One year old!!!

Recently a friend asked if we would have taken on TG if we had known how big he was going to get. Who can tell? When you buy a dog as a puppy you're not quite sure how big their going to become but you have the opportunity to train them in your ways from the start. On the other hand when buying a dog from a Rescue Centre size is less unpredictable but behaviour is very uncertain.

We knew that TG was going to be bigger than breed standard and had some idea of his potential size. He is bigger than any dog we've had before but we have had the opportunity to train him from the start. His training has gone OK, he is great fun, really good and we wouldn't change him or anything about him. He is the happy, fun-loving, amusing, thoroughly nice dog that it said on the tin.

There are inevitably hiccoughs. Recently we have lost him four times up in the hills near the house. He just sneaks off, then you see the deer running across the field, then you see TG following in hot pursuit. No amount of whistling or calling can break his concentration - it's his nature as a scent hound to follow the scent of large game. I have left him behind, come home, then walked back to meet him coming down the hill when he has either lost the scent or the deer has gone to ground. We have had the telephone call. "We have your dog. He's in the front garden looking lost." and have gone to collect him. 

The dog is quite unrepentant however so we have stopped taking him on that particular walk at the moment until the deer go higher up into the hills. 

He loves to cuddle and despite his size will climb onto a convenient lap given half a chance.

Sometimes his habit of eating the junk mail can be useful but recently he ate one side of a Christmas Lunch menu that a colleague had ordered. It was really embarrassing for PL to have to ring the person and explain the situation - made even worse as the person had forgotten what he had ordered!!!

TG also ate the 'don't want it' side from a Boden order causing the use of lots of sellotape. The Boden staff must have had a laugh at the explanation for the state of the returned form.
We hope that TG's mum would be as proud of him as he is of her with her exceptional winning ways in the show ring that we read about. TG has a lot to live up to and, one year on, he is doing very nicely thank you.

Full of Testosterone.

Let me tell you the tale as PL told it to me.

"I (PL) was walking on the usual round and let TG off at the top of the hill. TG ran on ahead but disappeared behind the lake. I went looking for TG but he crossed the stream at the back of the lake and went into the garden of M.&L. I (PL) ran round into the garden of M.&L. only to see TG leave said garden, cross the stream, go round the lake to 'visit' with some doggy buddies. I caught up with them but TG ran off again before I could collar him."

Pause for breath.

"TG ran into the field adjacent to the one I (PL) and TG were aiming for. I called and whistled TG but when TG came back he couldn't get through the gate. I (PL) had to put down the umbrella and lead so that I could climb the gate. I caught TG and threw him back over, fortunately TG waited so we (PL and TG) went straight back home."

They (PL & TG) arrived back home soaked to the skin. PL dried himself and TG, who was  banished to the kitchen. TG and PL both then had their evening meal. 

The next day TG and PL went to the Town Centre to undertake various 'errands'. At the Post Office PL tied TG up to a sturdy, wooden bench. After a couple of minutes waiting in the queue a man rushed in to the PO.

 "Is that your dog outside?" "He's pulled the bench across the road!!!"

TG had single-handedly (or quad-pawdly) dragged the bench across the road, fortunately without causing an accident. It took the collective strength of PL and another man to carry the bench back. The story is reaching legend proportions in the town already.

 TG is having a lot of fun at the moment which means not a lot of fun for AF and PL. AF had to leave him on the hill alone again. TG decided that as he had had such fun before he would disappear at the same spot again. AF once again whistled and called him for 10 - 15 minutes but to no avail. PL once again went up the field to rescue him and bring him home!! Since then TG has not disappeared again but watch this space.

At the moment he is sick and bad again after eating 'goodness knows what' on the field. TG decided that a little piece of cooked chicken and rice would be just about right for his tummy.

Note to self. Make a vet's appointment for TG to be .....................



Disappearing dog.



Back for a treat.

Having good days and bad days.

Good Days.

Consistently coming back to AF when the whistle is blown.

Not jumping up on people.
Just being a dog.
Playing with other dogs but coming back to AF when called.

