Reading your dog’s stress signals

In response to a bit of stress from the camera, the puppy on the left yawns and squints its eyes.

Dogs can’t talk yet they constantly communicate using their body. From nature’s perspective, it can be vital. Dogs convey their moods and intentions to others in their pack to avoid conflict but also for communication and cooperation.

Turid Rugaas is a Norwegian dog trainer who called these body expressions “calming signals.” In her fascinating book, On Talking Terms with Dogs: Calming Signals, she identified more than 30 calming signals.

Many of these signals are used singly or in a combination and with both people and other dogs. While dogs understand and interpret their meaning, the signals can be misunderstood by people.

Here are some of the more frequent signals Betsy and I see.

Shake off
Dogs shake for various reasons but a shake off is done shortly after the dog has felt stress. For instance, two dogs meet and stand stiff legged, sniffing each other. Once they figure out their relationship, they turn away and shake.

It also happens when puppies are playing and it gets too rough. One puppy yelps and moves away, followed by a shake off.

We also see it during training sessions. Dogs shake off after being released from a command or after the lesson is over. It can be stressful for dogs to learn a new command but once they’re confident in the behavior, they will no longer need to do a shake off.

Yawning
This signal is easily seen when picking up tiny puppies from the whelping nest. Betsy and I had thought we simply woke them up but now we know better!

Ground sniffing and sitting
When dogs are being WHOA trained, they often feel stress and exhibit these two common signals that are extremely undesirable. Knowing the reason for that stress, we now to respond in a more suitable and helpful manner. We shorten the length of time we ask the dogs to stand and then release them before these signals are expressed. (Timing is everything!) Gradually, as the dogs gain confidence, we ask them to stand for longer and longer periods of time.

Laying down with belly against the ground
While submissive dogs often lie with belly up, dogs that lay down on their bellies are exhibiting a calming signal.

Paying attention to what your dog is communicating via body language will lead to a better relationship and will help both in the day–to-day routine and when training and hunting.

For more information on calming signals visit http://en.turid-rugaas.no/calming-signals—the-art-of-survival.html

The puppies out of Northwoods Grits

Northwoods Grits (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, 2011)

It’s one thing to breed dogs that are outstanding both in the field and in the hunting cabin at night. It’s quite another when that dog passes on those traits to a preponderance of its offspring, no matter the pairing.

So no wonder Jerry and I are extremely proud of Northwoods Grits, a seven-year-old tricolor setter male out of Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chablis, owned by our long-time client Bob Senkler.

Cade (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), owned by Jim Malecha, Minnesota

Over the past five years, Grits has sired several litters and given us time to evaluate the results. We’ve used different dams—from stellar Houston’s Belle’s Choice (2014) and grouse champion I’m Blue Gert (2014) to our own Carly Simon (2015), Nickel (2017), Bismuth (2017), Carbon (2017) and Minerva (2018).

Oslo (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), owned by Ryan Gould, Minnesota

A majority of his puppies inherit his calm, confident personality and yet also have the fire and extreme drive to find birds in the field. They do this naturally, easily and with a minimum of training. An intense desire to please is evident as is a natural inclination to point, back and retrieve.

The accompanying photos are young dogs from litters sired by Grits in 2017 litters. Similarities in posture, carriage and composure are evident as well as, in some dogs, lots of spots.

Quinny (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Bismuth, 2017), owned by Karyn Dietz, Wisconsin

Jet (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), owned by Greg Johnson, Wisconsin

Edinburgh (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon, 2017), owned by Charlie Schulz, Wisconsin

Titan (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Nickel, 2017), owned by Paul Matson, Michigan

Dixie Mae (Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Bismuth, 2017), owned by Mitch Kowalski, Montana

Two pointers that love to swim and retrieve

JTH Scion (CH Rock Acre Blackhawk x Northwoods Vixen, 2015)

I’m thinking of taking up duck hunting with pointers.
~ Jeff

Our friend/neighbor/training helper, Jeff Hintz, is a passionate bird hunter. He divides his time between the grouse woods of east central Minnesota and southern Arizona desert quail country.

