Blue, birds and ducks.

Saturday morning the sun is shining, staying in bed is for wimps, Blues motto not mine.

Well it was six o'clock on Saturday morning, time to head out the door, although some days you would wish Blue would have a lie in, today was not going to be that day. To be honest after a good nights sleep I was quite looking forward to a walk, where time was not an issue.

So off we set, walking up the road to the park, that is just a stones throw from our house, once again as with most mornings we have the park to ourselves.

Business done bagged and binned, we have only been out of the house five minutes. If there is one thing you can say about Blue is that he is regular and will go early doors, as they say.

I had forgotten to take his favourite tennis ball, so his off lead activities today were not going to be spent playing fetch. Blue did not seem bothered that I had forgotten his ball and shrugged his huge shoulders and toddled off to explore the bushes in the park perimeter.

Blue spotted some birds having breakfast, and like a true hero he chased the birds to save the defenceless worms which they were feasting on, no harm done a glance back and they had merely moved to another breakfast outlet.

Park done, time to go back on his lead for some road walking.

As it was such a nice day we extended our walk to take in the lovely grounds of the University of Reading, just over a mile away.


Along the way we met one of Blues arch enemies, the Milk float, but we were chilled today and passed each other with no more than a glance.

On entering the gate adjacent to the large man made lake, there was a group of ducks, gathering suspiciously at the corner of the lake. Suspecting that this group of ducks were up to no good Blue dispersed the gathering, and broke up the party.



Not good behaviour, so he was given a stern "No, leave it", and all settled down. To make amends we couldn't break bread with the ducks, so we did the next best thing, and shared one of Blues doggy treats, ensuring it landed in the water to moisten before the ducks could feast.

All good friends we parted and Blue and I went off to see what else was in store, the rest of walk was spent exploring all the smells and sounds of the wildlife around the lake.

Time to head off home for breakfast, seventy minutes walking and exploring was a fair return for such a loyal and lovely companion.

Perhaps later today we will head off out somewhere nice in the car.

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.