So, what do you think ‘inverse retrieve’ might be? Betty likes to play with her toys – she looks to be chewing them, but it’s often more of a lick. She often lays on the bed in the Bedroom I use as an office doing this and, as often as not, she gets closer and… Continue reading Inverse retrieve
The Move
It all started last March Mike and Linda had been running around for ages, putting things in boxes and taking lots of things away that I never saw again. For the previous two days, strange men had come to the house and had carried out furniture and boxes and loaded them into vans and then… Continue reading The Move
Ball Dog
Some dogs want to play with a ball all the time, sometimes to the exclusion of anything else. Betty’s friend Indy’s a bit like that. Most dogs who are like that are very good at running after the ball, picking it up and bringing it back – often again and again and again, as others… Continue reading Ball Dog
New People
Something to remember about humans is that they think they’re all unique – which they sort-of are, just like us, but just like you can guess another dog’s temperament by what they look like and how they are acting, you can do the same with humans too. Just remember that they mostly have a low… Continue reading New People
Planning Ahead
I think that I mentioned previously that Linda tends to be a bit more tough on Betty than I am. When we’re sitting on the sofa at home, she has to sit on the floor and wait for permission to come up with Linda, but she has free access with me most of the time.… Continue reading Planning Ahead
Recall
Recall is when you’re off by yourself, usually following some amazing scent and they blow the whistle or call your name or some other sound they use just for this. Now my lot are cunning – they use the same sound when they feed me as when they want me to come back. Even when… Continue reading Recall
Getting Your Attention
So, how does your dog get your attention? Betty uses various means and uses different ones for different people too. If I’m lying on a bed – which I often do when I’m thinking through things or processing, if she wants my attention, she will jump up and stand on my chest with her nose… Continue reading Getting Your Attention
Lead Work
Your human wants you to walk on the lead at the same pace as they do, next to them. There is benefit in doing this, but no real problem if you forget yourself from time to time and stop for a sniff. Don’t be surprised if they over-react though and make sure that you make… Continue reading Lead Work
The Champagne Shadow
Now Betty’s a champagne coloured cockapoo, so effectively an off-white colour Cockapoos are lovely dogs, but they do tend to follow you around – not always the same person, but whoever she decides is the important person of the moment, she’s there with them. At the moment she’s lying on the bed behind where I’m… Continue reading The Champagne Shadow
Litter
As a puppy I had a thing about litter. I like carrying things, human tissues are nice and soft and they often have an interesting smell and taste – you puppies know what I mean. So, I noticed that none of my humans particularly like me picking stuff up when I’m out, or at least… Continue reading Litter