Decided that 2008 is to be a year to focus on the positive. I don't know if I'm the only one but I seem to mostly post when I have a problem with Tilly (I know it's for obvious reasons - to ask for advice and support) but it can be easy to get into the mood of looking at what needs fixing all the time and forgetting about lots of good stuff your springer might be doing.

So I thought I'd start a thread because I was proud of Tilly today. If any of you want to join in and post when you have a good day (just little things your dog might have achieved - the kind of small steps it's easy to forget) it would be great to build up a good news thread!

*clears throat*

I've been trying to train Tilly not to bark when we meet other dogs and have had some success, going from a particularly bad phase when she was barking at practically every dog she saw, to the last couple of weeks where she has only been barking a couple of times per week.

So that's good progress - but today I was especially proud of her because we passed two Cocker Spaniels in the street that I knew she was desperate to greet and she didn't make a sound. When the owner said we could greet them one of the Cockers started barking but Tilly didn't bark back and just remained calm throughout and we ended up having a nice chat about spaniels and their ways. Hurray!

Anyone else??

WTG Tilly.

Went to a beach today and Fipps ignored all the people, no running up to them...hurray

Hurray, that's great news, well done, umm I can't think of any good Rufus stories but he does give good cuddles.

This is a good thread - it's awfully easy to be hyper-aware of the problems and ignore the positives.

We went to the park today (boring, but the car's out of action). The poo bin is near an open gate and there were some other dogs just getting ready to leave the park so I didn't want Nesta to go too near the gate. Told her to sit and stay, went and disposed of bag, came back to her - no messing, no trouble, even though there were other off-lead dogs around. A small thing, but made me realise that the training does pay dividends in terms of saving hassle later

you've all done fab

no danger of us posting in here though

Well done eveyone

My rare post is a positive for J. He has been so tolerent of the pup and his cone, even though it nearly takes his nose off cos he needs to be with his bro

On another note though J was his usual fickle self and went SAS mode (adapt to every situation) and when we left him early morn with Aunty Gilly n Uncky J on op day, he b*ggered off straight back to bed with all of em.

Tobe looked for Mom but from the convenience of the ickle window in the bedroom.

Mind neither were to be seen when we turned back up

Hurray - lots of good things.
Well done dogs ...
Good girl Fipps!
Aw, Rufus sounds as cuddly as Tilly.
Laura, that sounds like advanced stuff with Nesta.
Kelly, think you're just being modest!
Fuddles, good old J - it can't be easy tolerating a young'un like that ...

And Tilly met 8 different dogs today without barking!
Sorry, I'm in danger of becoming really irritatingly cheery ...
<heads off to look at the photo board singing annoyingly to herself>

I didnt strangle Harry when I got him back after his sheep chasing escapade - will that do?

... certainly sounds like good news for Harry.

Bailey slept from 10:30 till 6:40 am last night, woo hoo! She came away from the cat when I told her to (has since chased her through the baby gate, but hey, no one is perfect) and she has been super good with peeing outside today! She will also sit to wait for me to throw a ball, <proud>!!

Tonight, we begin training classes, wish us luck!!

Pudgey(on lead) walked past a yapping westie on a lead without even attempting to go near him...was doing nice heel work!!

My Smiley Face Is Coming Back!

We went to the woods today, not only did both rudus and Titch stay within sight they recaleed 99% of the time first time, I'm very pleased with them today.

ditto!

glad this thread has popped up cos I was gonna post.
Paddy was a star today, he has been really good recently but today they were in all morning as I was up at the stables working, came home and took them to the park.
Got onto the big field at at the other end he spotted his pal the Doberman, usually equals Paddy running the length of the field, going woof and being excited. So he was ready to go and I recalled him, he came running over, got a treat, and then got permission to run over and go WOOF, which both him and Zack enjoyed
Then spotted a puppy so back on the lead as the running WOOF can be daunting for a puppy, puppy owner walks over and says not to worry about him being on lead as she is very confident, I explain that he is rough and not very polite at greetings, but once she was over with us he was let off and didnt pounce on her.
Then recalled when he saw 2 pointers and stayed on his lead as we were heading back.
I was really pleased with him today