heads. When they witness his enthusiasm, they say they are going to steal him. A downed bird will be found!!!!

We're now working on the basic discipline, like heeling, sitting, manners, etc. He's like a rock when he's waiting for me to send him out on a retrieve, and will wait however long it takes to be sent out after the dummy. I've started him on the baseball diamond concept for hand signals, and he's working at about 50 - 75 yards. I'll start on long distance in a couple of months, but a straight retrieve at 100 yds. is within his capabilities now. He's doing blind retrieves in tall grass within 60 yards or so and probably is hitting on about 75% of those without my help. It won't be long before his capabilities will exceed my abilities as a trainer, so guess a decision will need to be made regarding whether or not to let someone that knows what they are doing work with him to finish him off.

I'm not sure if this is the type of progress you expect from your line of dogs, but it sure is faster than any I've worked with in the past. At his young age, as soon as he figures out what I want from him, he just naturally does it. I know that puppies learn fast, but this seems rather remarkable. I'm sure you are proud of your dogs, so thought I'd let you know about this little Rascal.

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 11 WEEK OLD RMR PUP "SAM"

Marty,

I wanted to send you a email bragging on Sam. I could brag for hours but I will limit it to our training session day before yesterday and yesterday.

Started the session throwing a few 30 yarders (teal dummy), then threw one in the water to see what he would do and he ran straight for it and then jumped in for it with great determination. He did not get it and because the bank was a little steep for him, I had to assist him getting out, but I was pleased that he tried. I did not pick up the dummy for him but let him walk out into the water and get it. I then threw a 45 yarder that he retrieved and then threw a 51 yarder and on the way out he hit a rut in the field turning a flip but never slowed, lost focus or his line making the retrieve. I then threw 4 cross-over and the ditch was chest high muck and he paused and wined a little but successfully made all 4 retrieves. I then walked him up to small pond and had some one hold him on the other side and I called him and he swam 20 yards to me. Keep in mind, he was only 79 days old and all of this is totally self-taught.

He has been sitting and coming on the whistle for about a week now, and yesterday we were out socializing and he was playing with 2 grown Golden Retrievers, and I walked away and blew the whistle from about 30 yards away and he stopped playing and came to me.

He is an amazing dog and besides the proven bloodline he has, I truly believe the early socialization you and Lesa gave him has assisted largely with his to date progress.

Thanks,

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 14 WEEK OLD RMR PUP "SAM"

Hey Marty,

After reading this latest update on Sam's progress, I think you will understand why Sam is now doing business as Sam The Man!

Sunday (98 days old) we introduced steady to Sam by putting a 6' slip leash on him and sitting him at heel and then throwing the dummy. After hitting the end of the leash hard four times, he started to understand and began to wait until released. So we increased the difficulty of the test by throwing one in about 5" of water, and with the splash he could not resist breaking, but after hitting the end of the leash one more time he got it. Where we were working there was a swampy looking slough with limbs and logs and heavy grass, so we raised the bar even more and set him at heel with the slip leash off but draped in front of him and threw the dummy into the slough, and he did not break and charged when released with great determination through all this brush and muck executing the retrieve perfect. We threw several more all of which he executed perfect. Then he lost one, so with it turning blind, he hunted with vengeance using his nose and climbing up on a large log to help him locate it and then successfully returning to hand. All of these retrieves were about 30 yards. We needed a picture and the camera was in the truck, but we were so excited about all he was doing. we forgot about it. This was an unbelievable training day, with him making huge steps in his learning.

Tuesday (100 days old), it gets better! We began with several 75 yard retrieves with the thrower hidden and using a duck call to gets his attention. He broke on the first one but did the next three perfect. Since it was hot that afternoon, we went to this small lake at the park and did 4 or 5 retrieves in the water, requiring him to swim about 30 yards to the dummy, all of which he executed perfect. Then we did the real test, a land-water-land retrieve, across the pond to the other side about 45 yards, and he executed the retrieve perfect holding his line there and back. We threw three more all of which he did perfect.

