Today was the big day.

Well, today was the big day, when I put all mum’s hard work and time she has spent on obedience training to the test, to go and have a go at agility training.

I performed well, and really enjoyed it. I enjoyed the social aspect a lot more than the equipment training, but I behaved immaculately and was a credit to all mum’s hard work.

I made some lovely new friends and I was in a group of all black Labradors, one of my new friends is an ex guide dog for the blind, so I had to be on my best behaviour not to be shown up by someone with such excellent skills.

I surprised mum when I managed to sit and stay whilst she went and put my ball at the other side of the jump. I have never stayed away from the ball before as it is my biggest delight.

My best equipment was the jumps and the tunnel, I excelled at the tunnel and to everyone’s surprise, because I was the biggest dog there and had to duck and squeeze through the quite small tunnel. I was only too happy to run through it again and again even without mum having to be at the other end and calling me through.

The biggest challenge is the dog walk – this is three thin planks of wood set out like a bridge with sloping ends. Everyone struggled with this part, firstly because some of the other team members were apprehensive about being off the ground, but the biggest issue was having to stop at the end on the yellow painted part, try explaining that there is a difference between green and yellow, I still don’t get it. To add to the confusion I am meant to stop with two front paws on the grass and back paws on the end of the ramp.

I had particular issue with this piece of equipment because of my size. Being a larger Labrador I had difficulty walking along the thin planks with my big feet. I also found that the planks were not high enough to deter me from jumping down half way. Finally the instructors found it difficult to lift me back onto the equipment due to my heavy build. However I am determined.

The session lasted for an hour but it felt much longer than that, and I slept in the car all the way home, I didn’t even notice my owner had parked up and gone to the supermarket during the journey home. I am eagerly waiting for next week, and will continue vigilantly with the obedience training.

Autumn Walk

Well this morning started as a bit of a disappointment, the rain lashing down meant that my morning walk , was all walk and no play. Mum is such a grouch, she doesn't like me sliding around in the mud at the park in the pouring rain, because I end up tired, dirty and smelling damp. The reason she doesn't approve is because when I get in, I need a shower, which usually involves mum feeling tired, dirty and smelling damp, not to mention the devastation in the bathroom.

So I spent the morning in a huff, moping around making a general nuisance of myself, steeling shoes and slippers, bits of tissue paper and getting up to the usual nonsense. After getting into trouble I spent the remainder of the morning with my paws crossed hoping for better weather in the afternoon, and it came. A beautiful autumn day, the light was shining low in the sky, peeking through what was left of the leaves on the trees, and to my joy, mum picked up my lead and beckoned towards the door for an extra walk. Extra to my usual, this is not a normal time to go for a walk, I normally don't go until after my dinner. Wahoo!. However we did not go to the park, instead we went for an autumn walk. Not a bad thing you would think but I was unwittingly duped into a photo shoot. Yes that's right, lots of 'stay Grozny', 'sit Grozny' , 'lie down Grozny' 'good boy' and 'just another picture over here Grozny'...'just stand over there Grozny'.....could NOT BELIEVE it! what a mug.

I did get some ball playing time, and later got to go to the park after dinner and MUD SLIDE!!! wahooo, I love mud sliding ...I Just love it! especially in the dark.
The finished pics are below:

LED Technology

The nights are drawing in, and it's dark now around 6:30 pm. Last week mum went to the pet store to get me kitted out for the winter. Amongst the goodies (apart from the treats and toys) was a flashing LED for my collar, this is so that i am visible in the dark. If you don't believe me that a black dog on a dark night is impossible to see I have included a video clip at the bottom of this post. I have left the sound effects in just to prove I am actually there.
The LED ( Light emitting dog ) technology can be seen for up to 100meters and more. All I need now is a glow in the dark ball.

Talents reach new heights

Hi all, I thought I would share with you my new skill.
In my house, it's a long way to the back door and lazy folk hate having to walk all that way a 100 times a day and worse stand in the freezing cold and wait for me to take my sweet time about coming back in. As any dog knows even though I have been in the garden a billion times and know every inch of it intimately, there are still things I can spend over half an hour just sniffing and investigating. So in the cold weather no one wants to leave the door open so that I can go out for a wee when I want.

The solution chosen, after considering a cat flap (too small) my mum came up with an ingenious idea. She taught me to pull the door open using a tie around the door handle, but I was only strong enough to open the door if the door was left partially open. (no good in the cold weather)

So moving the pulling point to the very bottom corner of the door gives me enough leverage to open it even if it is shut tight. She then fashioned a ring to make it easier to pull. Thanks mum, I can now let my self out whenever I want, except when it's actually locked.
Below is a little demonstration video: