Grey's Days

Cows and Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer at Pegwell Nature Reserve Kent

2012-01-18T19:10:00.005Z

We went out to Pegwell Bay Nature Reserve yesterday. It was a glorious sunny day. Crisp and bright. We had a good trot round. Met a few dogs as usual. Avoided a pack of barking dachsies. Grey saw the buffalo type cows and was good with them. He was happy and had a spring in his step.

A general walk

2012-01-18T00:27:00.000Z

Here is a video I shot the other day while out walking at Minnis. I apologise for the rough camera and shaking, but I wanted to keep filming while I walked so I could capture how far Grey generally ranges from me without me stopping to film. When I stop walking Grey usually comes back to me when he's realised.

In this he goes ahead about 20 metres before he turns and sees that I've stopped. He then comes back on his own, no recall. By a coincidence, the point I stop in the film, there is also a passing cyclist on the upper sea wall. A few years ago, Grey would have chased this. He's still not 100% but he's so much better.

After we reach the point we're going to leave the lower sea wall and go up the slope, I use the much easier 'this way' to get him back down the slope than a recall. This gets him out of potential trouble as the sea wall can be quite busy with bikes and joggers and it gives me the opportunity to catch up and make some headway up the slope. From there, on the hard sea wall surface, Grey has less to sniff at and is far more attentive in keeping an eye on how near I am to him. He spies a couple of dogs and their owners on the beach and ignores them. Again, previously he'd have been off down the beach to the dogs.

As a Slovak that is in a pet home and we don't do any working training or gun dog work, this is the kind of terrain and habits that I've grown to do with Grey. Basically, having fun, keeping it neutral and hanging out. What I've learnt to do is watch his energy levels and arousal I think. I try to go places where I can manage him off lead and work up from there.

Can you help? 6 year old Eva (Aucassin Despina) very sick with suspected AI Disease

2012-01-04T19:55:00.000Z

Sadly the new year didn't get off to a good start for this 6 year old female Slovak called Eva (Aucassin Despina, d.o.b. 17/12/2005). I was contacted by her owner who is desperately looking to bring her back to health. She's been struck down with what looks like another of those mysterious Auto Immune Disease (AI) conditions, and has lost the use of her hind legs with suspected hind limb ataxia. She comes from what sounds like an awfully sick litter of Slovaks with a few of her siblings having died at young ages. Her brother had hind limb ataxia at 18 months of age (he later died). Eva herself has had a life of overcoming sickness, since 16 weeks old she suffered with AI issues and meningitis problem. Her pedigree is the same mating that was repeated two years later and produced one of the main stud dogs in the UK, Bruce (Aucassin Tonto of Rosetinted). They both therefore share the COI of 20.3%. You can see from the pedigree their breeding, hence the high COI. The inbreeding coefficient of Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers is 11.5%.

Eva's parents are Sholto de ''Etang aux Colverts x Aucassin Comfrey.

The problem I've seen with so many of these mysterious AI pain issues that have come to light that result in steroid or anti-biotic treatment, there seem to be as many diagnoses as there are dogs. But one thing they all share is how distressing it is for the dogs and their owners. So if you think you can help with advice or experience, or if your Slovak is related to Eva, please get in touch: greytheslovak@gmail.com and I'll forward it on.

If you suspect your own Slovak might have had a health concern, no matter how minor, that you can now recall, please do take the time to fill out a health report for the breed club. Did you have a pup that reacted badly to vaccinations? Any pain incidents that seemed strange? It is only through reporting of issues within our breed that we can help get to the bottom of conditions like this. The link to the health form is on the breed club website to download.

Here is the lovely Eva (aka giant Doof) in happier days spaniel sitting this summer.

Eva has now had a max dexamethasone jab, after which she picked up so it does look to be auto-immune related rather than trauma.

She is now on prednisolone at 4x original dose ie maximum plus antibiotics in case there is a spinal infection. Problem looks to be at L4/5 or thereabouts.

When Eva was small she had recurrent bouts of elevated temperature, pain, neck stiffness, loss of appetite all responsive to steroids from around 16 weeks on. The attacks put her on a drip in the surgery if not spotted quickly enough. Then decreasing attacks and almost no problems for 2 years with the last 12 months clear. One week ago she was looking for pheasants in fields. She had slightly stiff neck next day, no temperature, but over 3 days reducing hind limb proprioception ending up in loss of motor power and no response to pain. Very sudden and a new manifestation.

Her brother died in England at around 2 years after a lifetime of the symptoms suffered by Eva although he had some loss of proprioception earlier. Another sibling died at a few months of age in the breeder's vets. Another sibling was ill.

Really hoping that Eva recovers soon. If you think you can help, please do get in touch.

We're back! Cyclists, cut paws and paddling

2011-12-11T18:38:00.001Z

Poor Grey's Days Blog. Can't believe I haven't posted since October. My excuse is that I've been busy building and maintaining other blogs about other things. I shall endeavour to improve things.

Grey is well and in fine fettle. He's just recovering from a badly cut hind paw pad. £64 trip to the vet to find that we were struggling to get him to allow me to stand his foot in a hibiscrub bath or to let me put a plastic bag on it either in an attempt to keep it clean. In the end, following good sense advice from a friend, I took him down to the sea after a few days of rest at home and let him do his favourite thing. Paddle.

While he was off on rest we picked up some silly trick training at home. So he can now do 'take a bow' on cue. This has only taken me 2 years to put on verbal cue! It's taken a long while because he doesn't move well from luring to the lure being faded. We also messed around with front paw targets and we can now have a fun game of switching between running round an object at a distance 'go around' and running out to touch the object with his nose 'touch it'. Keeps us busy in the winter when we 're down to one walk per day.

He's still a bugger on the lead and I'm thinking about tackling this. But just thinking about it at the moment. Not looking for stress.

His recalls are good and we seem to have 99% cracked cyclist and jogger chasing. Woohoo! I think it has taken about 9 months. I started pairing 'ready Grey!' with a raised arm about to throw a pebble into the sea. Very soon, 'ready Grey' has him stop and watch me ready to come in and chase the pebble. Then I did 'ready Grey' and 'wait' and then throw. I started to do this whenever I saw a distraction like a cyclist. I moved on to having some food he can clearly see. So I have my hand raised, which becomes like a stop sign. The 'ready Grey' works as a recall, but a recall tied to something exciting about to happen. The 'wait' is with the added visual cue of my raised hand. The cyclist passes and then I reward with an exciting 'Go!' and throw of the food for him to chase and eat. He now actively looks for me if he sees cyclists. I've found this a good compromise and better than a 'leave it'. He loves it so much that as it has built up over time, cyclists now equal fun games and food.

Here are some piccies from our walk today.

lovely red apple tree

Project Grey's Nails - positively training to have his nails clipped

2011-10-06T08:28:00.001+01:00

I decided to start videoing my sessions with Grey working on him feeling comfortable having his nails handled. The video is titled session 1, but I realise this might make people think it is the first ever session in this training. Sorry! Its actually it's been a few weeks of me teaching him paw and accepting casual touches of his nails. He's also been shown clippers and the dremel and had them out near him and near food.

His nails on his front paws are really are very long now and they simply do not wear down. It seems Slovak nails being dark are very hard. This hardness makes cutting them a harder task. Hard to see the quick and more pressure to actually clip the nail.

Grey gets very stressed if I go to clip his nails. He doesn't growl he jerks away and struggles really strongly. This makes it impossible to safely cut his nails. So I'm trying to condition him to accept me gradually working towards having his nails cut. In this video Grey is not restrained and is free to leave at any moment. When he flinches I go back a step to an area of his body away from from the paw and to work again towards the paw. Have to remember to take it slow.

This first session went on too long and you'll see at the end, he gave up and didn't want to do it anymore. I'll keep future sessions shorter. It's easy to get carried away with this kind of training and to take things forward. But the best and only way really is to go at the dog's pace. I'm not aiming for him to love getting his nails done. Do we love going to the dentist? The aim is for him to be as relaxed so I can get that unpleasant clipping action over and done with minimal stress and without him having a strong pre-emptive fear of the process. This might take a very long while.

Working on the nail handling

2011-09-06T22:00:00.001+01:00

We're about day 3 into working on nail handling. I worked on him from his main body, down his legs and on to his paws. He'll now let me touch his nails with a pen, insert the nails into the clip of the pen and generally let me tap the nail with the pen and scrape underneath. I have a feeling he might actually tolerate a dremel more than the clippers. So I'm going to look up dremels. Other than that, we've been back out on our beach today. Tourists have gone and we're back having the whole place to ourselves. Yesterday the car was out of action so we worked on lead walking on the square. I went back to Ian Dunbars method of waiting for sits after a giant step. It gave him lots of time to take in his surroundings. And interestingly, he was calm through loads of his usual triggers: bikes, sirens, lorries.

What's the best trick you can teach your dog?

2011-08-26T17:52:00.001+01:00

Have had to start thinking again about improving Grey's grooming and handling stress. He recently had a flare up of the skin infection on his tummy and this then was coupled, as last time, with problems with his anal glands. So the tell tale fishy smell and him twisting round to smell his own bum and then either a sit down or a run away from himself, both with a worried look on his face. Since this started flaring up last summer, he's become a lot more stressed at the vets. So he now won't let the vet touch his back side. This has also meant him being stressed about the vets in general and procedures that he was previously fine about, like vaccinations, he now isn't.

I've started a programme of home training on general husbandry. It's something I wish I'd done a lot more of when he was little. But seeing as I can't turn the clock back, I'll start from where we are now and move forwards. These simple things will make a positive impact on our life and possibly could save it in the future. I've posted about this before, citing the US trainer, Kathy Sadao, with her experiences from working in a zoo environment. Most of the training they do in zoos on a day to day basis is husbandry. She asks why do many people use coercive methods (restraints and force) to groom their dogs. The answer quite simply is because they can. But this simply wouldn't work for a killer whale or elephant. So training plans have to be thought out.

I'm notoriously bad at finishing things that I start. This is the reason that Grey doesn't have a range of tricks he knows. But no matter. What does matter is that he won't keep still to be examined, won't let his anal glands be emptied and won't let his nails be clipped.

So yesterday, we started training on the anal gland task and the front paw handling.

Day 1:

I got the duvet out and we both sat on it. We had a session where he was lying across my legs and relaxing and he would let me touch him all over, including his bum and under the tail. I can touch his legs and take hold of his paws.

Day 2:

I got out a vet bed mat which is a cue for training and for him to sit or lie on it. He was in a sit and I'm in front of him sitting cross legged. I worked being able to hold his front legs and down to his paw. Take his paw and gently squeeze the pads. Developed into him presenting his paw into my hand and then with the addition of a pad squeeze.

The Road Refresher no spill dog bowl

2011-08-22T19:38:00.001+01:00

Thing is with beardy dogs there is an awful lot of spillage. Especially with a dog like Grey who has a helpful habit of walking away from his bowl after having scooped up the water and opening and closing his mouth as he goes as if eating. There is an awful lot of water with a busy and thirsty slovak. This caused some problems with his duvet in the back of the car crate. So today the postman arrived with a road refresher bowl (in grey, of course!) Now we've got rid of the bowl mounted to the side of the crate that tended to slop water over when going over bumps. Happy days. We got the large one.

UK Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Report is now published

2011-08-21T10:19:00.001+01:00

A very good day for the future of UK Slovaks. The health report written by fellow Slovak owner, Kate Reevel, has been published on the Breed Club website and is availble to download.

http://www.slovakianroughhairedpointerclub.org.uk/healthreports.html

It's also been linked on the following forums for discussion:

http://workinghprs.myfastforum.org/about4072.html

http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?p=2334293#post2334293

We Love Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers page on Facebook

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Facebook group

Grey portraits aged 3

2011-08-16T12:04:00.001+01:00

A few weeks ago while out visiting friends in Surrey, Grey had his portrait taken. Here is aged 3 and looking very handsome. We hope to book in again after his hair has grown back all scruffy in the winter. Penel has such a way with animals. I think Grey would do anything for her! Such a treat to have quality pictures that aren't of him up on the beach.

More info: Penelope Malby Photography

Too hot, let's swim!