Marty, as you know, I'm a waterfowl hunter, and I bought Sam with the plan of training me a great waterdog to hunt with, but Sam is special and a real pleasure to train and participate in his successes, so he and I are going to hit the Hunt Test circuit, both UKC and AKC, and let him take it as far as he can, and my guess is he will be a Derby Dog, too. All of this is new to me, but mine and Sam's coach Paul Breaux, is guiding us all the way.

Thanks,

Michael Enmon

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 7 1/2 MONTH OLD RMR PUP "MAXX"

Marty and Lesa,

It was VERY nice to see you two at Big D. Thanks for letting me see Maxx's sister-they look alot alike!

Went and watched Maxx train the other day. He did a perfect land double! First mark at 190 yards thrown from right-to-left into light cover but heavy background. Second mark (go-bird) was a shot flier at 90 yards left-to-right. He could not have pinned them any better than he did! At the line, he's very steady off-lead and intensely focused on the gunners.

He also did a 125 yard water mark very well. He likes to run the shore to the mark, but has greatly improved! He was handled twice on the water mark to make his line to the mark straight (not because he forgot where the mark was). When handled, he response quickly by stopping and turning squarely at you and sitting. Likewise in the water too, except for the sitting part.

One of the trainers said that in the 10 weeks Maxx has been with them, he's only missed one mark. They keep telling me that Maxx is special dog and that he's going to have a very successful FT career! He's now only 7 1/2 months old.

William

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 7 1/2 MONTH OLD RMR PUP "RASCAL"

Marty & Lesa:

Looks like Rascal is definitely a winner! He had gone about as far as I can take him with my limited ability, so we sent him to school a week ago. I know it's early, but he is doing a terrific job on long distance blind retrieves, taking direction, and staying off the "poison dummy" when sent out after the blind. Multiples are no problem for him, and he'll go out as far as necessary until I blow the whistle telling him the dummy is somewhere near, then start working the area. Really remarkable for a 7 1/2 mo. old puppy. I picked a trainer that has the same philosophy as we do of being gentle and working him at his own pace. Last evening, after only one week, we received a call from the trainer advising us that Rascal is the best dog he's ever worked with. The trainer said all he really needs is work on discipline and manners, and just putting on polish to deliveries, but I knew that. They'll begin doing very advanced retrieving and more live bird work very soon also, He said the pup has tremendous potential and said he'd like to work extensively with him to however far he can go. This particular trainer gets them ready for their hunt testing rather than field trials, but it looks like the boy really has what it takes for whatever direction we choose. I am thinking that the hunt titles are more practical for my situation. He also mentioned that 'Rascal' seems to be an appropriate name, as he's very energetic and into everything.

His personality has developed into a very friendly, affectionate young dog. He's become a real part of the family and we sure do miss him, even after only a week. Just thought I'd let you know what a great dog you've produced. I'm VERY proud of him. We'll let you know how he does in the future!!

Philip Shimerda

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 16 MONTH OLD RMR PUP "JAZMIN"

MARTY-

JAZMIN JUST COMPLETED THE NATIONAL FINALS OF THE NATIONAL UPLAND CLASSIC SERIES AT MOUNT VERNON, MO.. SHE FINISHED 4TH IN THE AMATEUR DIVISION ONLY 2 POINTS OUT OF 3RD PLACE. I LOST 20 POINTS DUE TO A LOW FLYING QUAIL THAT I SHOT HIGH ON TO MISS JAZMIN. ............ RATHER MISS THAN SHOOT THE DOG.

THE JUDGE THAT JUDGED THE AMATEUR DIVISION FOR TWO DAYS SAID THAT SHE WAS THE BEST DOG HE HAD SEEN IN THE COMPETITION.

SHE IS BACK IN ARKANSAS FOR 4 MONTHS TO WORK ON HER TITLES AND FINISH WORK.

GARY EGGLESTON

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 19 WEEK OLD RMR PUP "SAM"

Marty and Lesa,

I thought you guys might want to know that Sam pass his first two SHR Hunt Test at the Bryan College Station Hunt Test 3/31/07 and 4/1/07. Sam got all kinds of Kudos from the judges, because he executed the tests as good or better than any dog there that day and was only 19 weeks of age. One judge announced at the award ceremony that Sam was only 19 weeks and he was sure that we were going to be seeing a lot of goods things from Sam.

