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!

Freddie has a go at Rally O at Pam Mackinnon's Rally O course (Taken on 04/02/10), Posted 30/03/10)

Fred approaches the sign and looks - 'I know collies are clever, but I haven't learnt to read yet!', says Fred.

'Sit you say, OK, but are you sure?'

 

Joking aside, Rally Obedience is a challenging sport. We are not competing against others but rather against ourselves. Indeed, Pam Macckinnon a experienced and respected dog trainer and the co-ordinatory of Talking Dogs Rally O says that Rally O has "a unique ethos with an emphasis on pet dog owners competing with their own scores rather than simply against each other...." This means that you work at your own level. Often some people find it an easy sport to get into, and wonder what all the fuss is about, but as a team (dog and handler) progresses it becomes more of a challenge. The handler has to think about how to approach each station (sign) and how to perform the move shown at that station, and for good measure there might be a jump to tackle or a tunnel to go through, not to mention trying it off lead.
 
Have you yearned for the day when your family dog would be more obedient and listen to you. Then Rally O is for you, as it is not only bags of fun for you, but the dogs enjoys being moulded into that well-mannered dog you have always longed for. Honestly, after Fred has gone to training classes he is a real angel the following day, and loves to practice during the week. Training together has increased our bond, and he is a joy to take out on a walk, as Rally O has taught him to walk loosely on a lead, and he turns left or right when ever I ask him. Why not come and join us on Tuesday nights at 8.30-9.30, ask our receptionist to book you in. Also if you are interested in taking part in Talking dogs Rally events see Pam Macckinnon's website for more details http://www.talkingdogsrally.co.uk/.

"Go on, throw it," says Fred (Taken on 01/01/10), Posted 30/03/10)

"At last," says Fred

Freddie brings the back the ball

This was Freddie's first holiday, and he just loved running on Blackpool's beach!

"Can I keep him," says Fred (Taken on 23/12/09), Posted 30/03/10)

Arbury Road is visited by Frosty the snowman. We are still puzzled how he got there. I think our Vet Nurses may have had something to do with it!

"Hey what's all this white stuff," says Fred (Taken on 18/12/09), Posted 30/03/10)

Freddie still managed to do an agility circuit despite the fact his tunnel was covered in snow. Clever boy!

"Follow me guys," says Fred (Taken on 12/12/09), Posted 30/03/10)

Freddie enjoying a rare sunny winter's day on an

Arbury Road Vets dog training social walk

Look at Freddie go (Taken on 17/11/09, Posted 30/03/10)

Here is Freddie enjoying his Heelwork to Music Class! He is moving so fast everything became a blur

Fred has a bath (Posted 17/12/09)

Freddie is a very messy puppy and likes to get himself very wet and muddy or even worse roll in fox's poo when he is out on a walk. Unfotunately, Fred does not realise that getting muddy and smelly means that he has to have a bath. This is a picture of his first bath (6/8/09), where he was happy to put up with it, but I must admit since he has become an adolescent he hasn't been so keen, and squeals like a baby.

Fred enjoying being a star of his first show (Posted 31/07/09)

As part of Ichthus Canine Centres desplay team, Fred and I enjoyed a fleeting moment of fame, as Fred was the youngest member of the team. Here we are showing the audience the benefits of training our pet dogs. I am just leaving the arena showing off some of Freddie's loose lead walking. I think his nose is down on the ground as we followed the horses. During our display, I soon realised Freddie preferred horse poo to the sausages I had in my treat bag.

Fred Vs The Puppy Survival Guide (Posted on: 08/07/09)

Fred has been training hard this week. I recently bought this puppy survival guide to help, but ironically the puppy survival guide didn’t survive Fred.  Here is the photo below, I hope it gives you a good laugh, it certainly made us here at Arbury Road Vets giggle. All joking aside this book was very helpful during the training of our fred. It is available from dogtrain and the cleverdogcompany.

Fred goes to the Beach (Posted on: 07/07/09)

Seeing as the weather has been so good recently we decided to go to the beach. Freddie really enjoyed it at the beach, but he was a little unsure about the sea. Here is a little video of him investigating the water.

N.B. Please remember everyone that leaving your dog in the car on a hot day is not a good idea, and providing them with lots of cold water is a very good idea.

Fred starts training (Posted on: 27/06/09)

Fred is of course going through the usual puppy stages of chewing madly on everything, including me, but is learning quickly how to be well mannered pup. This learning process has been assisted by enrolling Fred on one of our puppy training courses. The puppy training courses are run by Arbury Road Vets in association with Ichthus Canine Centre, which is run by Christina Oxtoby our new dog trainer. Christina has been a great help to me and many of our puppy owners. If your are interested in enrolling your puppy please go to our dog training web page.

 

Fred has only made one mistake with his house training, but mistakes are to be expected. I must endeavour to do as I preach, by keeping up a routine, which all my puppy owners know isn't so easy during a busy day, with work commitments, family chores, and visitors.

 

Here below is a little clip of Fred and myself in the garden playing fetch 'sort of'. Unfortunately, Fred hasn't quite got the bringing back the ball part of fetch yet, but I'm sure he will get there soon as he is a very intelligent dog.

Our New Puppy Freddie (Posted on: 06/06/09)

After running our new puppy classes I couldn't resist getting a puppy for my own! Freddie (Jackscrofter Fred Astaire) was duly collected on the 6th June 09, and has instantly gone out of his way to please. A big thank you to Chris Green for raising such a lovely pup! He is just lovely!

Fred only a few days old