|
Post by Romi on Apr 16, 2016 12:32:19 GMT
I think Benji suits him better. (No offence to Mr Khan ) Looking forward to meeting him on the walk tomorrow.
|
|
|
Post by Casparsdad on Apr 16, 2016 21:57:34 GMT
This afternoon we walked on Canford Heath, and as there were no other dogs around and we were walking up a cutting with a gate at the end, I thought we would try letting him off lead. All went well to begin with, Benji running ahead with Hugo, looking back at us every now and again. When we came to the gate Hugo showed him how to slip straight through the wire fence so we carried on and he seemed to be interested in staying with us, even coming back to see where Mollie was when she slipped into the bushes. But then he took a wrong turn and was down the bottom of the cutting, some distance from us and not seeing an easy way to come back up, and then he spotted another dog coming along. I had hoped that by being off the lead he wouldn't find it necessary to bark at the other dog, but no, he barked, although not as frenzied as sometimes. We were scrambling down the steep sandy bank to get to him, and fortunately he didn't see yet another dog to run up to, so I was able to get him back on the lead. I think the barking is mostly "come on, run so I can chase you" rather than anything more aggressive, but once he has found a "target" he's not very keen to come away.
Let's see how he gets on tomorrow!
I keep reminding myself that he has only been with us 13 days, so I suppose we shouldn't expect too much too soon!
|
|
|
Post by dogmad on Apr 17, 2016 10:13:16 GMT
I do hope he behaves today on the walk. Sorry Annie & I can't be there. I'll drop a contribution off this evening.
|
|
|
Post by Casparsdad on Apr 17, 2016 16:20:00 GMT
Well, "blow me down with a feather" as my Mother used to say! Benji behaved surprisingly well in the field at Manor Farm. There was excited barking to begin with, but once we were in the field I put a muzzle on him just to be safe, and then let him off. He charged straight in to meet all the other lurchers, and there wasn't much barking unless the other dog was barking too. He ran around for almost the whole hour, although he did get puffed sometimes! In between running he greeted all the humans very well... When I was sure he wasn't snapping at any of the dogs I took his muzzle off and he went on running. When we set out on the walk on lead, he was again excited, but I let him off in the woods once it was safe and he was off to the front with a few buddies. Unfortunately the small group he was running with ran down to the river bank, not caring that the tide was out....they came back covered in mud! On the lead he walked along quietly among the other dogs, now that he had met them. He even behaved himself in the pub garden, lying down quietly until some one came to talk to him. Quite a few people admired him, and said how they would like to take him home... but no one took us up on it when we said: "He's free!"
|
|
|
Post by Romi on Apr 17, 2016 17:30:01 GMT
What a great little character Benji is. After his initial excitement he mixed in very well with the thirty odd other dogs just like he'd always been doing it. And afterwards he proved to be a great pub dog, laying calmly on the grass with all the other hounds and grabbing cuddles from anyone who offered. In my opinion he'll need a home with knowledgeable people who can understand that his barking is excitement not aggression, and who will allow him to socialise with plenty of other dogs.
|
|
|
Post by Socksmum on Apr 17, 2016 17:44:50 GMT
Good boy Benji and well done you for giving him the chance to have a run and learn his manners. It seems like it has paid off and that he is well on the way to being a great dog for someone. Onwards and upwards Benji xx
|
|
|
Post by daisydip on Apr 17, 2016 17:59:45 GMT
I really like Benji, my Jethro can be abit bullish if there is an excitable youngster annoying him but Benji didn't even get a second glance from him. I had lovely cuddles too.
|
|
|
Post by rowlfsmum on Apr 17, 2016 18:01:46 GMT
Well done Benji.
|
|
|
Post by Casparsdad on Apr 30, 2016 10:30:39 GMT
Benji has been with us a month now, and he has changed from the hyper excitable boy when he arrived, to a more laid back young Lurcher. He is still up for play and excitement at a moments notice, but will laze around quietly when you are busy. He is well behaved in the house, and even when the doorbell goes he just rushes to the door with a waggy tail. His "fault" is that he jumps up in excitement to be petted. He likes playing with toys, and has confined his chewing to the various dog toys we have around. He eats well, and has learnt not to put his nose into a dog bowl that's "occupied"! He is very keen on cuddles and any show of affection, and will push in for attention any time I pet our other dogs, but accepts being pushed away. He likes running up and down the garden chasing a ball and mostly drops it near you to be thrown again, but will also let you take it out of his mouth. He sleeps right through the night in the crate in our bedroom, and travels happily in the crate in the car. We use the crate in the car to avoid him stepping on the other dogs and upsetting them, and for more control when we get them out of the car. If he was staying with us I would discard the crate in time, once he was better trained.
