Cool (or soggy!) runnings

It’s the very last day of the course today so Elbie and I were out and about all by ourselves!
The trainers were all loitering with intent 😉 and there on hand if needs be.

Elbie and I got off to a great start, trooping off round our tried and tested route. Every day so far has built up to today.

So, were off…. Past the pub.. Cross two roads.. The pressy button crossing…
The sit, turns and dropped purse…. All fine 🙂

Then! We met a dog coming along the other way who is a medical detection dog. We waited politely, Elbie didn’t pull to say hello but he kept focus on the wonky mum. ‘Good boy!’

Then onto the tricky bit, the switch at Boots to open the door.
We lined ourselves up beautifully. About to issue the command, an older lady popped her hand across us and was about to press the button.
I asked politely if she wouldn’t mind waiting a moment for my dog.
She stepped back.
Elbie did go for the up switch command and sat ready to go. We got a round of warm applause 🙂
Elbie did give one little lick to the lady as she went past saying ‘coochi coo’ but other than that we were doing great.

On the way back to the pub car park now and glad of my coat. He walked so smartly

Crossed roads really well.

Then it happened. White van man…
Suddenly from no where.
He pulled onto the pavement in front of me and Elbie. He did not look once. Nearly took both of us out :-O

Heart racing a bit but put Elbie into a safe sit. Then went round him.
The trainer watching me went and had a word…

Quickly back to the pub. Played a game of TUGGER TOY. Then back to the centre.

I spent some cash getting little presents for family. Key rings and badges and a cuddly Elbie puppy-a-like for little miss Boo.

Then a nap, lunch time and we had tea and cakes to celebrate the end of the ‘OST’ weeks.

Then it was off to the free run for the day.
Elbie is capable of playing politely with other dogs. The canine partners have enjoyed lots of play with eachother through puppyhood and can be more permissive with their play.
So today we tried out and about with non CP dogs.
We started off with some obedience, sits and turns culminating in a sit and wait off lead.

Trooping along, trainer Steven put him on a long lead in case, but he was great. Frankly he wants to walk with mummy!
When a dog owner approaches with their dog on lead in an area like that, it’s a good idea to lead Elbie up too as there’s normally a good reason that dog is on lead eg. Gets lost. Not too friendly etc.

Off lead with Elbie parallel to one of the trainers dogs, I honestly thought he’d be off but no- keeping his attention first with squeezy cheese then that went away and my voice only.
He was so good

Because he was splendid I popped him in a sit, said good boy and sent him off to play with the trainers dogs. It was interesting to watch how well mannered he was with gentle play bows. You watch until a natural break in the play then call him, he arrives and plenty of praise given on the way he gets a lick of squeezy cheese. Happy he can go play again or trot alongside me. He choose the latter.

The rain was coming in then, so we headed back to a warm dry wonkywarrior family battlebus. Soggy runnings!

Cuppa and a chat about things to do and not do when home and taking things gently and teaching good habits from the get go is important.

Packing is now underway in my chalet. Settling up bills for the odd thing is on the agenda along with a bacon butte tomorrow morning and then we take my lovely dog Elbie home.

Friday, such fun!

Right wonky followers before Miranda comes on the beeb, let’s share our day of naughty moments.

Wonkywarrior can be rather erm, mischievous at times and I’m going to level the first ‘boob’ at Elbie as he nudged to the door button in the breakfast room.

SIN number 1- the rules are not to do switches until shown officially.
Naughty and bad wonkywarrior followed Elbies clever nose and did an Up Switch. Naughty badness….

Forgiven, for now, we all went to the retail park and did some toy shopping for Elbie. The most challenging part was visiting the lift in one of the shops.
We queued up and took our turn at the lift.

Waiting patiently we didn’t spot her… The fast groper.
She dashed round the aisle and without a word while the guy in front was doing the most complex bit of ‘lift routine’ she ruffled the dog and the poor dog didn’t know what was going on. The guy in front didn’t know what had hit him, and even the trainer was caught by surprise. With a dog in livery in mid training, that’s totally unacceptable so the trainer said ‘we are training so please don’t touch the dogs!’

Soon enough it was our turn and following the same routine we did yesterday in the canine partners lift, we did the whole routine, first on the one floor and the we travelled in the lift to the first floor.
Elbie was a complete star.

Smartly he came and sat in my car and he’s getting used to jumping in and checking out the doors and ramps and harness to keep him safe.

After lunch we had a rest and I played with Elbie and his new toys- I was late to the session and that’s SIN 2.
We tried hard with getting the approaching public scenarios right. All of us wanted to get it right but a keen public person who wants to grope your dog and the nice one who says ‘hello, please can I say hello to your dog’ are poles apart. The key is whatever happens we Sit the dog and keep him safe.

All of us were feeling a bit ‘oh this is HARD’ and so wonkywarrior, being of quirky mind went for the unusual answer… ‘Ooh can I pat your dog? What does he do for you?!

WW- ‘he flys planes, drives cars and picks up his own sh..’

Heheheheh

Well! That lightened the mood.
We did Up Switch routine outside the drippy door.

After, I was on my way back to the chalet with my waggy fella and the lass next door asked for a bit of company while we waited for the trainers to work with us later.

So, Elbie and me Lass and her dog were all in my chalet and we had a chat and a drink. Elbie and her dog are best friends from puppy classes and enjoyed a lick and wag. I tethered Elbie safely and Lasses dog went to sleep on the counterpane from the bed I put on the floor for some comfort. In a few minutes both dogs dozing, we were having a good giggle.
Then the knock came.
Yes!
It was the trainers and their faces were a picture when I opened the door and they saw 2 wonkywarriors and 2 dogs!

Oh dear! Sin binned for not having both Waggy friends tethered at all times, but actually think they were pleased we’ve got a chummy group.

Bit of background stress today with troubling messages about our middle daughter bubble and also that young miss Boo is not keen at all on sleeping without mum.
It’s really hard not being able to change where we all are.
I’ve sent off an email and ring a few people re Bubble and encouraged Mr as much as I can with Boo. Also spoken on skype. But the not being at home is a difficult thing.

All set for going into the weekend,
We know what’s what. Plan set for coping with visitors and making it a happy time.
Got two sessions, sat and sun mornings.

Elbie simply adores his new squeaky snake and tugging toy. It’s lovely to see him play.