What should I do with Kip??
- Thread starter nikicb
- Start date
SilverLinings
Well-Known Member
Please may you keep us updated with Kips adventures @Nice Christmas baubles? I look forward to seeing what you two do together, and pictures of his cute face will always be well received 
nikicb
Well-Known Member
I can't believe Kip has been with me six months already!
I would really like to spend some time doing some of the UK long distance walks, so we decided that we would start with the one most local to us - the Lambourn Valley Way. The plan was that we would just do two to three mile segments at first as Kip is still maturing. That is not really far enough for Luna, our cocker spaniel, and my husband, as they like to run, so to start with, they will run ‘there and back’ and pick up the car to come and meet Kip and me at the designated end point.
Today we set off from Newbury town centre, and joined the LVW just outside the Lock Stock and Barrel pub. Unfortunately we hadn’t gone far when my husband and Luna returned to say that Northcroft Park was still flooded and not passable. So it ended up being a bit of a towpath walk instead, but we used our time well and did plenty of ‘staying calm’ training as there were lots of other dogs and people around. We will try again next week!
I would really like to spend some time doing some of the UK long distance walks, so we decided that we would start with the one most local to us - the Lambourn Valley Way. The plan was that we would just do two to three mile segments at first as Kip is still maturing. That is not really far enough for Luna, our cocker spaniel, and my husband, as they like to run, so to start with, they will run ‘there and back’ and pick up the car to come and meet Kip and me at the designated end point.
Today we set off from Newbury town centre, and joined the LVW just outside the Lock Stock and Barrel pub. Unfortunately we hadn’t gone far when my husband and Luna returned to say that Northcroft Park was still flooded and not passable. So it ended up being a bit of a towpath walk instead, but we used our time well and did plenty of ‘staying calm’ training as there were lots of other dogs and people around. We will try again next week!
nikicb
Well-Known Member
I have made some progress!! I have found a ringcraft group local to us and they are starting a course for puppies from tomorrow. Unfortunately we can't make tomorrow, but Tuesday evenings generally work for us, so we are signing up. Our homework before next week is to start to get Kip to stand still on a table. We tried today and he was pretty good for a first attempt. That's at home though. With the distraction of several other puppies and being in an unfamiliar place, things may be very different!!!
I do need some advice though. I need to get him a suitable lead as he currently wears a harness. I need to get "a slip chain, or a half choke". Please, wise people of AAD, let me know which is better, and any links to specific examples would be great, as I currently feel as though I am entering a completely new world!
I do need some advice though. I need to get him a suitable lead as he currently wears a harness. I need to get "a slip chain, or a half choke". Please, wise people of AAD, let me know which is better, and any links to specific examples would be great, as I currently feel as though I am entering a completely new world!
nikicb
Well-Known Member
I thought I may as well carry on using this thread for Kip updates to keep everything in the same place. I gave him his first tidy up today ahead of our first ringcraft session tomorrow. Having never hand stripped a BT before, and not wanting to spoil his undercoat, I erred on the side of caution and just used a pummice stone. I am actually pretty pleased with the result. I need way more practice, and there are loads of areas that need a lot more taken off, but I just wanted him to look a little smarter than he did, as his coat had definitely blown. He was such a good boy, and today's tidy up was as much about getting him used to being 'worked on' in places he wouldn't regularly be touched.