Bad Days.
Disappearing into the woods and not returning when whistle blown.
Throwing new plants and earth all over the garden.

Digging huge holes in the garden.

A 'sort of' sorry TG drying off in his crate.

Today is a really bad day. AF has had to come home without him.

TG was being very good. He was chasing various scents, as is his wont, but always coming back for a treat. Coming down the hill TG decided to follow a particularly delicious scent and he just vanished. AF stood for 10 minutes calling and whistling but of TG there was no sign.

It's a difficult decision to leave a dog behind but there was no choice so here I am, at home, without TG. Oh Dear!!

PL has gone to look for him and it's raining!!

TG is now back home only a little bit chastened after waiting at the top of the hill for someone to rescue him!!!

Earlier in the week TG was sick, diarrhea-y and feeling bad. A visit to the vet and £50 later he had perked up and was back to normal. How do dogs manage to do that?

Going on long walks!!!

I have been quite impressed at TG's behaviour this week. Twice he has managed to ignore a group of cows in a field leaving them alone to peacefully graze. (Pity he didn't do the same with a group of sheep that he did investigate a little bit - but as he wasn't with AF it doesn't count?)

AND THEN

as AF and TG went through another field that had two big, round, pink pigs in I did anticipate a bit of trouble - they are rather attractive to an innocent puppy. However, to TG's credit, he only showed a mild interest by dancing in front of them both and running round in circles for a little while before prancing off with a nonchalant air. (AF was jumping up and down whistling, at the end of the field, at the time!). So good dog!!!

By the end of the week however, he had had enough of being good and naughtiness took him over.

Part of the reason was the late hour that he gets his walk at the weekend. PL takes him at 11 am  rather than 9 am, so the devil makes work for idle (doggy) hands (paws) whilst TG is waiting.

As usual AF was multi-tasking so as well as gardening on Saturday she was also knitting an upside-down Cinderella Doll for the Youngest Granddaughter (YGdd). TG was out and about - doing a bit of gardening - in and out of the house - minding his own business - you get the picture?? After a while PL came into the garden to say to AF "When you have tidied up out here I suggest you go inside and sort out your knitting."

Shock, shock horror. TG had had a wonderful time tossing balls of wool about, weaving multi-coloured spiders' webs all around the house and unravelling the precious knitting. Needless to say AF was not happy and spent the rest of the day sorting it all out and rewinding wool.

The wool and knitting is now 'up high'.

What a bad dog? What a careless AF? 

AF was not really paying him back but she did skim the fur on his bottom a bit close with the shears tonight. It was very matted (!) and he wouldn't let me brush or comb it (!) so I attacked it a bit with the doggy grooming kit. Ooops!

TG won't come anywhere near AF at the moment so lots of bribing is going on to persuade TG to like AF again!!!

Catching up.

TG is convinced that he needs to catch up with all the dirty, messy, exciting 'stuff' that he would have done if he hadn't been enjoying himself on his holidays.

AF took him to the beach on Friday. Whilst my back was turned clearing up poo TG took off. He was out of sight. No amount of whistling and/or calling his name brought him back. AF eventually spied him down on the beach. TG, however, was not to be caught. So a bit of a chase ensued in which AF got close enough to call TG so TG ran further down the path. He was having a great time and was uncatchable until we met another dog. I know, I know that  the doggy books tell you not to chase as it becomes a game and it did, for 15 minutes, after which time he settled down and became an examplary dog. Coming when called, chasing a stick, running from the waves, digging in the pebbles, eating seaweed and whatever else dogs do on the beach.

At the weekend PL walks TG and he also had a lot of fun playing chase for a while until TG decided that he had had enough and was ready to be a good dog. It's very tiresome and time consuming. Hope he stops doing it soon.

He's back!!

The Dog (TG) has been on 4 weeks holiday. We took him to a Pets at Home establishment where the dogs, up to four, live with the people and play with the other dogs all the time. He has had a large paddock and garden to run in and has come home exhausted.

The Pets at Home family thought he was lovely and every one who visited or dropped off their dog asked the inevitable question "What is he?"

