He is STILL here

Amazing as this is, Custer is STILL here.  Though I confess, last Sunday was a close call for him.

I have spent the week doing 3 training sessions per day, usually quite short but 3 per day.  Sometimes some of that time is just spent at the end of the driveway learning to 'sit' quietly and watch the world go by, I think Custer still needs time to get used to the world outdoors.

I would say that dog club on Wednesday was pretty much like the week before, still trying to lunge at the other dogs most of the time.

Today was gundog training day, despite having worked so hard all week I really did not feel I was making that much progress.  However, my trainer and another respected gundog chap both said I had done well and there was a marked improvement from last week.  Cant say I could see it myself, I felt I was still spending the hour being dragged around, and still came out feeling like I had done 10 rounds with 'Tyson'. But those watching said he was doing much better.  One lady who was also training, asked if I had a different dog? so although I could not see any progress others could, so I suppose that is something.

I must say I have NEVER met such a stubborn dog.  Even my Mum who also knows her dogs could not believe it when she visited yesterday and Custer was determined to dominate her at all times, she now understands how when I say it is a running battle from getting up in the morning, until bedtime I am not exagerating at all.
One of the professional dog walkers on my walk (with the other dogs) wonders if the effects of his castration might kick in eventually, we 'suspect' he was only neutered in early May - so may yet have another 2 - 6 months for hormones to settle down.

Another of my neighbours was telling me she had a similar battle with a rescue Goldie, took a year but turned to the best dog she ever had............ could this be Custer?  I keep thinking back to my late Labradors, so different to him. Our first boy Tigger was such a dream, and the best Labrador ever (really must do a page for him), Tess of course was very timid, Alfie was difficult to begin with but not dominant with people, very loving and until his early demise was coming on really well (he has a page on the right, the most handsome dog ever).

We have been back from dog training about 3 hours now and he has just woke up, I do think I am more worn out than him though.. I could sleep on a clothes line just now.  Must be doggie tea time I think.

Will try keep the blog updated more, but little to day all week really was just most of the same.  I also keep forgetting to take pictures.

One more thing though, we took the dogs out for their evening stroll last night and it rained very heavily, we all got totally drowned.  Custer is frightened of the rain!  Have you ever seen the like? a Labrador who is scared of water?

Week 2 of Puppy Class

Don't be deceived by what you see in these pictures - OH only took the good ones.  This was not my best ever morning at Puppy Class.  Unfortunatly we started off with a bit of an 'incident' that has resulted in a few injuries for the OH, due to severe behavoir by Custer.  Followed by a HUGE battle of wills between the two of us.

So, not the best way to start a training class.  Here is our super trainer Arthur doing some further assessing...

He believes, what we have is a VERY big puppy, who has already gone through some pretty severe treatment and as a result now rebels against any form of discipline.  Of course nobody can have a dog this size ruling the roost, so not an easy task at hand.  We cannot allow him to get his own way at all, but have to find ways of achieving this.  It is going to be a very long road ahead.

Yes, quite an impressive 'sit and stay' but it does not last long believe me!  At this class Custer spends the majority of his time trying to eat the stones on the floor.  That is when he is not lunging at the other dogs.  What the aim now is to 'try' to get him to focus his attention on me - I think that is my homework for class, though I can't really see me managing that in only a week, but I suppose at least 'some' attention on me would be nice.  Thing is I have this cracked at home, just not at all when outside the front door.

I confess today is really not a good day, I am finding it very hard with Custer and his behavoir - I know its going to be a very long road ahead, but never have I had a dog so stubborn or so difficult.  Custer is my 8th rescue dog - at one time we had 5 dogs living here at once who were nowhere near as much trouble all together.
Lucky for Custer today his Dad is very determined not to give up on him - not as sure as I am today, but then my old arthritic joints are not so fond of the pressure they have been put under today.