Training Day


Roger needs a settling in day today. 
The household needs one.
He has no experience of cars and little of being walked on a lead , so that was our first job this morning after his restful night in his crate in the kitchen with Mary sleeping in the reading chair next to him

He hasn’t got a clue with the lead so I left it slack and let Dorothy gallop in front.
With her circulating back and running past him, he soon got the idea that walking forward was the plan  and although our progress was stilted, it was a start.

He hasn’t eaten much, but that doesn’t concern me as he happily ran off with a toast crust earlier and has spent the rest of his time copying the others when they have run out to the kitchen wall to greet Jo ( without her Great Dane) and Islwyn who had come to collect the old washing machine with his brother Eric
Trefor called too, but was too anxious to acknowledge the new guy, he’s got worries about British Telicom 
Which I managed to sort out.

When the Amazon delivery man came ,Roger  joined in with the barking more dutifully than not, and when Albert appeared from his feline slumbers at noon, he made a point of backing up five steps to allow the cat space to reach his food bowl on the windowsill 
He’s brighter than William but seems to have William’s gentlemanly  nature, politely ignoring Dorothy’s regular low growls of mild irritation when he ables too close 
He is presently sat at my feet, next to the kitchen table 

He smells  of his old  kennel so we will all be going into the shower together later.
He’s never walked up a house staircase before either, another skill he will learn shortly when the dogs follow me up in order to watch me make the bed.

I call him by his name frequently and cuddle him as soon as he comes to me 
In typical Welsh style he crossed his front paws around my arm to hold me firm.
I am so happy with him 

The guy I dated eleven days ago has ghosted me which is a shame. 
His loss. 
I’m an acquired taste,
I know that


I’m cleaning out drawers today. Gently pottering as Roger finds his feet 

55 comments:

  1. A new little one to love!

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  2. Roger is adorable. Now for the person who ghosted you after dating. I can't imagine what a doofus he must be. While I admittedly only know you from your blog you seem like a friendly and happy sort of guy.

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  3. He'll soon get into the swing of things, with your, Dorothy, Mary and Albert's help. New experiences, but he has older and wiser friends to help allay any fears. He'll soon be lining up with the others for a meatball! Shame about the date, but if he's shallow enough to ghost you, he's not worth the bother. xx

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    1. It’s been a while since I’ve had a new older pup and they are easy to train once they can mimic their pack mates

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  4. Anonymous2:20 pm

    His loss indeed (the date). Your gain - the little cutie pie that is Roger x

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    1. Anonymous2:21 pm

      Oh, I'm not anonymous, I'm Sooze!

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    2. Nice to have you back snooze

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  5. Roger looks like a very laid back dog. I have an idea training will come easy for you both. Sorry about the acquaintance, but best to find out before you've invested a lot of time in it. That's just my take, however.

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    1. The other dogs will show him the ropes

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  6. The new regimen sounds exhausting. Surprised the breeder didn't name train or lead train him at 6 months.
    The ghosting guy---how rude! A polite ''we aren't suited'' wouldn't be so hard. Do you use a dating app? Is this the guy who kissed you by the honeysuckle bower?

    lizzy
    btw for everyone who is reduced to anonymous, if make a habit of signing your name on comments, in the comments themselves, it counteracts that problem somewhat

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    1. Lizzy the breeder ensures they are balanced , healthy dogs , they are beautifully looked after and just need a few lesions to learn in their new home x

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    2. I agree about Anon comments
      Blogger won’t allow so many to comment that I’ve allowed anon comments again
      This will stop if trolls reappear

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  7. Barbara Anne2:52 pm

    You're well used to helping dogs enter the family, and no doubt, Roger will be comfortably home, happy, and secure soon. So far, so good!

    Hugs!

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    1. He’s presently curled up with Mary in the kitchen

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  8. Glad Roger is settling in! I enjoyed the "Glasgow Love Theme," thanks!

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  9. Traveller3:36 pm

    I have never lived with a dog and find your descriptions of dog training quite fascinating.

    Must admit that I can talk to just about any cat but when it comes to dogs I have to fake it a bit

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    1. The secret with dogs is not to treat them like little people
      They are dogs
      They need to know you are in charge too

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  10. Stairs and dogs, always a challenge at first and then again in later years.

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    1. Dorothy gallops down them like a mountain goat on speed

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  11. Roger sounds like he has the capacity and willingness to learn and develop, even if his motivation is just to fit in to the family. A promising start. Keep it up, Rog, good boy.

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    1. Dogs love being in a group , they thrive on it

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    2. Yes, I was thinking how good that he's so quickly regarded himself as being part of a pack he's clearly comfortable with. Prospects are encouraging.