Anyway back home with his boring owners he decided to liven things up a bit. Unfortunately for TG he doesn't cover his tracks very well so the chewed slipper on the grass, the hole dug in the flower bed and the chewed and empty sand filled door stop do rather give the game away. It was definitely a 'getting his own back' day.

PL took him out for a walk as usual. TG decided that as someone had picked up their dog's poo in a bag but had left it hanging, like a christmas bauble, in the hedge that he would do the honours and clear it up. Unfortunately this meant TG running round the field with it in his mouth with PL in hot pursuit. What's new??

TG had not forgotten about rolling in cowpats either so he came back dirty and smelly - just like old times - for a hose down and bath - just like old times!! It's as though we've/he's never been away.

At the moment TG is in the garden doing his 'meet and greet' routine. He sticks his through the fence and all his doggy buddies come and have a chat. He's a funny dog!!!

AF met a neighbour this morning and we discussed the merits of TG. He's a 'nice chap' said E. and I think that about sums TG up. He's a 'nice chap'.

All alone again!!

"Let me in!"

TG's best buddies the LS (Lovely Staffie) and the EGs (Eldest Grandson) have now left so we have had a very miserable dog all week. TG hasn't been really bad just a bit grumpy and upset.

EGs had been coverting three last pieces of special chocolate all week and looking forward to eating them on the journey back home. TG found them first, however, so only the empty wrapper was left. OH dear!! Unfortunately TG didn't suffer any ill effects from so much human chocolate.

This week TG has had 'the treatment'. Not only the worming tablets but also the anti tic and flea drops. AF skimmed off some of his coat and spent some time cleaning out his ears so no excuse when he ignores me on the field!!

Waiting for a chat with his mates.

TG has regular doggy callers at the garden that he has a chat with. Usually TG puts his head right through the fence whilst lying across my vegetable patch and the other dog pulls his/her owner over to meet and greet TG.

There's a delightful brown and white spaniel who has been a friend for a long time, a stunning flat haired retriever that is learning to like TG better as time goes by, a beautiful golden retriever with a devoted owner who also likes TG. TG's newest friend is an interesting lurcher who couldn't get on with our previous dog but likes TG a lot. TG has various other more casual callers too numerous to mention but they all have a quick chat through the fence before being hurried off by less than understanding owners.

The garden is once again taking on the appearance of a rather untidy and unloved public park. TG likes to chew, chase, run with and destroy empty plastic bottles. As fast as I clear them up he finds more to spread liberally around. AF feels a 'tip run' coming up for PL.

This morning we (AF and TG) had the beach to ourselves once again as the Summer visitors have all flown away. We had a splendid time - wind, rain and a rough sea. TG got wet and muddy as usual in the reed bed but he was very good at coming back to the whistle even when tempted by other dogs and stuff to roll in. He also really liked the treats I had - left over roast potatoes. Yummy.

Just like any other GBGV.

TG has a short term memory problem. He forgets that if he rolls in squishy mud, cow pats, fox/badger poo or any other delicious glutenous 'stuff' he gets the resulting indignity of baths, soapings and/or hosing down with cold water. Not a virtuous circle!

TG asleep with EGs.

The week for AF has been a bit of a blur. For TG it has been heaven as, not only his favourite friend EGs (Eldest Grandson) has come to visit, but also TG's favourite doggy buddy, an LS (Lovely Staffie), leading to lots of rollicking, rolling and chasing fun in the garden and house.

Watching TV.

.

On Sunday both TG and the LS competed in the local Dog Show leading to rosettes all round. What super dogs.

TG with his rosette.

TG really proud of the LS.

We met another Long Legged GBGV (Grand Bassett Griffon Vendeen) at the Dog Show so instead of the usual discussion around 'What is he?' we compared notes and discussed  the various 'attributes and foibles' of the breed and our dogs in particular. It was good to learn that their dog has the same naughty habits as ours but that, like TG, their dog is living up to the 'happy breed' tag. 

......another day, another puddle, another bath, same WHITE dog.

TG is having a whale of a time at the moment. Finally released from the lampshade he is 'GETTING VERY DIRTY' - I should point out that this was before the rain that will bring it's own crop of muddy puddles for a dog to play in.

