Stick to your ‘deal’ or pet will go on the run

ALADY called me yesterday distressed that her dog had ran away ‘again’ when she was getting the shopping from her car.

My dog Cobra ran around my back garden like a maniac last night slamming into fences and forcing me to stand flat against the wall before he crashed into me.

Both the above are clear communications from your dog that all is not well in his world.

Cobra is a working dog with a set routine that includes the exercises he loves (retrieving, swimming and hunting).

If, for any reason, I do not fulfil his needs he let’s me know with the kind of display I described.

By repeatedly running away that lady’s dog was doing exactly the same and failure to read that message and react to it will make ‘running away’ more likely.

Whether you know it or not you and your dog are a team. You must fulfil your part if you want him to fulfil his.

There is an unspoken contract between owners and dogs.

My ‘deal’ with Cobra is I want him to remain calm and be respectful to other people and dogs.

His ‘deal’ with me is to recognise he is a dog and treat him accordingly with adequate exercise, mental challenges, food and shelter.

Most dogs get food and shelter but many miss out on the exercise and mental challenges.

In order for your dog to feel comfortable in the modern world he has to understand what’s going on and what is expected of him.

He must learn about traffic, fireworks, travelling in the car, good manners and respect to all.

He cannot do this on his own. There is no Open University for dogs.

We are running an open evening on Thursday,

October 13, at The Victory Hall, in Mobberley.

For an informal talk on dog behaviour in general and your dog in particular. We will provide coffee and biscuits and it is all free of charge.

You may bring all the family but please do not bring your dog.

The aim is to help you resolve your dog issues in a welcoming environment. If you would like to attend just text 07590 560012 to confirm how many people you are bringing.

“Whether you know it or not you and your dog are a team.”

●●Right: A photo dating back to the 1890s pictures transport and a group ready outside the Old Mill Stone, Waters Green, Macclesfield, for a pub outing. William James Axon, born 1868, was the publican of the Old Mill Stone. His name can be seen on the pub sign. The gentleman in the lighter coloured suit stood at the front is possibly Axon himself, with the young boy his son, also called William James. The lady on the far left would then be Elizabeth Jane Axon (nee Williams).

●●All dogs need a job

●●Bottom right: A North Western bus outside the Cat and Fiddle, Macclesfield, in this photo taken around 1925, while the driver and conductor can be seen standing in front of the bus.

●●Middle left: Two boys and their dog can be seen walking on the road through Walker Barn in this photograph from the 1940s, with The Setter Dog pub seen in the background. ●●Bottom left: An exterior view of The Harrington Arms, Bosley, with a motor car parked outside, pictured in the 1940s. The land in the area around Bosley village was once in the hands of the family of William, Duke of Normandy. It latterly passed to wealthy land owners the Harringtons, after whom The Harrington Arms is named.

●●Left: A view of The Old Kings Head, Byrons Lane, Macclesfield, in a photo dating back to around 1910, taken by Artist Photographer Bullock Brothers. The Old Kings Head was built around 1695. The pub is also known as ‘Ye Olde Kings Head’ and is located in the hamlet of Gurnett, in Sutton (Prestbury parish).