Not our finest hour.

Today was the day for Blue's booster, which means a trip to our local vets.

This didn't go well, to say the least. The main thing that suffered was pride and dignity, first off, is what happened, then I will say why we think it happened, finally what we are going to do, to put right any wrongs.

Arrived home from work, collected Blue and my wife Sue, and set off on the short journey into the London Road vets in Reading town centre.

Parking in the car park, Blue was taken out of the back of the car, and his muzzle was fitted. As we crossed the car park he was pulling like a train, as if eager to enter, but reality is something I will explain in due course. We entered the waiting area, where we always check Blues weight.

51 kilos (112 pounds) the biggest he has ever weighed in at, far too much for a six year old German Shepherd, let alone one that has undergone spinal surgery as a pup.

So as we waited Blue was unsettled, nudging and barging into both Sue and I, as we waited our turn in the empty waiting room.

The door opened and we were summoned in by the vet, Sue first and then Blue literally dragging me through the door. With the vet keeping her distance, talking was difficult, Blue was very vocal and boisterous, this is not unusual for him, but there was a determination and menace in his actions. The vet began explaining that she would like to listen to his heart, but was concerned about his temperament and stress levels. Generally by now he settles down sufficiently to be manipulated into a corner or against a wall to allow the vet to do the deed as they say, but not today, Blue was having none of it.

At this point i took him out of the consultation room into the waiting room, where sat a gentleman and his elderly dog, it was then i knew Blue needed to be taken outside to calm him down.

As we strolled around the car park he did calm down, Sue looked out to see how he was, so I beckoned her out, to say this is not a good idea.

She came out, and told me that the vet was ok, but she had just been told by the fellow with the other dog, "it's bad owners, not bad dog's; it should have been nipped in the bud when he was a youngster" This had made my mind up, an anxious dog and now an angry owner, would not be suitably minded to return into the vets. I said to Sue, Blue would not be going back in, not today.

Blue was put into the car, and Sue had returned after informing the vet we would re-schedule Blue's booster appointment.

Sue also had told the man with his dog who had made the comment about bad owners, "He did not know Blue or us and should keep his opinion to himself".

That is what happened, why is more difficult to explain, when you don't know, but here goes.

Blue has had some hard times at vets over the years, and this seemed one visit that was ill fated before it began. We have always had to cajole, and man handle Blue upon each and every visit when he has needed treatment or assessments. Sue has over a period of time done the familiarisation, where Blue is almost treated like a celebrity visiting, popping in to say hello. Those work out fine.

Blue is a very strong willed German Shepherd, who loves to be top dog. Most of the time it has been dealt with, but just lately it has been creeping back in under the radar. Only little things, but when you look for reasons, you can find a fit somewhere.

The road to peace and tranquility;

Like a marathon, it will be one step at a time, looking to achieve three specific goals, which will lead to a more sociable Blue

• Loose some of the weight, cutting out the already sparse treats
• Avoid opportunities for Blue to assert dominance, namely by distraction
• Improve his doggie and human social skills

Three steps easy to write, three steps needed to enable Blue to live a longer and happier life.

I know Sue is not a bad owner, I feel that I too am not a bad owner, but neither of us are ostriches, burying our heads in the sand.

Blue is a terrific dog, who has had a difficult start in life, and through no fault of his own missed out the key socialising skills that a pup goes through because of his spinal surgery at six months of age.

Today "team us" have taken that first step forward, Blue enjoyed playing ball in the park, on his long training lead, a good run, puffing a bit, but enjoying every minute.

Finally to the man in the vets, don't judge what you don't know, instead offer some supporting or constructive advice.

Timing, like training your dog is key.

Blue resting after a hectic day.

Angels and Demons (All in one special GSD)

 



 

Two side of one dog, why you need to understand the special breed of dog that is the German Shepherd.

