So What Do You Mean, There are Baby Ducks?

Warm, smoky, hazy day, and mom took me out for a walk anyways.  Thankfully it was one of my favourite spots where I can jump in the ditch and enjoy the cool water.  Actually don't tell mom, but the real reason it is one of my favourites is that I am determined I am going to catch something here.  There is a virtual Capricornia of wildlife here. My hunter instincts from my mom's dog side insists that I can do this!  So in I slip between the bulrushes and into the cool water and I start moving slowly through the water, my ears pricked, my nose quivering.. I sense something... WOW a duck! Splash! I can get it mom!  Hey this one isn't flying away, too cool.  Now for sure I can get it!  What's that?  Why the heck is mom calling me out, I am on the hunt here!  Can't you see how awesome I am?  She is mumbling something about 'baby ducks' and how there is only one reason for a momma duck not to fly away.  Like I understand what the word 'baby ducks' means.  Strange, though, because for some reason I think I have to listen to her... I think she is a little surprised that I am willing to break off the hunt and yes a few months ago, I probably wouldn't have, but the bond between us is growing, and what is important to her, is becoming important to me, even more so than my very strong hunting instincts, from the Norwegian Elkhound side of the family.

Training Tip from Jasper:  You know this one even surprised me.  The bond there is now compared to a year ago between me and my mom.  It takes time, time for the bond between dog and human to deepen and become stronger. It isn't something you can make happen. My mom takes me whenever, wherever she can and takes me for daily walks even though I live in the country and I have oodles of space to run around in and explore.   My instincts are really strong almost overwhelming at times, and amazing that the bond can grow to the point that I care more about what my mom wants, even when I am not sure why she is asking it.

Training Tip 2: You know my mom called me and then starts explaining things to me as if I understand English.  But somehow it is this talking to me as if I understand that somehow makes a difference.  She explains to me why this one time, she doesn't want me slipping back into the water.  Somehow in the time she spends explaining it all to me, it calms me, and let's me know I did the right thing even if I don't quite understand why she wanted me to do this.

Note require images, from the day.  July 2nd 2015 plus could use images from ducks from previous years.