July, 2006

Ron & Marge,
Thank you again so much for blessing our family with such a wonderful new companion. The kids all give him love 24/7. He stayed on my lap almost all the way home, then I let him sleep with me that night. Now he longs for my company and attention. Yesterday I was out working on the underside of my lawn mower while he was tethered about 6 feet away. He was not happy until he could be right next to me, so I moved him a bit closer. It's a bit of a pain when you want to get something done, but I really believe in the importance of the bonding period with a hunting dog. Last night he got to sleep with Austin. Austin and I will be working together to finish Gus's training so it will be good for Gus to be close to both of us.
I can see very clearly that Gus is going to be a fine dog. He definately has the true setter personality. Gus doesn't wine much, but he sure talks; much like the other setters I have owned. I love their personalities and their loyalty. Gus is full of puppy spirit and loves to play. Cathaleen and I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

Kenny J.

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November, 2006       Pictured right: Kenny & Austin Johansen with Gus

Ron & Marge,
It's been a while since we've talked so I thought I would send you an update to let you know how things are going with Gus. Life has been really busy with the buying of the new house and my job sending me out of town now and then, but I have done my best at staying on top of Gus' training. Getting gus on birds is really important at this stage in his learning.
If you haven't guessed by now, you will know after reading this that I enjoy writing short stories, especially when they involve great memorable moments in my life.
Here's what I see in Gus so far: Gus has a good head on him, meaning not too strong of a will. He does not venture too far and constantly checks to see where I am at times. I mentioned to you early on that I was not in favor of shock collars, so I have worked him with the whistle. He responds well to the whistle. He knows who is in charge and minds well for his age. At one point this year he started chasing a fly-bye rooster. At about 50 yards out, I gave two good blasts on the whistle and he broke chase immediately and returned to me. Not many dogs will do that. I am truly impressed with Gus's personality. For as young as he is, he has performed beyond my expectations of him.
Our first time out with Gus at five months old was in September for the junior only weekend. It was a good opportunity for me to work with Gus and coach my son at the same time. We were in the field for about 30 minutes and Gus's level of excitedment increased dramatically. I could tell he had a scent. He was actively running in and out of the brush trying to find what he could smell. The wind was in our favor and as I stood back observing, I noticed upwind from us at about 40 yards away, two pheasants on the edge of the field. Gus moved up on them, Austin was in perfect range when Gus locked onto the two birds. They both did exactly what they were supposed to do at that point. Good fun overall and some good practice for both boys, but the weather was warm and barley tall. Gus being only five months old got tired after only an hour and a half and home we went.
Our next trip out was Sunday, November 19th. By this time in the season, we had almost two weeks of nothing but rain, so the barley was down, but the fields were also flooded. A lot of water makes it challenging for any birddog no matter how experienced. The only birds we saw were flushed by other hunters and were on high speed passes as they came by; too much of a challenge for my young shooter. We knew the only way we were going to get a good shot was if we could get Gus in the blackberries. This proved difficult because there was so much pressure on the birds, none of them were holding enough for Gus to catch their scent. Overall the day was still a good training session for Gus and a lesson in patience for Austin.
The next hunt was Thanksgiving morning. The weather was better, but the fields still in the same condition. Although the day was worse than the last trip because there seemed to be three times as many hunters. We stuck with it, but never got a shot off that day. For me, that was not the concern. As I had explained to my bride earlier that week, I could care less if I bring home a pheasant; the important part was to get Gus on some birds and get him conditioned to understand why we make these trips to the field.
The season was nearing an end and Austin and I were both a bit down, but we didn't let it get to us. We pushed forward with the aim to get Gus on some birds. It was the Thanksgiving long weekend and more opportunity to hunt. We spent Friday and Saturday with the family and were back out on Sunday. This day would turn out to be the day of reckoning. Fifteen minutes before shooting time, I was joking with my bride on the phone about limiting out and coming home early. The signs were all in our favor, and so it began.
Eight o'clock came and off we went. Austin was in the field and I was next to the blackberries on the left. Gus was working back and forth between us. As we pushed forward Gus was catching a scent. His actions became more intense and into the blackberries he went. Seconds later, out comes a big rooster, right into my zone and with an action like an old gunslinger, one shot was fired and the bird was down right in front of me. Gus was there immediately, but still being a pup he played with the bird as he retrieved it only half the way. Still we praised for all he did right.
Luck was with us! Only ten minutes into the hunt with one rooster in the bag and a fine Llewellin setter anxious to perform. I switched places with Austin and let him work along the brush. Gus is still working intensely between us, in and out of the brush. Again he's looking for the location of the scent he smells. He darts in the brush then back out, making a circle between Austin and I. Austin shouts "I got another rooster Dad!" "It's on the other side of the ditch!" The bird catches on and starts to run. Austin shoots. The bird stumbles, but continues to run it's wing shot and not taking to flight. This is where Gus will earn his keep if we can get him in the chase.
Gus had not yet seen the running bird. I got him to heel up and led him to where we last saw the rooster. It had taken cover in a clump of barely and not come out yet. I put Gus out ahead of us and encouraged him to find the bird. He caught the scent and ran to the clump of barley! Out came the rooster and chase was on! This is it! This is exactly what Gus needed; a good chase. Gus ran the bird down until it gave up, crouching in the field with Gus's muzzle only inches away. The chase was done. "Austin" I said, "There's your bird, go put your foot on it." So he did, and Gus received his praises once again.
There was so much excitement in such a short period of time, but it was the magic we needed. It was as if a switch inside of Gus was suddenly turned from the off to the on position. He got it! He received the understanding that drives a dog to work the brush. The rest of the hunt was like hunting with a different dog. As we hunted the remainder of our favorite field, Gus was in the brush and in the field. It was like we had three dogs instead of one. He was everywhere and his focus had changed. He was no longer running and playing like a pup in the field with his master, he was combing the field, tracking where he could and looking for every opportunity to enter the blackberries. We got our limit!
As we turned and headed back to our vehicle, we laughed and smiled all the way. With unloaded guns and feelings of satisfaction, we watched with great joy as Gus worked the blackberries all the way back. He was transformed that day from a mere pup to the start of what will be the Johansen family's next great hunting machine. It was a day Austin and I will share stories about for a lifetime. The day Gus took the first big step in his hunting legacy and we limited out in record time. It was 10 years ago when I hunted with my first Llewellin Setter. Though I've hunted with other breeds, I'll never change. The Llewellins carry with them hundreds of years of breeding excellence and instincts beyond compare. Combined with their physical traits, and their personalities, they're hard to beat. They are not just a dog in the field they are a partner and a friend.
A lesson for Gus becomes a lesson to share with all. Though much training can be done at home, it takes a real hunt to draw in a dogs focus and desire to perform for his partner. Treat your dog with love and praise while in the field and he or she will perform for you until they are no longer able.

Happy Huntings
Kenny J.