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Post by BW on Jul 14, 2017 9:12:01 GMT
I think Chester is enjoying his stay in the Home Kennel. I think your spot on Heather. Quite right Heather & Gill - he does appear to be a very happy bunny in our company, & I wish I had a £ for every time I've been asked if I'm going to keep him!!
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Post by BW on Jul 14, 2017 14:11:36 GMT
During our mid-afternoon walk yesterday we discovered for the first time that Chester has a voice. A friendly Springer Spaniel was bounding around enjoying himself about 25 yards from us & Chester barked at him repeatedly - not an aggressive bark, but one that was accompanied by him leaping about on the end of his lead, & was clearly saying "I'd really love to come & play with you."
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Post by BW on Jul 16, 2017 9:26:45 GMT
Chester continues to make good progress on all fronts. With decent nutrition he's beginning to firm up a little, (although his ribs are still clearly visible), & his response to commands is gradually improving, although this aspect of behaviour, as with any young pup, requires patience, more patience, & yet more patience. Happily, with hounds I have this in abundance, though not so much with certain members of the human race!
One of his little foibles concerns scooting - when he's finished a wee he does a short, very firm scoot, followed by extending his hind legs alternately horizontal to the ground as far as he can, summat I've never encountered before, (naturally he extends his legs alternately, otherwise of course he'd fall over! ).
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Post by BW on Jul 18, 2017 15:33:44 GMT
Chester continues to make solid progress. On our way to the park for our early afternoon walk we encountered George, one of my neighbours who lives on the same level as us, & as we greeted him his first remark was " Hasn't Chester calmed down." I've been thinking the same, but 'twas good to have it independently confirmed.
The boy still has his manic three minute zoomie episodes in the home-kennel, but these are becoming a little less frequent. He's still exhibiting puppy behaviour, (as is to be expected), but this is endearing rather than tiresome, & 'tis a pleasure to have his company.
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Post by Romi on Jul 18, 2017 16:45:47 GMT
Good boy Chester. As you say Barney, it's so nice when somebody else notices how well behaved your hounds are.
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Post by rowlfsmum on Jul 19, 2017 15:58:24 GMT
Barney has sent over a couple more photos of Chester enjoying life in the Home Kennel
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Post by BW on Jul 19, 2017 16:02:30 GMT
Fingers crossed for some reasonable weather for the coming weekend - Chester is due to have his second vax on Friday, & I've earmarked Saturday to investigate the possibility of him possessing some sort of recall. I'll take him out on his own immediately after one of our walks, & mebbe take his favourite squeaky fluffy bone with us to act as an enticement for him to come back to his Uncle Barney.
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Post by BW on Jul 19, 2017 16:06:24 GMT
Ta muchly for the pics Heather - they show Chester's current favourite place indoors, whether I'm in the bed or not!
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Post by rowlfsmum on Jul 19, 2017 16:46:29 GMT
Good luck with the recall.
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Post by Mimsmum on Jul 21, 2017 10:41:19 GMT
Anil has now given Chester the all clear to be rehomed. He did mention that Chester has put on 1 kilo in weight in two weeks, and that he would be concerned if he did put on any more weight this quickly in the future. Yep, I think the squeaky ball is the way ahead for recall. Penny has taken some photos on his stop-gap to the Vets and back.
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Post by Mimsmum on Jul 21, 2017 11:16:54 GMT
Another one from Penny. Making himself at home at her house for a while.
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Post by BW on Jul 21, 2017 11:27:20 GMT
Anil has now given Chester the all clear to be rehomed. He did mention that Chester has put on 1 kilo in weight in two weeks, and that he would be concerned if he did put on any more weight this quickly in the future. Yup - he really needed to put on a bit of weight when he first arrived, & this has been successfully achieved. He's about right now, & his diet will be sensible so he doesn't become a fatso. What will also help is the exercise he so clearly craves & needs, & I'm really looking forward, (admittedly with a little trepidation!), to his first off lead session.
ETA: Ta muchly for posting his latest pics Jenny. x
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Post by rowlfsmum on Jul 21, 2017 11:52:49 GMT
He's a lovely boy and will be a great addition to someone's home.
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Post by BW on Jul 21, 2017 16:34:57 GMT
He who has for the past umpty tump years been preaching patience, more patience, & yet more patience in training Lurchers, (especially young'uns), couldn't wait to let Chester off lead, & the deed was done immediately following our regular mid-afternoon walk today.
On his school report the section devoted to recall would read "A splendid achievement for one of such tender years."
I guess he wondered what on earth was happening when I initially removed his lead, & he didn't venture more than a few feet from my side. When I threw his favourite squeaky fluffy bone for him to chase he was totally disinterested.
Happily an elderly on-lead poodle hove into sight some 50 yards away, & Chester shot off at a rate of knots to make friends with him. Luckily the dog walker was totally unfazed, just remarking what a lovely hound Chester was, & asking about his history.
The lad came back to me when I whistled, (admittedly after thinking about his response for a moment ), again at terrific speed - he's very quick across the ground, & extremely agile. He then took himself of in various directions to explore interesting 'niffs, & came back every time on my command.
Chester had a whale of a time, thoroughly enjoying his latest experience, & I'm really looking forward to our 5.30a.m. walk tomorrow, when he & the girls will all be off lead together for the first time.
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Post by Romi on Jul 21, 2017 17:02:13 GMT
Yaaayyyy, WTG Chester. He is a credit to your fostering skills Barney.
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Post by BW on Jul 22, 2017 9:21:35 GMT
The first walk with all three hounds off lead duly took place this morning, & I'd judge it to be an unqualified success.
Chester very quickly realised that he was free to run again, & run he certainly did, encouraging Annie to play chasey chasey with him. Annie's no slouch at 11.5 years old, but naturally she wasn't a match for the youngster. The three hounds interacted very well together, with the girls now liking his company instead of merely tolerating him.
Chester's recall was again up to scratch, & I had no worries at all that he might not return when called the times he wandered off into the undergrowth, & a bonus was that he walked really well on lead at the end of our session.
The one small concern that I have is his predilection for soft play-biting, & I have to tell him that kissy-kissy is fine, but bitey-bitey isn't.
All in all this boy is magic.
I have some videos of Chester playing with his toys & also his off-lead adventures, which I'll attempt to send to MC.
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Post by Penny on Jul 22, 2017 10:09:56 GMT
Just to add to this fellas portfolio, whilst he was at mine for a bit yesterday he met my resident stunt cat (dog killer)! And Chester showed no interest what so ever on the first meeting except for being a little cautious when the cat hissed! And on the 2nd meeting Chester managed to sneak a quick bum sniff although this nearly ended badly for Chester as the cat took a swipe!! But even then he just backed away. I'm not convinced he's ever seen one before. But after his encounter I would be confident that Chester may be cat friendly or at least cat trainable!
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Post by Mimsmum on Jul 22, 2017 10:48:58 GMT
Well done Barney. Hopefully he will recall on every walk. It makes for a much more interesting and enjoyable walk for all.
And well done Penny. I'll add cat trainable to his Title. x
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Post by rowlfsmum on Jul 22, 2017 11:58:46 GMT
Well done Chester
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Post by BW on Jul 23, 2017 3:55:55 GMT
I have some videos of Chester playing with his toys & also his off-lead adventures, which I'll attempt to send to MC. Unfortunately these videos appear to be too long to send as Sky email attachments. I'll try later with Gmail, unless anyone knows a way round this problem?
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