it’s been a few busy days since we got home and too busy to sort photos out yet (DH took loads). Before it becomes a dim and distant memory, I want to record a few things. We had a fabulous week on the Suffolk coast. It is an area I know but our campsite was just a bit north of Southwold and I hadn’t been to these beaches - Kessingland and Covehithe. Absolutely fabulous, unspoilt and dog heaven. The weather was a bit misty and a bit chilly the first two days but after that beautiful sunshine. We had a great pitch for our tent - very peaceful, perfect for shade and heat. Last year when we went camping, Red was a small puppy and we had to take her crate. (We also had that disaster on the first camping holiday when the wind and rain destroyed our tent and we had to evacuate and come home!). This year, no crate. Red was just great in and around the tent. One of the campsite rules is that dogs must be on a lead at all times so Red was on her Halti lead at it’s longest length attached to a dog screw into the ground or tethered to DH’s guitar case! However she made no attempt to want to leave our sides and as Sky doesn’t wander I didn’t have her lead on. In the evening, we shut the door opening and Red was free to wander around the tent. Her behaviour was exactly as at home, sitting close to us or resting/asleep in her bed. The first night, she barked a few times at unexpected noises outside but we just said ‘listen to that’ and she stopped and then never barked again the rest of the week. Every day we went on long walks to the beach - some needing a drive, others just walking. The long walks off lead were great - Red checking in all the time and even going to Sky and nuzzling her when Sky struggled a bit. It was as if she was saying ‘Are you alright Sky?’ Very touching. One day, two horses and riders suddenly appeared behind us. I really wondered what Red was going to do but DH told her to ‘go down’ and ‘stay’ and bless her, she did. On the beach they had a fabulous time. Sky has always loved the beach and sea so she did lots of swimming or running around with her tail turning 360 degrees constantly. Red swam for the first time. She is not as confident as Sky in the water but made up for it by having the zoomies on the beach. A couple of times, I had to blow the whistle but Red responded straight away - so pleased with all the whistle stuff I have been doing in the garden. Have a definite training issue in that Red lunges at other dogs when she is on lead and we are walking by. I will lure her by but DH won’t and as he generally has her - I am finding her very strong if she does pull so I tend to have Sky. I know we will get there on this one but apart from this, Red was fantastic. It was brilliant spending a whole week with both ‘our girls’ - they were great. Photos to follow.
Thank you @Atemas, a lovely read and I'm so pleased you've had such a lovely break perhaps Cassie needs to go to Southwold as well as Cornwall Good girl Red, and lovely Sky too. I have the same issue with Cassie and the lunging on lead, she's very good in most other ways now, like you I have been working hard with the recall whistle, in my case re establishing the zone of control as per Total Recall. I need now to improve the pulling to other dogs, I guess she'll always be a party animal but to be honest I think it's one thing training classes have made worse in a way.
Yes Red just adores all other dogs - the lunging is relatively new and was most noticeable on holiday - it's kind of crept up on us - sometimes there is barking as well.
Fantastic ! My son, Plum and I are going to Southwold for our summer holiday. My son and I have been many times but never with Plum so I'm really excited to explore with her and see new sights.
Sorry I have done so many photo posts - the photos were too big to load so I had to go about it in a convoluted way . There were so many making it difficult to choose.
