What a difference a year makes

[Spudlet]

Just to warn you, I had four hours sleep last night (office party), have had a very busy day (car ended up in garage, plus a horrible deadline that had to be met) and now I'm on the red wine! So don't say you haven't had the chance to leave this thread right now

But I was just thinking back to this time last year, and how different things are at the moment.

This time last year, I used to come in from walking Henry and sit down and cry because he was so naughty. His recall was truly dreadful, and long lining him only made it worse.He was so wilfully disobedient, and there seemed to be no way to get through to him. He was an utter nightmare to walk, to the point that I was at the point of giving up and taking him back to the rescue centre.

One week ago we were at our first shoot (you may have noticed), and today we went for a little lunchtime walk in the snow. He was 'working' the river bank, and he flushed three pheasants - and then he came back Not only that, but he was working along the edge of the woods, where I sent him, and he flushed a couple more birdies, stopped and watched them fly off, then went back into the cover where I sent him. I was so proud of him!

I guess really I want to say thank you, to everyone that has helped and encouraged me to persevere and find new ways of working with Henry, and that includes lots of you on here.

Mind you, he still has his personality and he will probably do something awful again tomorrow

 

[CorvusCorax]

Great post, and well done for all your hard work!

I love those 'Is this MY dog?!' moments

 

[Nickijem]

And he is a real credit to you - sometimes things are SO worth putting the effort in, and Henry is definitely one of those things!
He obviously knows what he is looking for now if he flushed out those phessies - well done Henry - you are a natural
Thinking back - a year ago, we didn't even have Purdey, she would only have been a week old, we hadn't even set eyes on her! What a difference a year makes

 

[Spudlet]

I can't believe that naughty little ball of fluff you posted those baby pictures of has grown into that elegant little flirty floozebucket we met last weekend!

Three said on FB that she thought this would be our year and I would wonder what I was ever worried about, and she was right! Don't tell her I said so though, there'll be no living with her

 

[Slinkyunicorn]

Well done to you and Henry - when you crack the picnic ninja he will be perfect.....

 

[MurphysMinder]

Well done you and Henry, so good when you can be so proud of them isn't it.

 

[Puppy]

What a lovely post Huge well done to you, and Henry - how old is he, btw?

A year ago Popple had not long started beating, and she was an obstinate little thing at times, but now she is a star (and a mummy!! ) I do hope this time next year I can post about Fraggle's first season!

 

[Spudlet]

He turned three in June

You'll be pleased to hear that he has been a ratbag this weekend, so he definitely hasn't been replaced by a pod puppy

 

[Goya]

Well done you. I remember your posts and also how you encouraged me when I was having the same problems with Skye.
She is now absolutely fine off the lead and comes back to me. The only time I have to put her on the lead is near water at the moment as I am so afraid she (and the other 2) will go on the ice.
Her flyball is now so consistent and she has overtaken Jess in terms of speed and reliability.
The sad part of looking back is that we still had dear Beau last Christmas, with no signs of ill health, or major stiffness etc. Gosh, how I miss that dog. Still we must move on and we now have Monty. It will be imnteresting to see what eveolves with him in the next 12 months.
As you say, what a difference a year makes.