I adopted Sonny from DFW Metro Golden Retriever Rescue at the age of 10 weeks. A year and a half later he earned his Junior Hunter title, a title given for excellence in field work. This is a truly great achievement for an unwanted rescue dog who was discarded by his first owners.
     At the time Sonny came into rescue, I had just attended my first AKC Hunt Test. After seeing the test, I knew that I would love to train a Golden for competition someday. It was amazing to watch those dogs sitting at the line, waiting for their command, then running out to retrieve a duck, delivering the duck to the handler and waiting excitedly for an opportunity to do it again. This is what Goldens were bred to do.
     I was truly bitten by the field bug, but at that time I wasn’t looking for a puppy. I intended to train a Golden for the field when the time was right, or the right puppy came into rescue. Although puppies are rarely surrendered to rescue organizations, just six weeks later a 10 week old, 13 pound, Golden retriever puppy was surrendered to DFWMGRR.
     Sonny and I clicked from the very beginning. I knew that I just had to adopt this little guy. He would do anything and everything I asked of him — and still does.
     Not long after I brought him home, I started preparing Sonny for the field. The first 6 months Richard Woodmansee (DFWMGRR’s President) suggested fun puppy games to play everyday that would help strengthen his field ability. Sonny loved the games and was always eager to play. Once Sonny lost all his puppy teeth, we played fetch and hold games with plastic bumpers instead of soft toys or canvas bumpers. When he was consistent with basic commands such as here, sit and heel, we began working with Rita Robins.
     After a year of Rita’s guidance and training in water and on land, Sonny was ready for his first Junior Hunting test. I am proud to say that Sonny passed all four Junior Hunting tests on his first attempts. The overwhelming joy I felt October 5, 2003 when he received his JH (Junior Hunter) title will always be in my heart. He made me so very proud. Unlike all the other dogs who entered (with AKC papers, and long, impressive pedigrees) Sonny was a rescue dog with no known background or proven field ability in his line. All that is known is that he was once an unwanted puppy that stole my heart and is now a Junior Hunter.
     We have begun training for his WC (Working Certificate) test in the spring. I will let you know how he does in the spring.

Photos of Sonny