Cumbria Dog Training

Having a litter of puppies to keep an eye on is a lovely experience though it's not all plain sailing. While some prefer to feed from their mother, others are opting for solid foods, though for one little character it's all too much - cue Janet ! I lifted his head, washed his face then laid him down on something far more comfortable ..... and all without waking him ! "My favourite pillow" Not so many weeks ago two brothers were doing much the same thing as above - but now look at them ! Cash (l) and Sumo (r) are almost 4mths old and playtime is very rough and tumble. In truth they're being raised completely seperately so this type of behaviour doesn't happen very often. A wet field and an opponent - perfect ! Meanwhile a very different dog has come to stay with me for a few weeks training - a West Siberian Laika named Zorro . He has been brought  into the UK by his owner who helped raise him as a pup while in Russia. This 8mth old lad is a very imp...

With the temperatures soaring into the high 20's everyday, long walks onto the Fells have been put on hold .  Instead, Paul has been exercising the dogs in our local river, the Lowther, where they have been enjoying the chance to paddle or swim. Well, most of them have been ! For Cedar, it was the chance to relax and have her troubles washed away ! "Wake me up when you leave" Meanwhile Charlie is in no mood to lay down and relax . In typical style , he can only enter the water if he's allowed to make a splash . But before he was allowed to do this, Paul checked to make sure there was nothing below the surface which could harm this fun lad . Charlie makes his usual quiet entrance into water But star of the week has to be HRH, who managed to gain not just her 25m badge but also her 50 metre . Fran persuaded Honey to try and swim and off she went . . . . . . With Fellwalking and swimming under her belt, all she needs now is to ride a bike before she'll ...

Warm days with occasional rain has allowed the grass in my fields to suddenly grow, although one is more yellow than green due to being covered in buttercups . Despite the height, the dogs still enjoy the chance to let off steam in the grass, even though they end up yellow ! Two little characters who do enjoy being outside are Betsy (l) and Boris(r), my residential training guests . These Bichon Frise have recently arrived and at the moment are always on the lead . Once they know what my recall means they'll be allowed to explore like every other dog . Despite being very close to each other, I'm training them seperately and am confident the leads won't feature in too many photographs ! Betsy & Boris "Are you still looking at us ?" One member of the gang who did miss out on a journey into the meadow was HRH, who, if you can't tell, is showing just how miffed a Chihuahua can look ! "I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll ..........

Paul's insistence that I write "OFF" in my diary every Monday is probably very wise . As someone who verges on being a workaholic, I sometimes need to be told to stop for my own benefit . Nevertheless, the remaining six days are just packed, with day courses, residential training and of course training dogs not to chase sheep and other livestock . The latest email requesting help was from someone in Texas, while last week I was invited to an expenses paid trip to Portugal to solve the problem with some dogs . Thank goodness for the internet ! Meanwhile , guests come and go, with one of my residential training dogs being 6 month old Tally . When she first arrived, Tally pulled my arm out of its' socket, but two weeks since arriving, I now have her walking to heel on a lead on the road, while off-lead in the garden . She's one cheeky little dog, who, as Paul has discovered, likes to help in the garden ! "Now where did I hide that bone?" Tally ...

The recent good weather has meant that Spring has finally landed and everything is turning green, not least my garden and fields. And these two fields are really coming into their own at the moment. With sheep and lambs dotting the landscape in every direction, the dogs main walk is always on the lead. But following a rest, the afternoon activity is in the fields where the dogs can play with each other, chase after a ball or simply catch grass - just ask one year old Nellie ! Nellie on tip toes But for HRH,  the thought of exercise is tiring in itself ! Adding insult to injury, she evens sleeps right next to where Paul is working !! Poppy the Cocker Spaniel began boarding in a quiet and reserved manner, though by the time she was going home, I was seeing the real Poppy. Dave, a 2yr old Labrador. He's a young lad who can be a little boisterous but doesn't have a bad bone in his body ! We all like Dave - until he crashes into us ! Breeze stay...

Over the years I've worked with most breeds, from Akitas and Rottweilers through to Chihuahuas and Yorkshire Terriers. Now I can mention another breed - a Czechslovakian Wolfdog. Meet Kyra, who I'm just beginning to train. As these are early days, the long line is still required to prevent her running off but this is only for short term use until I know with complete confidence that she will respond to the recall. Talking with Kyra's owner Not a common sight in the English Countryside On a different note, Paul was contacted at the start of the week by the Farmers Guardian, asking to use his very powerful photograph from one of my sheep chasing lessons. It features on the "Sheep" page on my website and previously featured in an article on me last year. The dog featured is a Presa Canario x Rottweiler. And I can honestly say that no sheep was bitten or harmed. An all too common sight caused by thoughtless owners But to finish off, let me introduce y...

I've finally found a dog walker who understands why dogs behave as they do and who thinks on the same wavelength as a dog. Meet Charlie. On first meeting my residential training guest Sandy, Charlie knew he had to demonstrate who was in charge - and it certainly wasn't the big Retriever, lovely though he is. And so with a little persuasion here and the odd tug there, order was established. "Like I said ....... .......you come with me because ..... ....... I'M IN CHARGE !!! What's better than one Retriever ? Two. The second comes in the shape of a regular guest of mine, Chester. I think Paul went on a scouting mission to find out where all the mud pools were prior to this lovely lad arriving. And judging by Chester's appearance, it was time well spent ! Chester (L) - Sandy (R) Charlie would do well to walk young George, a six month old Springer in for boarding, who has also started training with me. This lad may be young but he's strong...