It wasn't so long ago I was beside myself with Charlie running the gauntlet round our garden just going nuts and not coming when called. Well now it's a completely different story. Having built up his time in the garden the gate is now open for them both to have full access. Now Charlie doesn't like to go without Hattie, I open the door Charlie looks out, Hattie stays in, Charlie comes back in nudges her with his nose, play bows to get her to go. Hattie just looks at him as if to say "go away". Most of the time Charlie just gives up and sits on the mat at the back door with a hopeful look in his eye! Hattie takes pitty and off they go for mad 5 minutes and come straight back in when I call them ;D Helen xx
Re: Funny how things change You are making progress so many ways! And for me, I suspect like most pet owners, those manners around the house and garden are what makes daily life enjoyable instead of a complete challenge...
Re: Funny how things change Thanks Julie, Charlie is making good progress, but when he came to us at 9 months old he was a complete hooligan : Onwards and upwards. Helen x
Re: Funny how things change Keep having to do a double-take now you have an avatar of your furbabies added ;D
Re: Funny how things change Great to hear that he is putting the hooligan days further and further behind him - its all due to your patience and hard work.
Re: Funny how things change Very heartwarming reading Helen , what massive progress you have made with Charlie , so very very pleased for all of you x
Re: Funny how things change You've done a great job there Helen,Charlie must love you to bits all the time and effort you have put in ,well done,a lot of tension must have left the house now you aren't all on high alert for him 'doing the off'!
Re: Funny how things change Well Helen, I'm afraid I have to disagree with you there. It's not 'funny how things change', as though Charlie has just suddenly come to his senses and realized that reliable recall and calm behaviour are part and parcel of being a pet dog. It's ALL down to your hard work and *ahem* 'dogged' determination not to allow his hooliganism to rule your life, or worse to get to a point where you had to re-home him. You and your family have been through the wringer with Charlie, but none of you gave up the fight. I know it's still early days, but I really do think he has turned a corner, and I take my hat off to you. Your perseverance, despite all the problems, tears and despair, has brought Charlie to where he is now. Well done indeed!!
Re: Funny how things change And I will "third" that. Your dedication and hard work puts my minor efforts in the shade. We are all proud of you and Charlie.
Re: Funny how things change Oh thank you but I wasn't fishing for compliments just a small but important change to report. Jac, my avatar of my furbabies well I have to admit was done by my 13 year old son Thomas in about 10 seconds flat, I hadn't a clue where to start, sadly I feel totally left behind in this modern world :-[ Karen, I stand corrected :-[ It hasn't all been down to me, the whole family has been on board and helped in one way or another, perhaps Charlie has given in and accepted defeat, "OK I will be a pet dog" ;D Helen xx
Re: Funny how things change Yay, Helen and Charlie!! Truly does give me inspiration as I contemplate getting back to my own hooligan!!
Re: Funny how things change Lisa, the one thing about owning a hooligan is seeing them develop into well behaved ish canine citizens and proving to everyone around you that said you were stupid, mad and even ridiculous to take on such a handfull WRONG ish ;D I am sure Simba is not a patch on Charlie boy, when he arrived with us we once found him standing all fours on the kitchen table now he stands at the kitchen door when told to 'stay' You will get there without a doubt. Helen x
Re: Funny how things change You obviously missed my post about Simba ON the kitchen table, Helen!!! One thing about being away is the new perspective....I'm looking forward to getting my pooch's rough edges smoothed off, so to speak....
