Better days

Up and down at the moment. We had a much much better day yesterday. Probably because I had to go back a few steps to make sure he was calm and able to manage being out. We went up to Epple Bay where I was able to park right next to the path down to the sea. The path is a steep slope, with a high stone wall either side. So no sideways distractions and the goal of getting to the sea in front. I've started using the parking technique I learnt from H where I stand on part of a long lead if I need to do things with my hands like when I faff around getting out of the car and he's excited. It stops him pulling me all over the place and calms him down. A lot of Grey's pulling is to do with him easily being able to pull me off balance.

Once we had calm and managed to do a nice training walk down to the bay. I guess this could be a bit of a premack principle. In any case I could see it working for him. He wanted to get there, and the only way we were getting there is a on a loose lead. The other cool thing was we had the whole bay to ourselves and there was only one entrance and exit. So we did loads of nice recalls and this ways and finding food.

At home we've been practising the release cue from sit. And he's doing really well with that. Yay!

Today I drove up to the fields where we've sometimes walked to with friends. I decided to drive as the walk would have been too stressful to get there and it ends up taking me ages. Practised LLW lots and then a lovely session on the pathway. There were about 3 vans that came trundling down the bumpy farm path where we were walking on lead. He did really really well and I got him to 'leave it' and sit nicely for treats. So I'm so proud of him and releived we have light at the end of the tunnel that he can get over this. Just have to remember times like this on the next time I get stressed out. And another thing that has been so good for us both is that he hasn't had to have his headcollar on in weeks and is being managed without an antipull harness either.

Sunny times and progress

I was reminded this week to take stock of just how far Grey has come in the last few months. I went out with a friend for a few lead walks and she mentioned how different he is now. So much calmer and pulling less. More able to manage himself and focus. So, yes, mr monkey, I'm very proud of you. Even though you did nick the sugar bowl off the table and had an attempt to swallow all of his dad's mashed potato last night.

We've done a lot more lead walking the last few weeks. All on the halti and occaisionally heelwork on the flat collar. He can now do heelwork with sits when I stop. This is obviously really hard work for him to keep up with and so I only use it in short bursts. I'm not interested in him heeling all the time. That would be really stressful. Heeling to me is very tight to my leg with him looking up at me. For general walking around town leadwork, a slack lead is the goal. I've started having my lead long again from yesterday, so I can cue him to 'go sniff' occaisionally to give him some freedom and variety on the walk. 'Go sniff' can also be a reward as well as the food.


We have been playing hide and seek in the park when it was empty. Doing lots of fast changes in direction with him off the lead. Getting him to follow me and see where I'm going. Then a few times we've been up to the lido with a walk round the highstreet to keep working on his experiences around distractions. He has improved loads. He still has the odd lunge at vans, but are becoming infrequent. He seems to be ignoring motorbikes now. But if a van or vehicle appears near the beach or park, he will still take off chasing. So still got to work on that.

Grey the art buff

I'm running a photographic show at a local gallery for a couple of weeks, so rather than leave Grey at home I thought I would give it a try taking him with me. The gallery is on a pier at the harbour, so I can park my car with the hatchback open right next to the gallery doors. We had little mooches up and down the pier with bits of training for passing cars coming to park, people on bicycles etc. He has calmed down spending time in his crate in the back and has had chews and frequent trips out to keep him occuppied. We then had a couple of nice runs on the beach where he got to kick up his heels. He's still a bit barky at some people arriving, but he did imprive lots the more he got used to it.