Herbie - diary of a little dog!

Is this how Santa comes down the chimney?

2011-12-06T08:29:00.000-08:00

This is me and Charlie (Heeler/Jack) practising getting into small spaces. I wonder if Santa practises squeezing down chimineys?

Too much exercise!

2011-11-01T14:03:00.001-07:00

Here I am with my new friend Charlie, the border collie.

His Mum called my Mum because Charlie had been aggressive towards other dogs, particularly small dogs (that was a worry!) It turned out that when Charlie went out his Dad liked to play ball with him ALL the time. Charlie was fixated on the ball so when another dog came close, he would try to 'see it off'. Mum said to try cutting out the ball play and see how thing went. Charlie's Mum said he became so much calmer, really quickly.

If dogs get too much exercise or stimulation they can find it really hard to calm down and relax. Mum says if, after a nice walk/run, a dog doesn't go home and have a good sleep, if the dog isn't relax and chilled, then the exercise has been too much.

A Heeler/Jack

2011-10-24T12:08:00.000-07:00

Last weekend Mum visited some people who have a very handsome dog. His name is Charlie and he is a Heeler/Jack Russell like me! Of course, they weren't having problems with Charlie, he's a good boy like me! The people have two other dogs and one of them is very 'stressy'. She's a little Yorkie and has been very worried about going out and seeing other dogs.

Mum says, it will only make Ellie more stressed if she has to keep facing the things that are worrying her. Charlie's Mum and Dad really want to help the little girl and are going to put Mum's 'Action Plan' in place to help to reduce the stress and build her confidence.

Of course, Charlie will be leading the training as us Heeler/Jacks know exactly how to behave!

Loose lead walking

2011-08-26T03:58:00.001-07:00

Mum visits many clients who's dogs pull hard on the lead. Why wouldn't they if they've never been taught not to?! We don't know what you want unless we're taught and tugging, yanking and pulling us around is no way to teach us how to walk nicely on the lead. Teach us where you want us to be, give us space (we might not like having to walk 'stuck' to your leg, personal space, personal space!) Don't use equipment that can damage our necks or backs but put in the time and be patient and we can learn to walk calmly and nicely.

Holiday!

2011-08-07T11:36:00.000-07:00

I've been on holiday to Wales. We stayed in a fantastic 'dog friendly' holiday cottage. Mum and Dad said it was the best dog friendly holiday cottage we'd ever stayed in. I agree! The cottage had paddocks, a wood and a stream that I was allowed to go in. We also went on loads of lovely walks in the Brechfa forest, up hills and down valleys and also to a seven mile long sandy beach at Pendine...loved it.

If you want to give you much loved dog a special holiday, check out the webisite -

www.holidayinthebarn.co.uk

Camping!

2011-06-03T02:28:00.000-07:00

I went camping for the first time ever!! I was sooooo good, Mum and Dad were very proud.

We pitched the tent in the corner of the camp site field. Dad attached me to one of his horse long-lines and I just lay and watched everything that was going on. There was another dog, with it's family, about 25 meters away but I didn't bark at it, I just watched. We went walking in some woods, had an ice-cream outside a cafe (well the humans had an ice-cream) and walked by a river...what a lovely life!

The only bit of camping that I didn't like was the night time. It got really cold in the middle of the night so Mum and Dad invited me to lay between them because I was shivering. Then I stopped shivering and it was all cosy.

I wonder when we'll go camping again?