2011-08-15T23:16:00.001+01:00

I took Grey down to the river today in the marshes. It was hot and I thought he'd love a swim. After a bit of nervousness initially, he got the hang of having to jump into deep water. It's amazing to think he couldn't swim until last summer. Very quickly he was jumping in with a big splash and would have kept going and going. He had a mad charge about when the train went by in the distance. It would be great if I could work out a way to stop him doing that. He goes full pelt along a path out of sight and has a look of madness for a few minutes.

Here's a video of hairy boy doing water retrieves.

Slovaks make you laugh

2011-08-14T08:07:00.001+01:00

Headed over to Surrey yesterday to Dog Communication groups. We left Margate in the rain and by the time we got to Banstead it was bright sunshine. Grey was lovely and relaxed. He's learnt loads since we first went. He's happy go lucky and all the dogs like him. We had a chance to see this in real life a few days ago. On one of our walks a rescue staffie was being walked. The staff was a bit stressed as his owners were shoving his bum down into a sit at the edge of the large field area. I don't know why people do this. It starts the whole offlead part of the walk quite stressfully. But anyway, they were about to put their dog back on the lead and I told them that Grey would be ok if there dog was ok. So the dogs got to meet offlead. The staff was a bit nervous and Grey just stood there nicely with a nice slow friendly wag and a smile. Then a play bow and off they went. The owners were amazed because they said the staff was scared of most things and didn't have any friends. Grey took him off into his gang straight away and lead him astray. I was supposed to be keeping him off the beach while he has a sore tummy (got the beginnings of a skin infection again). So Grey shows Dave the staff his favourite game of running up to the top of the goat track and then charging down the 100m slope and beach down to the sea. They did this about 3 times before Grey said his goodbyes and we went along the fields the other way. Grey rolling in the grass to dry off and me laughing because he's so bloody funny sometimes. I think I laugh every time we're on a walk at something.

Having fun with his friend Sprocket

2011-08-11T21:58:00.001+01:00

Here are some lovely shots taken of Grey playing with his bestest friend Sprocket after they had finished the Dog Communication group session. Everyone had packed up to leave and Grey and Sprocket had a great play together. They seem to really like each other. Grey is obviously huge compared to Sprocket. Sprocket realises occasionally he might have bitten off more than he intended. I particularly like the photos of them lying down together. They did this for ages. Funny boys.

Makes me very happy to know that Grey can get on with most kinds of dogs. We come across other dogs all the time on our walks, so it's great that he's such a sociable soul. You can see how his coat looks after the handstripping. All the weird hair patches from his operation have gone and his rough coat has grown back.

The link between of genetic predisposition and inbreeding or high COI

2011-08-10T18:14:00.001+01:00

Someone on the Working HPR forum discussion on Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer health thread posted a link to an interesting article by Angela Helen Harvey. The article is available to read as a PDF here. The discussion today moved on to how possibly insignificant and minor conditions may add up to form a pattern and if a breed is too inbred that risks to these conditions increase.

Here are some excerpts:

"In an inbred individual, the chance that both parents have passed on identical genes...increases. This situation diminishes the body‟s capability to mount an effective immune response. Such dogs are more prone to infections and are more likely to suffer autoimmune disease or allergies...

Overall the canine population probably contains as much MHC diversity as it ever did, BUT when we begin dividing the species into individual breeds, and then we line and inbreed within these breeds the available MHC allele become limited.

Without diversity within the MHC, the dog is much more vulnerable to disease. If the disease is bad enough, the dog may die...

The regular use of popular sires over several generations can play havoc with MHC diversity...if a significant portion of a breed descends from a relative few individual dogs the population may not be able to respond effectively to the next canine plague that comes along.

Inbreeding has been the norm in domestic dogs for more than a century. As we have said the technique is used quite effectively to “fix” traits deemed desirable. The practice of inbreeding to improve breed traits has inadvertently led to a reduction of MHC diversity within the individual breeds. Unfortunately most Breeders do not appreciate that continued line Breeding is a form of Inbreeding!

Popular sire use is especially pernicious because each such sire can have only two MHC haplotypes--nowhere near the hundreds that exist in the canine genome. Therefore, when a significant portion of a breed descends from one individual, those dogs‟ resistance to infectious disease or susceptibility to autoimmune disease can be seriously affected. No dog affected with chronic autoimmune disease or serious allergies should be bred. Auto Immune diseases include “Collie nose” which is an autoimmune dermatitis of the face. Another growing problem created by a faulty immune system is generalised Demodectic Mange."

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers Health Debate

2011-08-02T17:34:00.001+01:00

Those of you who read about Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers might have been following recent discussions about health, genetics and breeding on forums such as WorkingHPRForum and 'We Love Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers' on Facebook (although the interesting discussion has now dropped right down the wall posts and off the front page).

I was going to write something about it, but you know what? I don't think I can add much more to this excellent blog post from Galody.

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer population in terms of breeding and health. I do think that the situation needs to be discussed and debated. If you check out the entire Dogsey Slovak thread which has been running over 3 years now (you might have to skim read through 50 pages!), you'll see the progression of a number of young puppies who go on later to have suffered some frightening and serious conditions. When you track the pedigrees, work out the COIs via Mate Select from the KC, a pattern of some sort starts to emerge.

A report on UK Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer health has been written by another owner (See it really isn't only me!) and is currently with the Breed Club who are hopefully going to publish it. I hope it will be out before the end of the summer. Armed with the facts, this will help people decide whether they really need to breed from their dog or bitch and if they do decide to embark on it, that they are armed with the information to ensure a good match for the progression of the breed.

Our favourite beach

2011-07-17T18:24:00.001+01:00

We've been enjoying our walks lately. Our most regular walking spot is at Botany Bay which lies between Margate and Broadstairs. A typical walk will consist of Grey barking in excitement as soon as I stop the car to park. I wait until he stops to let him out. We spend about 15 minutes zig zag walking on the top field changing directions and walking in what must look like a crazy woman with a mad dog. We often see dog friends and their owners up on this stretch. We've been working on an alternative behaviour for bike and jogger chasing which has really pulled off. Grey is cued, 'ready!' which is what I use when I'm going to throw his favourite toy or stones in the sea. So if I see a bike I cue 'ready!' and then 'wait' and then 'find it' for bit of clearly thrown down sausage. So bikes now mean this game, well 95% of the time if I see them in time.

I also use a 'let's go to the beach' cue and run to the direction of the beach path, which also works as Grey loves the run down to the beach. It's one of his most favourite things in the world. This path is really special to us. Every day I climb down, holding on to the chalk with my hands. It's lovely and smooth and organic. I think it's my destress trigger. After that quick climb down I hit soft golden sand, dunes, grasses and then the sea. It's my daily bit of therapy.

Without Grey I wouldn't do that every day. And I like it whatever the weather. It's a special place for me and him.

Today we went out to near Reculver. Grey found a baby fox cub. Grey left it alone when I told him to. That was quite a surprise.

Look at this clever girlie slovak do some lovely water retrieves

2011-07-11T15:27:00.001+01:00

I don't think my Grey and I will ever have the patience or dedication to achieve this. But so lovely to see a gundog like the girlie Grey clearly enjoying retrieves and having ham as a lovely treat. Positive gundog training can and does work.

Article: Hounded out: Why dogs are struggling to fit into modern life by John Bradshaw

2011-07-11T15:17:00.001+01:00

Dogs are in crisis. We either treat them like rabid wolves, or furry humans. No wonder they're confused, writes animal behaviourist John Bradshaw. But the latest research can now reveal what our canine friends would tell us – if only they knew how

"The first dog that I became attached to was one I never met. He was my grandfather's Cairn terrier, Ginger. Stories about Ginger were, for a while, the nearest I came to having a dog of my own. My grandfather liked to walk. He walked to and from his office in the industrial city of Bradford, on the Yorkshire moors, in the Lake District, or in Snowdonia. Whenever he could, he took Ginger. The family maintained that Ginger had acquired his longer than average legs through all this exercise. Actually, in the photographs he looks quite typical of his breed, and not unlike the Cairn chosen to play 'Toto' in the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz. I doubt many modern Cairns would enjoy the amounts of exercise that my grandfather evidently relished.

What amazed me the most was the freedom Ginger had been given. Every lunchtime, when my grandfather was at work, Ginger was allowed to take himself for a walk around the neighbourhood. Apparently he had a routine. First he would cross the road into Lister Park, where he would sniff lamp-posts, interact with other dogs and, in summer, try to persuade the occupants of the park benches to part with sandwiches. Then he would cross the tram tracks and amble to the rear of the fish and chip shop, where a scratch at the back door would usually elicit a handful of scraps of batter and some misshapen chips. Then he usually headed straight for home, which involved crossing a busy junction. Here, according to family legend, there was usually a policeman, directing the lunchtime traffic, who would solemnly stop the cars to allow Ginger safe passage across.

About 70 years have passed since Ginger was allowed to roam the streets. During that same period, almost unnoticed, there have been enormous changes in society's attitudes towards man's best friend. After many millennia in which the dog has been man's closest animal companion, cats are taking over as the most popular pet in many countries, including the United Kingdom. Dogs today unwittingly find themselves on the verge of a crisis, struggling to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of change in human society. Until a little over 100 years ago, most dogs worked for their living. First and foremost, dogs were tools. Their agility and quick thinking, their keen senses and their unparalleled ability to communicate with humans suited them for an extraordinary diversity of tasks, hunting, herding, guarding and many others, each an important component of the economy. In short, dogs had to earn their keep..."

Full article here:

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/house-and-home/pets/features/hounded-out-why-dogs-are-struggling-to-fit-into-modern-life-2307771.html

The article is accompanied by photos of a beautiful female Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer called Billie who sadly passed away in 2009 aged 6. She was owned by animal photographer Dan Burn-Foti.

Grey was ill this last week but ok now

2011-07-09T07:42:00.001+01:00

Back to the vets this week. Just when I thought we were going to break the cycle of at least one yearly major trip to the vets. He started being sick lots after meals. Throwing up undigested food. We thought there was a blockage so we took him in. Two hundred odd quid later, 2 xrays and whatever else goes on the bill and we clarified there was no blockage but it might have been caused by pork bones. On the way home in the car, grey had explosive diareah in his crate. Not pleasant for both of us on the half hour journey home. He had another accident in the house so really not a happy slovak.

He spent the next two days resting and eating small portions of chicken and rice. He then quickly bounced back to his full Slovak self.

While under sedation the vets cut his nails and emptied anal glands. The glands were really full. He was sadly really stressed at the vets and really won't let anyone touch his bum there. So we're going to have to really work on vet handling or he will become a dog that always has to be sedated for minor procedures. Such a shame as he used to be fine at the vets.

Litter of Slovak Pups at RSPCA Brighton

2011-06-15T16:30:00.001+01:00

8 remaining pups from the litter of 10 Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers are currently at the RSPCA in Brighton.

http://www.rspca-brighton.org.uk/rehomingdogs.html

Scroll down the page and choose page 14.

The pups are from the mating of sire Rosetinted Octavious (Roulis) x Silver Nova Aischa who is an Austrian import. The owner had previously reported that they were having problems with their accommodation. There is a very grave danger of things like this happening if a substantial waiting list is not achieved before breeding. The RSPCA add is marketing the pups as 'looking for experienced, active homes and will not be suitable for first time owners'.

I hope these pups find their forever homes asap. And that anyone thinking of breeding a Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer in the near future will hold off until they have an over full waiting list.

Just a few weeks ago these poor pups were still being marketed at a full price of£800 each. Is that the best way to look for the best homes for these dogs?

http://dogs.oodle.co.uk/view/slovakian-rough-haired-pointer-puppies/2584649051-pulborough-wsx-en/

Edit: Just heard The Breed Club contacted the RSPCA on the 6th and tried to help, but no help was wanted as 6 had been rehomed.

Pointing Dogs (Volume I) The Continentals by Craig Koshyk

2011-06-03T16:48:00.001+01:00

A brand new book on Continental pointing dogs has been published by Craig Koshyk. I've not laid my hands on one myself yet, but from the accompanying blog and preview pages, it looks fantastic. It has a section on the Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer. I'm not sure I'll go the whole hog and buy it for myself because I'm not a hunter and I'm not sure I can spare the cash at the moment. But it looks so beautiful and many dog books aren't. So if you know anyone who's mad about loads of hunting dogs, this is a great present!