CH JTH Izzie (CH Westfall’s Black Ice x Northwoods Prancer, 2011)

Jeff has always been partial to pointers and has owned many in the past, sometimes four at a time. Now he has two—female Izzie and male Scion, call name Cooper. I’m not sure there’s a more in-tune, man-and-his-dogs group than these three.

On hot summer afternoons, Jeff loads Izzie and Cooper into his pickup and drives to a local lake. With Jeff’s training, both pointers rival some of the best Labradors I’ve known.

I threw the dummy and the three young mallards just stayed put! Cooper forgot about the dummy and, when released, went for the real retrieve.
~ Jeff

Winners from 2018 spring field trials

Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2016), on right, was named Runner-Up in the National Derby Championship.

The spring field trial season is now history. Reports have come in from all over the country—from the northwest to the southeast, from wooded venues to open—about performances and winners. Whether handled from horseback or foot, whether setter or pointer, dogs from our kennel have the talent to win at the highest levels. Even though Jerry and I don’t compete anymore, it is both thrilling and humbling to see such success.

Congratulations to owners, handlers and dogs!

Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2016), owned and handled by Sean Derrig, won Runner-Up in the prestigious National Derby Championship. This is an all age, horseback stake of 90-minute braces (for derbies!). Another cool aspect about Shamrock’s placement? He was the only setter in the stake. Conducted on the Panther Creek Field Trial Grounds near Fitzpatrick, Ala., the venue offers big fields with long edges which showcase a dog with independence and desire.

RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Erin’s Skydancer), owned by John Mathys and handled by pro Doug Ray, won Runner-Up in The Masters Open Shooting Dog Championship. This is another esteemed horseback trial run on three private wild quail plantations near Albany, Ga. The grounds are classically groomed piney woods where a dog has to handle to win. Eighty-one dogs competed in one-hour braces.

The sire of both Hidden Shamrock and Prometheus is CH Ridge Creek Cody, who was co-bred by Paul Hauge and Jerry and me. Cody died in a tragic accident at a young age but has become a prominent sire of high caliber setters that can win in pointer-dominated competition.

Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), in middle, placed second in the National Bird Hunters Association Northeast Regional Derby.

Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), owned and handled by Ben McKean, won second place at the National Bird Hunters Association Northeast Regional Derby, held at the Pine Island grounds near Portage, Wis. Gordon also placed first in the Moose River Grouse Dog Club Open Derby held near Moose Junction, Wis. In both trials, the dogs were handled from foot. Pine Island consists of open fields with some mixed woodlands while the Moose Junction grounds are heavily wooded, typical grouse habitat. Gordon did extremely well especially considering he is such a young derby.

Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013), in middle, placed second in the Red Hills Field Trial.

Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013), owned by Bob Senkler and handled by Jerry, placed second in the Red Hills Field Trial held on the Osceola Plantation near Thomasville, Ga. The grounds are the quintessential bobwhite habitat of piney woods. The goal of this trial is to choose winners that are the ideal plantation horseback hunting dog. The stake is limited to one dog per handler so the 24 handlers brought their best to compete for bragging rights.

The trial is held in the spring after the winter quail hunting season so the birds present quite a challenge. Royce was perfect, though, and beautifully pointed three coveys during his 30-minute brace.

Tian Elhew Verbena (CH Elhew G Force X Northwoods Vixen, 2013) had a winning spring. This beautiful pointer won the Pacific Coast Open Shooting Dog Championship and Runner-Up in the National Chukar Open Shooting Dog Championship. Bena was produced out of our first breeding of Vixen to G Force. She is owned by Angela Schillereff and handled by husband Tim to both wins. These trials were held on the Anderson Ranch near Sunnyside, Wash. The terrain is vast and expansive with very little ground cover and the dogs can be seen for great distances.

CH Northwoods Charles (CH Ridge Creek Cody x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2013) won Runner Up in the 2018 Region 11 Amateur All Age Championship held in Reno Nev. Bridget Ledington handled Charles to this win with 31 starters. Charles is a 2X CH and 4X RU-CH for his owner Bill Owen.

Northwoods Manhattan ((Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2012), on right, placed third in the AG Preserve Field Trial.

