4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[Tessa the Duchess]

Well we have had Polly for 6 weeks. She was quite a handful to begin with, weeing and pooing everywhere chasing the poor cat, jumping up, she nearly pushed me in the garden pond when she jumped at me from behind She chewed my sheepskin boots, she destroyed DH's favourite scarf, she ate nearly a whole Cloggie and she has serious 'issues' with washing up sponges. She is just so enthusiastic about everything...the only word she seems to have in her vocab is "Wow" Thankfully things have improved gradually, she hasn't had an accident for ages, the cat got totally fed up with being chased and turned into a hissing, spitting, claws extended dog hater, the first time it happened Polly ran for her life they now coexist in harmony, although the cat is the boss We cured the jumping up problem by giving the whole family a Jiffy lemon filled with water, every time she jumped up she would be squirted, she is now lemonphobic Taking her for a walk on the lead is a stressful, painful experience because she pulls on the lead, however once she is in a big green space she is a joy, she runs and runs and always comes straight back if you whistle her, she is actually a lovely dog She starts obedience classes next Tuesday, not a moment too soon, there is much work to be done

 

 

 

It is really difficult to get a straight on photo of her because she just runs towards you, so here's a sideways view, and you can also see my spuds which I am very proud of

 

 

Here is a not very good pic of Polly, Google and my chickens. Apologies for scruffy looking cat, she is very matted and the moment and has an apppointment for dematting at the vet next week

 

 

 

 

And nothing to do with Polly, but here is a pic of my latest grandchild who is 8 months

and gorgeous

 

Tessa

[Couperwife]

wow, lovely photos

 

looks like you have your hands full with Polly

 

and isnt google lovely

 

cathy

x

[Guest]

brilliant pics, can't believe it's been 6 weeks!!!!

 

Molly has taken to whining at night and despite being taken out to use the loo just before we go to bed, she still somtimes has an accident under the kitchen table at night

 

We're trying to ignore her so she doesn't think we'll come running when she crys and Ian puts her in her bed and settles her down and strokes her before we go up, it's helped a bit but not entirely.

 

I want Cesar Milan to come to our house! I love him!!!!!

[Tessa the Duchess]

I want Cesar Milan to come to our house! I love him!!!!!

 

He is brilliant isn't he. If you persuade him to travel to your house tell him I will pay his petrol if he will come to London

 

I'm sure Molly's accidents will stop, have you thought of having a dog door? we have one so we don't have to worry about keep letting the dog and cat out. I think you are doing the right thing ignoring Molly's night whining, they are like children and you musn't give in to emotional blackmail

 

Tessa

[Redwing]

Very funny post Tessa, interested to know what the issues are surrounding washing up sponges

 

Lovely looking collie, what a sweetie and well done for sitting out the problems

[Olly]

What lovely pics of all of them - cat, dog, chickens and granddaughter!

[Seagazer]

Lovely photos Tessa, they are all gorgeous (especially your granddaughter).

 

We've tended not to ignore Cookie if she whines or barks during the night as everytime we've gone down to her she has had an upset tummy - I would hate to come down to that in the morning

 

Google looks beautiful. Is she going to be shorn when she goes to the vets? I've never had a long haired cat but my cousin did and Ceefer used to look a bit silly when he came back.

 

I hope the obedience classes go well. Cookie also pulls a bit on the lead, what I do is turn around and walk back the other way and she stops pulling and then we turn back round the way I'm supposed to go. It works eventually if you do it enough. I do feel a bit silly doing it though. Other than that it might be a halti next!

[Tessa the Duchess]

Google looks beautiful. Is she going to be shorn when she goes to the vets? I've never had a long haired cat but my cousin did and Ceefer used to look a bit silly when he came back.

 

I don't know if she will be shorn, I feel very ashamed of the state she is in The older she gets the more she hates being groomed it's a real battle and you have to wear gloves.

She is a total slut about grooming herself, she does what my friend calls a 'manchester wash' face, armpits and privates the rest of her she totally ignores. Hence a huge build up of matts all over her. Will have to see what the vet says.

 

I have tried walking the other way with Polly, also just stopping until she stops pulling, you do feel a bit silly and it takes ages to get anywhere. Have also tried a 'gentle leader' a lead which pulls her head round if she pulls on the lead. She hates it and spends her whole time trying to get it off Roll on obedience classes

 

Tessa

[Gamebird]

Lovely pictures.

 

To stop a dog pulling on the lead just takes time and patience. You are doing exactly the right thing in that every time she pulls go in the opposite direction calling her to you to get her attention. You might not get very far on your walk but it's worth perservering with to get it right.

 

Always remember to reward her as soon as the lead is loose (which might only be for a second or two!) so she knows what it is you want.

 

Good luck with your training classes.

[victoriabunny]

My rescue dog Charlie was also a terrible puller when we got him, and also hated headcollars with a passion (as did I, actually - people used to look scared of him when they saw him, and I think it's because they thought it was a muzzle!) We found a harness was the answer - the Halti one is brilliant, as is the one that's just called no-pull harness. She's a beauty though

[Chook n Boo Mum]

I want Cesar Milan to come to our house! I love him!!!!!

 

He is brilliant isn't he. If you persuade him to travel to your house tell him I will pay his petrol if he will come to London

 

Tessa

 

 

.....and I'll pay for him to come to the South Coast...and throw in the set of thermals that he'd obviously need having left the Californian sun !!

 

Polly is such a beauty (and so is that scrummy little pink person!!)

 

Sha x