THE PUPPY STAGE AND FIRST HUNT

5 months old

The first few weeks of owning a puppy are great.  during this time you and your puppy get to know each other and you bond to each other.  Sage and I had a great time.  I purchased all the puppy gear and even began raising pigeons.  I read books and watched training videos that I borrowed from  friends and began the journey of training my first hunting dog.  The first thing I learned was that this pup was amazing.  She had all the bird dog instinct built into her.  I had to work on obedience but the hunting part came built in.  My neighbors who did not have any pointing dog experience were amazed at this little puppy pointing pigeons and pheasant wings etc.  What great fun!

That fall at 6 months I took her on her first real bird hunt.  Blue grouse hunting in central Utah.  I was determined to make the first year of hunting fun for her and not do a lot of disciplining.  We had a great time, we brought back 9 birds and Sage had a blast.  We also went Chucker hunting  and had lots of fun.

Sage first grouse hunt

sage first wild chucker  Good girl 6 months

The next big event we had was one of the most fun times I have ever had in my life.  The pheasant hunt.  Opening day has always been one of my most favorite days.  My brother and hunting pal Brett and I and my son Michael and Our dogs Sage, My other shorthair Callie and my brother's dog Hazel headed to a place we thought had lots of potential.  Early that morning my brother and his dog got into some birds and got himself two nice roosters.  Me and my dogs did not have the same success, in fact Sage had managed to find an electric fence and thought it was me who was shocking her.  Later that day Sage found a farmers pet duck and to keep her from catching it I had to shock her more than I had done before to keep the duck from getting caught. The day ended with Sage next to me not sure if she wanted to leave my side for fear she would be shocked again.
Monday two days later we gave it another chance and this is the day Sage figured it out.  We found another hunting spot and tried it out.  I was so excited to have Sage get on her first wild pheasants.  What a feeling it is to see your young pup wind a bird, stock it and point it to perfection and then go and retrieve it!  Sage pointed 5 wild rosters that day and we both came home in seventh heaven.
Sage was everything I had hopped for and more in a hunting companion.  I have been amazed at the natural ability of this dog, every thing seems so unforced and easy for her and she made me look good.

8 months old and awesome!




5th roster  of the day and a retreive for Sage at 8 months old!