Where the Wild Things Are

[barbarianoftheuniverse]

I have an eight month old Border Collie called Meg. She is far from perfect (and so am I).
Today she has been about 60/40 good. The 40 included chewing up my camera memory card which DH is sure he put safely on the mantelpiece. Every time I look down at this screen she takes a quick munch of the coffee table with her eyes on mine. This despite a 2 hour walk which included much in and out of streams.

Fan - that cottage sounds fab - did you win last night??

I should have gone for a walk when I first got up as there was glorious sunshine then - thought I'd wait until after breakfast to see if any of the children wanted to come too and now it's raining ... Fitz doesn't mind though

We got him one of those board games where they have to lift up cups and push and slide bits to get the treats out - it's supposed to keep him occupied for ages... He'd worked it out in about 20 seconds flat! Still enjoys it though :)

Basildon - my two figure out the mentally stimulating toys easily too, the best thing to keep them occupied for me is bones or the odd pigs ear, kongs etc.

Ouch re migranes, rare for me but definitely takes it out of me the next day too.

fan - the cottage sounds amazing, I wish we had the skill to tak eon a project like that. Dsis-in-law did it to great effect, but wouldn't do it again. The finished product is spectacular, but the emotional and financial pain great!

I have a headache, but that's because I was drinking cocktails until 1.30 am, our friends and neighbours knew DH is away this weekend and never let me be alone. Walking the dogs at 8am and groaning to myself about not doing this again

I have to teach Hector a trick a week for the end of each training session. Going to do paw, high five, and wave.

But I need suggestions folks ....

Anyone been on another thread yesterday, the saying talking to a brick wall springs to mind.

Oh, ref taking dogs to events. We do it a lot with the pony related activities and it's completely the norm, but can be stressful too. We all went en mass to a hunt during the Christmas period (childrens, just the hounds out, no bait/prey obviously) with all the huntsmen in all their get up to show them what it's all about and savour the atmosphere. The kids went off with the hunt and we then got to walk the dogs over the fields of a local stately home, which was fab, after having mulled wine and nibbles

Need - have you tried to get him to weave in and out of your legs in a figure of eight? Fitz likes doing that but his favourite one of all is rollover

The game was on special offer and dd's been pestering me to get one .. But I think I'll stick to kongs and bones in future

As far as that other thread goes all I can say is

Had a lovely walk this morning - I did manage to persuade dd to come out with us and bar a v quick burst of hail it was glorious. Met a lovely 4 month old golden retriever and Fitz had a lovely gentle play with him - they were taking turns sitting on each other, wrestling and chasing. Fitz did one little yelp when the other puppy got a bit bitey but the game carried on beautiful after that :)

Gutted ...we didn't win! It is up with a guide price of 250k which probably needs doubling so pending a miracle it is a fond fantasy until its snapped up. Judging by the constant gatherings outside it won't take long. It will be special because of its location.

Needa I know what you mean about brickwalls. I have known same thing in rl and none of them still had their dogs at the 12 mnth mark. Oh, and it was never their fault. They had done all they could

Trick wise we did the obvious paw, beg, high 5, talk, spin and roll over.

I taught him to touch an object with his paw with a view to taking the next step to lay down and cross legs but we got bored before we got there! He did do leg weaves too.

basildon - sounds like a lovely walk, I love watching dogs play. Always makes me smile.

Had a lovely walk too this afternoon, DH was home early and joined me at the halfway point, which was a happy surprise. The weather is lovely, although it did hail this afternoon, even though the sun was shining brightly!

I am clickering 'paw', and Hector can leave a treat on his paw in a down position without eating it. Thanks for the suggestions, appreciated as I lack imagination totally

it's interesting to see what they pick up quickly, Harry did paw almost immediately, Hector doesn't really get it. However, Hector just doesn't jump up at all, the differences make me smile as I train them.

