Paul T Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Well, I decided to venture out on the 1st, even though I've never been successful on this date previously! I took my young cocker with me for a bit of experience. She's a good swimmer and not scared of water at all, so I thought if I do get lucky with a duck I'll try and get it so it's close to the bank as a first water retrieve. I'd been out about 45mins, had a natter with a couple of other guys from my club and settled down into a hollow in the vegetation. Shortly, a single mallard decided to drop in to the river about 30yds to the left. Great, I thought that's perfect and as she put the paddles down I let off a shell. I watched her drop, but unfortunately she wasn't killed outright and she had a couple of flaps taking her two thirds of the way across the river. I had no choice but to stop her and let another shell off. She was still, but a long way out and drifting downstream. I looked at the cocker and she was desperate to go for the retrieve so I signalled and she threw herself in the water. Well, the thrill of a freshly downed bird certainly gave her extra confidence and she judged the drift perfectly meeting the bird perfectly on the diagonal. She grasped it and turned home like a little motorboat, bless her! It was a lot further than I had really wanted for her first, but she did superbly well. On reaching the bank it was a 3' near vertical muddy slope and she did let go of the bird to get a better hold, so she could make the jump up. A couple of seconds later and she was sat at my feet making a lovely presentation, wagging furiously. I decided I could stop out all night, but nothing was going to top that, so I headed home a very happy bloke with a very bouncy and excited cocker. She was very proud of her achievement, as am I. So, 'firsts' all round; a first bird on the 1st for me and a first water retrieve for the cocker. Don't think the missus is to impressed with the state of the kitchen floor when we got back though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge hunter Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Well done mate, on your day of firsts. And a cracking report. You just got to love a cockers enthusiasm for every thing you put in front of them. Someone should really tell them tho that there only little dogs lol. I cannot wait to get my little cocker bitch out for our first ever fowling trip on Sunday. Hope she gets the opportunity to get a first retrieve on duck. Cheers hh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pigeonblasterian Posted September 1, 2014 Report Share Posted September 1, 2014 Well done and pleased your cocker did you proud. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Well done, nice looking dog. My cocker loves wildfowling. Figgy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tex2 Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 you got one ,well done paul & cocker. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fal Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 Well done both! Excellent, it's great to see your hard work during training your dog coming off! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Perazzisc3 Posted September 2, 2014 Report Share Posted September 2, 2014 We'll done nice one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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