AF walked him early and brought him back with a muddy muzzle. Washed this off and all was well.

A self-cleaning dog. The tongue was a great help!!

Later in the day PL took him for a walk and foolishly let TG off the lead in the cows' field. TG started in the cow pats then progressed to the water trough area. Lots of mud.

"No, no, not the hosepipe. Anything but the hosepipe."



AF decided that a bath was probably the best way forward. The colour of the resulting bath water says it all.

Once again our lovely white dog.

TG's shoe fetish has reached cross making proportions. He found a very nice brown leather sandal belonging to AF that had been carelessly left on the floor of the back porch close to the feeding station of TG. This was clearly too much of an enticement for a dog on the look out for mischief so he took it outside and demolished it. Not his fault that it was there looking delicious and tempting.

Note to self: ALL FOOTWEAR IS NOW TO BE STORED IN A CUPBOARD OR UP VERY HIGH. 

Developing a shoe fetish.

Because TG has had a large lampshade round his neck for the past week he has been around the house and garden rather more than usual so the mischief has been close to home.

TG has taken a fancy to footwear - it must be the lovely smell!! As we had Third Eldest Daughter (TED) visiting at the weekend he had a ball. The TED's strappy roman sandals were his favourite, followed closely by the stunningly beautiful black high heels.

TG goes about his business as a Shoe Thief very stealthily, pouncing on the desired shoe/sandal with great cunning then disappearing quickly and quietly. TG doesn't actually chew the shoe just mouths it leaving lots of doggy saliva behind.

He really wants TED, AF and PL to chase him for it.

Now, as every dog owner knows, chasing any dog to retrieve any desirable object is REALLY BAD NEWS. It's 'Game On' for a happy session of hide and seek around the garden for a while. TG taunts human with object, human is allowed to very nearly catch dog, there is a last minute burst of energy by dog that the human is not able to match and so on and so on. Human collapses, dog is the winner.

At the moment TG is playing out this little game repeatedly until all the shoes/sandals are 'up high'.

TED says he thinks all shoes/sandals are fair game as AF gave him an old slipper to play with??? 

As a famous comedien would say "GOOD GAME! GOOD GAME!"

The lampshade is off this week.

I'm pleased to report that TG has recovered fully from the 'other dog' incident. The stiched up

wound has healed beautifully, all the pills are finished and TG once again wants TO PLAY in the evening. Back to destroying toys and getting dirty in the fields. It's a dog's life.

Having some life experiences.

Walk One.....



Waiting for the "Off you go."



Dashing ahead.

 ......was great.

AF and The Dog (TG) went for a pleasant stroll down a leafy lane. TG did what dogs do. Sniffing here and there. Marking his territory. Running ahead - hanging back. We had a lovely time and came back nice and clean!!!! 

A bit boring if you're a dog. 





Trying out his 'scent' nose. 



Hanging back.





During the last few days we have visitors so TG has had to be on his best behaviour. The 'squirty water on the muzzle' approach has stopped him jumping up at people so that is good news and has stopped him being a nuisance. Result!!

Walk Two.

AF and the visitors took TG for a long walk over the fields. TG was having a lovely time - running ahead - coming back to the whistle - not jumping up!! Up ahead I saw a man with his dog standing very still, looking horrified, watching something????

It was TG that he was giving a VERY WIDE BERTH as he (TG) was wallowing in a very muddy puddle. He lay in it; he threw grimy water over his head using his muzzle and ears as tools; he ran through it repeatedly; he had a super, wonderful doggy time getting very, very wet and filthy. He looked like the monster from the deep - green, slimy and dripping.

AF put TG on the lead. The man continued on his walk with his clean dog.

After a while AF let TG off the lead again. This was probably a BIG mistake as TG discovered the soft, slushy, green stuff that is at the heart of a hard, crusty cowpat. Wowww!! 

TG rolled in it, snuffled it, ate it, stuck it to his side. He treasured that cowpat to bits.

AF had a four way coloured GBGV to walk home through the town, to the joy and delight of other dog owners and some sympathetic smiles.