You can order the book from here: http://www.dogwilling.ca/volume-one.html

Priced £88 to the UK

Some recent pictures

2011-05-23T13:51:00.001+01:00

Just hanging out at Botany Bay as usual.

At a recent picnic. It was all a bit too much: food on the floor, blankets not to be walked, people waving food around who don't know how quick a determined slovak can be!

Out at Pegwell Bay nature reserve.

German magazine article on Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers

2011-05-12T09:24:00.000+01:00

A fellow slovak owner posted a link to a German language magazine article on the slovak breed.

http://www.fichtlmeier.de/fileadmin/user_upload/pdfs/060_065_RauhaarweimaranerOriginaldatei.pdf

I've run it through Google Translate and un-edited translation is here. One of the most interesting sections of the article, in my opinion, are the overall numbers of slovaks in the various countries:

Puppies figures in Slovakia
2010-42 puppies in 11 litters
2009-32 puppies in 8 litters
2008-34 puppies in 8 litters
2007-32 puppies in 58 litters
2006-6 puppies in two litters
2005-52 puppies in 10 litters
(Source: MICHAL URBAN)

"Currently be performed in Slovakia about 400 registered SRHP. 18 are used for breeding females and twelve males. 2010 42 pups from in eleven litters. In early 2009 in Austria one and 2010 in Holland two litters (www.merlinhoeve.nl). Living in Germany today, eight SRHP, some hunting, some introduced as a rescue dogs. Even in Ireland, Sweden and America, meanwhile, are found between breeders of the SRHP. In England are already more than 400 registered SRHP, mostly from show breeders. These are now connect to both typical in-breeding problems, because always same stud dogs are used."

It also has a photo of a young male, with the description stating the picture shows the incorrect too light and fluffy coat:

Breed Slovakian Wire-haired
Anton Fichtlmeier
The rough gray

In the early days of breeding silver gray pointer was designated as the beard on lowlands Weimaraner. While he is largely unknown in Germany, the hunting dog enjoys in its home country, Slovakia, however, very popular.

Weimaraner, who is actually Slovenský
At that time several puppies were atypical in litters of the Bohemian Wire-haired (Cesky Fousek). Although the pups had the same structure as the wire-haired coat Fousek, al-lerdings they were gray. Why, can not understand anymore.
One story has it that this first wire-haired, gray puppy dog "Bobi Selle" in a litter the breeder Ladislav Greznarik were minced in sala-
What kind of a dog that has made the pheasant up there? Gray as a Weimara-ner as rough as a wire hair? Unfortunately, there was no opportunity to the dog handlers relating to such questioning. Only some time later, by chance, I discovered a picture of this dog in a breed description of the rough-haired Weimaraner, who is actually Slovensky hrubosrstý stavač to German: Wire-haired Slovak, ie. A partner for a puppy contact persons, agency or a breeder in Germany were not to be identified. Only with further research di-verse, the search led directly to the origin of this dog, Slovakia.
The actual origin of this Ras-se began in the early 1950s. At that time several puppies were atypical in litters of the Bohemian Wire-haired (Cesky Fousek). Although the pups had the same structure as the wire-haired coat Fousek, al-lerdings they were gray. Why, can not understand anymore.
One story has it that this first wire-haired, gray puppy dog "Bobi Selle, was minced in a litter the breeder Ladislav Greznarik at Sala. This breeder was then in the development of Drahthaarviszla very active. It is believed therefore that he in his experimental matings and Pointers of the Wire-haired breeds Boeh-mixing, wire-hair or Weima Raner used.
"Bobi Selle was later with a Weimaraner bitch from Austria combines VER. That in turn will throw another dog ("Hlas for Karpat") another Austrian Weimaraner bitch have covered.

Gray, wire-haired puppies came in a roll of Zigmund Gazi Pila to the world. Michal Urban, font leader and chairman of the Commission of the Slovak Zuchtkommis-breed club, be directed, from a breeder who went with his Fousek Cesky Fousek bitch of a success-ful mating with a male Český home. On the way home he visited a friend who owned a Weimaraner dog. However, his bitch of this a second time was occupied. In addition to this union were typical Bohemian Wire-haired puppies, two wire-haired, gray, which later became a wire-haired Weimaraner to prison-mentioned book.
Very early on was founded by the Slovak Hunters Association, an experimental breeding book in which these de-Hun as the first "Rauhaar Weimaraner" a written (Hrubosrstý further stavač Mářský hill). The Slovak Association of hunters begged the Weimaraner Club of Germany, these dogs recognize as a wire-haired version of Weimaraners on.

The then President of the German-specific Weimaraner Club, Dr. Werner Pe-tri, confirmed the receipt of the request, but this was rejected by a Board resolution of September 1974. The reason: The rough-haired, gray pointers were due to the one-crossing with other breeds not recognized recognized as the third wire-haired Weimaraner version.

In the former Czechoslovakia, the rough-haired, sturdy dogs, however, were very common and popular. For this reason, decided the Slovak Association of hunters to decouple the rough-haired horror of the Weimaraner and Blier as a separate breed eta. She applied for Welthungerhilfe deverband (FCI) for the recognition of the dogs as a separate Slovak Vorstehhundrasse.
As early as 1970 had begun to divide the existing population in three Blutlini-en, which were crossed with each other:

1. Dogs that had fallen Fousek with silver-gray color in litters of second Český Dogs that were originally from Fousek-throws, but which were more time-Weimaraner been crossed
3. Dogs, which mainly came from the Wei-Maran-male "boy v. Zehnthof" ex-(Source: HANS RAEB)

Thus, by 1981 about 403 dogs were entered this new breed in the root directory. In 1982 the first official recognition by the FCI was under the name Slovenský hrubosrstý stavač (SHS). Only after a second attempt at the General Assembly of the FCI in 1983 in Madrid, the "Slovakian Wire-haired" as stand-ge racial classification in the "Group 7 Pointing Dogs, with the standard no. 320 "recognized.
In 2005, the members of the club had begun to create a new blood line for the SHS. Of Health, coat color, coat texture and body perbau were hurt by carelessness in the selection of breeding something hit the rear. Urban took the possibilities of the genetics to help. In addition, all steps have been breeding pedigree-mentioned register, and only after four generations were available for the entry in the pedigree, the SHS were back to normal studbook taken over.

Puppies figures in Slovakia
2010-42 puppies in 11 litters
2009-32 puppies in 8 litters
2008-34 puppies in 8 litters
2007-32 puppies in 58 litters
2006-6 puppies in two litters
2005-52 puppies in 10 litters
(Source: MICHAL URBAN)

After rigorous breeding selection, the population divides into three different lines today, to be held separately. Already, significant results can be seen. The Hun-us are healthy, show very good hunting equipment, and the hair quality has improved again. Also on the hunting services in the country very much valued. Annually organize the Slovak club directors, two exhibitions as well as investment, welding and Club Cup tests.

Currently be performed in Slovakia about 400 registered SRHP. 18 are used for breeding females and twelve males. 2010 42 pups from in eleven litters. In early 2009 in Austria one and 2010 in Holland two litters (www.merlinhoeve.nl). Living in Germany today, eight SRHP, some hunting, some introduced as a rescue dogs. Even in Ireland, Sweden and America, meanwhile, are found between breeders of the SRHP. In England are already more than 400 registered SRHP, mostly from show breeders. These are now connect to both typical in-breeding problems, because always same stud dogs are used.

In a 2008 visit in Slovakia was noted that all dogs presented very friendly and guides related. In the field they showed a nice, brisk search, good for re-Misen Vorstehverhalten. Also retrieve ducks from the reeds gave them great pleasure. It confirmed, everything that previously marked various Hun-lant. Only the coats are not convinced yet. They looked more like Irish wolfhounds Scheme. Sometimes they were the four runners in the stomach almost naked and had only a thin fuzz of hair covering. "We focus first on the color, with the rough ceilings, we also get to grips with," said Michael Urban breed warden. That was 2008, and he was right. Today, fur texture and color seem to actually develop the standard to be established accordingly.

Most members of this versatile transparent Pointers are very socially subsequently compared to other dogs and people. They show a pleasant temperament, which is also for a first-handle-ling good leader. Calm and focused in the way they are biddable and short in the Su-che. They also show large finder's sake and good game of field.
The only breeder of Austria out one of their hunting dogs and rescue dogs in service. For both directions the SHS are working very well. It is only important that they be taken into employment. Dietmar Mauer, contact for SHS in Germany, his dog out to browse on wild boar, and to seek and is enthusiastic.
The lovers and hunting leaders of this race in Germany are still rare. Similarly, the race is not a hunting dog association (JGHV) recognized. The few leaders ever hope, however, that the positive trend in the breeding process and the SHS will establish over the coming years.

Rough beard or Rauhaar?
The correct name
"Slovakian Wire-haired", so this race in the German translation of the FCI, and as such it is usual-tary as well. The original name is "Slovenský hrubosrstý stavač" which is translated correctly "Slovak Rau-hair pointer" means.
In racial descriptions again and again mention the name "Ohare on. "Ohare (Czech) is called as" stavač "(Slovak)" pointer ".

Original German text:
RASSEPORTRÄT SLOWAKISCHER RAUHBART
Anton Fichtlmeier
Der raue Graue

In den züchterischen Anfängen wurde der silbergraue Vorstehhund mit dem Bart als Rauhaar-Weimaraner bezeichnet. Während er in Deutschland weitgehend unbekannt ist, erfreut sich der Jagdhund in seinem Ursprungsland, der Slowakei, jedoch großer Beliebtheit.

Weimaraner, der eigentlich Slovenský
Damals fielen mehrere atypische Welpen in Würfen des Böhmisch Rauhbart (Český fousek). Zwar hatten die Welpen dieselbe rauhaarige Fellstruktur wie der Fousek, al- lerdings waren sie grau. Warum, lässt sich heute nicht mehr nachvollziehen.
Eine Geschichte besagt, dass dieser erste rauhaarige, graue Welpe, der Rüde „Bobi Selle“, in einem Wurf des Züchters Ladislav Greznarik in Šaľa gewölft wur-
Was war das für ein Hund, der dort den Fasan hochgemacht hat? Grau wie ein Weimara- ner, rau wie ein Drahthaar? Leider ergab sich keine Gelegenheit mehr, den betref- fenden Hundeführer zu befragen. Erst einige Zeit später, rein zufällig, entdeckte ich ein Bild dieses Hundes in einer Rasse- beschreibung über den Rauhaarigen Weimaraner, der eigentlich Slovensky hrubosrstý stavač, zu deutsch: Slowa- kisch Rauhbart, heißt. Ein Ansprechpart- ner für eine Welpenvermittlung oder ein Züchter in Deutschland waren jedoch nicht ausfindig zu machen. Erst bei di- versen weiteren Recherchen führte die Suche direkt ins Ursprungsland dieses Hundes, in die Slowakei.
Die eigentliche Entstehung dieser Ras- se begann in den frühen 1950er Jahren. Damals fielen mehrere atypische Welpen in Würfen des Böhmisch Rauhbart (Český fousek). Zwar hatten die Welpen dieselbe rauhaarige Fellstruktur wie der Fousek, al- lerdings waren sie grau. Warum, lässt sich heute nicht mehr nachvollziehen.
Eine Geschichte besagt, dass dieser erste rauhaarige, graue Welpe, der Rüde „Bobi Selle“, in einem Wurf des Züchters Ladislav Greznarik in Šaľa gewölft wurde. Dieser Züchter war damals in der Entwicklung der Drahthaarviszla sehr aktiv. Man vermutet deshalb, dass er bei seinen experimentellen Verpaarungen auch Vorstehhunde der Rassen Böh- misch Rauhbart, Drahthaar oder Weima- raner verwendete.
„Bobi Selle“ wurde später mit einer Weimaraner-Hündin aus Österreich ver- paart. Aus diesem Wurf soll wiederum ein weiterer Rüde („Hlas z. Karpat“) eine andere österreichische Weimaraner- Hündin gedeckt haben.

