Little Mr No Fear

No photo's today as the camera is full and I haven't had time to delete any pics.

Rohan has had a very busy week.

Whilst he comes back to me everytime he is off the lead when I have his attention I quickly learnt on Thursday that other dogs are far more interesting than me.

Whilst I was on poop duty he shot off after a Rottweiler that was on the other side of the field. He actually tried to mount it a few times. He has no fear whatsoever!

On Friday we had a trip to the woods and he discovered the delights of horse poop. Not pleasant getting that out of his mouth!

On Saturday he spent time terrorising poor Oscar as I was working for most of the day.

Yesterday I took him to Saltwell park with Angela and her baby James. He got loads of attention as usual and was brilliant as lots of children had there hands on his mouth and he just licked them all.

I think he's definitely hit teething now he's going through chews at some speed, not to mention my hands!

We have training class tonight and its retrieve. Rohan is not interested in the game of Fetch in the slightest so we'll have to do a little intensive training this afternoon!

Just like Hugh Hefner

Rohan has three new girlfriends.

I walked two female labs for a customer last week (they took one lab away with them). I'd promised to pop in with Rohan when they were back and did so this afternoon.

He gave it up after three runs around the kitchen table. Lay on his back and basked in the attention.

Unfortunately he is still too little to play with them properly as they are big dogs but he'll definitely be keeping in touch with them.

He has hit destructive today, I thought he was chewing his new big boy chew as seen in the photo's but when I went to check he was instead working his way through the skirting board, he has had a good go at a fridge magnet as well today. Strangely enough it was the letter R, whilst I think he is smart we've not done the alphabet yet so I'm putting that down as a fluke!

He's made a few new friends this week and has greeted them all in the same way, with a paw in the face.

He was really good at puppy class this week, no messing on the floor at all. He did sit and stay and was the only one to do it without his lead being held. We failed at the crossing paths and saying hello but thats because we were paired with the young female lab Jessica and they love each other and wrestle all of the time so it was never going to happen. We both cheated the second time and kept the dogs on the other side !

Shameless Marketing!

Rohan has had a great weekend.

On Friday night Helen brought Oakley over for a play date and the two puppies had a fantastic time. They did a lot of wrestling and running together on the field, then when we brought them back to the flat Rohan was happy to share his bowl and toys (as was Oakster) they even chewed one end each at the same time!.

Most importantly, we managed to get them to sleep so we could watch the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Today I took Rohan to a wedding fair at Kirkley Hall. We were doing a bit of promotion for 'Oscar's' and he was indeed a shameless marketing tool. He was really popular and definitely helped brake the ice and get more people talking.

He couldn't have been better behaved and constantly rolled on his back for a tummy rub when anyone came over. I'm going to have to start paying him commission!

My First Pheasant!

Ro has a new toy in the shape of a large pheasant, don't worry it will be the closest he ever gets to the real thing but we're definitely going to do some breed specific training with him so he doesn't get mentally frustrated.

Lots of scent work using people rather than wildlife, plenty of retrieving and swimming when he is strong enough. I think we'll give agility a go as well as he is full of energy.

I know everyone thinks their dog is great but he really does seem very smart. The only thing he is struggling with is leaving treats until you say he can have them but I think that's more because he's obsessed with eating rather than he doesn't understand!

He's brilliant off the lead, he runs off to play but comes back when you call and doesn't pay attention to anyone else on the field unless a dog comes up to him so I'm very relieved.

We spent this afternoon at Paddy Freeman's park with Anna and he was as good as gold while we had cake and loved his free run on the field, despite collecting lots of other peoples rubbish for me to carry to the bin.

Mini Hike

We took Rohan on his first mini hike yesterday.

It was a low level, short one but he had plenty of experience in the shape of sheep ( plus a sheep dog that tried it's best to herd us as well), ten horses that crowded around us and scared the living daylights out of me. Cows that wanted to make friends and a huge combine harvester.

He brilliantly went to sleep in the pub afterwards so Rob and I could have a quiet drink as well!

We took him to meet Margarite afterwards. She is a 94 yr old lady whose cat I am visiting at the moment. Unfortunately she is blind but I knew she'd love to meet him. As usual he was brilliant and provided lots of licks while she rubbed his face. He has the makings of a great PAT dog.

This morning he helped Robbie get the papers. Very cute.

Fun with Osc

Biting Breakthrough

When we were at puppy class a couple of the puppies tried to bite the trainer. She responded by giving them a sharp tug on the collar and it seemed to work.

We tried it with Rohan last night and It seemed to have a positive effect in that he sat down instead of continuing his assault on my hands, so fingers crossed it should all end soon!

The vet has said Rohan will need to have an op on his 'Umbilical Hernia' when he is six months old. Not great news as we were hoping it would close up itself as he grew but it doesn't look like that is going to happen. You can see it in one of the photo's, he looks like he has an 'outy' belly button.

He squealed while he was being micro chipped but Neil the vet made it up to him by giving him some treats. Definitely the way to win over a Labrador!

I have a few photo's from Rohan's latest trip to visit Osc as well so the next couple of posts will just be pics.

Top of the Class

Rohan and Rob aced their first puppy class last night.

Rohan was so well behaved it was unbelieveable. (Well I had tired him out a bit before we went). He walked to heel like a star, sat and stayed in position, weaved in and out of the other dogs without paying them any attention and sat looking at Rob while other dogs weaved around him.

I couldn't have asked for more from either of them.

The only problem we have is that we have taught Rohan 'off' and the instructer is using ' Leave' but we'll cross that bridge next monday.

Rohan is off to the vet's this morning for Micro Chipping and his Kennel Cough jab. So as a treat i'm going to take him to the park afterwards!

Off The Lead

We have let Rohan off the lead a couple of times and he is great at recall, from fairly long distances as well.....Unless there is something in the hedge, when instead of calling him to us we have to chase after him to stop him getting into a field of cows.

Rohan was quiet until after 7.30am this morning which was great. I think getting a little bit of fresh air every day is doing him the world of good.

His only issue now ( well at the moment!) is the biting when over excited. My hands are getting very sore and we are running out of training tips so I'm pinning my hopes on Puppy class on Monday!.I'm not too concerned as he doesn't do it all of the time just when he's playing but I'm determined to make him stop asap.

The seniority rules between Rohan and the rabbits has been decided. I let them out at the same time this morning. Peanut ran straight up to Rohan and Rohan legged it! Big Coward.

We're taking him to the dog show and fun day at Paddy Freeman's tomorrow so we'll see how he gets on with meeting a huge variety of people and dog breeds.

Walktastic!

Rohan is loving his new found freedom.

He had a great walk with Oscar on Tuesday afternoon. Although I think Oscar felt slightly hard done by as it was just a short one.

Yesterday I took him to Saltwell Park with Kat and baby Jake and he had a whale of a time. Far too many new sights and smells. He has reacted brilliantly to everything so far, especially other dogs as he just sits down and wags his tail.

We took him to the field today and let him off the lead for the first time and he was great, we did a fair bit of recall and he came every time. We'll see what happens when he is loose with other dogs.

Without jinxing us I think we've cracked sleeping through the night, being left alone and toilet training. The final hurdle seems to be the biting, he is definitely getting better so we're just re-reading lots of chapters to find a method that works for him. He starts puppy class on Monday so hopefully other puppies biting him back will do the trick!.

(Incase you're wondering ; no he isn't allowed on the bed , the pic with Rob sleeping is on the air bed.)