Penny's Birthday

How could I forget to blog about Penny's Birthday.  Perhaps, because she was such a naughty girl.  She so wanted to eat the chocolate cake I bought especially for Chris her breeder, but the excuse I've given her was she was suffering from pre-menstral tension, as she came into season the very next day!  (Yes, dear reader I do know that chocolate is poisonous for dogs thats why she wasn't allowed any, but you can't blame a girl for trying).  Her Birthday was July 4th, and I am happy to say she is just starting to calm down, though she is a work in progress.

Hi fellow dog owners - I have another confession to make.  Both of my dogs are adolescent, and don't always behave in public as I would like them to.  Now I could blame their breeding, but don't worry Chris I shall not be doing that!  However, I would like to say to anyone who meets my dogs out on a walk or at training classes, that both Fred and Penny are a work in progress.  Penny is a one year old and Fred is two, so they are both acting like surly year nines (sorry to any of my young friends out there, but lets face it most year nines kick against authority and that is a part of testing out boundaries for their future lives in the adult world)  Well my two collies kick off big time, and they are like Ian Dunbar says learning to behave through classical conditioning.  So if I meet you out on a walk or at dog training I will probably in training mode, so apologies for any of their silly behaviour and for my lack of friendliness.  I have to keep my whits about me, as my collies are hyper-vigilant and I have to keep my eye on the ball.  Oh, have I mentioned Fred and Penny like to watch balls too!

Making Our House Puppy Proof

I thought I better come clean, and confess - my dogs aren't always well behaved.  Penny is just a puppy, and has taken to bopping the TV every time she sees a dog, or the little blue men on the insurance advert!  I had to put my beliefs of positive dog training into practice!  As I always tell my clients there are three ways of training your dog 1. Ignore the bad behaviour (that didn't work, and it was getting on my nerves) 2. Give your dog something else to do (that was difficult, as I had to catch her before she went to attack the TV, and meant I could never relax) 3. Manage the environment (above is a picture of Rob putting our TV on top of an old cabinet and threading the wires through to the DVD player)  You will be glad to hear that we now can sit in front of the TV in peace.  Phew! problem solved!

A Day Out With The Dogs

Getting a treat out of my bag, as they came back so beautifully!

Asking them to sit and stay for their photo to be taken

On Monday we all felt as if we needed a break, so we went to the seaside for the day.  Holkham Beach, Norfolk is our nearest beach, and has the added advantage of having a woodland walk as well. 
The dogs had a lovely time!  We played hide and seek in the woods (we hide behind a tree and then call them).  It's a game they love!  Then we played ball on the beach, as well as a bit of training with the added distraction of other dog walkers and holiday makers. 
We were so proud of them as they behaved themselves, even when other dogs and people walked by.

This was Penny's first day.  Penny and Fred got on from the first moment, and they have stayed the best of friends!  We were really relieved, as we hoped that Fred would enjoy having a dog near his own age to play with, instead of pestering our 14 year old Tibetan Terrier.  Now he leaves her alone, and she is allowed some peace and quiet.   Excuse the squeeky voice, but I was just getting over a cold. 

How could I resist?

Just before going on holiday we went to see our new puppy on July 12th 2010.  She was just 8 days old, and the only blue bitch in the litter.  It seemed that this puppy was meant for us.  I woke up singing, 'My Blue Heaven' that morning and that's her Kennel Club name, 'Jackscrofter My Blue Heaven', but her pet name is Penny - do you get the link - Penny's from heaven, another musical hit!

It's Fred's first Birthday, (13th April 09) and his Breeder joins us to celebrate.

Hope you enjoyed the cake Chris!