Don’t write off ‘naughty’ pet too soon
WHEN I bought my first Labrador an old and wise field trial judge said to me, ‘if you stick in the dog business long enough you will eventually have that elusive dog-of-a-lifetime, it might be your first dog or your last, you won’t know until it happens’.
In the years that followed I had many good dogs and a few not so good.
Then came the Mighty Murph and it was the canine equivalent of love at-first-sight.
I knew when I saw him in action he was ‘that’ dog.
Murph and I travelled thousands of miles together to competitions and country shows.
When I had my knee replacement in 2017 Murph taught himself to walk with me on the treadmill during my long rehabilitation.
Pet owners can also own that amazing dogof-a-lifetime but often don’t know it.
I went out to see a family with an ‘extremely naughty’ cocker spaniel and found him to be anything but.
He knew very little so I started out on the basic sit, stay and lie down which he mastered in minutes.
I could tell he was looking for more so I brought out a canvas dummy and lobbed it down the garden.
He brought it back right to my hand first time.
Just for the fun of it I tried to stop him on my whistle command as he ran down the field.
Three goes and he had it.
This was no ‘naughty’ dog this was a bright unemployed dog eager for a challenge.
Had the family realised that and stepped up to the plate there would have been no problem.
It was the lack of challenge that was creating his unruly behaviour.
This little guy had strong working roots and was a true delight to train with.
Don’t write off your ‘naughty’ dog – he just may be your dog-of-alifetime.
You can join any of my classes on line at vicbarlow.com or by text at 07590 560012.