Sunday 28 June 2009

Hot sunny days

I've not been posting for a while on how things were going. But we have been busy. What is it? Make hay while the sun shines?

We've been doing early morning walks and then late evening to avoid the heat of the day. Then short lead training bits during the day or bits of retrieve or stay training in the back yard. I had a really brilliant week with Grey this week. He felt like he had passed another corner and was slightly steadier and, you know, more grown up. He came away from other dogs easier. One one morning he more or less followed me round a playing field offlead while a rottie was the other side. I've been doing lots of reinforcement for being with me with the clicker and going out before breakfast. I tried some stay training in the field too, but I'm now looking at being more steady and careful with that on the advice of a friend.

And then there are days like today where it all goes haywire. He jumped on the dining table! Stole a mask from a lady's stall we were at in the old town and was incredibly over energised this evening and hard work. But then you get days like that.

But I have been really pleased to see that we can walk some distance on the flat collar now and again. So a huge YAY!

I forgot to post feedback on the second opinion on his teeth. The dentist said there is nothing more to be done. So I've booked in with a one to one session for ttouch, which hopefully will help him.

Thursday 11 June 2009

Another teeth update

I'm going to get Grey a second opinion on his teeth situation. They still seem to be bothering him and since he has matured things seem to have changed. His front teeth are jumbled and multi-layered. They clash and there is still some impact of the left canine into the upper gum.

It could be affecting his training and behaviour on the headcollar. Which is a bit of a catch 22 situation. I can't really handle him without one on. The dogmatic seems to be the best fit so far as far as his eyes go. But it's still not ideal. This will require ongoing treatment it seems.