Gracie

2011-04-21T01:44:00.001-07:00

This is Gracie she is a rescue dog who was saved by the Doris Banham Sanctuary, like me.
One of the volunteers got in touch with my mum because Gracie has problems. Gracie is terrified of other dogs.
Mum said she could come along to our Sunday morning social walks so her new mum brought her along a few weeks ago. As soon as Gracie saw me and my walking mates she reacted. She didn't bark, she didn't whine, she didn't yap...she screamed! Mum said she'd never heard anything like it. We set off walking with my Mum and Gracie's Mum and Gracie walking FAR away from the rest of us. Gracie screamed all the way round the common!
So...Mum said NO going our except to come to the social walks.
Gracie is toooooo stressed. When we get stressed hormones are released. It can take between 3-6 days for those hormones to come down to a normal level. If we have to keep facing the things that stress us, the levels aren't able to come down. We can get ill through stress just like humans.
Mum says, no going out for now while a 'stress reduction' programme is put in place. Gracie's new Mum is really working hard to help Gracie.
Last Sunday, when Gracie arrived at the common there was no screaming, we didn't realised she'd arrived until we saw her Mum waving to us all. She did react a bit but not half as much as she used to. Gracie's Mum says she's much calmer at home too, not reacting to every sound in the house or garden.
Bit by bit, step by step, with lots of patience and love Gracie will 'get there'.
Gracie walks far away from the rest of us at the momment but I'm looking forward to the day when she walks WITH us.....I think she's quite pretty!

New friend

2011-02-28T14:13:00.001-08:00

Earlier this week Mum visited a client who had a dog who was 'hyper'. His Dad thought that by giving him lots and lots of exercise, Dexter would be worn out. Mum explained that in fact, Dexter was just getting fitter and over-stimulated. Although it is important for a dog to run, play, sniff and socialise, it is important not to over-exercise. Depending on size and breed, Mum says dogs need between 14-18 hours of quality rest each day.

Dexter's Mum and Dad brought him to our 'Social Dog Walk' on Sunday morning. We had a really good time and 'shared' this long stick! I liked Dexter.

Wolfhound!

2011-01-03T13:27:00.001-08:00

Today Mum went to visit a Wolfhound. Mum said he was 'magnificent'! Wonder if I'm 'magnificent'?
The 'Wolfie's Mum' is having trouble walking him on a lead as he pulls so hard. Mum has asked her 'dog colleagues' which harness is best to use for BIG dogs.
They have suggested the Mukuti Balance Harness or the 'Perfect-fit'.
I wear a harness, even though I walk nicely. Mine is made of soft fleece material. Harnesses don't damage a dog's neck, back or throat if they pull. I love my harness!

Happy New Year!

2011-01-03T13:09:00.001-08:00

Well, that's another year over! Today I helped Mum and Dad to put away the decorations.

The house looked so pretty over Christmas and now it's all gone. Still they've got me to enhance the house!!

Snowwwwwww!

2010-11-29T06:29:00.000-08:00

Yipeeeee snow! Dad says snow goes straight to my head! When I spotted the snow in the garden yesterday, I ran and ran, round and round the garden, full pelt...what fun! When I finally came back inside I dived into my bed and flicked my blanket over me with my nose. Brrrr, that soon warmed me up.

Fun on the beach!

2010-11-21T10:31:00.000-08:00

Frrreeeeeeedoooooommmmm!! Last weekend I went to the beach with my cousins, Tao and Ronnie. We had great fun! After we'd been running on the sand for a while Ronnie ran off into the dunes and went exploring. He didn't come back when he was called so dad and Ronnie's mum, Hannah, had to go and get him. He'd got stuck in some thorny bushes and looked really worried. Dad eventually pursuaded him to push his way through. Poor Ronnie had lots of thorns stuck in his fur. Mum said he was lucky not to get any in his eyes or paws.

Me and my mates!

2010-10-10T09:25:00.000-07:00

Mum has started some 'canine social walks' for some of her clients and me. I can get a bit anxious when I see other dogs, but only when I'm on my lead. Mum has several clients who also have reactive dogs. To try to help us all, we are meeting up on the common. We have only met three times but we're beginning to like eachother already! We start off with some parallel walking and then we set off across the common. We all end up nice and relaxed! Today my friends Alfie, Duke and Ruby came...our mums and dads were very proud of us!

Through the corn field

2010-10-03T05:03:00.000-07:00

Here I am bouncing through a corn field!! It was such fun. The corn was almost as tall as me so I had to jump my way through it. The corn has now been cut down so it's not so much fun.

Awww a puppy!

2010-07-28T08:14:00.000-07:00

Mum went to visit some clients who had several Hungarian Vizslas. One of them was a puppy! Mum couldn't stop talking about how cute he was. As I am a rescue dog, Mum and Dad don't know what I looked like when I was a puppy but you can be sure I was really cute!