We had a lovely walk today too, joined by a friend (school mum) and her dc. I was most proud of the fact that she said she couldn't believe how good Maz was when I felt like I was constanly calling him back to go on lead! To be fair to Maz it was the busy river walk and lots of cyclists but we had 0 % fails at recalling him onto his lead and he loved playing with her dc. Kids were exploring all the nooks and crannys with Maz in hot pursuit!

Going back to busy events, we did lots last year. We went to lots of EH events with Maz in tow including a big one at Dover Castle. I think it is worth the pain whilst they are still young tbh. People forgive their excitement when they are pups and it gives you a better chance of getting them used to it. I guess it depends on the dog, Maz is a lust for life type so loves the busy atmosphere. He is a lot calmer too now at those affairs.

We will do more of them this year. Dogs Unleashed show in Bakewell is already on the calander!

Kikopup videos are great for trick training inspiration.

Haven't a clue which the 'other thread' is, but haven't been online much this weekend.

We've had a lovely walk today as well. 1 dc was at an all day birthday treat with his best friend and the other two were at Grandma's so dh and I made the most of it and took the dogs to a country park, followed by picnic-ish lunch from our favourite baker/deli.

Kept Pip onlead, as he's still not quite sound on his bad leg. Had a good steady walk for half an hour, then, when I felt Pip was starting to go a bit lame, I did some sit/wait/watch training with him while dh and Lurcherboy had a good old ball chasing session.

Best thing was the number of people who commented on what beautiful dogs they are and how well behaved they were as I had them both walking nicely to heel.

Ah - found the thread in question. I opened it when it was first posted, could see where it was headed and ran for the hills.

Do you find, now your dogs are older and know the daily routine, that they try and avoid the bits they don't like?

Was just thinking this as minty can tell when we're off to bed - he sort of slinks down into as small a shape as he can manage and stays really still, almost hoping I won't notice him! He hates being put out for his last wee so it's just trying to avoid that I think. I have to encourage him out by taking his collar or he'd go and hide somewhere.

He also never really fancies coming on the walk to school for pick up at 3pm and again lies in his bed trying to look small and forlorn. Whereas the morning walk, he's bouncing around as if to hurry us both up because he's so keen. He does make us laugh with his little quirky ways!

The hail was crazy today - minty ran out then straight back in again!

I was working today but DH took minty into woods and succeeded with 100% recall. Think he now realises that it's down to him - DH - being attentive and giving loads of treats and praise so no more of minty running away across a road!

That was only couple of weeks ago but seems an age in terms of dog-maturity and DH-training!

Dh training was definitely the key Mint!

Only times Maz plays dead is the last wee and the times he clearly works out he is going to be turfed off the sofa and left in the kitchen.

Lurcherboy tries to look small when we want him to go out for a wee first thing in the morning. He even pretends to be asleep! If we're not on the ball he'll happily stay in bed until lunchtime without weeing, lazy lump!

The only other time he tries to slink is when I pick up the nail clippers. He's very good when I do his claws and just sits patiently, but he clearly doesn't like it one bit.

Pip is a nosy so and so and always wants to be in the thick of everything, can't think of a time he's ever tried to hide or slink off.

Lurcherboy is feeling sorry for himself today, as it turned out he cut his stopper pad when charging around after a ball with dh yesterday. It's not a huge cut - more of a skin really, so I've cleaned it up and left it to dry out for now.

I have dd off sick with a sore throat, croaky voice and massive neck glands today. Very frustrating as she was quite wobbly on the 5 minute walk to drop ds2 off at school, so am going to have to wait for dh to come home to walk the dogs and miss all this lovely sunshine.

Harry slinks when the ear cleaning bottle comes out, and also when I spray him with dog freshener, when he really stinks

Thanks moose re kikopup, I had looked through her files too for 'paw' demonstrations, but nothing had stood out as quick and easy.

Hope DD is ok soon, it is a lovely day, our morning walk was super.

DH - MEN! Take all the credit don't they

Lovely and sunny here though a little cool out of the sun. We have a nice little pootle round the park and ponds again.

I couldn't resist the phone snaps of the view from the cottage gate and Maz paddling in the same pond...I still have wednesday night to keep the dream alive

Lovely view - but would you need flood defences built into your redevelopment plan?

