Training Daddy

I am still trying to train Daddy.  He is hopeless at fetching balls.  I put them in obvious places for him to pick up and throw, but he doesn't seem to have the skill that I've got.  It's not as though I am expecting him to chase after them.  He thinks I am the retriever, but I have other plans.

Back to school

I impressed my trainers on my first week back for some time. I started off slowly (recall was not as exciting as seeing my friends again!). However, I managed 'away to bed' with no problem and stunned Daddy. Apparently I have 'improved' whatever that means.

Training

Training is going well.  I have been improving at my away/bed and recall/stay commands.  I think I am doing better at not jumping up as well.  Daddy and I have been working on my walks.  Bring on the examiner!

Yippee, more snow!

I couldn't wait to get outside this morning. I was very excited. I just love playing in the snow as you can see. The downside is that school has been cancelled tonight.

Training

Last night I went to training after missing another week or so. I think I am improving. However, the toughest part was the game we played - a down-stay relay! I found this very hard, but our team won the best out of three, so I couldn't have been that bad.

Silver class

I attended my first silver/gold class last night. It was very hot and I was very excited to see my old friends again, especially Sky, a Gordon Setter. Anyway, I got to learn a new command 'send away'. I don't like that very much!

I've got a rosette!

Well, we got back from the Lakes yesterday and today we went to school for my Kennel Club bronze award. And guess what? I passed! 7 out of 9 of us passed and we are promoted to the silver class when we meet again in three weeks time - phew!

The sit-stay

I still cannot get the hang of this. I cannot see the point. Why should I sit there when there are things to do, people to see? My trainer says I need to practise this, so I may have some homework to do if Daddy remembers. I won't be reminding him. Anyway, he says we are going to the Lake District tomorrow. Yippee!

Mr Wiggly

I have got the nickname Mr Wiggly at training. Could it be because I wag my whole body as well as my tail? I like that name; I think it suits me.

Training

They've named the day and it's 3 June for the Bronze Award. Oh, darn it, I can't make it!

Training

Went training tonight and met up with my pals after the Easter break. I still need to work at my sits and stays but otherwise I reckon I was not too bad. The bronze award test is going to be in a few weeks. Daddy is a bit nervous about that. Well, I'm not, so why should he be?

Training

It's half term this week and a few of my school-mates were missing. Even so, I had a good time and the trainers thought I have improved since last week's embarrassment!

In the dunce's corner

I had a bad session at school on Wednesday. I was put in the corner and made to write out 50 times: "I must sit on command".

Drawing courtesy of http://autumnbeckman.com/dogdrawing.aspx

Training

My trainers were impressed with me last night. My hard work seems to be paying off with (not) jumping up and the sit-stay. There's some way to go though, and then there's the down-stay.....

New Year's Resolutions

I gather this is the time of year to make some resolutions, so here they are:

To try not to jump up when I greet people
To try and sit or down/stay for longer

They will be hard to achieve, but Daddy's training hard. We went to training last night which was good, but it showed we need to work at these things.

PS One of the trainers recommended that I have the 'snip' when I have my next visit to the vet. What does that mean???!!! I think I should be worried.

More time with springer spaniels

Daddy had to leave me with those springer spaniels again for a fortnight soon after his return from Avignon. Oh well! A difficult assignment, but someone's got to do it! I am now back home. Every time I see a springer, I think it is Amy or Tigger. The poor unsuspecting hound gets quite a shock when I bound up to him/her until I realise it is not who I think it is. This has meant I have had to miss more training. I hope I can catch up.

I have led Daddy to the butcher's twice now since he got back. Amy and Tigger have shown me where to go for bones.

Training

Returned to training on Wednesday night having missed a week. Jeanette said I was pulling on the lead too much and Daddy's got to work on that. My sit/stay wasn't good either, but I was very excited after my holiday.

Training

Last week, we went through the bronze award syllabus. I think Daddy needs to brush up on the theory.

Yesterday (I am now 9 months old), we did some agility and we were timed. Now I think that was cool and I look forward to doing more of that.

Daddy asked if I was underweight and the trainers thought not. Maybe I should eat a bit more especially on long walks, but otherwise I am OK. Chappie might be a good idea to supplement my food. Daddy asked this because some people have suggested I should eat more. I agree with them!

Daddy was also advised that cold tea is good for cleaning the eyes. Daddy's going to try that.

Secondary school

I went to my first class at 'secondary school' last night. It was great. I met some old friends and some new ones. As there were only 5 of us (Daddy said there was a certain football match on telly and the weather was foul again), we had a lot of tuition. We were given the Kennel Club Good Citizen Dog Scheme Bronze Award syllabus. (Is that edible?) We practised most of it and I think the trainers were pleased with my progress. Daddy needs to work on my 'sit'. It's not my fault I don't know what he means. We also learned 'away/down' which means go to bed. I don't like the sound of that. To me, lying down is a last resort when there is nothing else happening.

Pawstretchers

Had my 12th lesson last night when we went through the Kennel Club Bronze Award requirements. Daddy needs more training than I do.

Earlier, we went to Pawstretchers to see about the possibility of 'day care' there. I really loved it and met what seemed like hundreds of other dogs in a large field. Came back this morning for a two hour session without Daddy. That was very successful as well and I came back very muddy. So I will be going there tomorrow for the whole day while Daddy goes for one of his long walks with his mates.

PS That day was great fun and I can't wait to go again.