Graue, rauhaarige Welpen kamen auch in einem Wurf von Zigmund Gazi von Pila zur Welt. Michal Urban, Schrift- führer und Vorstand der Zuchtkommis- sion des slowakischen Zuchtvereins, be- richtet von einem Züchter, der mit seiner Český fousek-Hündin von einem erfolg- reichen Deckakt mit einem Český fousek Rüden nach Hause fuhr. Auf dem Heim- weg besuchte er einen Freund, der einen Weimaraner-Rüden besaß. Dabei wurde seine Hündin von diesem ein zweites Mal belegt. In diesem Wurf fielen neben typischen Böhmisch Rauhbart-Welpen auch zwei rauhaarige, graue, die später als Rauhaarige Weimaraner ins Zucht- buch eingetragen wurden.
Sehr früh wurde von der Slowakischen Jäger-Vereinigung ein experimentelles Zuchtbuch gegründet, in das diese Hun- de zuerst als „Rauhaar Weimaraner“ ein- geschrieben wurden (Hrubosrstý wei- marský stavač). Die slowakische Jäger- Vereinigung bat nun den Weimaraner Klub Deutschlands, diese Hunde als eine Drahthaar-Variante des Weimaraners an- zuerkennen.

Der damalige Präsident des deut- schen Weimaraner Klubs, Dr. Werner Pe- tri, bestätigte den Eingang der Anfrage, die aber mit Vorstandsbeschluss vom September 1974 abgelehnt wurde. Die Begründung: Die rauhaarigen, grauen Vorstehhunde wurden aufgrund der Ein- kreuzung fremder Rassen nicht als dritte, rauhaarige Weimaraner-Variante aner- kannt.

In der ehemaligen Tschechoslowakei waren die rauhaarigen, robusten Hunde jedoch schon sehr verbreitet und beliebt. Aus diesem Grund entschloss sich die slowakische Jäger-Vereinigung, den rau- haarigen Grauen von den Weimaranern abzukoppeln und als eigene Rasse zu eta- blieren. Sie bewarb sich beim Welthun- deverband (FCI) um die Anerkennung der Hunde als selbstständige slowakische Vorstehhundrasse.
Bereits 1970 hatte man begonnen, die vorhandene Population in drei Blutlini- en aufzuteilen, die miteinander gekreuzt wurden:

1. Hunde, die mit silbergrauer Farbe in Würfen der Český fousek gefallen waren 2. Hunde, die ursprünglich aus Fousek- Würfen stammten, bei denen aber mehr- mals Weimaraner eingekreuzt worden waren
3. Hunde, die hauptsächlich vom Wei- maraner-Rüden „Buben v. Zehnthof“ ab- stammten (Quelle: HANS RÄBER)

Somit wurden bis 1981 zirka 403 Hunde dieser neuen Rasse in das Stamm- buch eingetragen. Im Jahr 1982 erfolgte die erste offizielle Anerkennung durch die FCI unter dem Namen Slovenský hrubosrstý stavač (SHS). Erst nach einem zweiten Anlauf bei der Generalversamm- lung der FCI 1983 in Madrid wurde der „Slowakische Rauhbart“ als eigenständi- ge Rasse in der Klassifikation „Gruppe 7, Vorstehhunde, mit der Standard-Nr. 320“ anerkannt.
Im Jahr 2005 hatten die Mitglieder des Klubs damit begonnen, eine neue Blutlinie für den SHS aufzubauen. Ge- sundheit, Fellfarbe, Fellstruktur und Kör- perbau waren durch Unachtsamkeiten bei der Zuchtauswahl etwas ins Hinter- treffen geraten. Urban nahm die Mög- lichkeiten der Genetik zu Hilfe. Zudem wurden alle Zuchtschritte im Zuchtbuch- register eingetragen, und erst nachdem vier Generationen für den Eintrag in die Ahnentafel vorlagen, wurden die SHS wieder ins normale Zuchtbuch über- nommen.

Welpenzahlen in der Slowakei
2010 – 42 Welpen in 11 Würfen
2009 – 32 Welpen in 8 Würfen
2008 – 34 Welpen in 8 Würfen
2007 – 32 Welpen in 58 Würfen
2006 – 6 Welpen in 2 Würfen
2005 – 52 Welpen in 10 Würfen
(Quelle: MICHAL URBAN)

Nach strenger züchterischer Selektion teilt sich die Population heute in drei unterschiedliche Linien auf, die separat gehalten werden sollen. Schon jetzt sind deutliche Erfolge zu erkennen. Die Hun- de sind gesund, zeigen sehr gute Jagd- anlagen, und die Haarqualität ist wieder besser geworden. Auch auf die jagdlichen Leistungen wird im Ursprungsland sehr viel Wert gelegt. Jährlich organisieren die slowakischen Klubvorstände zwei Ausstellungen sowie Anlage-, Schweiß- und Klubpokal-Prüfungen.

Momentan werden in der Slowakei zirka 400 registrierte SHS geführt. Zur Zucht eingesetzt werden 18 Hündinnen und zwölf Rüden. 2010 sind 42 Welpen in elf Würfen gefallen. Anfang 2009 fie- len in Österreich einer und 2010 in Hol- land zwei Würfe (www.merlinhoeve.nl). In Deutschland leben heute acht
SHS, manche jagdlich geführt, manche als Rettungshunde einge- setzt. Selbst in Irland, Schweden und Amerika finden sich inzwi- schen Züchter des SHS. In England stehen bereits mehr als 400 regist- rierte SHS, die überwiegend aus Schönheitszuchten stammen. Dort treten mittlerweile auch typische In- zuchtprobleme auf, weil stets mit
demselben Rüden gedeckt wird.

Bei einem Besuch 2008 in der Slowakei fiel auf, dass sich alle Hunde freundlich und sehr führerbezogen präsentierten. Im Feld zeigten sie eine angenehme, flotte Suche, an den Re- misen gutes Vorstehverhalten. Auch der Apport von Enten aus dem Schilf machte ihnen große Freude. Es bestä- tigte sich alles, was zuvor diverse Hun- deführer schilderten. Lediglich die Fellbeschaffenheit konnte noch nicht überzeugen. Sie erinnerte eher an iri- sche Wolfshunde. Teilweise waren die Vierläufer am Bauch fast nackt und besaßen nur einen dünnen Flaum an Deckhaar. „Wir konzentrieren uns erst einmal auf die Farbe, das mit der rauen Decke bekommen wir auch noch in den Griff“, erklärte Zuchtwart Michael Urban. Das war 2008, und er sollte recht behalten. Heute scheinen Fellstruktur und Farbe tatsächlich dem Standard ent- sprechend verankert zu sein.

Die meisten Vertreter dieser vielsei- tigen Vorstehhunde sind sehr sozialver- träglich gegenüber Artgenossen und Menschen. Sie zeigen ein angenehmes Temperament, das auch für einen Erst- lingsführer gut zu handhaben ist. Ruhig und konzentriert in der Arbeitsweise, sind sie leichtführig und kurz in der Su- che. Daneben zeigen sie großen Finder- willen und gute Wildschärfe.
Die einzige Züchterin Österreichs führt eine ihrer Hündinnen jagdlich und eine im Rettungshundedienst. Für beide Arbeitsrichtungen eignen sich die SHS sehr gut. Wichtig ist nur, dass sie beschäf- tigt werden. Dietmar Mauel, Ansprech- partner für SHS in Deutschland, führt seinen Rüden zum Stöbern auf Schwarzwild sowie zur Nachsuche und ist begeistert.
Die Liebhaber und jagdlichen Führer dieser Rasse sind in Deutschland noch selten. Ebenso ist die Rasse nicht vom Jagdgebrauchshundverband (JGHV) an- erkannt. Die wenigen Führer hoffen je- doch, dass der positive Trend im Zucht- geschehen anhält und sich der SHS im Laufe der kommenden Jahre etablieren wird.

Rauhbart oder Rauhaar?
Der richtige Name
„Slowakischer Rauhbart“, so ist diese Rasse in der deutschen Übersetzung der FCI eingetragen und so wird sie gewöhn- lich auch bezeichnet. Der Originalname ist jedoch„Slovenský hrubosrstý stavač“, was richtig übersetzt„Slowakischer Rau- haar Vorstehhund“ heißt.
In Rassebeschreibungen taucht auch immer wieder der Name „Ohar“ auf. „Ohar“ (tschechisch) heißt ebenso wie „stavač“ (slowakisch)„Vorstehhund“.

Toys: Kong Dr Noys Sitting Frog

2011-05-08T10:34:00.005+01:00

Grey really loves his frog toy from Kong. It's not really stuffed much and is nice and floppy. Mr Froggy has survived well so far.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Kong-Toys-Noys-Sitting-Medium/dp/B0006L2P1K/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1304847105&sr=8-6

Is Grey the first Slovak on Twitter?

2011-04-12T08:12:00.001+01:00

I ran a search today on Twitter for SRHP or slovakianroughhairedpointer and came up with nothing, except us. Ah, well, perhaps more will join us as was the case for Facebook! We are @greytheslovak on Twitter.

I've been sorting through some old photos and videos. Getting them up on Vimeo. There are some new pups on the slovak groups on facebook.
Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Group
We Love Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers

Interesting to see how alike these dogs were at the same stage. But also how totally varied they are in coat. Some interesting discussions on what to look out for when buying a puppy. These rules really don't just apply to slovaks, but to anyone getting a puppy from a breeder. Your pup should be healthy. Period.

Grey in the kitchen 8 weeks old from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.

Grey and box at 9 weeks old from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.

And just this January aged two and 3/4. Just happy!

Mad moments in the reeds from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.

Epilepsy Survey with Glasgow Vet School to 31

2011-04-11T10:21:00.003+01:00

If you have an epileptic dog, please help Glasgow Vet School by taking part in a survey designed to find ways to help make the experience a little less traumatic for dogs, their owners and their vets.

The researchers are looking for:

• dogs with epilepsy with either recurrent fits for more than one year with the first fit having occurred between 6 months to 6 years,

• dogs diagnosed by a specialist with the aid of blood examination and MRI.

Questionnaires are available online at:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/YX7ZXV8
Password: Epilepsy1! (case sensitive)
Starting date: 01.01.2011
Closing date: 31.05.2011

Alternatively Click here to download a PDF flyer including the above details.

"'Idiopathic' epilepsy – when the cause is not known – has a high emotional impact on owners and affected vets too. But not much is known about the impact of this disease on dogs’ and owners’ quality of life," writes Annette Wessman from Glasgow Vet School in the Veterinary Record

“We hope the information we gather will help other owners caring for dogs with idiopathic epilepsy as well as vets in communicating issues associated with [the condition]. We believe that the support given by first-opinion practices is immensely important in the treatment of epileptic dogs and this study will also investigate this question.”

The survey has been extended to the end of May.

Grey's brother, Gunner was diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy at 2 years old.

Videos: Just messing around on the beach

2011-04-11T10:02:00.002+01:00

We're enjoying the warmer weather. Well I am, grey probably doesn't mind it at the moment. Soon it will get too hot.

Messing around at the harbour from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.

Grey at Minnis Bay April 2011 from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.

New litter of Slovak pups born 26/03/11

2011-03-28T20:24:00.001+01:00

From Field Trial winner Endi (DANGVORD DIDO AT BRAKABREEZE) x DASKO Z MILHOSTOVSKY'CH POLI

Details of the litter

The Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Breed Club AGM Questions

2011-03-14T20:23:00.001Z

There have been quite a few energised discussions on the We Love Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Facebook Group. In the age of social networking where people hook up and share a common interest, being told that as a member of the Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Club, the only way, even as a club member, to ask a question at the AGM, is to find another member and get them to second the proposotion, just sounds really weird and restrictive.

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Breed Club AGM
Sunday 27th March from 12pm
The Olde Sun
Middle Street
Nether Heyford
Northants
NN7 3LL
http://www.slovakianroughhairedpointerclub.org.uk

A few people seem to want to ask questions at the AGM because their dogs have had health problems. No one is saying all slovaks are in bad health. But this is a young breed. And who knows what awaits. Surely it would be proactive to nip in the bud any potential problems that could wreck the foundation stock now?

A reputable GWP breeder told me they would not have bred from dogs that had parented a dog with a diagnosis of epilepsy. Grey's brother is diagnosed with epilepsy. No one is asking for a refund. Just that information is provided to others already with slovaks and those thinking of buying.

