Grey is swimming and walking on lead!

Big day for us today! Grey realised halfway through his second swim in the hydrotherapy pool that he can swim! All of a sudden he was able to take an interest in a floating toy and actually swim the length of the pool to fetch it! Horray! Might sound like not much for anyone who's dog loves swimming, but Grey has always been scardy of it. They've been really great at the hydrotherapy centre.

While we were waiting for our turn I took Grey out for a walk around the grounds with the lead round my waist hands free. I only did this because we were away from traffic, other dogs and so he couldn't budge me if he pulled. It seemed like a bit of a breakthrough to him. Then when I tried it this evening on our walk around the square he was so much more responsive. Stopping to look back at me if I slowed as he was about to pull. We must have spent 30 minutes just hanging out on the square clicker training all sorts of stuff. Sitting and lying down while I said hello to people, not pulling towards objects he wanted to check out, sit on the whistle, bits of close heelwork.

He's now cuddled up on his duvet with his favourite tug toy. The leadwork I think is coming on a treat as I've stepped down levels of distraction in terms of areas: I took him the other day to Morrisons car park, then today out at kennels. So he gets practise in before I move him up.

Oh and there was another slovak in kennels today. Looked very much liek Grey, but more like another slovak I've met. Looked like a lovely boy. They're all so incredibly the same looking these UK slovaks.

First swim at hydrotherapy

Yesterday we finally got to hydro and Grey had his first swim. He's made loads of progress. Now stands nicely to have his pre-swim shower before going in. I didn't manage to take much video of him swimming as I had to walk round the edge of the pool about 3ft ahead to keep him swimming forwards. He was sploshing around loads on the first lap and then settled in to it. He had a big lean in to Linda on the steps when resting between laps.

Here's the tiny bit of him having his first swim.

Jean Donaldson's 'Oh Behave!' book

Thinking about getting Jean Donaldson's new book: 'Oh Behave!: Dogs from Pavlov to Premack to Pinker'.

It's not a training manual, more reviews of the latest research in canine behaviour and has a large chunk dispelling the infamous dominance theory.

Better make room on the bookshelf...

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1929242522/ref=pe_5301_21376071_pe_ar_t1

Nice clicker retrieve videos with a lovely girlie slovak too!

I've looked at some nice clicker retrieve videos and one series in particular is a favourite. also because it features a lovely girlie slovak! Just goes to show that gundogs can learn well from positive methods.

Part 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brKu26LlMTU

Part 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wy8UgCivPrs

Part 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V14RcOWeR6w

Part 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avv51UpXPCA

Part 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avv51UpXPCA

Part 5b: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQ0iLNFHmc

I also liked these videos from the lovely Jessie and her Canadian trainer, which starts the process in reverse. i.e. with a hold first. I seem to have better success with this method.

Slovak health: 10 month old slovak needing hip replacement

I was sorry to hear recently of a young 10 month old slovak bitch who has got very bad hip dysplasia and will require a hip replacement if not a double hip replacement. The parents of the pup have apparently good hip scores, but these don't tell you if there are any hip problems in the lines. And, of course, most pet owners don't hip score their dogs so the stats are skewed.

I'm in touch with the owners of a closely related dog to this pup who has hips so deformed they were off the charts and who is having to have a double hip replacement at 3 years old. Yet other closely related dogs are out there winning awards and will be bred from. Thankfully she is now recovering and enjoying a full lease of life for the first time. The current average hip score for slovakian rough haired pointers is 9. The advice is that anyone breeding should only breed from dogs with a score well below the breed score average and definitely not above 9.

If anyone has a health issue such as hips, teeth, coat or suspected epilepsy come up with their slovak, it is really important that they contact the breeder and the breed club. Fill out and to send off a health form to the breed club, which is then passed on to the Kennel Club. This is the only way the breed fault average is worked out.

Anyone thinking of buying a slovak pup from a reputable breeder can then ask them about reported problems. Also try asking the breed club for advice on reported health issues and some of the owners you find on Facebook and forums for advice.

Really hoping we're not back to square one

I took Grey to the vets today for his nails to be clipped under sedation. They'd got really long through the lack of exercise and he just won't let me near them to cut them without a struggle. When I picked him up he was limping. By this evening, he's limping as badly as he was over 6 weeks ago. I've called the vet back and he's on Metacam for the evening. I'll see how he is tomorrow.

I'm worried in case something has happened and he's back to where he was. I was only saying this morning how much stronger he was in his body movements around the house. Damn.

oops! wrong day!

Drove out to hydrotherapy today and realised when we got there it was the wrong day. Ahhhhhh. Nevermind, we enjoyed the trip out of the house for a change of scenery and listening to the radio in the car. The usual excited barking when we arrive at a destination, but otherwise, Grey is much improved in the car. Lorries don't get much attention these days. Motorbikes are still a trigger for mad barking which breaks the sound barrier of an enclosed space.

In other news, Grey has become a practised counter surfer. He now routinely cruises the surfaces when we leave the room. It's always our fault if he gets something. Puppy can not be trusted.