Hi

I had the 3 big girls out today together for the first time in ages. I haven't been able to for some time as Maddie was a terrible bird chaser and the youngest needed time on her own for training too. I took all 3 out together this morning and we encountered so many things that tested their behaviour. First of all we met a man with 6 Staffies, the girls have all met them one at a time and seemed ok with them, but I was unsure how all 3 together would react. I was speaking to the owner and all 9 dogs played quite happily together then a woman came into view with a Rottie which I have to say was somewhat off putting for me but the bloke with the Staffies said that he was a big soft lump and to let them get on with it. I was a wee bit weary however, my eldest Keevy had no qualms at all and promptly told him off for sniffing her backend. The poor soul looked terrified at all these girls hurtling about :D :D We carried on our walk after the obligitory swim in the river of course :D As we carried on round the corner I saw about 10 big crows pecking at something on the ground, Maddie also saw them and took off after them as normal, but stopped dead in her tracks when I whistled. The other two don't bother with birds so that helps. Towards the end of our walk just before I put leads back on a Deer darted out of the trees in front of us, of course all dogs took off in hot pursuit, I very quickly whistled and they all turned instantly and came back. (first deer I have seen in my area ever) How proud am I? It's taken a lot of hard work especially with Maddie to get us this far. I have to say that this will probably go down as one of my most memorable walks with the girls. I also got some cracking photos where I managed to get all 3 sitting together in the grass :D :D

Sorry for going on, but I'm so chuffed!

Thats great Alli, I dont blame you for being chuffed I would be too :)

Fagan is good like that I can call him off of most things - Alfie on the other hand, well thats a different story :(

LOL Oh god I've just re-read my post and realised what a sad person I am :D :D You must think I'm a nutter. Little Alfie is just a baby and his behaviour will get better. It's taken 2 years for me to be able to fully trust Maddie. Keevy and Brianna on the other hand were very quick. Keevy has always been great I think due to the fact that she spent the first 9 months of her life with Border Collies and Brianna has always been fairly good. Are you showing this weekend?

Ive been told being a nutter helps when you have Irish ;) and no I dont think you are sad at all, its nice to share our doggie achievments - at least on here people understand, try telling your mates down the pub and see what sort of response you get, mine tend to switch off :D :D

Im at an open show this weekend at Christchurch (just down the road) then next week we are at three counties.  How about you ?

Are you new pups Gordons ?

Oh I know all about Mates, mine listen intently for about 2 mins then the far away look starts and you know it's time to stop :D I have an Open show this weekend in Dundee, all 3 are entered however Maddie is looking slightly out of coat after having the puppies so I think she'll just come along for the ride. Yes the puppies are Gordons and will be 11 weeks old on Monday. They are actually quite good, they have their own cages and sleep in them at night and I tend to try and give them a couple of hours a day on their own with me or with OH in the evening. We are tackling House-training at the moment and it seems to be going in the right direction :D :D For how long though I don't know lol

Getting a little gooey eyed here :) isn't it brilliant when everything comes together and all the hard work is rewarded :D well done you :D

What a wonderful walk you have had!   It's so good when they all behave!

Margot

Thanks for the reply Margot :D

The hard work really begins now as I have two puppies from Maddie's litter to start training (Ellie and Bronwyn). I did only plan to keep one, however I would rather keep the wee extra girl Bronwyn as I fear she isn't going to keep the greatest of health and I don't want to saddle some poor unsuspecting puppy buyer with a sickly dog.

It's a real ego boost when it all comes right, isn't it? :) There'll be backward steps sometimes, but now you've had reward for your efforts, and encouragement for more! Good for you! :)

JG I know exactly what you mean about Backward steps I really thought for a while that I was never going to crack the problems and that Maddie would have to be an on the lead dog for ever. I have recently started heelwork with Maddie and Brianna and it's coming together nicely. I don't expect to have an obedience champion, but it all goes to help making walks more pleasurable. I used to find that when I took Maddie out I came home more stressed than when I went out. This morning was well worth all the time and effort. I must need my head looking at to be tackling all this again with the new girls :D :D :D

Wow congrats I wouldn't even dream of doing that with my dogs all by myself lol I can take 2 together and thats about it, well maybe 3 including Taz lol The only one I would consider off lead right now would maybe be Taz and Tiva.

I look after my friends spaniels sometimes and take the four dogs out together which isnt too bad because the Setters disappear off into the distance and the spaniels cling to my ankles like woolly leg warmers :D :D

now if it was 4 setters ........... you could guarantee they would all go into the distance, but in different directions

lol I know Claire. I'm just dreading the day the two babies are old enough and able to go for walks with the big girls. I've got about a year to prepare for it! Hmm 2 Iirsh Setters and 3 Crazy Gordons should be fun !!!!!  :D