4 Paw Dog Drive Fleet running report

[nuttinnew]

Only iffy pics so far

No, that first one is excellent, full of character

[scotta]

Well a thing happened. Rather quickly….,

Meet Misha. 10 week old German Shepard.

Only iffy pics so far, but you get the idea. Settling into the pack nicely.

Epic's. I shall visit with the large shooter soon.

[V8Granite]

Very very awesome

More information on how this all came about ?

Dave!

[speedingfine]

Very very awesome

More information on how this all came about ?

Dave!

Congrats Mik, she's lovely!

[nuttinnew]

I shall visit with the large shooter soon.

[scotta]

I shall visit with the large shooter soon.

I'm very experienced with it and rarely miss.

[jamcg]

Lovely wee pup, how goes the healing of your now 2nd youngest pup?

[nuttinnew]

I shall visit with the large shooter soon.

I'm very experienced with it and rarely miss.

That doesn't make it sound any better (Super Sharp Shooter sounds fine)!

[mik]

Now I enjoy a good puppy shoot as much as everyone else, but dude - let me bond a bit first.

[mik]

Very very awesome

More information on how this all came about ?

Dave!

Not very exciting. A combination of conversations.

Our Choccie Lab is 13.5 now. Still moves well but her eyesight and hearing are dimming. She pined badly - was pretty depressed and withdrawn - when she lost her big sister and we don't want another dog to feel lonely like that.

As an overall experience, rescuing is extremely satisfying and positive. There is no question however that you are trying to undo years of bad or no training. Having one rock-steady dog (see above) helped the rescue understand what we wanted, but we've had to accept she will always be a bit flakier. No idea what she experienced in the two (!) families who had her before we took over.

We'd therefore decided that alternating rescue/puppy was potentially a better idea than only rescuing. Always one you've trained yourself. This deal was kinda sealed when German Shepard Rescue rejected our application cos we are in Scotland (too far for them to do a home visit, and apparently pics and vids aren't an acceptable substitute).

After discussing relatively idlily - Saturday morning became about a German Shepard pup who was already booked by someone who then backed out. By Saturday evening we'd decided to go for it.

Bish bash bosh.

[mik]

Lovely wee pup, how goes the healing of your now 2nd youngest pup?

Doing great - follow-up xrays today funnily enough showing good healing, and everything is now tight like it should be (in ligament terms. Still only lead walks at the moment but that's OK. Try to walk her at the pace she is willing to go at (a bit above a comfortable walk rather than plodding).

[V8Granite]

Sound logic, a solid dog to learn from is far better than trying to teach them yourselves.

It’s quite the clan!!!

Dave!

[mikeyb]

Lovely wee pup, how goes the healing of your now 2nd youngest pup?

Doing great - follow-up xrays today funnily enough showing good healing, and everything is now tight like it should be (in ligament terms. Still only lead walks at the moment but that's OK. Try to walk her at the pace she is willing to go at (a bit above a comfortable walk rather than plodding).

I'm glad to hear she's recovering well Mik. Congratulations on the new addition too I've always liked German Shepherds. There's a gundog trainer I follow on social media who has the usual labs and spaniels, but also a GSD as a 'protector'

[mikeyb]

I don't post a lot on here but I need little excuse to post pictures of my dogs!

Buster (Springer) is just over four years old. Diesel (lab) is 2.5. Buster has always been 'my' dog whereas Diesel was always my partner's dog. Diesel didn't have the best start to life, his first owner had him crated all day (unsupervised) and then tried to flog him on facebook. The breeder found out and took him off the owner. To be honest, I didn't really bond with him, he was a little shit compared to Buster. However, in the last 6 months or so, he's really grown up and changed. Note - he hasn't matured, he's a bit of a buffoon.
Untitled by mikeyb, on Flickr

Untitled by mikeyb, on Flickr

He hasn't got the stamina of Buster, but still managed a 13+ mile hike, ticking off 5 Wainwrights in the process. He was knackered at the end, whereas Buster would've been fine.
Untitled by mikeyb, on Flickr

Both have enjoyed several early morning fell walks this year, this one being Blencathra:
Untitled by mikeyb, on Flickr
Untitled by mikeyb, on Flickr

Both love each other's company too:
Untitled by mikeyb, on Flickr
Untitled by mikeyb, on Flickr
Untitled by mikeyb, on Flickr

Buster is showing promise as a potential future working dog, whereas I don't think Diesel will ever manage it. Not an issue for us as he's absolutely fine as just a pet.

[mik]

[nuttinnew]

"Note - he hasn't matured, he's a bit of a buffoon." and the first two pics
The pic where Buster has the tennis ball
From being left crated unsupervised to being out in that country

[mikeyb]

"Note - he hasn't matured, he's a bit of a buffoon." and the first two pics
The pic where Buster has the tennis ball
From being left crated unsupervised to being out in that country

He's certainly a character

Buster is the boss, hence he always ends up with the ball.

[mik]

[KiwiDave]

Very cute!

[jamcg]

Saw them laid like this and yin and yang was the first thing that came to mind