Blue is German Shepherd, who turned five in May 2013, though he is not our first dog, he is our first German Shepherd, I do not claim to be an expert on the breed, behaviour or training of such a special breed, but by sharing an overall picture, it is meant to enlighten others to help them go through some of the darker sides of this magnificent creature, and show that there are two sides they need constant work to maintain a balanced and happy family pet and guardian.

When we first see Blue, he was one of a large litter, he was black all over and was our first choice, after a couple of visits he was soon ready to leave the litter and join us in our home, the breeder advised us to use a crate, which we gratefully received the loan of.

So we took home our little angel of fluffy fur, and introduced him to the family home.

Crate training is a good positive experience for a puppy used in the right way, it must never be used as punishment, and they say things happen for a reason, Blue benefited greatly later in his puppy life after his spinal operation.

So where am I going with this Angels and demons thing; Well here goes;

There was a little bundle of fluffy fur that entered our home, as cute as can be, he came equipped with little teeth and an attitude to match a dog ten times his size. Bare feet were an obvious target, easy overcome by wearing shoes, training and socialisation were high on our agenda, we wanted Blue to enjoy those things our previous dog was not able due to his limitations and anxiety.

Blue was always confident, in fact maybe over confident, his main way of communicating was either with his teeth or by flattening things with his paws, and combining both by jumping up.

Seeking advice through the supportive breeder, all attempts to curb the unsocial side of Blue, positive play, raising of voices, ignoring bad behaviour noise distraction, all failed and this little puppy was growing and causing more pain on his victims, puppy training started to make a difference but then came the set back that he required immediate spinal surgery.

Then Blue the little angel worked with us to ensure that his rehabilitation was given the best chance, through hydrotherapy and much care and attention Blue was more mobile and returning to his old self.

Sadly this is where the demon side returned, bigger and stronger, he was now inflicting wounds and pain on his victims, primarily on my wife Sue. Bruising and bit marks on the arms were the norm, finally after kicking off in the local park, she was not able to take Blue out on her own, this was now a point where we were at our closest to giving up on Blue. Tears of hurt and frustration were there on a daily basis.

Our saviour was a few miles away, a company called Aquadoggies ran a pool for dogs, this was the outlet that he needed, a serious chance to burn off some aggression and pent up energy, this helped all of us and the benefits are there to see.

Blue did not become a good dog overnight, our target of getting him to his second birthday was the turning point, and while others offered ideas it was a very difficult period to get through.

Blue is our Angel, with a dark side that now lurks way down, but occasionally bubbles to the surface but to a much lesser effect.

Others have trod this same path, unable to go on, either physically or mentally beaten, so my advice is this, however bad it gets, there is an answer out there, and many willing helpers.

We now joke about how Blue would go from 1 through to six and then to 10 with his temperament, now he goes from 1 through to eight before reaching 10, and demonstrates familiar traits as pre-warning signals.

For the record Blue is now more Angel than demon, but his darker side makes him the special character that he has become  special in our hearts.

Weekend Walkies

Blue has kicked off the weekend in fine style, he had a 67 minute excursion to the local park and surrounding streets.

The timing thing is a habit inherited from my wife, she likes to ensure that Blue has a good regime of exercise to help maintain his mobility and suppleness.

It is quite handy as it requires a watch, and gives me an excuse to purchase the odd one or two.

Blue had a bit of a lay in this morning, we did not set off until 5.55am but it was dry and light so off we headed to the park. The local park is not the biggest in the world but for Blue it holds sufficient interest not to be bored with a daily visit.

I intended to allow Blue a free run, but at the far end of the park a golden Labrador was off lead. As we had not met this dog before we could not be sure whether it was friend or foe, Our minds were made up when the owner spotted me and Blue walking through the park and he promptly attached his dog to a lead. Fair enough, so we gave them a wide birth and continued on our circuit of the park.

After a few minutes with the other dog off lead the other side of the park, Blue looked keen for me to take out his favourite tennis ball. Let the games commence as they say.

I'd had a thought before we set out to try some obedience training off lead, now with the park to ourselves Blue had no other distractions.

Having retrieved his ball several times, he was ready to exchange it for the customary treat.