Northwoods Manhattan (Northwoods Blue Ox x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2012) won third in the AG Preserve Field Trial held near Glenwood, Ga. He was handled by Daryl Thomas, Jr., for owner James Edenfield. This was a one-course trial held under the auspices of the National Bird Hunters Association.

Finally, the Minnesota Grouse Dog Association held a trial at the Four Brooks Wildlife Management Area north of Milaca, Minn., in mid June. Four Brooks consists of open fields mixed with small woodlots. In one of two open derby stakes, High Prairie Gypsy (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2016), owned and handled by Chad Hanson, won first place. In the same stake, Northwoods Blitzen (CH Elhew G Force X Northwoods Vixen, 2016), handled by Ben McKean for Jerry and me, placed third.

Project Upland: Jerry interviewed by Nick Larson for podcast

Nick Larson could hardly wait to get his puppy Hartley (Northwoods Grits x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2014) into the woods to check out early season grouse.

Jerry was recently featured on a podcast produced by Project Upland. Nick Larson, creator of this podcast, interviewed Jerry about training and hunting with bird dogs, as well as Jerry’s background and Northwoods Bird Dogs. (https://www.projectupland.com/bird-hunting-podcast/grouse-dogs-jerry-kolter-northwoods-bird-dogs-episode-28-project-upland-podcast/)

Project Upland (https://www.projectupland.com/) is a website and initiative dedicated to “the cultures and traditions of upland bird hunting” across the country. There are things to watch, listen to and read—and even stuff to buy.

We’ve known Nick for several years. He and his wife Lacey bought a male setter puppy out of Northwoods Grits x Houston’s Belle’s Choice from us in 2014. We’ve bumped into him occasionally since then and stayed in touch. Even though Nick has a real job, he is a passionate hunter, dog owner and outdoorsman and gives back generously to the sport.

Blue Shaquille: May 2004 – May 2018

Blue Shaquille (Houston x Blue Silk, 2004) was the best grouse dog I’ve owned. He had size, strength, power, gait, grit, composure, instinct, nose, tenacity, temperament and brains. Photo by Chris Mathan.

I’ve been fortunate to own many outstanding dogs. For most, I witnessed their first breath; with all, their last. I gave each a piece of me. But Shaq was different. When he died, it was a huge chunk.

Blue Shaquille was out of a 2004 frozen semen litter by Houston, Paul Hauge’s favorite setter, and our Blue Silk. He was the leftover pup in the litter. Betsy and I passed on him. So did Paul. In the end, without a buyer, he stayed. Luckily.

AS A YOUNG DOG

How many times does this happen? Shaq was the leftover puppy from his litter. Everyone else passed on him so Betsy and I kept him.

It didn’t take me long to see something special. His first scent point at 10 weeks of age was spectacular—exhibiting loftiness and composure that he would display on every point of his life. He knew how to use his nose and his instincts around game were incredible. But, like his sire’s line, he was slow to mature in application. Even during his first summer on the North Dakota prairie, Shaq didn’t light it up. Visitors to our camp questioned my enthusiasm for him and I could only reply, “I just like him.”

We never entered Shaq in 2005 fall trials because of that immaturity in drive and range. But after a winter training on the rolling plains of west Texas, he blossomed. Working bobwhite quail, Shaq grew from a close-working hunting dog to a hard-driving, far-ranging, focused, extraordinary bird finder. By the 2006 spring grouse trial season, Shaq was ready and won both derby and shooting dog stakes.

AS A MATURE DOG

For me, there has been no more chiseled, blocky, handsome head than Shaq’s.

Shaq was all boy—55 lbs. of strong, powerful bird dog. He had a square, chiseled head and dark, gentle eyes. He carried his sire’s traits: majestic and lofty on point and in motion, long, effortless gait, natural backing instincts and staunchness from the get-go. From Silk, he inherited stamina, focus, tenacity and a sweet disposition. He broke out easily and rarely made a mistake around game.

Above all, Shaq’s nose and brain set him apart. He could read grouse cover like few dogs I’ve witnessed and his search was relentless. When Shaq was hunting grouse, he had to be handled. He was going where the birds were and you better turn him or follow him. I learned that it was usually better to follow.

