Blue survives more training

Training so far has continued to make progress, Blue has continued to flourish.

While out on walk recently it felt like we had become so much more tuned into one and other. Gone was the need to seek alpha male domination, for us both.

One thing that I have learnt in life is fear and violence breed fear and violence from those who fear it the most.

So progress is made, we are both equally satisfied with our new found male bonding, man and dog in perfect harmony. Well that might be stretching it a bit far, however we are moving towards a more fulfilled experience not only for us, but for my wife, Sue, and those whom now can see Blue in his relaxed self.

Today there was a reminder of how Blue is more than capable of not just learning new experiences, but he is a big,powerful and wilful German Shepherd.

While Sue was in Argos, we sat  in the car waiting patiently, but with soaring temperatures this was no place for me and Blue to sit without any shade. As this was not a planned excursion, he only had his training lead and not his halti attached. Out of the car with water bottle in hand, we went for a wander. It took all my strength to restrain Blue from entering Argos with me attached, successfully restrained next was Hobby Craft which was an equal challenge. Blue did respond to the command leave, and we returned to a shady area near the car, where Blue quickly settled into a "down position" and took no notice of the compliments dished out to him by passers by.

One of the biggest concerns this week was how Blue would react to the incessant heat. He does not like it but he knows where shade can be found, and is surviving on a change in his walk pattern.

On our early morning walk, Blue still gets a bit excited by squirrels, but with a strong "leave" command order is soon restored. But today at the University of Reading we meet a squirrel with an attitude. Unlike his two companions that scarpered as Blue and I approached, he sat on his haunches as if to say "this is my pathway and I am staying, you go round, I ain't moving".

The "leave" command told Blue no action was necessary on his part, as there was nothing to get excited about. Realising perhaps that with the two of us still approaching, the squirrel decided, nah it's too warm for a challenge and disappeared leaving us to watch his fluffy tail disappear to follow his mates.

So there you have it, a continuing tale of both learning and respect, I am so proud to walk along with Blue, and knowing the trust Blue puts in me, how could I ever let him down.