Is this how Santa comes down the chimney?

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

Too much exercise!

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

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

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!

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!

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?

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Gracie

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

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!

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!

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!!