The same goes for bite faults. Dental specialists say it is better to breed out now than deal with more problems later.

How do we slovak owners have access to the stats that are submitted to the Kennel Club? I really don't know. The breed club is publishing even less than it was a year ago.

http://www.slovakianroughhairedpointerclub.org.uk/health.htm

Now it publishes the bare minimum. A year ago it published data on teeth, skin and pain problems. What's the problem in talking about it? I've had lots of people contact me with teeth problems who went on to get refunds off the full £750 purchase price. Me I never got one and ended up paying £1000 for Grey's teeth not covered by insurance as it was a pre-existing condition. I did get a call when he was 4 months old to ask if I wanted to take him back! Charming!

New slovak breeders in Dover?

2011-02-13T09:37:00.002Z

Just seen new breeders listed on Champdogs. They're based in the Dover area.

http://www.champdogs.co.uk/breeder/30026.html

Troy & Terri Galt
Dover
Kent
0780 701 7708
t.galt@ntlworld.com

Doesn't say anything about the breeding of their kennel. Will be interesting to see the pedigrees.

Woodland walk 5th Jan 2011

2011-01-06T08:59:00.005Z

Happiness is a slovak in the countryside. We had an hour's walk around the woods yesterday. It was a bright warm morning. Almost autumnal. Filthy with mud as was Grey within 5 minutes. Nothing that a hosepipe on the doorstep can't sort out. He really loves it here. We were exploring new pathways and trying to build a mental map of the area. We came across a man walking with hat and a walking stick. Grey decided it would be a great idea to sniff his bum as he walked! Glad he was a good sport. We were charged head on by two portly staffies, tails stiff and errect. Grey just waited until they reached him in a friendly way. The tension was diffused and we all went our own ways. One potential difference to dogs meeting in this area is that there are lots of long straight narrow pathways, so dogs tend to approach from head on. If this was his only walking area, I can see this might be an issue. Grey is also more cautious of anyone or anything he comes across in the woods as opposed to open ground. So we'll definitely be still varying our walks across different locations.

He has started to notice a bit more of the wildlife scents around. A section of the woods where on the previous visit his brother was put back on the lead was now very interesting. He started hunting up and down the edge of the fence. I called him back to change direction with me and did some energetic 'this way' cues with fast but clearly thrown down food to stop him in his tracks. This isn't done as a bribe. I mark the successful behaviour with a clickerword and then deliver the food. So he has to come back first. He's not shown the food until it's delivered. The throwing is because it's exciting and encourages a fast halt and stop in his forward motion to pass me and run on. Then I switch to to cue him to walk with me, alongside me (not heeling but connected) off lead for the final 100m to the car. Was really pleased we managed this.

Happy Slovak New Year!

2011-01-03T19:11:00.004Z

We've already been enjoying our new year. We blew away some cobwebs and headed off to some woodland that we've not been to before. It's a 25 minute drive from home; so the same time as we'd normally travel to the other woods we occasionally visit. I think we might end up preferring this area of woodlands to our previous haunt. Mainly because it's less dense and remote. So when I'm on my own, it's less daunting. Also seems very well fenced and no surprise openings onto roads. There are also huge long gravel paths so if its muddy and you're not feeling up to adventuring into the woods it's an easy walk. Also can see other people from a long way off. Oh and no riding of bikes or horses allowed. Phew!

Grey really enjoyed himself. He was relaxed and happy pottering around. I've noticed that he really doesn't go off hunting into the woods. Probably a blessing in disguise seeing as he's a pet and not a worker. But still in this environment he's in his element. I can see us being able to do some nice bits of training in that area. His recalls were lovely. He's been so much more relaxed and tired since trips out there. Much more than the beach trips. It would be nice if we lived nearer than 25 mins each way. That puts almost an hour on top of the walk. But I'd rather have quality time in the right environment than time in an unsuitable environment.

Today we returned and bumped into his brother, Gunner. The boys haven't seen each other in over a year I think, since we did a couple of tracking sessions together. Probably 18 months. Very funny to see how different and how similar they are in all aspects. Grey is a much smaller dog and twice as hairy. I think Gunner looks the more breed standard type with smooth ears. Grey has definitely got the wilder hair do! We'd also met a girlie slovak for a walk at Christmas and that was another example of how much more laid back the girls are from the boys. Grey was a bugger and so over excited. I think he's much better on woods and turf than beach.

Here's some photos and a bit of video of Grey mooching the day before on our own.

Our plans for 2011 are to be happy and stress free. Carry on with training as every good slovak needs an honest days work to be happy. And training really is just every day life. Helping to reinforce habits that make our lives fun and him the confidence to develop skills. We're going to hopefully get a place on the next LADS COLLAR course starting in mid-Jan. Micro-shaping here we come!

Happy Hairy Christmas!

2010-12-27T23:42:00.002Z

Happy Hairy Christmas from the two of us. We had a freezing walk on Botany Bay. Managing to dodge the fair weather dog walkers who were on our favourite beach. Also managed to not have a disaster around the chuffing quad bikers. Hopefully our beach will be back to normal next week.

I brushed Grey's hair the other day. Not sure he was that impressed! He could see though, which is one thing. I'm promising not to let scissors near him as it will ruin his coat.

Silly running

2010-12-21T22:21:00.002Z

We managed to get out today to Botany after two days on lead hanging on for dear life while the roads were too icy to get the car out. Grey ran round and round in silly circles very happy to be off lead again. He had a nice bone for his tea.

Silly running 2st December 2010 from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.

Some videos I forgot to post

2010-12-19T16:43:00.003Z

Out at Minnis on November 22nd 2010

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Minnis walk 22nd Nov 2010 from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.

Minnis 22nd November 2010 from Grey the Slovak on Vimeo.

A bit of snow and a mental dog

2010-12-05T07:53:00.003Z

Snow has been quite stressful for me and Grey. Thankfully, didn't get much snow and it's now cleared after a few days. We didn't take the car out, so we didn't get out to our normal field and beach that we go to for offlead runs. We live on the brow of a hill and to get to the nearest beach where he can be let off means a walk down a steep hill with traffic. A hyped up 30KG dog on the lead on ice and snow having to wear a halti isn't a pleasure for me or him. He fights the collar and lead and generally struggles the whole way.

We had one disastrous walk out to the beach and I realised later I shouldn't have taken him that far. I was swayed by the desire to take him offlead for a run in the snow. But between us and the beach is a whole obstacle course of things that he doesn't find pleasurable at all: traffic, roads and most off all the prolonged short lead.

The walk started off with me making the mistake of letting Grey off the lead in the square given the lovely covering of snow and I was out with my other half that usually makes Grey stick much closer to be part of the group. But Grey had earlier seen our cleaner go off in another direction out of the square. Despite looking like he'd forgotten, the second I let him off the lead he ran off across the square, across the main road and into the shopping centre. Thankfully he let himself be caught by someone who brought him back. They must like dogs because to grab a big dog like Grey running loose is a big thing. So he'll not be let off the lead again on the square or park.

But he did eventually get to run in the snow and so here are some Grey the mental snow bear photos.

So going back to positive trips out, the lesson from this story is to think about positive experiences together. Not walks, not just running. In the following day I just took him out on the square with his food and did a bit of tracking and hiding stuff and just feeding him for focus on me. But snow is super exciting and he generally was less engaged and more wired.

The snow then cleared enough for me to get the car out and he had a great run. Much harder and ranging wider than he usually would. Now it has totally cleared he was back to being able to concentrate again.

Clicker retrieve 1

2010-11-30T22:20:00.003Z

Having a go at a more structured approach to shaping the clicker retrieve. I'm using Helen Phillips tip of using a box or basket to begin with. It seems to work. On previous attempts to shape a pick up, he doesn't move on to the clean lift off the ground as fast or clearly. I still have a problem of Grey freezing (2.29) and there seems no way to get him going again other than to go right back to the beginning.

Nice information page on slovaks in the UK

2010-11-30T21:40:00.001Z

Nice and to the point useful info on the Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer from a UK perspective.

http://web.mac.com/galody/Galody/Slovaks.html

Walking on the beach

2010-11-29T17:51:00.000Z

Just walking and not stopping or calling.

Blind Retrieve 16/11/10

2010-11-29T17:14:00.004Z

We're no experts at retrieving! But Grey enjoys it and it keeps him busy and out of mischief. It has to be fun though. So if mistakes are made, no chastisement. I'm very lazy and unstructured, but mainly we hang out and do stuff.

A poodle came to say hello

2010-11-29T17:02:00.003Z

Grey was on the beach and a little mini poodle ran over to say hello. I think he quickly realised that Grey was too much and a bit big and bouncy for him. Grey really is uncool sometimes.

Sitting down and connectedness

2010-11-19T19:54:00.003Z

A little video of me sitting down on a bench after a walk and run offlead on the beach. Not asking him to do anything, but rewarding him for voluntarily checking in. This bit of ground is heavily walked on by dogs and isn't that remote or quiet. It's also an area Grey has been walked in almost daily since he was a little pup. The camera is also a cue for training I think as usually a predictor of something exciting coming like sausage! So you see a bit where he sits in front of me. And cheeky monkey lets me know when he thinks we've sat long enough, than you!

I'll try and do more of this in different environments to see if there is any difference.

So in thinking about connectedness, a bond is really important. Choosing to come back rather than being forced or even asked to come back. Probably worth more than a bit of sausage.

Never leave anything precious within reach

2010-11-18T09:54:00.002Z

Sad when dogs are just commodities to pass on

2010-11-18T01:05:00.002Z

Saw an ad for a 2 year old female slovak up for rehoming because she 'doesn't have enough drive'. For fuck's sake. Hope she finds a good forever home. Wonder where she's from.

The importance of being...

2010-11-15T08:10:00.004Z

Have had a few really nice trips out recently where Grey and I just hang out. It's something that we really benefit from. Just getting out into the sunshine (or not!) and fresh air and just be together. No goals other than each other's company. It's come up in the LADS course I'm doing. The value of connectedness has been a major discussion coupled with approaching learning when a dog is in the frame of mind to learn. Where freedom of choice is of upmost importance. Quality time is worth a million times than stressful time.

Our terrible retrieve

2010-11-09T22:48:00.002Z

Ho ho ho, here's Grey and me showing how not to do a retrieve and how much he loves to run away with his prize! Was a lovely day though.

More cautious in the woods

2010-11-07T19:22:00.003Z

This is a video I shot on my phone last month. Grey doesn't range very far in the woods. He seems to be very cautious. He did come across some walkers in the middle of this and he barked at them and was setting most of his weight backwards.

Mooching on the beach video

2010-11-07T17:49:00.001Z

I'm working through some videos I shot of Grey the last month. Not had time to edit and upload anywhere. After all the time he was ill this summer, it's just lovely to see him messing around.

Freeshaping flat - The beginnings of a drop?

2010-10-31T10:18:00.004Z

I started freeshaping Grey to put his chin flat on the floor. This might be the beginnings of a drop where he will down and lie flat. Or it could be the beginnings of the cute behaviour 'sleepy'.

I see a big difference in his understanding of behaviours that are shaped as opposed to lured.

Assigning hand signal to known behaviour - sit

2010-10-22T00:33:00.002+01:00

I've started adding a hand signal to his sit so that I can work towards having some distance control and a stop signal. Here's our first session at home. I don't know why I didn't do this before as it's long overdue!

Freeshaping - take a bow

2010-10-22T00:23:00.003+01:00

I've often had problems freeshaping where Grey freezes and waits and waits as still as a statue. I thought I'm probably doing something wrong and had moved on too fast for him and was expecting too much. But then I also probably started to help him out and so it all got a bit messy. I recently read a blog post from the clicker trainer Fanny Gott who does a lot of freeshaping. So I took up the advice of building some confidence in shaping by clicking the dog for what ever he offered me for a couple of sessions. It seemed to work. We were able to quickly move on to a free shaped 'bow'. In this film this is the 2nd couple of minute session on the 'bow'. It falls apart in the middle where he starts to offer a 'down' but we manage to find the 'bow' again. Really pleased with him, as it's a big step forwards.

