Well that's it in a nutshell. He's a 14 week old Labradoodle and I've been on e a bit lately!
Following lots of good advice from MNetters (lots from Minimum), puppy training classes (only been to 2 so far), a 1-2-1 training class when we first got him - he's really starting to get the rules in our house. Of course it's an ongoing process but all of a sudden (oooh, am I speaking too soon?), it all seems to be coming together .
Yesterday we let him off the lead (or rather dropped the lead) in a secure park and practised the recall with me and my DS. Great success.
Also, we went for a visit to a Home from Home style boarding house and doggy day care where we will place him when we go on hols in the summer. It was absolutely fantastic. The lady had 10 dogs there in her home and also had a dog pyschologist who works with her. They do normal holiday boarding, plus overnighters whenever you need a break and doggy day care for those odd occasions you need it. They also help you train the dogs whilst they are in their care. The socialisation aspect was brilliant. Before we went in, she told us what would happen and that she would be in charge and we should just let him be descended on by the other dogs who would want to suss him out.
There were 3 other labradoodles there, including the owners 3 yr old one. I truly believe he had the best hour of his life! It was a great learning experience for me too to see how roughly dogs socialise with each other. Going back on Thursday so he can spend the day and will do one day every couple of weeks until we go away in August. £15 from 7am to 7pm - you can't knock it really can you and I see it as a great treat for him.
Sorry - a bit of a ramble but am delighted that it's all coming together and and and ... as soon as I say "NO" he stops what he's doing. How fabulous is that?!!