Another week gone by - doesn't time fly when you're having fun.
My friend Sandy is on holiday this week so I've mostly been walking on my own. On Saturday morning as we set off, we met Fiona who has a lovely golden cocker spaniel girl called Hetty. Fiona was going to the shops and taking Hetty with her. When Hetty saw we were going for a walk she wanted to come with us and wouldn't get in the car. Wendy said we'd take her with us so I had a new lady friend for that walk. Hetty was a bit fussy for me - she doesn't like getting wet and muddy something I excel in.
Because school wasn't good last week, this week Wendy and I played truant and didn't go. Wendy and Richard are going to check another training school out tomorrow night but they're not taking me. They think it would be good to watch some sessions at other training clubs before deciding on where to send me.
Little Nanny came up yesterday and the four of us went for a nice walk up in the woods. It was lovely weather this weekend although the ground is still quite muddy. Because the weather was a bit better, Wendy and Richard spent some time in the back garden at the weekend - that was good for me as I got lots of 'bonus play' because they kept throwing a tennis ball for me. I had a few mental setter moments this weekend too - that's when I just go mad and run around a lot.
Wendy and Richard say I'm a lovely dog and can't believe how much I've changed since they originally got me less than 3 months ago. I've put on a bit of weight and filled out but there's not an ounce of fat on me - I'm just a muscly boy from all the running and jumping I do.
I'm really good at commands in the house now - sit, down, stand, come, stay, wait - I can do them all. It's a bit of a different story outside - there's so much more to distract me!!!
Still have a tendency to want to chase cars which I need to grow out of. I also don't like getting in the car still but did have 2 short trips in the car last week without being sick so that's a bit of progress.
Monday 28 January 2008
Monday 21 January 2008
Raindrops keep falling on me Jed
Well it continues to rain, I continue to get muddy and Wendy dispairs of every being able to keep the kitchen floor clean. I'm finding this wet weather very tiring as is Richard. Check out this snap Wendy took on Sunday - I opened my eyes just at the wrong moment so there's a bit of flashback but don't the 2 of us look sweet? I'm still getting lots of nice walks despite the rain. This week in the woods I bought Richard a present - a nice, maggot ridden deer head complete with antlers. Now obviously I didn't kill the deer myself but you'd have thought Richard would have been a bit more grateful!!!
Went to school on Saturday but it really wasn't very good. The class was far too big and the field very muddy and it was raining. I got very bored waiting around for my turn and the lady instructor gives little/no help or advice. Wendy was also not happy so is going to arrange for me to go to a new school - we have 2 to choose from but Wendy and Richard are going to observe some classes first. First thought Wendy and Richard are going to get me some help from the TTouch people at Tilley Farm as I'm still really sick in the car and don't like getting in at all. http://www.tilleyfarm.co.uk/
When we got back from school on Saturday, Wendy took me for a walk (Richard was at a band practice) and then when we came back we both had a hot shower. Because it was so horrid outside, this time I was allowed to have a shower in the bath itself - boy was I muddy and did I make a mess of the bathroom!!!
2 days later and I'm muddy again - hey ho!
Monday 14 January 2008
Water, Water Everywhere
Well what a wet horrid week it's been.
Wendy & Richard went to take me to owner school on Saturday and we couldn't go through Swineford because the road was blocked by the river Avon overflowing!!!
The journey there and back is 40 minutes when we can't go through Swineford so I was late for school.
It was a bit of a rush and I was a bit unsettled when I got into the class. I'd been promoted from the group I was in last week and the dogs in the new group were bigger. Because I hadn't had a chance to sniff the dogs before the class, when it came to the walking to 'heel' bit of the class I was a bit too interested in the other dogs.
I did very well on the 'sit', 'down', 'stand' work this week although I still won't do 'down' just on the voice command - only when Wendy actually bends down and tempts me with a treat. Well come on - what do they expect - would you lie on muddy wet grass without some kind of incentive?
I was good on the 'stay' this week and stayed put while Wendy walked around the square and came back to me.
I was OK on the 'wait' when Wendy walked to the other side of the square but not so good on the recall. Wendy called me and the trainer needed to give me a bit of a nudge to make me move.
The journey home seemed very long and I really don't like the car. I was very sick and was foaming/salivating at the mouth when we eventually arrived back.
The vet said I have to keep going on short journeys and also have some time sitting in the car without going anywhere. He thinks I'm stressed rather than motion sick. I have to get used to the car as we're going on something called a holiday in 2 months and that's a long way away.
Walked down to Swineford with Wendy, Richard and Sandy the dog from next door on Saturday. The field we normally play Aerobie Ring in wasn't even there any more - the river had overflowed and it was a lake!! Had a good run in another field and met a nice man with a pointer. The pointer and I had a great run chasing each other all over the field - could have done that all day. Sandy's a nice chap but he's still overweight and older than me so is a bit slower.
My new Aerobie Rings arrived from America last week and boy do they fly!!! I'd chewed the last one so it didn't fly very far but the new ones go for hundreds of yards. I'm not entirely great at bringing them back yet - I enjoy the chase far more but Richard's getting lots of exercise picking them up.
