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Marty
MARTY’S STORY
On 16th September 2006 I received a
call form Rachel who asked me if I would foster a Jack Russell cross as
they had no room for him in the kennels at that time. He arrived at
Poplar Farm at around 16:15 and he was on his way home with me by 17:00
the same day.
The first and second day that Marty was with me was
rather worrying as he mouthed a great deal and was virtually
uncontrollable. I decided that I would need some help with this chap. I
enrolled at Growlies Dog Club in Haddenham and we started our obedience
class the following Thursday. The first class was quite stressful as
Marty bounced and yapped his way around the hall. Peter (our dog
trainer) asked if I would be interested in doing Agility with Marty?
Frankly anything that was going to release a little of that pent up
energy was a blessing and we signed up for our first class that very
weekend.
On arrival at our Agility class which was held in
an open field, Peter suggested letting Marty off the leash to play with
the other dogs, reluctantly I agreed. To my surprise Marty scampered off
to play happily and made no attempt to leave the area. After about
fifteen minutes, we recaptured our dogs and began work. I confess I was
very surprised at how quickly Marty learnt what was required of him and
after the class I arrive home with one very exhausted dog that promptly
slept for the rest of the afternoon.
A few weeks later Marty and I went to Padstow for a
holiday and he absolutely loved the beach I would loved to have let him
run free but it was to soon to let him go in case he ran off. Despite
this we had a wonderful time exploring the beaches and coastal walks but
recall training was clearly my next objective. Every week we practiced
recall at Obedience and I have to say it was one of his better moves but
the thought of actually letting him go on my own across the fields was
extremely daunting.
One Saturday I decided that this was the day and
armed with a squeaky toy and a bag full of treats we went to Alderforth
Access which is a group of local set-aside fields where dogs can run and
socialise to their hearts content. To my great relief Marty and I made
it around the circuit without any great difficulty. He ran and ran and
played with various dogs as he came across them and simply relished in
being free. At the end of our walk he came back without any really
difficulty and allowed me to put him on the leash whilst he enjoyed a
well earned reward. Now we go every weekend and he has made doggie
friends who play happily with him. More importantly, he is quite happy
to meet and greet the other dogs but he then seems quite happy to say
goodbye and follow me home.
I continued with the Obedience classes but with no
real hope of any great improvement however one night he seemed a little
calmer and the following week we actually managed to win of the little
competitions that Peter sets us. The following week we were unknowingly
being assessed and to my great surprise Marty and I were presented with
a certificate for the dog whose behaviour had most improved!
Now don’t misunderstand me Marty and I still have a
long way to go but what a result! As for agility, we hope to begin
competitions in 2007.
Needless to say, I have adopted Marty and I hope
that we have many happy years together. There is a lot of work still to
be done but I am confident that with the continuing support of Growlies
Dog Training and our various friends who have to put up with us, we will
make it.
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