Building Confidence - Thinking About Different Surfaces

2010-10-17T08:48:00.006+01:00

I've not found time to post much these last few weeks. Probably owing to the fact that Grey and I have been out more since his recovery from the shoulder injury seems to be going really well. Yeah, well, that's my excuse! We've been following the virtual course still with Learning About Dogs with Kay Laurence on building confidence and working with reactive dogs. It's been good helping me look at the finer details of behaviour and how he interacts with the environment.

I put the crate back in the car and covered it so he can't see out the back or side windows. He can still look forward and at me. Instant improvement in stress levels for both of us. No more barking and lunging at the windows at anyone who comes near the car on the outward journey. So he's no longer practising this unwanted behaviour and not building up more of a habit of it. He also at our walk in a much calmer state. Quicker to settle down before he gets out of the car and so much more connected when he's let out, My own stress levels are much improved no longer having the hound of the baskervilles in the back seat!

It's a simple solution and doesn't involve yelling, antibark collars and keeps him safer in the car.

Here's some video homework looking at different surfaces.

Work inside on a polished concrete floor with the target stick

The varied surfaces Grey runs on in our walk. Just video I shot on my phone of him. It's great to see him so relaxed and happy.

I was interested in the choices Grey makes about which surface to walk/run on. On our grassy field top beginning of the walk he actively chooses grass over the harder paths of gravel, compacted sand or asphalt. On the field top he will pee lots and mark up frequently. He doesn't ever mark up on sand or if we are out in the woods.

On the sand he will immediately look for an object like a rock to carry and will also frequently dig. He never digs or carries objects on the grassy areas.

He will happily canter and trot on grass and slow down very suddenly on asphalt. On sand he will frequently gallop.

New start - Back to school!

2010-09-19T19:09:00.005+01:00

It's been a busy week this last week. Grey is settling back in to going on offlead walks. So far so good. No limping and he seems really happy. I've readjusted to getting out all my kit that I've not had out of the cupboard for 6 months: wellies, whistle, anorak etc.

Our new routine for the winter months will be up and out for the toilet. Back in for breakfast in his tug-a-jug in our bedroom, while I get on with breakfasts for guests. Breakfast service finished, I go out with Grey for the main walk of the day. The afternoons will be training walks. This seems to be the routine that will fit best with me having early morning starts at work and dark mornings and early evenings. I have to wait in for guests arriving from late afternoon so late walks are not always possible and in the winter it's dark by 4pm anyway.

He's been super good on our walks. We've been up Botany Bay and Minnis Bay. He's been very connected and hasn't run off. He's had his first interactions with other dogs and I'm happy to say he hasn't been too OTT, which had worried me. Today he came away from playing with a golden to come and find the sock as a blind retrieve.

Botany Bay

I started the LADS virtual course: 'COLLAR Building the Skilled and Confident Dog' with Kay Laurence this week. I'm not sure how well I'll do at it! I think everyone else gets the idea more than me! But we'll see. It will be interesting to see how I respond to a little, no a lot of structure for once! I signed up to see if I can improve Grey's reactivity around traffic and things that he considers out of the ordinary. Just to see if he can learn to handle himself and have some coping strategies. This week's homework is to work on the three gaits of walking, trotting and cantering and also stillness.

I shot this of the three gaits yesterday.

And today I was working on capturing stillness. This stillness is intense and in anticipation of further movement. I was thinking about the fact that if I raise my hand above my head he freezes in anticipation of a throw. I'll also work on capturing calm stillness.

Grey's first off lead run all summer

2010-09-13T16:32:00.002+01:00

So we finally did it. The boy had a little free running session after we walked round a field. He was so surprised and I was almost tearful seeing him stretch his legs. He's been kept in and on lead for round about a quarter of his life. He was really good. He had the expected roll on the ground showing off. But he stayed close and didn't bog off. Was responsive and stayed with me despite the sudden appearance of a jack russell.

I've included a slow motion repeat at the end to see if it helps look at his movement. I think he's going heavy on one side. But all in all a massive improvement.

Welcome back, Grey!

Having a weekend going over some Ian Dunbar pieces

2010-09-13T15:48:00.002+01:00

I've been going through a few videos and training methods from Dr Ian Dunbar. Working on the all or nothing reward system. I've had great success with the last few days of lead training where you take giant steps and wait for an automatic sit before another giant step and so on. Check out the video link from the DVD here. I've long thought that I have to build in absolute patience to wait out for calm. Grey has a tendency to snatch and grab. And also there should be the rule of not moving on or attempting to train or do anything if he's not focussed.

So here are a few videos:

Wasted pupphood. How puppyies at 8 weeks have already gone through two thirds of their critical period and arrive in most homes not housetrained, socialised or taught anything. Ian believes that by the time they are this age they should have met at least 100 different people in positive circumstances.

Filmed in 2007 Dr. Ian Dunbar gives a lecture for TED.

Over 400+ videos on Ian's Dogstar Daily youtube channel.

Grey is swimming and walking on lead!

2010-08-31T18:44:00.002+01:00

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

2010-08-29T14:28:00.002+01:00

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

2010-08-29T12:10:00.002+01:00

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!

2010-08-26T20:02:00.003+01:00

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

2010-08-11T17:12:00.004+01:00

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

2010-08-06T19:11:00.002+01:00

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!

2010-08-02T19:29:00.002+01:00

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.

Water therapy

2010-07-29T17:32:00.003+01:00

Firstly, thanks everyone who has asked about Grey and his skin infection. He's made an almost total recovery, so it looks like our vet was right. It was an infection rather than an infestation. It's more or less cleared up and he's no longer itchy.

He's had two sessions of hydrotherapy. He's been on the water treadmill. He did really really well. Tried to drink most of the water in a typical Grey way. Was much more confident by the second session. So really pleased with him. I think he'll be going in the actual pool for a swim on Saturday. Yay!

He's doing much better with walking and so I feel that we're really on a road to recovery now. Just have to keep it up.

Grey now also has a skin infection

2010-07-25T14:10:00.005+01:00

Just when we thought it was all moving on to being better in the world of Grey and I noticed he was getting sore with some scabby browny red deposits on his back legs, bum and tummy area and then the fur started coming out around it. I'd first wondered if it was a type of mange, which might also have linked to a compromised immune system, but a trip to our vet revealed it is most likely a skin infection, but this could be linked to an immune issue. He's now on anti-biotics, Piriton and having tea tree oil cream applied. So he has the look of a monkey bum from behind. Let's hop he doesn't go bald on these patches.

top of tail on his back

on his side of hip

inner leg from back view

side of tail from back

Lead walking breakthrough

2010-07-18T17:46:00.002+01:00

I'm still in shock after our walk round the square just now. Something really interesting and earth shattering for Grey's lead walking has just happened. I decided that seeing as I was going to give Grey his tea, that I would pop out onto the square with him and sit on a bench, watch the world go by and pay up for nice calmness. I thought it might be nice for him to see some things as long as it was calm seeing as he's a bit isolated at the moment still. So I grabbed his evening portion of kibble and went out on the flat collar and sat on a park bench in the shade. We never do this because we live here. We're usually always on the move walking.

I clicked and treated for a few minutes for being relaxed and then for looking at the other people in the park and back at me as long as he was calm. There were some other people in the park: a group of people 20 metres away with intermittent shouts and they had a staffie that they threw a ball for and then an old man came in with a long haired GSD that barked at us when it came in 15 metres away and Grey slightly whined but then managed to put attention back on to me and got to eat loads more of his tea. So things that usually would have him kangarooing on his lead. Then after a few minutes of calm rewards, I stood up and slowly in this relaxed mode took a pace and Grey just continued to be very focussed on me, gentle and calm! ! He was trotting about at my side with the lead in a huge loop down and was then allowed to sniff bits and I continued to click and treat with small handfuls of food. It even didn't go wrong when the stupid staffie owner chucked the ball near us and ran over with his dog to look for it. Grey did get a bit excited, but I was able to settle him down into a sit, a watch and a down and then we continued on our way.

I had to get L out of the house to watch me walking up and down the path as I have never in my days see him do this! Obviously this might have been a real fluke. But I wonder if I had short circuited the adrenaline surge by calming down outside? I have often tried to calm down inside before going out, but his energy has always been so high then it's hard to come down. So by calming for a minute or so before setting off I was able to get his attention.

If this never happens again, I will still be happy with the sheer joy of walking up and down outside my house with my gorgeous dog, Grey! A small glimpse of a possible future!

Tips on using a headcollar with a reactive dog that pulls

2010-07-05T10:32:00.002+01:00

I had a bit of a rethink yesterday about Grey's walking on any kind of headcollar. I came to the sad realisation that for him it's been an instrument of torture as he didn't just settle into it and self correct when the tension was applied through him pulling. He requires as much close training as a flat collar but with the bonus that I have control over him if he lunges at things he reacts to in the everyday environment. So I'm slapping myself on the wrist for allowing him to have far too much tension on the collar which hinders him learning and giving relief. He's been so hard to hang on to on a flat collar if he does rear up, that this safety belt aspect of the headcollar took over in function. It's a stark reminder that equipment is no quick fix for training.

I heard a saying yesterday which was 'train the dog you have, not the dog you'd like to have'. I would have loved Grey to have been the dog that went into instant calm on a head collar, but he isn't. He pulls less on a headcollar, but he still pulls.

So I had a revisory look through some videos and learned a few little changes that will help change the headcollar into a more benevolent management tool. I've posted some of these before, but in case it is useful to have them all in one place.

Two videos on introducing the Gentle Leader. The first Jean Donaldson creates an conditioned emotional response:

The second is a nice guide on fitting the Gentle Leader correctly by Becky Schultz. Note:

- the very snug back strap and loose nose strap.

- The snap of the lead should be hanging down and the lead should be a 'J' shape. i.e. a nice loose lead at all times.

- Reaching down the lead to take it very close to the dog's muzzle to gently turn the dog round as you would lead a horse round close to the bit.

- Pulling the dog sideways and round not back.

- A no no on backwards pulling and jerking.

http://abrionline.org/player.php?id=194&height=450&width=710

Jean Donaldson demonstrating backing up which turns the reactive dog away from the focus of distraction. Again no pulling back:

http://abrionline.org/player.php?id=95&height=450&width=710

http://abrionline.org/player.php?id=102&height=450&width=710

I've looked at these videos purely for tips on better use of a headcollar and not the general situations that have been set up. Our walk this morning was much better. He had more relief and was brought more to focus on me by being turned to face me for a sit and watch which interrupted his constant strong pulling to sniff.

A cue to settle the dog

2010-07-04T21:53:00.002+01:00

Was flicking through some videos on how to fit the Gentle Leader and found a Patrica McConnell video on getting a dog to stop bugging you with a couple of head pats and a look away. I need to remind myself to do more sideway movements on the headcollar and not a straight back pull.

Week 4 of rest

2010-06-29T16:07:00.002+01:00

Poor Grey, such a bad dog mum am I that I forgot to give an update from last week! But seeing as it's groundhog day here at our house, I can say it's pretty much this:

wake up

snuggles

out for a wee on the lead

breakfast in tug-a-jug

rest while I make breakfasts for guests.

Out for 10 min stroll (walking on toes really switched on) walk round square on headcollar.

rest chewing pizzle

out for wee at mid morning.

Lunch cuddles and then another wee

Afternoon lounging.

Is it dinner time yet????

4pm dinner in tug-a-jug

another wee in back on lead

more cuddles

stroll round square on head collar if coast is clear and nothing too exciting.

Then bed.

And repeat...

He's been a bit more bouncy and switched on. Don't think the limp has totally gone. I'm afraid they'll not give us the all clear. We go back in two weeks time.

Week 2 of rest

2010-06-20T16:43:00.010+01:00

Grey has officially stopped limping to my untrained eye. I'm sure someone more experienced can see something still, but to me, he's stopped limping. Which is really amazing. He's also completely off medication now. So no more Metacam. Rob the vet said he could come off it when we saw him a few days ago. He was taken off straightaway. And that he still hasn't limped is really really good. We've put him on Seraquin to support his joints at 3 tablets per day. He'll be on that dose for 4-6 weeks and then it drops down to half the dose.