2010-04-02T09:21:00.000-07:00

HAPPY EASTER!

There are some strange things in the house. I spotted something odd on the mantle piece...some funny looking animals that mum calls 'chicks'. Mum and dad thought it was really funny when I stood on my back legs trying to have a good look at the 'chicks' (dad said I could be in the circus!) There is also a bowl full of chocolate eggs on the sideboard and they smell so good. I'm not allowed any as human chocolate is poisonous to dogs (what a shame) so that means they get them all!

Action shot!!

2010-03-10T08:49:00.000-08:00

Natalie, the pet photographer (www.love-my-dog.co.uk) sent Mum one of the photos she took of me at the weekend. Look at my muscles, shiny coat and intelligent expression! If you're looking for an action shot, well I'm your boy!

Fame at last!!

2010-03-07T07:59:00.000-08:00

Mum had a telephone call from a 'Pet photographer' called Natalie. She helps to raise funds for the dog sanctuary where Mum and Dad found me. Well, Natalie is taking photos of dogs who have been successfully re-homed by the Doris Banham Sanctuary ready for a 2011 calendar. I am a rescue dog who now has a 'forever home' thanks to the Doris Banham volunteers.
Anyway, being so handsome and full of character, Natalie obviously wanted to include me!
Mum and I met her on our local common and I set to giving it all my best moves. There was the 'flying through the air' move, the 'digging up mole hills' move, 'charging up the hill' move and 'fetching my ball' move. I do hope she caught my best side.
Mum's been telling everyone and saying what a 'little star' I am....awww, I'm such a loved dog!

Snuggling

2010-02-20T09:24:00.001-08:00

Mum recently visited a lady with two German Shepherd Dogs. They snuggle up together on their bed. I'd like to snuggle up with a sister but Mum says I've already got a brother. I keep telling her that Dylan is a CAT and I'm not snuggling up with him!

My family

2010-02-20T09:09:00.000-08:00

My human sister has a little girl called Layla. When Hannah, Stuart and Layla arrive I get a bit excited but I soon calm down. Layla is only 2 years old but she can say my name which I like. Here we are with Dad watching 'In the night garden' on TV.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T08:09:00.000-08:00

I've had such a busy time over the Christmas holiday. Lots of people visiting the house. Mum says I've been 'spoilt rotten' whatever that means. She says we've got to 'get back on track' (don't like the sound of that!) as I've been 'pushing the boundaries'. I haven't pushed anything, except my nose into visitors laps.
Anyway, if anyone one has been 'spoilt rotten' it's them with their chocolates, mince pies and stollen cake. Just as well they've got me to get them out and about in the fresh air every day to walk off all those extra calories.
Happy 2010!!

Auntie Theo

2009-12-15T09:17:00.000-08:00

Last weekend a lady came to visit us. Her name is Theo and she's a 'Dog Lady' from Bedfordshire. Mum says she knows lots about dogs. I showed her all my best behaviours and she said I was the 'perfect' dog. She really does know lots and lots and lots about dogs. She has four dogs. Pip the lurcher, Marmite and Monty who are labradors and Milly a German Shepherd Dog. Pip is a 'character' like me and gets up to all sorts of fun. He writes a blog too. Wish he was my chum! I love Auntie Theo xx

2009-11-14T09:19:00.000-08:00

There are horses on the common near where I live. Today, after a fantastic run and a play with a couple of mates, I felt really thristy. When I got to where the horses drink there was already a big pie-bald horse standing there. I'm not afraid of horses so I just went to try to help myself. I wish their drinking bowls were a bit lower! Dad had to cup some water in his hands for me.

Schnapps!

2009-10-13T09:15:00.001-07:00

Last week Mum had an email from one of her clients, who she visited in the spring. Schnapps is a colliexlabrador and she lives with a cat called Tabatha. When Mum went to visit Schnapps she'd only lived with her new 'forever' Mum and Dad for 2 months. Her Mum said she was really 'giddy', pulled on her lead, reacted to the wind moving the trees and didn't come back when she was called (sounds like my sort of mate!). Her Mum wanted my Mum to see that she and Tabatha were now living 'in harmony'. I was pleased to see that the dog had the seat and the cat had the floor....hang on a minute, the opposite happens in my house. Our cat has the sofa and I'm on the floor (I'll have to put some thought in about this situation!)