Here he is having a good wash in the garden, paying for his pleasures.

Walk Three.....

....has brought the dog trouble of a different kind and with it a learning experience that he will not forget.

AF and TG were having a pleasant walk, minding our own business, as usual, when TG spotted another dog coming the other way. His experience of 'other dogs' has been brilliant to date. They have recognised him as a 'Playful Puppy' and either ignored his advances or played riotously with him. This dog, however, decided to grab a mouthful of TG's doggy backside in his mouth leaving two, bleeding, puncture marks.

Naturally TG squealed loudly and when released from the biting jaws took off like a rocket the way he and AF had come, chased by the offending other dog.

AF and the other dog owner set of in hot pursuit as both dogs were heading for a main road. Fortunately a gate was barring the way so AF put TG back on his lead and carried on back towards the other dog owner. Her response to events was to tell TG that he was "Quite a rascal" for enticing her dog into bad ways (running away). AF was a bit amazed but as it's all in a dog's life chose not to argue with this assertion.

Not sure yet whether I'll still be as sanguine when we get the vet's bill.

The vet discovered an inch long tear close to his testicles that needed stitches so the poor dog has really been in the wars today. Still waiting for the bill.

He's into adolescent mode.

The pretty flower in better times.

Maybe 9am on a Monday is when all the grumpy old men are walking their dogs at my favourite iron age fort. There were certainly lots of them about the last time AF took the dog for a walk there. AF came away feeling quite dispirited after all the adverse comments about him. He came a very poor second at discipline when compared to an 8 month old whippet and AF was severely criticized for running after the dog instead of waiting for him to come back to her. There was more.

So sorry there has not been a blog since that disastrous walk but AF and PL have been busy trying to make the dog a better, gooder dog.

Has it worked?

Well he is getting better at coming back to the whistle but jumping up at people is still a bit of a problem. He also continues to:-

• dig great big holes in the garden
• roll in horse, cow, fox or badger poo when the opportunity arises.
• eat his own poo even though we wash his mouth out when we smell his breath.
• race through swampy ground until he has transferred the mud to his tummy and legs.

He is also having a great time destroying all his toys.

The sad remains of the dog's toys.

The cockerel went first, then the red pulley, followed by the pink ring, three tennis balls, the pretty flower and last of all his pheasant. There is nothing left of the green pulley with the hot dog in the middle. Absolute slaughter. He won't get any more until Christmas.

The dog got lost the other day. PL had him out for his afternoon walk when the dog saw, (but PL didn't), his doggy friend. The dog took off and disappeared from sight. PL rang AF to go round one way whilst PL set off looking for him the other, hoping to cut him off at the pass. Not too long after a sad, repentant (?) dog was brought back by a friendly dog owner so all was well. We are walking him much more on the lead now until this phase is out of his system. It could be a long time!!

He had his first successful experience of going into kennells. Only for a day, but he won over the hearts of the people who looked after him. We have always been cautious of putting our rescue dogs into kennels fearing that they would feel abandoned all over again. No such problems with our super confident dog. He bounced in and bounced out again after a lovely day.

PL likes to pick fresh raspberries from the garden for his breakfast. He has learnt to be quick or the dog gets there first. The dog likes to pick and eat, without washing, both raspberries and strawberries. The mulberries are ripening at the moment so he will be fighting off the blackbirds (and me) to get his share.

That's all for now folks!

Back home with post-holiday blues!!

One thing that the dog did learn on holiday was to climb, albeit reluctantly, into the car boot on his own. So no more embarrassing views of elderly PL and AF lifting this floppy, reluctant animal into the car. He makes the point by getting in verrrry slowly but he seems to have accepted the incontrovertible fact that car travel is here to stay!!

Oh, unhappy dog.

The training took a bit of a back seat last week so this week it's 'back to basics'. No new regime just making sure that we enforce the old rules???

