This is Buster, he's a Cocker Spaniel and he is nearly two. His persons have gone on holiday and Buster came to stay with Mike and me for the week. Buster is a great little dog and we have lots of fun together. he came to play group with me every day and he gets on great with all the gang.

Buster goes home on Saturday and I'm going to miss him but Peggy the St Bernard is coming to stay again next week so I will have another friend to play with. See you again Buster.

Barney

This is Peggy, she came to stay with us yesterday and she is going home tomorrow when her persons come back from a few days away. I like Peggy she is very friendly and loves to play. She went in the fish pond twice yesterday to cool off after our play. We have been to play group and she plays with Alfie and the gang. She is bigger than me because she is a St Bernard and when we play fight she sits on me so I can't get up.

Peggy goes home tomorrow and I will miss her but Mike said we have lots of new friends this summer and some old ones coming to stay. Ruby is coming to see me again but for three weeks this time and I'm really looking forward to seeing her again.

Barney

This is Larry, he's my friend and he came to stay with us because his owners felt he needed more than they could give him. Larry has had six new homes and as many rescue centres although I'm nit sure what a rescue centre is because I've always lived with Mike.

Larry settled in really quick and Mike did a week of assessing him to make sure he was OK. We played in the garden, and at doggy play group. Mike said Larry was really intelligent which is why he had so many persons and Rescues. No one really understood this so he got moved over and over. Larry was with us for just over four weeks when Mike got him a job in the Army.

Larry is now Private Larry in the British Army and he is training to be a sniffer dog for weapons and bombs after passing something called "His initial assessments."

I really missed Larry for a few days after he had gone but I have a new friend now called Peggy.
Good Luck Private Larry.

Barney

Canine First Aid and CPR

Mike has been teaching persons how to do First Aid and CPR for their dogs if they get hurt or become sick. Lots of persons are coming to do the course so all my friends will be well looked after if they do get hurt or are sick. Mike uses CasPeR to teach persons on. When he first got him out the box thing I went into a play bow but he wouldn't come out and play with me, he just lay there.

It was usefull that Mike knows about it though because a Rottwieller named Posh had collapsed on the play feild a few weeks ago and Mike helped her get home and to the vets. She had a serious condition and had to have something called surgery but she is now fit and well and playing on the feild gain. So it was lucky Mike knew what to do. CasPeR is still no fun though, he doesn't want to play with me.

Barney

This is Elaine with Becky, Sam and Molly. Elaine had a few problems walking the three of them and especially trying to get them to out through the door together.

Mike went to visit and he showed Elaine how to work with them to go out nicely together. Elaine reports they are doing well and it not so much of a struggle trying to get out the door with them but it is a work in progress.

Becky has a bad leg and has to wear a special brace on it. So Elaine was worried about her doing more damage the way she was pulling on the lead but Mike showed Elaine how he got me to stop pulling and we now enjoy nice walks together.

Keep up the good work Becky, Sam and Molly and keep me posted.

Barney

Ruby's Weekend Stay

Ruby came to stay with us and Mike collected her Friday night. She settled in really quickly. I like Ruby. On Saturday morning we went to meet some more of the gang and Ruby made new friends with Alfie, he's my best mate, Coco and Chaz. Chaz is from Greece.

We all played and had great fun fetching the stick but Chaz ran off with it. Ruby liked Chaz the best as they ran and played together lots. We had three play sessions in all yesterday and it was really good fun. Mike took us for lots of walks too and Ruby stopped pulling us both on her lead which was nice because we could all enjoy the walk too.

We went for a big walk in the rain this morning but couldn't go on the field as it was water logged and non of our friends were there. Ruby's fast a sleep now on her bed, I think the walk tired her out. I'm chewing my bone but I can feel a nap coming on soon. Ruby has to go home this afternoon and I'm going to miss her but I hope she comes back soon so we can play again.

Barney

Bailey

Mike went to see Bailey last night. She is a 1 year old Bull Mastiff and she feels insecure out on the lead and some times takes her person, Debi for a walk instead or just freezes on the spot. Mike showed Debi how to speak dog and how to build Bailey's confidence on the walks they want to enjoy together.

Mike said Bailey was strong but Debi was more confident she could walk Bailey when he left even if it was only for little walks to begin with and build up to longer ones.

Have to go now as Ruby is coming to stay with us for the weekend and Mike has to go collect her from her persons. Take care Bailey and keep in touch so we know how you and Debi are doing together.

Barney

Ruby

Mike went to see Ruby a few weeks ago and she had a lot of problems from what I gather. Ruby is a three year old Labrador like me only she's a yellow Labrador. Mike sat with Ruby's people and explained to them how to speak dog. They even went for a walk in the park behind Ruby's den.

Mike said she is lovely and helped her people to understand how dogs learn too. Ruby took to clicker training like a charm. Ruby is coming to stay with us in just over a weeks time for the weekend so she can get to meet some of the gang. I know Alfie and Coco will like to meet her and we can all play together, I'm really looking forward to it.

Barney

Scarey Thunder Storms Update

Hi, Ellie mailing an update! I've become a lot calmer in the last few weeks, and my people are trying really hard to help me. I had a little chew at the kitchen door again one morning, but I haven't done it since, particularly as my crate is pulled against the door when I'm left. My small owner, Jack, is giving all our visitors good instructions! Thanks to Mike for his help, hope I can have my old basket back soon!!
10 September 2008 22:07

This Freya and a new addition to the gang. Freya and Mike have been Clicker Training her owners, Julie and Duncan. Freya is nearly 10 weeks old and really clever. She has picked up ever so quickly how to get Julie and Duncan to click and give her the food stuff.

Freya's social group consists of four cats as well as Julie and Duncan. Pip says this is good. He could do with some reinforcements when I find it fun to bark at him, (which I don't do very often but when I do I think it scares him) Well the sun has come out so I'm off into the garden to go to sleep in the sunshine. Have fun Freya.

Barney

Scarey Thunder Storms

This is Ellie and Jake,Ellie is an 8 year old flat coated retriever, Mike went to see Ellie yesterday because she had a scare in a big thunder storm last week and began to chew the doors and frames.

Mike showed Jake and Karen how to speak dog to Ellie so she could properly understand there was nothing to really worry about as they would keep her safe and not the other way round.

Ellie was a little surprised when the people suddenly began speaking to her in a way she understood and she is already on her way to getting over her scare. Good luck Ellie and keep teaching Jake, Karen and Alan how to speak dog. (I do it all the time with Mike but he doesn't know it)

Barney

Our Book and Pet Store

If you click on Our Book and Pet Store you will find loads of new books that reflect what we do. Only using kind poitive methods of working with your owners. There are also some new cool toys for us to play with and other neat stuff too.

Barney

Barney's Favourite Quote

"Every boy should have two things: a dog and a mother willing to let him have one"

Robert Benchley

Alfie

Alfie has been sick for a few days and had to go to the vet yesterday and apparently there is a doggy bug going around that causes sickness and upset tummy so be carefull gang.

Get well soon Alfie.

Barney