Rolling in yuk!

2009-07-29T07:34:00.000-07:00

I rolled in 'something' this morning. Mum said 'Yuk'. Humans ask 'Why do dogs like to roll in disgusting stuff?' Some 'experts' say it's because the dog wants to blend in with the environment so gets the scent on itself, others say it's to cover it in the dog's own scent and then others says it's just because the dog likes it (like humans like channel). Humans don't really know why we do it...I do though, but I'm not saying!!

Busy, busy, busy!

2009-07-20T07:15:00.001-07:00

I've just been sooooo busy. Too busy to write up my diary. There's been so much work to do with Dad (and the naughty horses) and lots to do with Mum (and the naughty dogs) and of course places to go and people to see. Here's me and Mum enjoying a well earned walk in the countryside. Apart form helping people with 'dog problems' Mum also works as a Mentor in a Primary School, so now it's the summer holidays I can have some time off my work with Dad, and have some quality time at home with Mum. Phew, I deserved my summer break too!

Balls!

2009-05-17T06:56:00.000-07:00

We went to Suffolk to see mum and dad's friends. I had never stayed in someone else's house overnight. Can't think why mum and dad were a bit worried, I'm such a good boy!

I spent loads of time in the garden, looking in the shrubs and behind the shed. I kept coming out with a ball in my mouth. Auntie Carol and Uncle Bob couldn't believe how many I found! Their children, Helen and Robert, are grown up now so some of those balls must have been hidden for years (they were so grateful to me!!)

Helen brought her boyfriend, Mark, round for Sunday lunch. He played with me and the balls for ages. He said he didn't usually like dogs but he did like me.

Auntie Carol said I was 'good fun!'

Sleep-overs are very tiring as it's only polite to entertain your hosts. Phew, time for a big nap!!

Easter

2009-04-13T10:03:00.000-07:00

They've been stuffing their faces with chocolate eggs and hot cross buns so I thought they needed a good run and a play on the common.

While we were there we came across a lady with four dogs. Three of them ignored me completely but one of them was up for a play, which I thought was great. The lady walked on with the others and then started to shout and blow a whistle. My mate took no notice and kept playing with me! Mum and Dad carried on walking and the lady shouted louder because her dog was coming with us. She sounded really angry so Mum called 'shall we stand still'. The lady came marching up and shouted really loudly at her dog. She grabbed hold of him and pulled him away then (and I couldn't believe my eyes) she put his slip lead over his head shouted right in his face and then jerked him so hard he fell over backwards!

Mum said she had to 'bite her tongue' because she felt so sorry for the dog. Mum also said 'what's that dog learnt from her being so nasty to him? All he'd learnt was that it was nice being away from her but horrid when she was near. He hasn't learnt to come when he's called'.

I wouldn't come to anyone who shouted at me in a angry voice and I definitely wouldn't want to 'come' if I was going to be jerked about. Thank goodness Mum and Dad don't shout and jerk me.

Happy Easter!

Swimming!

2009-04-05T11:00:00.001-07:00

What better way to spend a sunny spring afternoon than swimming! It was such a lovely day that Mum and Dad decided to take me to one of my favourite places, Whisby Nature Park. Of course the beach is my very favourite but if we can't go there, then Whisby is the next best thing. Mum says that swimming is good for my fitness.

There were some other dogs at Whisby but none of them stayed in the water as long as me. I can't understand that, it's so nice. When Mum and Dad finally decided that it was time to continue our walk I came trotting out like a good boy (well there was a milky bone waiting for me!).

So that's a wheaten terrier!

2009-03-31T03:16:00.000-07:00

Recently, Mum visited some people with a Wheaten Terrier. She told Dad that the dog was pooing in the house...IN THE HOUSE!! Mum also said she was very pretty (actually I quite agree!)