Shaq’s disposition was a 10. He was calm, confident, charismatic, poised and most of all, gentle. Shaq ruled without contact. Visitors to the kennel, invariably, ended up at his run. He leaned his body and head against the kennel wire so he could be petted and scratched. When loose, Shaq sat as close as possible, his eyes catching anyone that looked his way. He was impossible to resist.

AS A WINNER

Shaq stands tall and composed when I found him on point, deep in the grouse woods.

In the fall of his first shooting dog season, Betsy and I entered him in the 2006 Grand National Grouse Championship held in Marienville, Penn. He was just two years old but he put on a tremendous ground performance with a great grouse find, noteworthy enough for reporter John Yates to write in the American Field:

“Shaq, as he is called, has an exceptionally smooth and ground-eating stride. His powerful casts were far reaching and forward throughout and more often than not he was at the very edge of his bell… He was found standing beautifully at 31 facing a log pile at the edge of an older cut. Kolter flushed a grouse about 30 feet in front of his dog and shot and three more grouse lifted from about 10 feet in front of him. The young dog showed perfect composure in the face of the temptation.”

Harold Ray, hall of fame trainer and breeder of the well-known Smith Setters, was one of the judges. Yates wrote: “Ray said he would love to have several of the grouse dogs he saw in his horseback shooting dog string,” and that Shaq “would have great potential in any stake.”

In his short field trial career, Shaq won horseback trials on sharp-tailed grouse, liberated quail stakes and grouse trials. Unfortunately, his opportunities were few as Betsy and I transitioned our business away from competition toward training, breeding and guiding.

AS A GUIDE DOG

Shaq was famous on guided hunts at Bowen Lodge in northern Minnesota where serious grouse hunters from all over the country gather every fall.

By late fall of 2006, Shaq was already unbelievable on ruffed grouse. Among the grouse hunters at Bowen Lodge on Lake Winnibigoshish, his reputation was growing. I remember one hunt when, in addition to two gunners, two others came along just to watch.

A young boy pets Shaq after a grouse hunt in northern Minnesota.

Shaq would point any woodcock he came across but he was always searching for grouse, wherever they might be. Sometimes the finds were close but, more often, you better be ready to walk. Often, my GPS indicated point at 300 yards. I’d turn in his direction and casually say to the hunters, “Let’s go this way for a bit.” When we arrived within 100 yards, I’d say, “Shaq just went on point!”

AS A PRODUCER

Shaq was a producer, especially when bred to Houston’s Belle’s Choice, and Northwoods Chardonnay (2009) was their exceptional daughter. Not only did she inherit the talent and prepotency of her parents but she just might be the most beautiful setter Betsy and I have owned. Photo by Chris Mathan.

Betsy and I bred Shaq seven times and produced many exceptional dogs. The best nick was with Houston’s Belle’s Choice, a daughter of 2X CH/2X RU-CH Houston’s Belle, who was owned by Paul Hauge. It was a breeding we repeated three times, with unusually high litter quality. Notable males in those litters included Northwoods Jeter, Northwoods Rolls Royce, Northwoods Lager, Northwoods Creek, Northwoods Aerosmith and Prairie Lakes Royal Flush.

No sons have been bred but his daughters clearly carry on his traits. Northwoods Chardonnay was the most celebrated and produced winners and champions, no matter the sire.
• RU-CH Northwoods Nirvana (CH Houston’s Blackjack, 2011)
• Northwoods Manhattan (Northwoods Blue Ox, 2012)
• CH Northwoods Charles (CH Ridge Creek Cody, 2013)
• FC/AFC Ridge Creek Piper (CH Ridge Creek Cody, 2013)
• NSTRA CH Ludy’s Northwoods Jack Pot (CH Shadow Oak Bo, 2014)
• MN/WI Derby of the Year Northwoods Gucci (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock, 2015)
• RU-CH Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock (CH Erin’s Hidden Shamrock, 2016)

A litter sister to Chardonnay, Northwoods Chablis, was famous in her own right through her five breedings to Northwoods Blue Ox. Among many talented dogs produced, Northwoods Grits, is now a producer.