He's still coping really well with the routine. Some good things have also come out of this situation. It's such a long road, that it's amazing there are some good things to come out of it along the way. He's now content to be left in our bedroom on his own for a wee while. Before this controlled rest period, he would sometimes howl and bark if we left him in the bedroom during our breakfast service at the B&B, which is when I have to go cook for guests. Now that we didn't have a choice but for him to live in the one room, he's now happy to be left unable to follow me from room to room. He's also much more into chews and the life saving treat dispensing tug-a-jug. Makes sense I suppose that while he's in a more restrictive environment that he gets pleasure from investigating things more.

But funnily enough he's really not that curious or clever in terms of his immediate environment compared to other slovaks I've heard about. I've got chews, primula cheese spread tube and tupperware boxes of his kibble and treats on top of the crate which is next to our bed. He hasn't tried to get them once, despite the bed being the same height as the crate. He doesn't really go in the crate except to eat. I've left it up because it enables him to play with the tug-a-jug and dog pyramid without them rolling under the bed or wardrobe. Mostly he's spends the whole day lounging on our bed with the odd trip out on the lead for a wee.

I'm still taking him out on the headcollar for the 2 x 15 min walks. He still hates it with a passion and shows no sign that he'll ever get over it. Still visibly shudders when the clip clips and runs and hides if he sees it come out, no matter how it is connected to the idea of going out. But everyday I'm reminded that without it I wouldn't be able to manage him. Whether it is a cat or a car that comes round a corner at a certain speed. Bam! There he can go, rearing up and on anything else I wouldn't be able to get him back under control.

He's being very cuddly and soppy. We're managing to have him almost not bark at guests as they come in and past the bedroom door.

So there goes another two weeks. We're now onto 2 months since Grey first got ill in April. It will soon feel like we've passed through the whole of the summer.

Here are some piccies of the slovak poodle sporting a lob sided shaving job:

Looking out

Poodle clipped Grey

Big headed Grey thanks to the iphone camera lens

skinny chested Grey from no exercise and the shaved bits

Week 1 of rest

2010-06-11T20:02:00.005+01:00

Wow. Can't believe I've not posted updates on how Grey's doing. Especially since we've been enclosed in our little room for a week now. Grey got a diagnosis of damaged ligaments to his inside right shoulder. He had keyhole investigations last Weds and came home Thurs afternoon. His treatment plan is to have more or less complete rest. That means no stairs, running, jumping. He's to go to the loo on the lead and have two short 15 min gentle walks per day. He's also on 31KG dose of Metacam.

So we had to do some moving round. I moved his big crate and a desk into our bedroom so we could access the outside without stairs. Our basement where we spent all day has eight steps from every entrance. I decided to move myself in here too so he'd find the confinement easier.

He's settled really really well. He dozes lots and we break up the day with some clicker training on none movement things like eye contact and allowing me to touch his nails etc. He's been chewing pizzles and has his food in Kongs and the tug-a-jug. He's now on Orijen complete and is doing really well on it. We have to keep up this regime for another 5 weeks.

Grey's doing ok at the vets

2010-06-02T20:22:00.002+01:00

Just heard that Grey is recovering well from his surgery. Hopefully can get the monkey back tomorrow. Vets now think that he has some kind of trauma to his shoulder that is causing instability. We'll know more tomorrow.

Night, night, monkey.

RIP Spek zo Sorosa of Emmaclan

2010-05-31T19:18:00.002+01:00

Spek zo Sorosa of Emmaclan was one of the first Slovaks to be imported into the UK in 1997. Spek sadly passed aged 13 in 2009.

Here is a tribute to Spek:

"I’M AFRAID I have some rather sad news. Margaret Holmes tells me of the loss of their beloved Spek zo Sorosa of Emmaclan who was among the very first of the three Slovakian R/h Pointers brought to our shores from Slovakia in 1997 by Margaret and Kevin Bingham. Spek was 13 years old and such a wonderful ambassador for the breed and is, indeed, in every pedigree of our stock here in the UK.
Margaret and husband Colin are terribly upset. He was such a big person – his super temperament and personality were the reasons why she fell in love with the breed in the first place. She is pleased that these qualities and his legacy will live on through his progeny. He obviously leaves an enormous and irreplaceable hole in their lives and Spek will go down in the breed’s book of history.
The other stock from Slovakia were Santel and Supa zo Sorosa. Then Amie and Amaretto vom Kapffelsen came from Germany. These five dogs are the very foundation of all the stock in the UK."

RIP Emmaclan Anya at Ansona (Beth)

2010-05-31T19:06:00.007+01:00

Emmaclan Anya at Ansona (Beth)

07/03/99 - 01/02/10

Sad to hear that Beth passed over to the bridge after a short illness aged 10. Beth was one of the first generation Slovakian Rough Haired Pointers born in the UK.

Beth's page at Ansona

Tribute written by Julie George-Ainscough from the SRHP breed club

"IT IS WITH sadness that I bring news of the death, following a short illness, of Emmaclan Anya at Ansona (Beth), owned and worked by Tricia Grimes. Beth was one of the first generation born to Margaret Holmes and Kevin Bingham’s imports here in the UK and became a super ambassador of the breed. She was a well respected working dog and indeed a very special dog for Tricia – I feel privileged to have worked alongside her with my Weimaraner.
Fortunately for the rest of us her wonderful qualities have been passed on through her progeny – enforcing the typical characteristics of this breed for our future pleasure.
It is with thanks to a handful of careful breeders who have endeavoured to place puppies into the correct environments which has permitted many of this stock to go on and make breed history, not just in the field of work here in the UK but back throughout Europe – also becoming world show champions."

Grey's initial orthopedic consultation

2010-05-28T13:28:00.004+01:00

We spent 6 hours driving yesterday in the May sunshine. Grey was really excited at first as he must have thought we were going for a lovely off lead walk. Poor love. He eventually settled down into staring sadly out the back window with the occasional bark at passing motorbikes.

He was examined and found to have a possible issue with his left shoulder. They think it is slightly dislocating. They also think he is lame on his right leg. He wasn't easy to examine as he's become a skillful wriggler at these havy manipulations that end up provoking something to hurt. Unfortunately, nothing we can do to avoid this as it's only by finding out where and how it hurts that we can find out. So we had a couple of breaks. I calmed him down, did some Ttouch with him and managed to get him to lie on his side with me sitting next to him.

We've been booked in to come back next Weds for him to have extensive xrays and keyhole investigative surgery on his shoulder. He'll stay in overnight and we pick him up the following day.

Grey's Days now on twitter

2010-05-28T11:47:00.003+01:00

About time we got with the social newtworking dogs. Grey's Days blog now comes with twitter. http://twitter.com/greytheslovak

Off to the ortho specialists tomorrow

2010-05-26T22:18:00.002+01:00

We've got an appointment tomorrow to see an ortho specialist vet in Hertfordshire tomorrow morning. We were referred by our vet today. Today's consultation revealed that Grey's lympth glands are still up and they agreed his limp is bad. It will take us about 3 hours to get to the vets. He's off the metacam now and has been resting all day. I've not taken him out the front to stretch his legs at all. It's too exciting and he needs the rest. He's slept through.

Back to the vets tomorrow

2010-05-25T18:53:00.004+01:00

I'm taking Grey back into the vets tomorrow. he may have to stay in and have xrays again. This is just so shitty and depressing for him. He's generally more insecure now while he's ill. I don't think he's feeling too happy in himself today. He stood and had a howl when some unusual noises came on the radio and growled at a sock on the floor that he'd left there earlier. His limp is worse today and I just hope we can find what is wrong with him.

Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Breed Club Health Questionaire

2010-05-24T01:11:00.004+01:00

The Slovakian Rough Haired Pointer Breed Club have amended their health page on their website. Details of the conditions previously detailed have been removed and replaced with a statement and link to a downloadable rtf document asking for information to be sent to the breed club health rep so the info can be sent to the Kennel Club.

Grey is still limping

2010-05-24T01:07:00.003+01:00

Hmm. Not much to report other than Grey is still limping. We were supposed to be working up to offlead exercise, but he's not improving on his leadwalks. So we'll be calling the vets again tomorrow. Poor Grey. So fed up now.

Another young slovak with pain issues

2010-05-19T17:00:00.004+01:00

We sadly heard of another young male slovak of 12 months with the same extreme pain symptoms as Grey, Gunner and Indy had. Crying in pain so much that had to be hospitalised. Jed has had extensive tests and the diagnosis is sterile meningitis. We hope that Jed gets better really soon and makes a speedy recovery. Details of his condition were posted on Dogsey Forum.

So why are these young slovaks coming down with such extreme symptoms? We have four reported cases of a pain condition. Two have been found to be discospondilitis (Gunner and Indy), one sterile meningitis (Jed), and Grey is the unknown. There is also a friend who has a 3 year old bitch (Eva) who also had meningitis and had to be isolated for 9 months from the age of 6 months.

Update on Grey: He's on the second day of a 25KG dose of Metacam. He's still limping and had a little yelp when going down some stairs. He's been kept in today and we'll speak to the vets tomorrow. We're just hoping that we can find out what the heck is wrong with him and get him fixed.

Grey is limping again

2010-05-18T19:20:00.000+01:00

Bit of a shock really. He had made a good recovery. Was weaned off the Metacam and has been out off lead for the last three days or so. He started limping last night and was much worse today. So we called the vets and have been told to put him back on Metacam for a 25KG dose for two days. I've spoken with Gunner's owner and she said this is how things went for Gunner last year. Although Gunner went months without a diagnosis of an infection and was on painkillers which meant his infection spread further. So we could be dealing with a soft tissue from straining himself after the illness or it could be the return of the infection.

He's ok in himself. Just resting. I was just about to post a video of him helping in the garden as well. Which I will still do, as it made me laugh so much and was lovely to see him after the last month.

Why do dogs mark up?

2010-05-17T08:00:00.001+01:00

I've been talking to friends about dogs marking up. So I took a video of Grey marking up when he was first let off lead.

Grey marks up a lot. He's often not challenging anyone or another dog. Unless he's challenging me!

Back in action

2010-05-17T07:54:00.003+01:00

Happy, funny running boy Grey after 1 month of house arrest.

I had thought he might be more of a bugger to get back. But actually his month attached has improved things. We're working on more proactive lead training than I did before. His recall is good (not perfect by all means!).

Welcome back hairy boy!

Working on headcollar desensitization

2010-05-07T18:04:00.003+01:00

While we're still at home... Yup! Still under house arrest here. Although he seems really well, we're decreasing the Metacam 5kg dose every two days and he's totally off the Tramadol painkiller. So we've been doing a little headcollar desesitization training to try and turn the headcollar a less scary experience for Grey.

Session 1

Sad news - Gunner has been diagnosed with epilepsy

2010-05-02T18:47:00.006+01:00

We're heartbroken for Grey's brother Gunner (Stormdancer Swell) and his owner. The day before Grey went in for his MRI, Gunner had an MRI too. He's been diagnosed with Idiopathic Epilepsy. This is really devastating for his owner. He's started on medication which has side effects. He's very drowsy and has peed in the house at night. But without medication he was having fits every couple of weeks. If left to have repeated fits he could end up with lesions in the brain and eventual damage. The last two were in a single morning, the day after his MRI. The fits last from3-5 minutes. His back legs collapse and he goes down.

Epilepsy could be like a ticking time bomb for the UK slovaks. It can show up from 6 months to 6 years. The other slovak we know that is fitting but who hasn't been tested yet is of the same parentage as Grey and Gunner, but he's 5 years old. The UK slovaks are very closely bred with a small number of studs and breeding bitches, themselves from lines that are very closely bred. I would say the time has come for responsible action to be taken.

I'm trying to find out if there are links with the pain issue and epilepsy or if it is just a separate issue that we may have to face. Ideally I'd like to speak to someone in Slovakia for advice to hear if they have had experience of epilepsy in their lines.

Here is a link to Grey's pedigree. You can see that the dogs Hajasov Dvor appear again and again.

