Mad Max

I’m training a hyper-active Westie called Max and today we had a breakthrough that left his owner open mouthed – although it did involve me gently pinning him to the ground and him squealing with indignation! In case it isn’t obvious, I didn’t hurt him. He has one main problem – dominance, and whilst this normally manifests itself in excitement and disobedience, he’s not above biting when he can’t get his own way.

We went to the park, Max, his owner, Pluto and me. I wanted Pluto to do in dog terms what we were starting to do in human terms, dominate Max and make him a pack follower not a pack leader and it worked a charm! Pluto was brilliant and Max thought he was fantastic. He was totally submissive and followed Mr P all over the park. We then went back to the owner’s house and Max started to get more and more excited until he started biting – hence the wrestling move of pining him to the carpet. After which everything changed, he let himself be groomed (he won’t usually allow it), enjoyed a game of fetch and then went into the dog cage that he’s never used before and fell asleep. When I left he gave me a kiss... He was totally exhausted by the end of it all, not just physically but mentally as well. We have a lot still to do, but today he did really well and I was very pleased.

I’ve also had to fit in a doctor’s appointment, interviewing a new cleaner, grocery shopping and work... unfortunately I still have work to do so guess what I’ll be doing this evening!? But if you cram lots into your day that’s what happens...

I’m looking forward to the weekend though tomorrow it's a day out with the missus and the dog and on Sunday, lunch with a friend. I love weekends!

Saturday chores!

I haven’t stopped all day! I woke at 9.30 and did the washing up, two loads of laundry, cleaned the kitchen, dusted the front room, made two loaves of bread (one for our neighbours), and then went to buy a mother’s day present (for the first time in years my mum has a garden so I bought her compost, pots, plants, flowers and some gardening tools). I then dropped off her presents and took her into town, headed home and did a few more chores before rewarding myself with a nap! This afternoon my partner assembled the newly arrived exercise bike which is now up and working (we’ve both had a go!). And now we’re off to friends for dinner. We did try and set up the printer as well, but it turns out we’re missing a cable. (You have to buy that separately – what a rip off!)

After dropping my mum off, I stopped off at Provinder (or Provinda?) the organic bakery in Forest Hill. They do meat-free sausage rolls which are absolutely bloody gorgeous. Hard to get excited about a sausage roll you might think – especially meat free! But I think they’re lovely. So I bought some of them, and some carrot cake and that was lunch sorted.

I was reminded today that I’m still not fully recovered because every time I did something, I had to factor in sitting down for 10 – 15 minutes afterwards to recover. Even if what I did was not particularly strenuous.

Tomorrow is the car boot and then I think a very early night to make sure I can cope with work on Monday!