Northwoods Carly Simon, younger sister of Chardonnay and Chablis, is still producing tremendous dogs, including Northwoods Sir Gordon, Northwoods Minerva, Northwoods Carbon, Northwoods Bizmuth and Northwoods Louis Vuitton.

Shaq’s litter with Houston’s Belle produced FC/AFC Cold Creek Pearl, who in turn produced a generation of winners for owner Ian MacTavish.

When bred to Steve Snyder’s RU-CH Magic’s Climb Kaytoo, Northwoods Blackeyed Susan was produced. Susan is owned by Charles DeCasteja and trained by Tony Bly. Tony calls her a “special dog” and “a bird-finding machine.”

A final testament to his prepotency and significance is in our setter breeding program. Every setter sold today and in our kennel today has Shaq in their pedigree.

IN RETIREMENT

In 2011, Blue Silk is backed by her sons Northwoods Blue Ox (by CH Peace Dale Duke, 2007) and Blue Shaquille (by Houston, 2004).

After nine years of guided grouse hunts, Betsy and I retired Shaq in 2014. Even though it was a tough year for grouse, he pointed plenty. The following two winters he was the star of our Georgia liberated quail hunts –a walk in the park compared to grouse hunts. In late summers, he also tutored young pups in finding woodcock and backing in the cutover aspen behind the kennel.

But mostly, Shaq was my bud. During the day, he had run of the kennel and slept on a bed in the office. He pursued pets as fervently as he had ruffed grouse. He followed me everywhere and trotted happily wherever my chores took me. He always looked for an opportunity to get some attention, especially when I sat down to put on my boots.

So, how do you say goodbye to such a dog?

For me, it’s every day. It’s every day when a blocky head doesn’t appear in the kennel door window as I approach and when there’s quiet instead of tail thumping. It’s every day in the empty spot on the floor next to my chair and and in the silence when there should be comforting, deep snores.

Rest in peace, Shaq…aka Bud, Thumper, Scruffy, Scootcher, Tacker. You moved the bar to new heights.

Good piece about finishing dogs in RGS magazine

“To Break or Not To Break, That is the Question” is the intriguing title of a piece Tom Keer wrote for Ruffed Grouse Society magazine’s Spring 2018 issue.

Keer interviewed seven men with various backgrounds in training, trialing, guiding and handling bird dogs. Among them is Matt Soberg, RGS Director of Communications and editor of Ruffed Grouse Society magazine and Jerry. Included also are photographs of two English setters we bred, Northwoods Carly Simon and Northwoods Guns N’ Roses, and long-time client Jim DePolo.

Our bird dog background is wild bird field trial competition where dogs must be steady to wing and shot. Major differences exist between dogs trained for those championship-level performances and hunting dogs. For our guiding work now, we allow our dogs to release after the shot.

Keer lets Jerry explain our philosophy and some of the differences.

“As a hunting guide, I want my dogs to consistently do three things: find birds, point them right and at a distance close enough to present as good an opportunity as possible for a kill shot.

“I like dogs to be bold and savvy to follow the bird until it is pinned…I allow my dogs to reposition until they have the grouse pinned. My clientele is comprised of serious grouse hunters who spent a tremendous amount of time in the woods. I can’t think of one owner of our dogs that fully breaks his setter or pointer. My dogs all release after the shot.

“I think field trailers prefer fully broke dogs for one reason. Their dogs can’t make errors around game. What counts is the find, so birds must be pointed correctly. If the bird is pointed but flushes wild, it’s still counted as a find. But to a hunter, pointed birds that flush may be out of range and not provide a good shot. Grouse trial dogs aren’t required to retrieve dead birds, but in hunting, getting to a crippled bird fast can make the difference between finding it or not. That is where breaking at shot can give the dog an advantage.”

The best nose

Northwoods Rolls Royce (Blue Shaquille x Houston’s Belle’s Choice, 2013), owned by Bob Senkler. Photo by Chris Mathan.

A common belief about judging the strength of a bird dog’s nose is how far the birds flush in front of a point. The farther away the dog points the bird supposedly indicates better scenting ability and, conversely, pointing closer indicates a weaker nose.