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  12. Ellen D.3:45 pm

    We saw some of the same behavior in my daughter's new puppy. She is 3 months old now and has learned so much already. She has grown quite a bit but still has a lot to learn! It's a lot of work!

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  13. Well That date was not The one then John -Your Roger certainly is - When I collected my tich after his journey of several days across countries he was a bit wiffy - He was nervous of the stairs and daren't go up with the others-Heart touchingly for a few days he decided to quietly practice when I was in the next room -1- 2 -1- 2- 1-2-3 bless the baby -He now goes upstairs to bed and play and nap x

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  14. Anonymous4:32 pm

    I think Roger will prove to be highly intelligent along with the other qualities you’ve noticed. My dogs were always scared of stairs when they were pups but got more confident. Current dog will not go down basement stairs as it curves. Welcome to your lovely home Roger.

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    1. He sits down whenever a new experience shows it’s face .
      Lol he’s been sitting down a great deal today

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  15. It sounds like Roger is settling in well, and he sounds quite smart and perceptive. Unlike your erstwhile date!

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    1. I m giving up on that part of my life lol

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    2. Anonymous7:30 pm

      John, I like that you indicate you're "giving up on that part of my life"....I'll bet that's when you'll meet the right partner for you. How do I know? Because that's what happened to me. I feel confident it's on the horizon and just waiting to debut. LOL from the base of the mini-mountain in Maine. Hugs...Regina

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  16. Cleaning out your drawers? Somehow I thought you would wear Homer Simpson boxer shorts.

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  17. I'm still trying to send you a photo of my thatch John-as I would like your opinion x

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  18. :) All sounds good to me. Quickly fitting right in.

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    1. Yes out of all my dogs he seems the most relaxed

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  19. I enjoy reading about how you handle all the dogs, and now the training of the new fellow. I'm glad things are off to a good start.

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    1. All of my terriers come from the same breeder to looks after them in an exemplary fashion . She knows her dogs inside and out . And knows Roger is best suited to me

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  20. Anonymous8:53 pm

    Your descriptions of Roger are so charming - the arm hug! And yes, dogs want to be dogs, not people, something that I forget occasionally with the current little old lady dog that lives with us.

    ceci

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  21. Happy its going so well. It is great to have more than 1 dog for so many reasons.

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  22. Anonymous10:09 pm

    Roger is gorgeous, he is better than any date , dogs are true love

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  23. Roger is a good judge of character, he should interview your dates.

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  24. Roger seems very thoughtful and careful. All good traits.

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  25. Your Roger sounds like such a good pup. Our little Fritzi Pomeranian pup who is about the same age as your Roger still acts so puppyish and playful naughty. I have a wound on the top of my foot which requires bandaging. Today she managed to snatch the bandaging off of my foot, out from under the elastic wrap that covered it. She has the eyes of an eagle and wanted that bandage apparently. So I had to hobble after her making kissy noises and saying her name until she stopped and gave me the bandage. She has left my foot bandaging alone the rest of the day. I think sometimes she knows better, but just can't resist doing something naughty. She does run and alert my husband whenever she has put some poopitos on the wee pad. She likes to watch him flush them down the toilet.

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  26. He's gorgeous. For me the most important part of training was 'The loo's outdoors'. Once they get the hang of that I'm happy.

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  27. The new adjustments seem to be going well and there are some lovely moments. Think he will be so happy with you all. It's worth investing the time and care at the start I think.

    As for the date - if it's going to happen, then hopefully it will eventually, as long as you are out and about just enough to have the opportunity to cross paths. It might even begin from a random chat when out and about when visiting somewhere. If you are happy in yourself and your life then that is a very attractive thing.

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  28. Roger is adorable... I love the fact that he sits down when a new experience comes about. To me (who knows nothing about dogs) that tells me he is considered and calm pup not a chase a round and silly one. (Both are lovely in my book)
    He knows what ever has happened is different and is considering the consequence. Lovely boy. I'm amused at Dorothy growling at him and he ignoring it.

    Jo in Auckland

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  29. I'm already in love with Roger. I look forward to reading about him and his settling in.

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  30. Anonymous9:38 am

    I don't know why someone can't send a short sentence to politely say sorry and you're not the one. It's so rude. Like when you spends hours doing a job app and sometimes even interview and they never bother to let you know you didn't get it. Can't help thinking it's symptomatic of our modern dehunanising society. Also, I love Roger! Tina in west oz

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  31. I'm so charmed by Roger. There's something magic about this boy John.

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  32. Roger sounds like a darling little chap John, and I'm sure he'll settle in very well. Looking forward to hearing about all his new adventures.
    Best wishes, Debby in Queensland.

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