The Wheaten Terrier's people sent Mum an email and said there had only been one poo in the house in the two weeks since her visit, so they are very pleased. They also said they were off to B&Q for some locks as she had learnt to open doors!! Clever girl...I'm too short to open doors, but I'd be clever enough to if my legs were longer.

Mum always tells her clients that it's the clever dogs that are a challenge.

Mother's Day!

2009-03-22T06:52:00.000-07:00

Aaah, it's Mother's Day and I gave Mum a special lick to celebrate. It's a gorgeous day so my 'human sister' Hannah came over with Tao and Ronnie and we took our Mum's to Hartsholme Country Park as a Mother's Day treat. We knew they'd love it!

There were loads and loads and load of other dogs there (probably all as thoughtful as me and taking their Mum's for a celebration walk). It was really funny....I saw a labrador playing with a ball on a rope (I used to have one of those, wonder where it is now?) Anyway, I watched him really closely and when he dropped it I dashed in a pinched it!! Luckily his Mum saw the funny side of my cheekiness and my Mum got it off me with the bribe of a milky bone.

The seaside!!

2009-03-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

The sun is up, the sky is blue, there ain't a cloud to spoil the view and I went to the seaside!! I love the beach, it's one of my favourite places. My friends Ronnie (the big one) and Tao (the little white one) came too. We had soooo much fun, in and out, in and out of the sea, running up and down the beach, onto the dunes, back in the sea again. Phew!! I slept all the way home in the car, gobbled up my tea and I'm now ready for some peace and quiet in my bed.

Mum says she loves to see me sleeping peacefully after a day of activity.

I can tell you, it's been one of the best days so far this year!!

Big dogs!

2009-03-09T09:38:00.000-07:00

Yesterday Mum went to visit some humans to talk about their dogs behaviour. When she got home she was laughing and telling Dad about the huge one that was called a Great Dane. I wonder if I could be called a Great Jack Russell? I'm really great at catching balls, running fast, seeing off the postman and looking cute. In the photo the Great Dane is on the sofa with her brother, a labrador/retriever...I can't believe my eyes, I'm not allowed on the sofa...it's not fair!!!

Mum's tired!

2009-03-01T08:03:00.000-08:00

Mum has had a busy weekend. She's been to visit two dogs who are giving their owners a few problems. Yesterday she met a springer spaniel who sometimes growls at his Mum (oooo I'd never growl at my Mum!) and then today she visited a very bouncy wheaten terrier. Mum says they were both beautiful dogs (bet they weren't as beautiful as me!) and that they are loved very much (bet their not loved as much as me!) but that their Mums and Dad's just needed a bit of help to lay down clear boundaries (let's not talk about boundaries!!)

Anyway, Mum says it's been an 'intense' weekend and she's now tired. Well I'm not, I'm ready to play with my ball....so COME ON!!!!

Special little doors!

2009-02-22T01:55:00.000-08:00

The photo shows me using a special little door, Mum and Dad call it a 'cat-flap', but I use it more than Dylan! It makes a loud 'clacking' noise when I go in or out so it's difficult to be sneaky.
When I first came to live here I didn't know I could get through the cat-flap and I used to push my head through and watch what was going on in the garden. Then one day I, ever so slowly, put my front legs through, then my body and 'hey' my whole-self! Now I can go in or out in a second!!
Yesterday Dad took me onto what we call 'the hillies'. I found something really gorgeous (they said stinky) to roll in. I rolled and rolled and then rolled too much and fell into a dyke! Mum couldn't believe her eyes (or nose) when I got home. I had loads of green and brown 'stuff' all over my back and neck....Mum kept walking away from me saying 'pooh'. I feel the same about her 'channel no.5'.

Dad got kicked!

2009-02-09T11:24:00.000-08:00

I had to go up to North Ferriby near the Humber Bridge today, to help Dad do a bit of whispering to a horse. He said the horse had come all the way from France (didn't know he could whisper in French!) Bit boring really as I had to watch from the car while Dad worked with the horse. Dad was trying to get the horse to understand that people are Ok and wont hurt her (she hadn't been treated very nicely in France). Unfortunatley, the horse didn't believe him and she kicked him (tee hee). Dad's got a big bruise on his thigh, but luckily he was Ok for a lovely walk this afternoon. Wonder why horses have wooden feet?

