14th September

We took Jesse pup on his first really Big Boy walk today. We went to Blackheath Common which is a local beauty spot very popular with dog walkers and horse riders. As it is sand it is a good place to go when it is wet. It is relatively open so you can see other dogs approaching but it is popular so you need a dog that is reasonably good with other dogs.

Roxy and a fast growing Chloe.

We have been having some problems with Jesse with him becoming overstimulated and directing it towards to us expressed by barking, jumping and biting at us. We have taken advice from someone experienced in hand rearing pups, apparently they can have a few issues. One of the things we were adviced to do is walk him with other dogs so we have been walking him with Sprite as she won't play with him (another of his problems is playing constantly with other dogs and not settling.)
Although Sprite won't play with him she does sometimes try to run away. We attached a longline to Jesse's harness and it really went very well.
I was given some alternative advice for Jesse from someone who will remain nameless, he told me to try an electric collar. I replied I would never use such a thing and he explained it would give him a shock making him stop quickly and stop the need to keep smacking him in the mouth every time he nipped! I did try and point out that I didn't smack him in the mouth any time he nipped but it landed on deaf ears!

Sam Keen has decided it is not going to work for her to keep Chloe permanently so she will be needing a permanent home.She has had a growth spurt and is looking fab.