Well its been 6 1/2 months and I went to get her today. We took her out for some shooting and she put up a couple of pheasants, which I duly missed ! She seems to do everything as she should, sits on the whistle, flushing or gunshot, hunts left and right when commanded, and walks to heel on and off lead. Only thing he warned me about was not to praise her, otherwise she gets all hyper and starts leaping about and summersalting :) I guess you can't ever fully remove the spaniel from a spaniel.

She sort of recognised me when I got there, but these trainers seem to be able to make dogs interested in nothing but them and working, so in that respect I was pleased. Mind you, she soon leaped into the car like she used to, and seemed to recognise the back garden and her kennel.

Only downsides is she absolutely stinks! Sort of part dog/cow muck/smelly feet. I was going to wash her when we got back, but didn't want to upset her so early in our new relationship. And he said she was always dirty in her kennel, which is strange as she only messed in her run and kennnel twice during her first 6 months with me. I can do without cleaning up after her everyday. I'm a bloke after all, so I can ignore it for a while :) Looks like my long lay-ins are over.

Congrats on getting your girl back Dave. Must have been a long 6 months :)
Ali

was thinking about her the other day and wondering when she'd be back. Sounds like the training has paid off but shame you didn't learn how to shoot while she was gone lol :D

once she's had a bath then give her a cuddle from me ;)

Sara :)

Glad you have got your dog back Dave, bet you missed her, give her a cuddle from me.

Hi Dave - I bet you are pleased to have her back, give her a nice bath and a cuddle from me , aren't you tempted to keep her in the house now you've got your little girl back ;) - Julie:)

Ah, you guys are so sweet. I gave her a jolly good bath and spent the next 30 minutes cleaning the bathroom :)

I thought I'd treat her to a proper groom as all her feathering is getting a bit long and scruffy. So called one that I'd used before, but number no longer available. Had a look in Yellow Pages and called every single one. Of those that answered, the earliest appointment I could get was 17th Jan 2003 ! Blimey, I must be in the wrong profession. So I got out my scissors and did it myself. Now I'm no Vidal Sasson, but I managed a pretty good job, bearing in mind I was on my own and she was wriggling and squirming like an eel.

Julie, you are right about letting her in the house. I bought another basket and piece of vetbed, but George the cat decided to make it his home. I've lost count of the number of cat beds I've bought in the past, then thrown out because the cat won't go near them. Typical. The trouble is, when I brought her in to bath, she got so excited charging round the place she peed, and then just about demolished the joint. Whilst she's a lot calmer out working and training, when it comes to anything new she reverts to baby spaniel mode, and we all now what that means :) I'll try again soon, subject to the following conditions:- She's clean, it's dry out, shes peed and pood, the cats out, everything up to waist height has been removed, and I'm feeling brave!