Anyway - I think that's about it for now. I'm a bit muddy so need to look all forlorn and unloved (best abandoned rescue dog look) and maybe Wendy will take pity on me and give me a nice brush - she falls for it every time!!!
Wendy & Richard went to take me to owner school on Saturday and we couldn't go through Swineford because the road was blocked by the river Avon overflowing!!!
The journey there and back is 40 minutes when we can't go through Swineford so I was late for school.
It was a bit of a rush and I was a bit unsettled when I got into the class. I'd been promoted from the group I was in last week and the dogs in the new group were bigger. Because I hadn't had a chance to sniff the dogs before the class, when it came to the walking to 'heel' bit of the class I was a bit too interested in the other dogs.
I did very well on the 'sit', 'down', 'stand' work this week although I still won't do 'down' just on the voice command - only when Wendy actually bends down and tempts me with a treat. Well come on - what do they expect - would you lie on muddy wet grass without some kind of incentive?
I was good on the 'stay' this week and stayed put while Wendy walked around the square and came back to me.
I was OK on the 'wait' when Wendy walked to the other side of the square but not so good on the recall. Wendy called me and the trainer needed to give me a bit of a nudge to make me move.
The journey home seemed very long and I really don't like the car. I was very sick and was foaming/salivating at the mouth when we eventually arrived back.
The vet said I have to keep going on short journeys and also have some time sitting in the car without going anywhere. He thinks I'm stressed rather than motion sick. I have to get used to the car as we're going on something called a holiday in 2 months and that's a long way away.
Walked down to Swineford with Wendy, Richard and Sandy the dog from next door on Saturday. The field we normally play Aerobie Ring in wasn't even there any more - the river had overflowed and it was a lake!! Had a good run in another field and met a nice man with a pointer. The pointer and I had a great run chasing each other all over the field - could have done that all day. Sandy's a nice chap but he's still overweight and older than me so is a bit slower.
My new Aerobie Rings arrived from America last week and boy do they fly!!! I'd chewed the last one so it didn't fly very far but the new ones go for hundreds of yards. I'm not entirely great at bringing them back yet - I enjoy the chase far more but Richard's getting lots of exercise picking them up.
Anyway - I think that's about it for now. I'm a bit muddy so need to look all forlorn and unloved (best abandoned rescue dog look) and maybe Wendy will take pity on me and give me a nice brush - she falls for it every time!!!
Saturday 5 January 2008
First Day at School
What an exciting day I've had. Wendy took me for a short walk this morning then at lunchtime Wendy & Richard put me in the car and took me to the vets. I'm still not very good at travelling and was sick in my dog bag again.
Anyway, when we got to the vets, instead of going in we went to the field behind. There were lots of other dogs and I discovered I was going to 'Owner School'. Wendy and I were put into the middle of 3 classes. The first thing I did was teach Wendy to say 'sit', when she said that I sat down and trained her to feed me a treat.
Then I trained her to say 'heel' while I walked very close to her left hand side. The trainer made Wendy stop every now and then and I had to sit every time she stopped without her saying anything.
We did some weaving in and out of other owners and dogs. Some of those dogs got sooooo excited but I'm used to other dogs so walked without taking any notice.
Then we did some 'stay' - basically this involved me sitting down and training my owner to walk round a big circle of other owners and dogs and come back to me. Wendy was quite good at this but a bit slow so while I sat at the beginning, I got a bit bored and went to meet her a few times.
Finally we did some recall. That involved me sitting (again) while Wendy walked away having told me to 'wait'. I was very good and stayed put. Wendy then called me with a treat in her hand and I started to run to her but then there was a really interesting smell in the grass so I got a bit sidetracked. I think I probably failed that test and need to do a bit more work.
Wendy and I have homework to do before next week. We need to concentrate on 'down' and 'heel'.
We were so good that we're being moved into the top class of the 12.45 group next week. Once we're good at that we can move to a different time.
After class we went down to the river and I had a good walk and run. Very tired now so will have my tea and then a long nap.
Anyway, when we got to the vets, instead of going in we went to the field behind. There were lots of other dogs and I discovered I was going to 'Owner School'. Wendy and I were put into the middle of 3 classes. The first thing I did was teach Wendy to say 'sit', when she said that I sat down and trained her to feed me a treat.
Then I trained her to say 'heel' while I walked very close to her left hand side. The trainer made Wendy stop every now and then and I had to sit every time she stopped without her saying anything.
We did some weaving in and out of other owners and dogs. Some of those dogs got sooooo excited but I'm used to other dogs so walked without taking any notice.
Then we did some 'stay' - basically this involved me sitting down and training my owner to walk round a big circle of other owners and dogs and come back to me. Wendy was quite good at this but a bit slow so while I sat at the beginning, I got a bit bored and went to meet her a few times.
Finally we did some recall. That involved me sitting (again) while Wendy walked away having told me to 'wait'. I was very good and stayed put. Wendy then called me with a treat in her hand and I started to run to her but then there was a really interesting smell in the grass so I got a bit sidetracked. I think I probably failed that test and need to do a bit more work.
