Sybil came to work on her own with me today, while Storm stayed at home to baby sit our house guest. Sybil has never been out without Storm before. So coming to work alone is a huge step…. Seeing her struggle and her confidence in bits when he’s not by her side is sad to watch. She was given the option to come out of the van or stay inside while I was working. She managed 2 seconds out before she retreated to the safety within.
Sybil and I have been working on her “herding” skills, storm is a spaniel, and some days like today, he picks up a scent and it’s hard to pull him off it. Today it was a fox…. So Sybil being an old English sheepdog is learning to herd him back to me when he decides to spaniel and doesn’t listen. It allows her to do what her instincts are shouting. It gives her a “job” and focused on me, and keeps Storm safe. Working breeds are born to work, there instincts to work are still there, embrace it, you will never subdue it.
There’s nothing but fluff going on between those ears
Life with Sybil isn’t all sunshine and roses, she’s hard work, and at times she’s challenging, and a general dickhead. One day she loses her sh*t because some one is walking behind her, other days…. It’s just a car, making a slightly different noise or some thing in the street that’s never been there before. Other days…. The wind has blown and made a bush rustle. Amongst all the chaos we face on a daily basis when walking on the road….. she’s blossomed, her recall is spot on she’s loves her walks in the fields and she’s made huge steps within the house and home environment. Pebbles are still her favourite toy if she finds one (pebbles are not encouraged to play with). Digging the garden up and chasing the cats is also a favourite hobby. Above everything else….. she is happy, that shy shut down nervous puppy that walked in through the door, is now brimming with confidence and a boisterous adolescent. We still have a long long ways to go and we are seeking a behaviourist help for her outside issues. But she has come so far already.
The moment I had a stern word with myself about the practicality of having 2 long haired dogs.
Teaching recall is vital for your dog to be off lead, both Sybil and storm are playing in a group of dogs on the far side of the field, we had already met the dogs earlier so I knew they were ok.
It’s taken 3 and a half weeks but for the first time, she’s got some toys out on her own to play with.
I just got his allergies under control (he’s allergic to horses) and then the little bastard does this…… he’s never ever rolled in poo until now….. now he runs across the field from one pile of horse poo to the next to roll in it while cleo walks as far behind me as possible so she can eat it without me seeing her….. I hate them both.
Never miss an opportunity to make that spaniel nose work…..
Living his best life! Dry field…. Found a ball…. Roll on the ball!
Today we had this hooligan for a visit …… Hank is literally the funniest dog on the planet 😂
There’s a reason we don’t ever allow cleo to have the first lick of the ice cream…….
Really? You couldn’t roll in the fresh cut grass.... you had to roll in the dusty dry dirty soil..... and you wonder why you get a bath once a week! Your a walking health hazard!