1. Walking to heel without pulling as an absolute must. The dog sees this requirement as a  bit of a challenge so plays with his lead when we're out walking, picks up sticks, rubs his head along the ground, pulls on his lead to talk to every passing dog or person - children a particular favourite. (A work in progress.)
2. Come back to PL or AF straight away when we whistle. This happens most of the time the exception being when a temptingingly alluring smell has appeared in front of the dog's nose that he just has to 'see to'. (Have something more tempting than the smell in the treat bag. A tall order. Keep working on this one.)
3. No running up and down the front fence on my vegetable patch. Another real challenge as it would be very rude of him to ignore all those friendly dogs, horses, celebrities and/or people walking by when he's available to make them feel loved and welcome. (NB. AF to fence off the vegetable plot.)
4. No playing in the house with PL and AF after 8pm. He waits until our daily business is over, when we sit down with a G&T, then pounces on us with a pulling toy, ball or squeaky ready to PLAY! PLAY! PLAY! (Need to establish a 'Playtime cut off'??)
5. No more wet, muddy dogs to be brought back from a walk. Not easy, but do-able if we walk the dog only on the road avoiding all the delicious, worthwhile, beautiful fields and country walks that abound around the house. (This one quite unrealistic.)
6. Sit and wait for food on command. He is quite good at this one so there must be a lesson in there for us somewhere.

I'm sure that there are lots more rules that we could establish but the fewer the better in my book.



Looking cute at the door of the caravan.



This is a good pose!!!



Photo diary of the dog on holiday.

The dog, PL, AF and our eldest Grandson (EGs.) have just had a week in the caravan in Yorkshire.

The dog got more culture than he could manage but enjoyed the walks and adoration from a new group of acolytes.

  It was a bit tight in the caravan

when the dog spread himself out.



The dog saying goodbye to our eldest Granddaughter (EGd).







Dog, AF and EGs. exhausted, at the bottom of the White Horse of Kilburn steps, N.Yorks..

 

The dog really wanted to be 'King of the Castle' but.......





......he found a very dirty pond instead!!! Bottom of Sutton Bank, N.Yorks.



A bit of culture the dog enjoyed. 'Taking the Waters' at Castle Howard,Yorks.

The dog greeting his public - waiting for EGs in the Adventure Playground, Castle Howard, Yorks.

 

All this 'sycophantic stuff' makes a dog thirsty!!! Castle Howard, Yorks.

EGs still not letting the dog be 'King of the Castle'. Fountains Abbey, N.Yorks.



The dog just wants to play now.
Preferably out of the caravan.
Caravan Club Site, Thirsk Racecourse, N.Yorks.





 







This has to be the way out.

The dog decided not to escape after all!!!! End of story.



Six month report.

The dog is now 6 months old. Still growing and really testing us out. Not yet a teenager but certainly a terrible toddler. Won't do what we want: Still eating horrible things in the fields and garden: Sits in the house and ignores us: Destroying the garden.

This is his 6 month report.

1. Has he met the required standard?  10/10.
2. General behaviour. 10/10.
3. Quick to learn. 10/10
4. Taking part in group activities. 10/10.
5. Enjoys playing with others. 10/10.
6. Exceeding our expectations. 10/10
7. Fun to have around. 10/10

An exemplary dog exhibiting the right qualities and attributes that will take him to the top of his class. PL and AF.

 Sherlock Dog.

The dog and I, AF, were having a great walk in the fields. As we approached the next stile the dog spotted a lady in white who disappeared from our sight as we watched. She saw us coming but hurried away from us through the next field not acknowledging our presence.

At the next turn in the path she was still there but had quickened her pace and made for the woods. We continued to follow.

The dog was following her scent with his nose close to the ground. He stopped frequently to look for her, head, body, nose and ears alert. All his doggy hunting instincts in evidence.

Who was she, where was she going and why didn't she have a dog with her?

We caught fleeting glimpses of the lady in white between the trees and hedges as she continued down the hill. She frequently glanced back as if checking out where we were.

Through the ponies field and the next gate we went, the gap between us and the mysterious lady in white widening as we followed her down the hill. 

Eventually we came out from the wooded fields to see her still ahead of us on the country lane.

The dog was still alert to her movements and we continued to walk behind her into the town.

But as suddenly as we had come upon her high up in the hills she vanished and we never saw the lady in white again...... Sherlock Dog had lost the scent.