Someone kindly posted some useful links on canine epilepsy. If there is a plus side to this story, we're not looking at thousands of dogs that are potentially affected. We may have a chance for a case study because of the small number of dogs and also of the breeding stock.

http://www.aht.org.uk/genetics_research.html

http://www.canineepilepsy.co.uk/

http://www.veterinary-neurologist.co.uk/seizures_epilepsy.htm

http://www.ourdogalfie.com/

Update: Grey still has ongoing pain issues

2010-05-02T16:38:00.004+01:00

I've been meaning to post back following Grey's trip to The Animal Health Trust last Weds. I truly hoped that we'd be in a different position by this weekend. Unfortunately, despite getting thoroughly examined at AHT and coming out with clear MRI scan results, he had a further set back this last Friday when he started yelping in pain again when pressure was on his neck. So he was then put on Metacam along with everything else and we have to speak to the vet on Tuesday to see what we do next.

The Animal Health Trust were absolutely fantastic. That place is like the set of ER or Gray's Anatomy for animals! He had a full spinal MRI and spinal tap. They found nothing wrong with him. We may have caught an infection early and are now dealing with the residual pain from inflammation. We heard from someone else who got a slovak pup that was a litter two weeks older than Grey and Gunner. I remember peeking over at them to have a look. The owner said her dog had had a bad spinal infection the same as Gunner and had to have specialist treatment for months. This is the same litter that someone I met who had a pup called Freya who was rehomed at the 2008 slovak fun day. I remember the owner having lots of problems with Freya having the runs too.

More news from the vet on Tuesday. For the moment, we still don't go running. He rests.

Impulse Control Training 2

2010-05-02T16:34:00.002+01:00

We ran through another session of the Impulse Control training that we'd started the day before. He was markedly better. I thought he was really good to be able to walk over the food without lunging for it. We've also practiced it outside in the park too.

Home training while recouperating - Impulse Control

2010-04-26T17:46:00.004+01:00

We did our own bit of training today taking inspiration from the Susan Garrett 'It's Yer Choice' video that a friend sent us as something to do while Grey is under house arrest not exercising. I probably made quite a few mistakes with not having enough room to back up. We managed to get to the point where we're practising on lead walking close to food on the floor.

We've had a few walks round town and the upside from this enforced free running ban is that we're doing lots and lots of positive experiences around his usual trigger points: kids, prams, motorbikes, vans, lorries, shouting people etc. No lunging today which is great.

I had an update on Gunner today. He's gone in for his MRI tomorrow. So hope they come up with a diagnosis to help him. Also heard that another young slovak is up for possible rehoming. It really is a shame with such few numbers in the breed in total that they come up for rehoming because people can't cope. They're difficult dogs to manage, especially the boys. There are strong grounds I believe for adapting the official breed description to underline the fact that they're working dogs, need loads of stimulation and exercise and are not couch potatoes.

Grey's Results and Further Testing

2010-04-26T12:33:00.003+01:00

Grey is doing really well. All pain has now gone. He's down to one set of broad spectrum anti-biotics (Cephorum), pain killer (Tramadol) and a pro-biotic ( Protexin). We had a second opinion on Friday regarding Grey's treatment and results. They said that it would be a good idea for him to be seen by a specialist to see if we can get to the bottom of what is showing up in his results as some kind of immune response to some kind of stimulus like an infection, virus or something else. What I don't want to risk is this going the way of Gunner's pain problems which were also linked to an infection that went undiagnosed for a period of time. We're being referred to AHT in Newmarket.

Gunner is waiting for his MRI scan to see if they can find out why he has been collapsing every two weeks. We heard from another slovak owner who has a 5 year old male from the same sire as Gunner and Grey that he also has collapsed four times in the last year in a manner that sounds really similar to Gunner's episodes. This is obviously a real worry and with such small numbers in the gene pool, it's really important for this data to be shared amongst owners and breeders. It may be that the cases aren't linked at all, but alarm bells do ring when you hear of other dogs with the exact same mystery symptoms.

We heard back from the breed club health rep the other day that Grey's details were part of the list that has been compiled re the slovak bite fault issue and that guidance has been sent to the Kennel Club. I've requested to see this advice.

For now, I've been working on doing bits of training with Grey to try to keep him from being bored. We've done more lead walking on the halti. My friend sent me this Susan Garett video to work through which I'd forgotten about!

In general he's really wanting to go and run now. But we've been told he can't until further notice. He's had a few mad runs round the kitchen island after we've got home from a lead walk. Bless him. He's going to kick up his heels after this.

Day 7 of the mystery illness - how to manage a bored slovak?

2010-04-22T13:03:00.003+01:00

Woke up this morning to Grey sat on the bed barking at a cat sat on a wall in the garden. No yelps or squeals today. Generally he's quite bored and finding ways to amuse himself in the house like collecting up a range of objects into his bed. He's eating and going to the loo fine. He's still quite a bit more reactive to noises outside even when in the house. He's also stood a few times barking at me which he doesn't normally do at all in the house.

I waited until the morning school run had finished and the green was all clear to take him out on the halti. We went to say hello to his friend the decorator who's now working on a house near us. He really loves this guy. He was much safer and manageable on the halti. We just mooched across the grass with lots of sniffing.

Off to the vets this afternoon.

I'm now giving him his dinner in frozen kongs to keep him busy longer.

Day 6 of the mystery illness - normal service is resumed

2010-04-21T13:55:00.002+01:00

I woke up this morning to Grey hovering above me licking my arm to wake me up. So pretty much back to normal in terms of inside the house. he has only had the odd yelp for going down stairs. otherwise, he's behaving as he would have done before he was ill. He's had just one painkiller tablet and his antibiotic this morning.

This now raises the next issue of what to do with him while he thinks he needs to go out and he's not really allowed out to go running. And lead walking a dog that doesn't lead walk very well is an obstacle to get over.

What equipment should I put on him?

So for now we've been amusing ourselves with lead training with treats and keeping an eye out for things that might set him off in terms of reactivity. Don't want him rearing up on the collar etc.

We've been following the Dogs Trust videos for 'close' in the back yard and looselead walking with the premack principle on the green. Roll on tomorrow for test results.

Lovely lovely Dogs Trust - Dog Training Made Easy videoss

2010-04-20T18:42:00.006+01:00

These are just fab! Nice and easy to follow videos from The Dogs Trust. There are even some of our friends in there. Obviously they can always call on us if they need someone to show just how easy it is to get your dog to pull you on the lead and bark their head off in car. it's taken us two years to reach this perfection!

Day 5 of the mystery illness - ups and downs and ups

2010-04-20T18:18:00.002+01:00

Today has been such an up and down day. Last night he had basically refused to wee or poo all evening. We had to carry him up and down the stairs and out into the back yard, where he just stood looking sad with his back curled up so he looked like an oversized beddlington terrier. I woke up at 4a.m to him crying so I gave him some more painkiller tablets. I managed to get him to lick some water from my hand while he was in bed. This morning at 7.30 he was no better. He was very distressed if one of us leaves the room. Again wouldn't wee or poo when he was carried outside. He ate his tripe brekkie no problem and had a new antibiotic. Then he turned around for a while. We'd left the front door open and he took himself off up the front steps to look out the gate at the front. So I asked him if he wanted to go out for a wee and he did. Popped on his fleecy harness on, checked there were no dogs around and lead him over onto the green. He greeted two lady neighbours wagging and pleased to see them, then onto the green cheerily had a wee, a poo and decided to lie down on something he thought smelled nice. He seemed very engaged and actively came back to the house when I asked him if we should go find his dad. He then snoozed for an hour or so. I gave him his next pain meds at 10. A bit later he was back to crying and whining and being a bit lost. So I popped a Ttouch body wrap on him and did some Ttouch on him. He wanted to lean into me and generally be sure where we are. So after he tried to sit on the bench with me at the dining table, I moved to the dog duvet with him with all my paperwork! He seemed calmer and slept a while stretching out.

I popped out at lunchtime and on my return found a much more alert and relaxed Grey. He was in bed with a nicked butter pat pot off the side. Woohoo! He's interested in thieving again! He then went outside to the garden and dug up his raw hide chew that he continuously has a bit of a chew on and then buries in the garden. To finish it off he went up the front steps and barked at something across the green. Don't want to tempt fate but a big improvement on yesterday.

He's had chicken for dinner tonight and more painkillers and his second antibiotic. He's now fast asleep.

Report back from the vets

2010-04-19T19:56:00.004+01:00

Quite a mixed bag of news really. He's had a every test there is to have and is now home with shaved bits and feeling sorry for himself. The vet doesn't think it's cancer, so it's a huge relief. They don't know what it can be and have mentioned that it could be as a possibility immune related arthritis. His xrays look fine on all joints and spine. We've been sent home with more painkillers and anti-biotics until Thursday evening. So I guess more of the lying around moaning until then.

Let's not forget it's Gunner and Grey's 2nd birthday today. Here they are when they were reunited as adolescents and below a video I found on my phone from a few weeks ago up Botany Bay. Happier times. Both are not too well at the moment with also Gunner having fortnightly collapses. Happy birthday lovely boys.

Grey is really ill for his second birthday

2010-04-18T22:23:00.003+01:00

Not the way I'd hoped we would spend Grey's second birthday tomorrow. He's been realy ill for the last three days. Started on Thursday night when he yelped suddenly when I touched his shoulder. This quickly progressed to him yelping when he moved to him being unable to lie down or get up on his own. He spent the night whining lightly and twitching. It was awful. Friday I took him to the vet and they said he has an enlarged lymph node on his right shoulder at the base of his neck. They said they couldn't find any evidence of injury or strain. Worryingly they said that in an older dog this could be linked to cancer, but given Grey's young age this would be really rare. But still, scary that the 'C' word was brought up.

I spoke with the vets again on Saturday as he wasn't getting better and was still crying. We added paracetamol in every 6 hours. By Sunday it was clear he needed some stronger pain killers. We went to see the other practice. Grey arrived full of adrenalin going into the vets. Had to be carried in because of the tiled floor. The vet said again that it's strange his condition in such a young dog. He gave him a morphone injection and we came home with stronger pain killers which he has needed to take. We're taking him back in to the vets first thing for xrays and a biopsy.

I'm totally worried about him and what's going on. Wondering if it is at all linked to the condition his brother Gunner had (diskospondilitis). It's just awful seeing my once full of life dog, just lying around either out of it on drugs or crying in pain. Hopefully will know more tomorrow.

In other news, Gunner is now having collapses every two weeks. How awful is that. Hope both these brothers get well soon.

Walk in East Blean Woods

2010-04-07T21:15:00.005+01:00

We had a lovely time exploring East Blean Woods on our own over the weekend. The sun was out. Really nice to get some time away from work after a really busy easter weekend. Grey sticks very close in the woods.

Aren't you ready yet, mum?

2010-04-07T20:31:00.001+01:00

Canix aka running with your dog!

2010-04-07T19:26:00.003+01:00

We've started running! Yes, us, running! I had the thought the other day when I was out in my wellies as usual, that it's hard to run and keep pace with a slovak while wearing wellies and jeans. So while I was on my one and only day off in weeks at Bluewater yesterday, I bought a pair of trainers to add to the wardrobe of wellies and flipflops. Since having Grey I've found it hard to take him out for 2 hours, run the business and do some aerobic exercise myself.

I've noticed for a good while that he loves running with me if I run. So I had a flick through the Canix UK site and also saw that they say it can also improve leadwalking when not training as the dogs really know the difference. There I was sold. Another big reason I'm thinking of it is that the picnickers and daytrippers are back on my favourite beach stomping grounds, so having hold of Grey on some kind of line and occuppied probably is a good thing.

We've been out twice today. It went really well. This morning was mosty free running with me with no lead attached and he stayed with me loads and ran the whole time. Only jumped up at me once in excitement that his mum was, well, running! We passed the jogging guy who Grey usually has a half hearted little chase after and the guy is very good about it. I think he probably couldn't get over the irony of me then also being out with the mad hound and also jogging!

This evening I went out to Minnis where we often see packs of huskies training on carts. Have to watch his pads on the seawall walkway. But there is a rough grassy path (also very muddy) that was can run on too. But that's if we start getting really serious! I rigged up the Ezydog harness, his long training lead and the Ezydog bungee lead. I do need to sort out something nice to carry keys, phone etc. The treat bumbag was horribly annoying and bouncy. I think one of the specific hands free waist belts will sort this out. Thinking of ordering the Euro harness kit from here:

Interesting thing was that when I stopped running and had a breather, he was much much calmer and 'with me' if you know what I mean. So we shall see how long I can keep it up.