We are changing our direction with Sam to Field Trial, since he is showing so much promise! He interviewed a few days ago with Clint Avant, and Clint was quite impressed with Sam and is going to put Sam on his Truck and take him to Minnesota when he leaves in June. Clint is considered by many to be the best Derby trainer around and I am fortunate to live within 45 minutes of his winter training grounds, thus allowing me to go and train with him and Sam several times a week. Sam will stay with me until his permanent teeth are in and Clint is giving Sam and me homework every week.

I have not spoken with Clint yet about whether it would be ok to take Sam to the Alamo Retriever Club's Hunt Test and finish Sam's SHR Title, but I'm pretty sure he will not have a problem with it.

Sam is a great dog and has made me a good companion, and it was a tough decision to turn him over to Clint but when a dog performs as Sam has, you got to let him be all he can be!

Thanks,

Michael Enmon

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 14 WEEK OLD RMR PUP "ZOE"

Marty and Lesa

Just wanted to let you know how much we're enjoying Zoe and how excited we are with her progress. Her drive continues to compound it seems almost daily, but amazingly she is still so attentive and such a fast learner. She loves to retrieve, both land and water, always returning at close to the same speed as her retrieve to the mark. I had thought she would be a handful, but actually has rarely given me reason to to become frustrated. Still taking my time...not wanting to make mistakes. Thanks again for this opportunity, and rest assured she is a testament to your breeding operation.

Tim

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 11 MONTH OLD RMR PUP "PRINCESS"

She is just plain natural retriever with a heart full of desire and very smart to boot. She has the talent I just don't have the knowledge to put her on top where she deserves to be. I'd love to have a Pro evaluate her and consider taking her for a while. She is doing great and will get better but I feel I am holding her back from her true potential. I see very high spirits in her desire.

Funny thing: Princess must have part fish in her background. She can jump in the pond and swim for a 1/2 hr and jump right back in a few mins later. She swims round and round and sticks her head under water occasionally like she wants to dive down. We laugh at her all the time. At this time she is running multi marks and short blinds. She isn't handling good at long distance yet. Marks have no boundry. She will run as far as she can see for a mark. She is steady and doing great on water. She is doing great on hard angle entries, Channel blinds and returns in the water. She is doing in and out entires also on marks. Her lines are quite impressive for a young dog. She has lots of focus.

Robert

PS: We had a Club training day a couple weeks back and a old trainer/ HRC judge saw Princess run and asked about her pedigree. He said he has seen many pedigree but was overwhelmed by Princess's pedigree. He said he had never seen any pedigree with so many good dogs. He said Princess was an awesome pup.

EMAIL RECEIVED ABOUT 12 MONTH OLD RMR PUP "REGGAE"

Marty & Lesa,

Thought I would give you a quick update on Reggae (Ram x K.D. pup, 11/19/2006).

I took him dove hunting several times and he hunted pheasant with me in Nebraska and the Texas panhandle. After two days in Nebraska following my older dog around, he was hunting like an old pro. He quickly learned to quarter and stay in gun range plus he has a great nose and loves to hunt. Without going into too much detail, he found several downed birds that, without a doubt, would have gone to waste without him there. None of the people we hunted with (including the guides from our outfitter) could believe he was only 12-1/2 months old at the time.

After hunting season, we turned our focus to hunt tests. He passed two Started tests at the Tejas HRC test in February. Margaret handled him so it was the first time at the line for both of them and they both did great. More recently, I took back the reins as he passed two Seasoned tests at the Alamo HRC test in Mountain Home. We couldn’t have asked for a better place for him to earn his Hunting Retriever title just one day shy of 18 months old.

We’re continuing to train hard (as much as the Houston heat will allow) and are planning to run Senior and possibly Finished level tests in the fall. I’ve attached a picture from the Alamo HRC test so you can see how much he’s grown. Unfortunately, it doesn’t do justice to the terrific physical shape he is in. It’s almost impossible to wear this dog out. All this and he’s the best looking dog around too.

Thanks for giving us exactly what we were looking for in a dog!

Chris Wise