Mum in coming to have dd when I go to fetch ds2, so may see if I can slip out for at least a half hour walk then.

It is the last pond of three in a park with house/museum, it has never flooded to my knowledge...you are not putting me off spending my imaginary cash moose

OK, I suppose if it does flood you'll have the money to completely redecorate anyway.

I've found a farm just up the road that being sold off in lots. One lot is the house, barns and 70 acres, including two ponds.

I would want to knock down the house (which is a nasty 80's style square box) and rebuild an eco one in it's place. Dh wants to run a vw camper storage and repair/renovation business from the barns and I would fence the fields so that local dog walkers had secure places for recall exercises and walking sighthounds. Then I would take on foster dogs and rehabilitate them.

I used to have a humongous plan to win the lottery and build the canine version of an equestrian centre. Two indoor schools with professional dog-friendly surface for agility, heelwork to music and flyball etc, mezzanine floors over the schools containing tea-shops/cafe's. Recall runs, equipment shops and a selection of lovely country walks.

I would hire the facilities out to various dog clubs and behaviourists and run dog shows for charities on site for zero charge.

I even drew it all out once, many moons pre-dc.

Moose what a fabulous plan! Must have been fun to have planned and drawn it out even if it was dreamy stuff. I'd definitely visit.

Fan - are you really going to dogs unleashed in bakewell? I was planning to go for the dog events and agility type things but I just don't think me or dog will cope! We all have such different dogs! Imagine an outdoor cafe nestled in a wood, with beautifully carved wooden seats, tables, and lovely coffee and cakes for the humans and water bowls & free biccies for the dogs - and several little groups of owners and their well behaved, tired, snoozing dogs - then there is our family unit with noisy, barking dog flipping round on his lead, trying to play and say hello to every single dog present! That's minty! I doubt we would cope with dogs unleashed.

Mint honestly I promise Minty won't be the only one at Dogs Unleashed like that...we'll be there . We went last year with Maz when he was just under a year old. Honestly, we had a lovely fun day. Yes, Maz was giddy but I just used they same rules of reading body language as to who it is okay to say hello to and who not just as you would anywhere else (I only get stressed when dh has lead control as he is a little less discerning - dh effect again eh?) But he was by no means the worst and it is full of like minded doggy folk. We met some lovely people and dogs. Nobody minded at all, in fact half the problem was people positively encouraging him!

Maybe we should try it - the kids certainly want to. As long as people are fussing minty he's fine, it's when no one giving him a cuddle that the noise begins!

Actually we've hit a new problem now that neighbouring folks are out in their gardens - he's been barking over the fences at them. He's really had the run of our garden all winter - he potters round out there for hours at a time while I'm inside working then bounces at the door when he wants let in! With no one outside over the winter it's been quiet and his territory I suppose. I keep having to grab him back inside as I can't put up with random barking at people!

Moose if you win the lottery and build your little enterprise can you do accomodation for dog activity holidays too (or is the thought of this whole thread arriving en masse a little too much?)

Hmm, dog activity holidays - now there's an idea. I'll add it to the list!

I have two dcs down with the lurgy now, both dd and ds2 are off sick.

Mario has been on pins for the last 2 hours...it has taken me this long to realise that he is waiting for something to happen as I have put a new pair of DM's on I trying break in on. Oh dear, it is going to be a long month whilst the deed is done!

Ha Ha fan

All fine here, just got in from a long walk. Hector can manage a decent walk now, as he just potters by my side as Harry stroms around like a loony.

Took them to a local park yesterday, very quiet as it was raining. Harry recalled like a dream the whole time, then at the end went off behind a wall. I called him and he popped his head around the wall then went back behind it. Little sod.

Mmmm... so I scrabbled with Hector down a steep banking to get to the wall and... Harry was munching his way through a family sized bucket of KFC that someone had dumped

How there were no erm, repercussions, I do not know

mint - I think you can train to bark, then not to bark, on kikopup.