Using voice command and hand signal Blue was put into the sit position. Slowly continuing to retreat backwards Blue remained sat, occasionally stretching his neck muscles as far forward as possible until balance got the better of him and he began to advance. As his advance was a little sheepish we tried again.

Blue sat on command and with me retreating backwards repeating the command to stay, it was time to release him. Now with a distance of about half the width of the football pitch, as I shouted fetch I threw his ball in the opposite direction. Blue went thundering past at full tilt, eyes only for his beloved ball.

Now the reward, a sharp blow on our dog whistle as Blue picked up his ball, it was ears down and full speed ahead back to me.

Well almost just as he started to return he dropped his ball, and stopped to gather it, but did return to me and released the ball for his well earned treat.

Blue played for a bit more off lead before we embarked on our road walking.

This enhanced Blues outing as he had the opportunity to sniff and smell the morning news. Even his arch enemy the milk float was allowed to pass without any fuss. Apart from a few cyclists and a couple of joggers the only people we see were the motorists that believe the speed limit does not apply first thing in the morning.
(Actually if they have that much to do or it is so important, perhaps they should get up even earlier).

Well that was us done time to go indoors and have our well earned breakfast.

As further reward for Blue I went out after breakfast and got a Ruff and tuff, Jumbo Bone which can be stuffed with his favourite treats

and a packet of "pigs ears" much to the disgust of my wife Sue.

I think Blue likes trotters best, but that might be because I am called Rodney.

Actually he once found a pigs trotter in a hedge at a property we stayed in at the Lake District

The next level of training, Whistle command

As Blue has responded well to further training, we are going to take it in a different direction.

We have now acquired a "Dog whistle"

This is for the future, when we go walking in the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands, sometimes we can not see another person on our walks. The aim is to have the confidence to let Blue walk off lead, where no local restrictions might apply.

On successfully removing it from the packet, a couple of blasts on the whistle, and Blue came to find out what the noise was about, he was duly rewarded, and this was taken as an encouraging start.

In addition to the whistle we brought two new nylon Wainwright leads in olive green. One about a metre in length the other half that length. Using theses leads attached directly to his collar means he no longer needs to wear the halti collar which is becoming a distraction and irritation. The proof of the pudding is in the eating, and this morning in the pouring rain, he did not kick off at all with passing motorists, people on bikes or just walking past with brollies.

While out walking this morning in the local park, he was let off lead, he strayed no further than three feet from me, so we did not get the opportunity to do a recall on command of the whistle.

Rome was not built in a day, so with patience, we will see when we get the next opportunity, until confident the opportunities will be limited.

Perhaps we will try the "sit" command, as recommended in the instruction booklet.

The bond grows stronger,and the grass is cut

Although Blue our German Shepherd has taken to his new regime, he has in some ways returned to aspects of his old self.

Some behavioural traits of a typical German Shepherd dog can be seen as an early sign of defiance / challenging of leadership. In Blue's case though it is more the occasional slip into bad habits, but more so the self confident dog enjoying his life.

A challenge this week was the mowing of the lawn, before the mower was out of the shed the barking and howling will build to a crescendo, by the time the started cord was pulled on the petrol mower, we would both be wound up to fever pitch.

In the past my wife Sue, would restore peace by putting Blue in the house, having neighbours on all sides, the volume of Blue the mower and me going at it was enough to bear. So given recent successes with the drinking bottle it was time to face another challenge.

With water bottle in hand, mower was taken out of the shed, weary looks exchanged, but no dramas.

Time to start the engine, and on cue start Blue off as well, a quick squirt with the command "leave it" was enough to restore order.

As you can see below the result was instant, I mowed the lawn and the only noise was from the mower itself. If you look closely the blue drinks bottle is placed on the mower, and was not required while mowing the grass.

As Blue responded so well it was important to give him some assurance whilst still cutting the grass. Once the mowing was completed we played with his footballs his favourite game of catch and chase.

We can now be called The Lawnmower Man & his Dog Blue

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.