Out on walks he can still be reactive to dogs who are barking or running about, but we are working to modify this. He now greets some dogs we know quite well, and various "regulars" on Whitecliff say they notice an improvement. It is definitely frustrated excitement not aggression, he just wants to be there playing with every dog on the field. In the enclosed field at Manor Farm we could let him do just that - run around with every dog there - but down on Whitecliff there are just too many varied dogs and too many exits. It is not that he would run away as such, he would just run on from one dog to the next until he lost himself, so we don't risk it.
In the afternoons however, we have been going to Canford Heath, a big open area with some fences and gates to contain grazing animals (although there are none about at the moment). We have been letting him off lead there, and although he runs ahead, he is always pausing and looking back to make sure we're coming, and slowly he's getting better at coming back (for a piece of cheese)! If we do meet another dog he runs over to say hello, and is not bothered if it growls at him to get lost, but if it will play he may then follow them too far so we have to try to call him away. It's improving, but only slowly.
His next home will need to understand that he is a "work in progress", but well worth persevering with as he is such a lovely boy in every other way.
|
|
|
Post by Socksmum on Apr 30, 2016 10:46:40 GMT
Well, I think progress is definitely the word, he's done really well with you and is showing so much promise. What a great little one, he sounds so much fun and will make a lovely addition for someone who can carry on your good work. WTG Benji xx
|
|
|
Post by rowlfsmum on Apr 30, 2016 11:03:04 GMT
Lovely update and all going in the right direction. I have to say that the clicker training under Gavin's guidance is proving promising with Rowlf.
|
|
|
Post by antoniaalfie55 on Apr 30, 2016 12:37:34 GMT
Sounds as if he is settling down nicely . He looks and sounds just like Paxti now Theo
|
|
|
Post by Parv&Freya on Apr 30, 2016 14:11:22 GMT
Benji is such a cutie. Like the name change, it suits him well.
|
|
Deleted
Posts: 0
I am offline
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 14:15:35 GMT
Sounds like Benji's coming along well now. The cattle are still there Keith, so do keep an eye out for them. Don't want you getting caught unawares! Not in the very middle bit, but if you're doing a circular walk like the one we did with you, you would venture into areas they can currently access.
|
|
|
Post by Casparsdad on Apr 30, 2016 15:08:05 GMT
Thanks Loz, we saw them in the distance for the first time this afternoon, but we were walking a different path.
On the way back there were two horse riders coming, but fortunately Benji was already on the lead. I held the gate open for them, and although Benji was quiet at first, he would have run after them if he could!
|
|
|
Post by daisydip on Apr 30, 2016 17:24:41 GMT
Work in progress but improvements already. Sounds good to me, well done Keith and mollie, i know how trying it can be.
|
|
susyb
Newborn Lurcher
Posts: 3
I am offline
|
Post by susyb on Apr 30, 2016 21:17:49 GMT
Work in progress but improvements already. Sounds good to me, well done Keith and mollie, i know how trying it can be. Oh my goodness he looks lovely I'm so tempted!!
|
|
susyb
Newborn Lurcher
Posts: 3
I am offline
|
Post by susyb on Apr 30, 2016 21:27:49 GMT
Work in progress but improvements already. Sounds good to me, well done Keith and mollie, i know how trying it can be. Oh my goodness he looks lovely I'm so tempted!! Am I too far away in north Devon?
|
|
|
Post by Romi on May 1, 2016 5:32:27 GMT
I very much doubt it! Why don't you fill in an application form and ping it back to Jenny, and let's get you homechecked.
|
|
|
Post by dogmad on May 1, 2016 9:58:50 GMT
Suzyb, Whereabouts in North Devon are you? Jenny,........I may be able to do a home check if it comes to it. Oi duz loik a day owt in nort Debn! And I'm sure my co~pilot would join me! (wouldn't you Annie!)
|
|