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Post by Casparsdad on May 1, 2016 21:48:13 GMT
We have had some visitors this weekend, namely Bailey and Elmo, our son's two labradoodles. Benji was very excited to have two more boys in the house, and got quite tired the first afternoon: Both afternoons we have again been up to Canford Heath, but today I remembered my camera: Mooching with Hugo That "are you coming?" look After their tea Benji's favourite position
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Post by biffybob on May 1, 2016 23:01:45 GMT
Lovely photos! Sounds like he's having a great bank holiday weekend.
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Post by daisydip on May 2, 2016 6:53:37 GMT
Great pictures, he looks really settled. Do you think routine has helped?
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Post by rowlfsmum on May 2, 2016 7:45:46 GMT
Gosh you have got a houseful!!
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Post by Casparsdad on May 2, 2016 9:00:17 GMT
Yes, routine helps. In the morning we go to Whitecliff where there are all sorts of dogs and we practice going past them without reacting. Bit by bit he is improving, and is quite relaxed with one or two regulars that we meet. Afternoons we go to Canford Heath where we meet very few dogs but he is off lead, and the few he does meet he's learning to be calmer with.
If someone is grumpy because he's been a bit too bouncy with their dog, we fall back on the profuse apologies and "he's a foster that we've only had 3 weeks" and that generally smooths the situation!
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Post by Mimsmum on May 8, 2016 11:12:26 GMT
I love that last standing photo. Shows him as something other than a little fluffy. Perhaps we will get some real Lurcher applicants now xx
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Post by lesleyt888 on May 8, 2016 15:46:49 GMT
Are you sure you haven't stolen my Alfie? Not only is he identical in looks it appears that Benji has the same character as well.However you seem to be dealing with the excitable reactions to other dogs etc far better than I have and I have been trying for over 4 years
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Post by Casparsdad on May 8, 2016 17:18:46 GMT
Today Benji got himself "lost". Fortunately a gate stopped him from going too far, and a kindly family phoned me to say where he was. When I got within sight of them he came straight to my call and whistle, sat down and looked up as if to say "hi, where's my sausage?". Before they called he had obviously run beyond his hearing of my calling and whistling. It was breezy and we were walking through trees.
All's well, but shows he is still a bit of a problem if he runs too far!
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Post by daisydip on May 9, 2016 9:33:14 GMT
Quite a fright for you, thank goodness all ended well.
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Post by dogmad on May 9, 2016 10:39:16 GMT
PHEW!
That was a scare. I know how you feel, after M did a bunk for 30 minutes last year.
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Post by rowlfsmum on May 9, 2016 10:56:00 GMT
Hopefully the fright will make him more attentive to you.
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Post by Casparsdad on May 12, 2016 8:32:01 GMT
Yesterday I took Benji to visit Gavin at Southern Pet Services for an assessment. This is the same man Rowlf visited recently, and he said he had seen some other SLRdogs as well. He said we must pretty well start again with his training as he gets so over excited by other dogs etc. He showed us how clicker training will help, and sent me away with lots of "homework" to do. One of the main things is to walk him in quieter places for a while, without our two, and use the clicker as we go along.
Unfortunately Mollie has a groin injury and has great difficulty walking at the moment, so it's all down to me. This morning I took Benji out before 7am, using the clicker system for sitting at the kerb etc, and getting his attention at random moments. We only saw one other dog on the other side of the road, and used the system to great effect. He consumed lots of pieces of cocktail sausage as reward, so this might help him put on a bit of weight......I just hope 4 walks a day will help me lose some!
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Post by rowlfsmum on May 12, 2016 8:38:03 GMT
Great. Gavin likes homework! We should have been going today but had to cancel due to Rowlfs injury. We are getting good results with the clicker but it will prob take a while to undo bad habits!! Good luck Keith and get well vibes to Molly.
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Post by Romi on May 12, 2016 15:42:12 GMT
Well done Keith and Benji. Sending Healing Vibes to poor Mollie.
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Post by daisydip on May 12, 2016 21:00:33 GMT
Wonderful commitment Keith and Mollie, I know how much hard work it takes with a dog that needs retraining. I had to walk Molly tripaw on her own. Thank you for putting the time and effort in. It will hopefully lead to a more balanced, easier to rehome dog.
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Post by Casparsdad on May 15, 2016 16:21:17 GMT
Today Benji came along on the Micheldever walk, and I gave him a day off from training in that he was allowed to run free on the walk. We put him in an orange vest so we could see him amongst the trees. It's surprising how easily a black dog gets out of sight! As it turned out he stuck quite close to me and kept on coming back to check. When he did go off for a little explore with his chums he soon came back. In the pub garden he was fairly well behaved, although the sight of other dogs having a little play beside another table got him excited. He soon calmed down with a bit of petting. A few snaps of his day: Waiting for the start- Close formation Trotting ahead In the garden
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Post by Margot's Corps de Ballet on May 15, 2016 16:36:49 GMT
Its wonderful to see Benji doing so well
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2016 17:10:30 GMT
I had a chat this little boy while Keith ate his lunch. What a sweetie, very affectionate - anyone who is prepared to do the work with this guy (its not agression, its excitement) will be rewarded 10 fold.
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Post by aijee on May 15, 2016 17:42:02 GMT
I did a significant part of today's SLR walk with young Benji - what a delightful little fellow.
As Philippa said Benji's vocalisation is very much excitement-based, there is not an ounce of aggression or malice in this boy. Off lead he was an absolute delight, zooming around joyfully with his friends (ANYone who would run with him!) and yet all the time checking in with Keith. Benji LOVES cuddles! With a calm and consistent environment as he grows up this little lad will be a wonderful addition to somebody's family.
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