I think the dog with the best nose does just the opposite.

First of all, the time-tested indicator of a dog’s nose is how many birds it finds. Period. It doesn’t matter, in this evaluation, whether the dog points far or close or simply flushes the birds.

Secondly, a dog can smell birds from far distances but not point them until well located. Many times I have watched a dog throw up its head, stiffen its tail and march 75 yards—or more—before stopping.

A good nose finds a lot of birds but the best nose finds a lot of birds and points them accurately. Further, the most accurate point is as close to the bird as possible without causing it to flush. Distance from dog to bird varies from inches to many yards depending on the species, age of the bird, habitat and time of the year. Often it’s a combination of several.

A dog must have the right genetics and development to accurately point its birds. From genetics, the dog should have boldness towards game with a keen interest to engage the bird. It should not be afraid to jump in on the birds and try to catch them. Also, the dog needs the right amount of the pointing instinct—too much point and the dog stops on the first scent it smells while not enough point and the dog won’t stop at all.

Next, development is crucial. The young dog should be allowed to find, bump and chase birds to learn how close is too close.

A dog with the best nose pays big dividends during the hunting season. Why? The shooting opportunities are better with an accurate point. Walking past the dog’s nose and having birds flush where you expect them is a tremendous advantage in killing birds.

For other posts on nose and bird finding, please visit:

https://northwoodsbirddogs.com/bird-dog-speed-and-scent-ability/

https://northwoodsbirddogs.com/bird-finding-a-few-thoughts/

https://northwoodsbirddogs.com/scenting-ability-a-few-thoughts-2/

https://northwoodsbirddogs.com/pointing-wild-birds-accuracy-of-location/

Videos from our winter training grounds

Betsy and I are fortunate to train our dogs on a premier 6,000-acre plantation in north Florida. It is managed exclusively for wild bobwhite quail which provides exceptional training opportunities.

I have been taking videos of training sessions. Here are three.

Northwoods Nirvana (CH Houston’s Blackjack x Northwoods Chardonnay, 2011) has made the transition to plantation quail dog and does a great job. Here he is with Ridge Creek Pepper, owned by Larry Brutger.

One-year-old Northwoods Aphrodite (RU-CH Erin’s Three Leaf Shamrock x Southern Grace, 2017) is a young female we are excited about. Here she displays her natural staunchness and exceptional pointing posture.

Northwoods Sir Gordon (RU-CH Erin’s Prometheus x Northwoods Carly Simon, 2016), owned by Ben McKean, is an outstanding one-year-old male that makes finding and pointing wild quail look easy.

Setter puppies in their new homes

Tark rests on the couch in the Soberg home.

Parting with puppies is always a bittersweet time for Jerry and me. Even if we’re keeping a puppy or two for development and future breeding possibilities, we usually have our favorites and want to keep them all.

But we do know that a large part of our business is breeding and selling puppies…and so we brace ourselves. And we do know that our puppy buyers will provide loving homes and ample opportunities to do what the puppies were bred to do. Too, there is just no greater satisfaction than seeing the pleasure, happiness and joy that is felt when families welcome the new puppies home.

Our heartfelt thanks to puppy buyers of our Northwoods Grits x Northwoods Carbon litter.

Charlie is a joy!
~ Jim, Pennylvania

Willow has adjusted to her new life wonderfully. She is a very happy, confident and inquisitive puppy. Again thanks so much.
~ Mike, Minnesota

Alder is a confident, active puppy. He’s adjusted nicely to his new home and fits in well with his new family. He has no problems with snow, as if he’s known it his whole life! It’s evident you and Jerry put a lot of time and heart into the early development of your puppies.
~ Cliff, Minnesota

He’s doing really well. Lot of personality!
~ Bryan, Montana

Bree is picking up everything on our walks, leaves, sticks, oyster shells, etc. The other item of note is that she is very calm and confident around new people, dogs, noises, etc. All in all we want to thank you both for this beautiful, friendly, puppy that wants to please.
~ Ed, South Carolina

Tark is doing well – fitting right in to the family. Thanks for everything.
~ Matt, Minnesota