Travels with Gray Fox, Part 2.
5 years ago
Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Now I've gone and done it!
The bronze award test is happening next week and I've entered us! Wasn't going to do it this time but hes been doing so well and as its only £2.50 I thought we may as well have a go, whats the worst that can happen! Ok well we could fail but then we've gained the experience for the next time. I'm most worried about the controlled walk bit as his concentration is nil when there are other dogs walking around at the same time, also he has very little interest in playing with his toy when at dog class, more interested in whats going on around him! so getting him to leave his toy on command won't be a problem...... he won't have picked it up!!!
We took him to the East of England Show in Peterborough at the weekend. He was a little over excited to begin with but soon settled and was as good as gold. I use a halti on him when we're in crowds as he does tend to pull and lunge a bit so this gives me a bit more control, the trouble is he dosen't really like it and I don't always need that much control so I was finding myself swapping between the halti and his collar until I discovered the double lead. I had seen people using one and then found a stall selling them. Its great, I can use just enough pressure on the halti when needed but otherwise can leave it loose and just use the collar, no more swapping the clips around.
One of the funniest moments was while we were walking around the livestock sheds. He wasn't keen on the cows so we went to look at the pigs which are all in their own pens. It was a hot day and all of the pigs were laying down asleep so Neo was quite happily sniffing around the pens, I swear he didn't realise there was anything alive in them as he came across one whos snout was poking out under the gate, of course he had to investigate and jumped a mile when the snout moved!! same happened with a trotter sticking out! Thankfully when we left all pigs still had snouts, ears and trotter still attached!!
Oh I almost forgot, hes started cocking his leg much to Brians delight! must be a man thing!!
I noticed he'd started 'marking' a bit a few weeks ago so figured it wouldn't be long, then I got a text while I was at work to inform me he'd finally managed it. Hes still perfecting the art, a bit wobbly but hes getting there (Neo that is not Brian!!)
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
Home from hols
On our way
First glimpse of the sea
Well Neos' first holiday was an all out success I'm pleased to say, he was an absolute star. The drive up there went ok, he was a little restless to begin with but soon settled, he'd also had his travel sickness tabs. We spent a few hours with my mum and he was very well behaved, explored the house then settled down in front of the fridge until he had to be moved to a more convenient spot in the living room!
When we arrived at the bungalow he had a sniff round then we went for a walk on the beach as I was impatient to see his reaction to the sea and sand.
It was only a 3 min walk to the beach, you had to climb up over a high sand dune and it was great to see his reaction when he reached the top, the brakes went on and he just stood there with tail high and ears forward then practically threw himself down the dune in excitement!!
Up until mid morning the beach was usually deserted so each morning hubby went for a cycle and neo and I had a stroll on the beach, he became a real beach bum! and it was lovely to see him enjoying himself so much, we rarely had to use his lead, if we came across people or other dogs he stayed with us on command so I didn't have to worry about him jumping on some poor unsuspecting sunbather! He loved every minute of it. He wasn't too keen on the sea and would only get his paws wet which suited me fine as didn't fancy having to go rescue him if he decided to go for a swim! He loved the miles of sand and wonderful smells not to mention the digging!
He settled down in the bungalow within a few hours of being there, I was worried about having to leave him alone in a strange place as obviously we couldn't take him everywhere with us but he was fine and slept most of the time he was on his own, can always tell as he meets us at the door with a big stretch and yawn (plus all furniture was still intact!), he was also never left more that a few hours, just enough time for us to go out for dinner a couple of times.
Most of the holiday was spent walking or sitting outside reading while he slept or pottered around the front of the bungalow. Although it wasn't enclosed it was at the top of a dirt track and he quickly learnt how far he was allowed to go so was never out of our sight.
It really is a very dog friendly area with lots of cafes and pubs happy to accommodate him with a bowl of water and some fuss. We were so lucky with the weather, beautiful and sunny but with a coastal breeze to keep us cool. I didn't want to leave and am already planning our next visit! Am just worried now that he'll be bored going back to our 40 min walk on Borough Hill!
First glimpse of the sea
Well Neos' first holiday was an all out success I'm pleased to say, he was an absolute star. The drive up there went ok, he was a little restless to begin with but soon settled, he'd also had his travel sickness tabs. We spent a few hours with my mum and he was very well behaved, explored the house then settled down in front of the fridge until he had to be moved to a more convenient spot in the living room!
When we arrived at the bungalow he had a sniff round then we went for a walk on the beach as I was impatient to see his reaction to the sea and sand.
It was only a 3 min walk to the beach, you had to climb up over a high sand dune and it was great to see his reaction when he reached the top, the brakes went on and he just stood there with tail high and ears forward then practically threw himself down the dune in excitement!!
Up until mid morning the beach was usually deserted so each morning hubby went for a cycle and neo and I had a stroll on the beach, he became a real beach bum! and it was lovely to see him enjoying himself so much, we rarely had to use his lead, if we came across people or other dogs he stayed with us on command so I didn't have to worry about him jumping on some poor unsuspecting sunbather! He loved every minute of it. He wasn't too keen on the sea and would only get his paws wet which suited me fine as didn't fancy having to go rescue him if he decided to go for a swim! He loved the miles of sand and wonderful smells not to mention the digging!
He settled down in the bungalow within a few hours of being there, I was worried about having to leave him alone in a strange place as obviously we couldn't take him everywhere with us but he was fine and slept most of the time he was on his own, can always tell as he meets us at the door with a big stretch and yawn (plus all furniture was still intact!), he was also never left more that a few hours, just enough time for us to go out for dinner a couple of times.
Most of the holiday was spent walking or sitting outside reading while he slept or pottered around the front of the bungalow. Although it wasn't enclosed it was at the top of a dirt track and he quickly learnt how far he was allowed to go so was never out of our sight.
It really is a very dog friendly area with lots of cafes and pubs happy to accommodate him with a bowl of water and some fuss. We were so lucky with the weather, beautiful and sunny but with a coastal breeze to keep us cool. I didn't want to leave and am already planning our next visit! Am just worried now that he'll be bored going back to our 40 min walk on Borough Hill!
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