Yipeee snow

2009-02-02T11:09:00.000-08:00

It snowed today, I love the snow. My dad made a snowball and threw it for me to catch. Here I am just about to catch it. We also went for a walk and got caught in something that my dad called a blizzard. He was really cold, but I stayed warm by running about really fast. Mum says dad should run around really fast too.

Maisie

2009-02-01T07:52:00.000-08:00

This is me and my best friend Maisie. She's a Jack Russell and really beautiful! When I visit Maisie we play and play and play and then have a rest. Then, after we've had a little rest we play some more! In the photo I'm showing Maisie a 'play-bow' that means I want her to play with me. It's a different sort of bow than the one I give my Mum and Dad when they've been out. That's called 'the greeting - I love you stretch'. My Mum read about the 'I love you' stretch in a book called 'canine body language' by someone called Brenda Aloff. When she read about the 'I love you' stretch she got on the floor and sent a stretch to me. I sent one straight back and my Mum went all soppy and gave me a big hug. Now we give each other 'I love you' stretches all the time.
Mum and Dad never shout or smack me. Mum says shouting is human barking and just winds dogs up (a lot of things wind me up!). She also says that smacking or hitting does not make a dog see the human as an 'effective leader' and anyway who wants a dog to do as it's told just
because it's frightened? That's what she tries to teach people to do...be an effective leader. I really try to see Mum and Dad as 'effective leaders' but sometimes I just can't help trying to lead myself!

Good manners!

2009-01-28T11:01:00.001-08:00

They say that this is Dylan my 'brother'. How can that be, he's a cat?! The details from the rescue centre said I was 'cat friendly' ....mmmm that wasn't quite true. It's really hard not to chase him because it's such fun. Mum tells her 'clients' that we have had to do lots of work to teach me to be gentle with him. Sometimes that work meant I had to be on my lead in the house until I was calm. That's another thing that's hard to do. Being CALM is difficult when things are soooo exciting.
Another time I have to be calm is when I'm having my harness and lead put on. When I first came to live here I used to jump and bounce when I saw my lead. Mum said this was 'bad mannered' and 'unacceptable behaviour' and if I bounced she put my lead straight back on the hook by the door. She did this LOADS of times until I learnt that the quicker I stood still the quicker we went out. I LOVE going out for a walk because I know that it means freedom to run and chase and sniff. Sometimes I find it really difficult to stand still and my little paws pat up and down as she gets hold of the lead. Mum says it looks like I'm 'tap dancing' but also says that it's 'good enough' because I'm trying really hard to do the right thing. Then my harness and lead go on and it's 'look out world, here I come'!

Day one - Herbie's weekend

2009-01-25T08:38:00.000-08:00

I've had a fab weekend. Yesterday they took me to Whisby Nature Park (one of my favourite places) where I ran and ran and ran. Actually, I didn't just run, I swam too. We'd only been at the park for a few minutes and I spotted the water. I CAN'T resist water. There were two moorhens at the edge and I quickly got them moving. Mum and Dad began to get worried because I was getting further and further out into the lake, following the moorhens. They were shouting and shouting from the bank 'Herbie come, Herbie come'. I just put on my 'I can't hear you' face and stayed focused on the prey! Eventually, I spotted that Mum was waving something and remembered that she usually has a pocket full of goodies, so I got out of the water to have a look. It was a milky bone, certainly worth coming out for. We then continued our walk and came across lots of 'dog mates' to have a sniff and a chase with. We were in Mum's little ford ka, because Dad's car is broken, so I had to sit at Mum's feet. There wasn't a lot of room and I kept rubbing my little wet body on Mum's legs and making her wet and cold (Tee Hee). When we got home I had to be rubbed down with a towel and then it was tea time and a sleep in my bed next to the fire.
Today they took me to the local common, another good place for meeting dog mates and finding stinky stuff to roll in! It was rather wet and muddy so Mum had more wet and cold trousers and I had another rub down! It's not a bad life!!