Fox!!! Fox!!!! I smell fox!!!!

Safety first - The Houndway Code

Barnaby is a very good boy in the car. He sits quietly looking out the window (or yelling at passing motorbikes) and then whines excitedly as we get close to the park.

He has a Kurgo bridge that stops him slipping off the seat and also prevents him getting through the gap between the front seats. There is also a seat cover to catch the mud and dust that he brings with him.

His harness is connected to a Kurgo zip line which works a bit like a safety belt.

Being paranoid, Laura also prefers not to have his lead connected to his collar, just in case.





















As Dogs Trust announces the Houndway Code for dogs travelling in cars, Barnaby wanted everyone to know he is super safe and only ever has to stay in the car when it's parked while Laura goes to pay for petrol (or to check she locked the house up).

At the lock, again

Laura: what do you think of lock keeping, Barnaby?
Barnaby; phththth

L; Well that's rude.
B; *sulks

L; It's fun
B; It's not, I'm off
L; Um.....

B; I'm gonna sit on your foot then!

Exploring

Barnaby and Laura found a whole new path at the country park today. It was overcast and incredibly humid.

Barnaby led the way; he spotted a bunny and scented a fox which was very exciting.

There wasn't another soul around for most of the 2 mile walk....

...relying on Barnaby to stay on the path might be a mistake though!

It's hard to tell it's between industrial estates and a railway.

There were even some wide open spaces.

Barnaby wasn't allowed off the lead though, just in case that fox was still around!

 It'd be worth a visit on a blue sky day.

It's been too hot...

...so there haven't been very many adventures. Poor Barnaby has spent most of the last few weeks lying on the floor puffing and panting, or sleeping on the sofa. Laura hasn't been doing much more than that either!

Walks have mostly been in the evening and in very shady places. Like Cranford yesterday, where there are tree lined alleys and avenues as well as streams to paddle.

Today Barnaby went to a new part of the local country park and there was no one else else there.









But there were lots of blackberries........

Passed!!

Yay, Barnaby is offically qualified.

 

Dog training

Barnaby and Laura are attending doggy school. The classes we go to are part of the Good Citizen Dog Scheme .
They are currently doing the Bronze level (PDF) at Laleham Dog Training Club.
Barnaby isn't doing too badly, considering how rubbish his human is at remembering it all.  When we had to walk to heel all round the hall then go through a gate, all with no voice commands AND off lead, he was perfect. Maybe he should just do the exam himself, without Laura.

The mock exam was last Monday and Barnaby was brilliant. The real thing is this coming Monday. Cross your fingers and paws!