Wendy and I have homework to do before next week. We need to concentrate on 'down' and 'heel'.
We were so good that we're being moved into the top class of the 12.45 group next week. Once we're good at that we can move to a different time.
After class we went down to the river and I had a good walk and run. Very tired now so will have my tea and then a long nap.
Thursday 3 January 2008
New Years Resolutions
Well - here's the shot you've all been waiting for. Biggles and I have made a new years resolution to try and get on with each other better.Am I earning brownie points or what?
Wednesday 2 January 2008
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
Well - apologies to my regular readers as yet again it's been a while since I wrote.
Wendy's been off work for 11 days for something called 'Christmas'. I have decided I like 'Christmas'. 'Christmas' seems to be comprised of:
- Lots of walks with both owners
- Visitors who want to play with dogs
- A big roast bird called a Turkey which tastes very nice
- Presents and toys for dogs
- Afternoons watching television and sleeping off morning walks and treats
Unfortunately 'Christmas' also seems to be a time for humans to catch something called a 'cold' - it's not like catching a rabbit - the only thing that runs is the human's noses. Wendy and Richard both caught colds for 'Christmas' - they say it's not very nice.
I have had lots of presents including:
- The Dastardly Book for Dogs which is full of good tips like how to escape from the garden and what's good to chew
- A whole bag of tennis balls (I go through them quite quickly)
- A tennis ball launcher - the ball now goes much further
- A chewy ring for fetching or playing tug with
As a dog it's good to hang out around peoples feet at 'Christmas'. People aren't allowed to feed me treats or tidbits whilst they're eating. There is however no rule about me being quick off the mark should they drop something. Wendy and Richard say they're going to rename me Jed Grrr Hoover (apparently after someone famous).
I had to go to the vets during 'Christmas' for a kennel cough vaccination so I can start school on Saturday. The nasty man at the vets stuffed something up my nose!
Have had some nice walks in some new locations. I am a bit sick in the car at the moment (I don't know what the fuss is about because I clean it up myself - I think it tastes better second time around). The vet says I need to go on more journeys to get used to it so Wendy and Richard have been taking me for short journeys. I wasn't sick yesterday.
Richard lost me the other day because I ran after a man on a mountain bike. Well he came past us so quickly I had to chase him. Luckily he rode the bike back past our house and when I got that far I decided to give up. Nobody was home though so I went next door to call for my new friend Sandy.
Sandy and I have become firm friends - he's a rescue dog like me only a bit older and fatter. Richard is going to get him slim and fitter by taking him out on walks with me. We've had several walks together now and it's lots of fun. I go round and call for him and he has also taking to escaping and coming to find me.
Wendy has today gone back to the human kennels that she calls 'work'. She says she has to go to the kennels so that she can pay for my food and schooling. It looks like 'Christmas' is over and I have to wait a whole year for another one.
Oh - I wish it could be Christmas every day.
Wendy's been off work for 11 days for something called 'Christmas'. I have decided I like 'Christmas'. 'Christmas' seems to be comprised of:
- Lots of walks with both owners
- Visitors who want to play with dogs
- A big roast bird called a Turkey which tastes very nice
- Presents and toys for dogs
- Afternoons watching television and sleeping off morning walks and treats
Unfortunately 'Christmas' also seems to be a time for humans to catch something called a 'cold' - it's not like catching a rabbit - the only thing that runs is the human's noses. Wendy and Richard both caught colds for 'Christmas' - they say it's not very nice.
I have had lots of presents including:
- The Dastardly Book for Dogs which is full of good tips like how to escape from the garden and what's good to chew
- A whole bag of tennis balls (I go through them quite quickly)
- A tennis ball launcher - the ball now goes much further
- A chewy ring for fetching or playing tug with
As a dog it's good to hang out around peoples feet at 'Christmas'. People aren't allowed to feed me treats or tidbits whilst they're eating. There is however no rule about me being quick off the mark should they drop something. Wendy and Richard say they're going to rename me Jed Grrr Hoover (apparently after someone famous).
I had to go to the vets during 'Christmas' for a kennel cough vaccination so I can start school on Saturday. The nasty man at the vets stuffed something up my nose!
Have had some nice walks in some new locations. I am a bit sick in the car at the moment (I don't know what the fuss is about because I clean it up myself - I think it tastes better second time around). The vet says I need to go on more journeys to get used to it so Wendy and Richard have been taking me for short journeys. I wasn't sick yesterday.
Richard lost me the other day because I ran after a man on a mountain bike. Well he came past us so quickly I had to chase him. Luckily he rode the bike back past our house and when I got that far I decided to give up. Nobody was home though so I went next door to call for my new friend Sandy.
Sandy and I have become firm friends - he's a rescue dog like me only a bit older and fatter. Richard is going to get him slim and fitter by taking him out on walks with me. We've had several walks together now and it's lots of fun. I go round and call for him and he has also taking to escaping and coming to find me.
Wendy has today gone back to the human kennels that she calls 'work'. She says she has to go to the kennels so that she can pay for my food and schooling. It looks like 'Christmas' is over and I have to wait a whole year for another one.
Oh - I wish it could be Christmas every day.
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