Puppy training, with distractions

The puppies are doing very well, and seem very ‘biddable’. Although they are very lively, and rush about trying to explore everything in their clumsy puppy way, they have also already learned to walk to heel.

So now we are taking them out four times a day, including at least two long walks around the lanes. The routine starts at dawn, with a first walk down the track and a run around our fields (I knew that cleared area around the outside of the new fence would prove useful!).

Stubbs (right, above and below) really concentrates on tasks, so he is the best walker and sitter. Rufus (left) is more hyperactive, but this does mean that he is the first to come when called, as well as being the most easily distracted from a task.

Of course, all this would be a lot easier if we had no other animals demanding our attention. Never mind the llamas and the chickens, the kittens are going through the stage of lunatic exploration. I look down from typing this and realise that all five have climbed up my jeans and into my lap . . . . .