Something we need to work on, with Benson, is the settle. Everything we do with him is pretty much on the go. With our holiday to France looming, in 5 weeks, so need to practice some social skills, like sitting in cafes, pub gardens, wandering on lead through village streets etc... we don't really do too much of that at the moment as having 2 dogs one a bit reactive has been a struggle. I guess we have been avoiding this really. So, tomorrow is "Grufts" a fun dog day being held in a pub garden in our local village, both Casper and Benson are going. Casper has been practising like mad for the waggiest dog class, and well Benson.....not much I can enter in him really, so I guess it's "handsomest dog" Back to today. 2 hour walk at Westonbirt followed by a wander down the village high street..OK not bad. Trip to Bertie and Boos for doggy ice cream ...OK apart from Benson trying to run off with various toys and attempting to hump the large stuffed dog advertising (rather ironically...) yellow "I need my space" harnesses.It's not his fault I guess...he is just not used it... OK..coffee shop time, dogs settled with doggy ice cream, and I go in to grab coffee and cake. Casper is great, just waiting to people to stroke him, and everybody does, naturally. Benson eventually settles, I wait until he is ignoring him, then chuck down a treat between his paws...rinse and repeat. Well almost. I ignore him, he ignores me, and then to my horror realises he has dug out the rather artistically planted sink by my chair, compost, and ornamental gravel spread everywhere.....sigh. I mentioned this to a staff member offering compensation. They reply.."Goodness don't worry, not a problem he is just being a labrador!" I am still somewhat stunned by their answer! So, in summary, rather a lot of work to do between now and our holiday in September methinks...any tips very gratefully received!
Have fun at "Grufts" and don't worry about the boys in France they'll be fine. Most owners here leave their dogs off lead and frequently without a collar walking down streets or in gardens with open gates but most are quite well behaved. Don't worry about any planters around cafes/bars etc either. If there is a planter it's virtually guaranteed to be used for cigarette butts. The owner of the local bar to the gites was very nice when we stopped there for a beer. brought our drinks and asked if Juno needed water and brought her a lovely bowl of fresh cold water and then filled up my evian bottle to make sue we had plenty. In return Juno gave the side of his face a little lick
Oh Kate, I know I shouldn't laugh, but that was hilarious. I know if it happened to me I would be mortified, so I DO feel you pain, but really, so so funny. I am pleased for you that they took it in good spirit. I guess if they hadn't, your post would have a different slant, and I would be commiserating with the rest of them. I hope the boys will be stars in France, and you will keep hearing ce que de bons chiens!
HeeHee - the first time Charlie went to a cafe he did the same - and to my shame, I scooped up the compost and roughly shoved the geraniums back in and didn't confess! While I was repairing the gardening, Charlie took the opportunity to table surf and nicked a slice of carefully buttered toast!
Charlie shows excellent planning abilities - distract you with some gardening so he can steal the toast
hahaha! I feel that Charlie is either one step ahead of Benson...or i somehow foiled Bensons table surfing strategy! :
I too couldn't help but chuckle at Benson's gardening - and what nice cafe owners! Hope Grufts goes well today (and hope you don't get rained off - wet here in Sussex).
Raining here...so they are holding most of the funday inside the pub...(Oh...My....God...) with the agility outside... They have both been out for a couple of hours early this moment, in a vain attempt to take the edge of Bensons excitement...was happier when it was outside....but there it is... Leaving soon, so paws crossed for some good behaviour..
It'll be fine. It'll be fine. It'll be fine....allowing optimism to triumph over experience, is a critical characteristic needed by owners of young Labradors - it's the thing that allows you to get out and do stuff, find out it wasn't all that bad, and onwards and upwards... Hope you have a lovely day.
It will be fine - worst case scenario you can have a glass or two and pretend you didn't see the behaviour
It went very well...I guess..with 30 odd excited dogs stuffed into a very small function room. Benson struggled a bit with the settle, actually he struggled with just keeping four paws on the ground, and ended up kangerooing at the end of his lead. Then his mate Charlie the spaniel turned up, they played bitey face and ear tugging all afternoon . He became almost unmanageable however, when his girl friend Harley appeared.. Casper was a star! I was a bit worried, but he was so good. He went up on stage to show off his trick. Very solemnly got shot,,rolled over waggled his legs in the air, then with equal gravitas walked off the stage. Benson wasn't quite so good, after going up on stage, grabbed the comperes microphone and tried to pull the black foamy thing off the end, at this point I tried desperately to sink into the back ground whilst the handsome dogs posed in the front, about 10 of them posing nicely and Benson belly crawling towards the compere at every opportunity completely fixated on his microphone. I have to admit at that point I just wanted to go home, lie down with a cold compress with a pint of wine by the sofa... Charlie the gorgeous spaniel - Bensons mate, did really well, came third overall and won the waggiest tail class. He graciously shared his tub of ice-cream with Benson and Casper. Casper didn't win anything sadly, there were some really serious competitors, with props, dancing and prancing around on three legs, back legs walking forward, weaving and goodness knows what,.Casper thought that was all very silly and did bark at the collie when he showed off he three legged walk.
Well done, boys! Hee Hee Benson. I'm sure everyone needed saving from the black foamy thing on the mic though, sounds very dangerous....
It's good to see that the boys weren't taking any of it seriously and that's probably as it should be . I keep laughing at Benson antics and his belly crawl, now just enjoy that pint of wine
Giggling away to myself at your description of Benson's antics - special award from me for making us all laugh! Well done to Casper; considering you say he can be reactive to other dogs, it sounds as if he coped brilliantly.
Obviously a very dangerous black foamy thing..actually I think you may know this particular Charlie.....Bensons partner in crime...
Oh yes - probably . Not very well, but our 121s have been back to back once or twice.....if it's the same Charlie....
I think that Benson has a future in karaoke. And I would've voted for Casper's trick - a true professional! Not like those pretend three-legged walkers.
