So Mum was unable to take me to class this week due to commitments she just couldn’t get out of. I really wanted to go so I asked my Nanny if she would take me as all pups have to be accompanied by a ‘responsible’ adult (not sure if Nanny counts as she’s too much fun!). I love spending time with Nanny, my best friend Harvey lives with her so whenever I see Nanny it means Harvey is there so I can wrestle with him! Nanny gives me lots of cuddles, belly rubs and sneaky treats on the side so I think it’s safe to say she is my favourite Nanny.

After her experience at class with me she felt she had to share it with you all so here is her guest blog…

My daughter Jenna, being a responsible and dedicated dog owner has enrolled Jeffery into Puppy Training classes. Having attended the first one with them I witnessed the brave (and at that time, only tiny) Jeff grappling with the exuberant and sometimes unwanted attentions of several much larger ‘puppies’. These came in the shape of staffies, labs, and a variety of cockerpoos, shui-poos and any other breed that had been taken advantage of by what must be a very randy and prolific local poodle.

Introductions over, leads untangled and attention now directed towards all the tasty treats lining the handlers’ pockets, class began.

Smallest and youngest, Jeff behaved very well and seemed to enjoy the experience. 

So when Jenna asked me to stand in this week because she had a work commitment I didn’t hesitate. After all, what could be better than a bit of Nanny and Grandog bonding time ?

OK so that was a bit naïve ….. I collected Jeff from the house and we set off enthusiastically on foot. 15 minutes and only 100 yards later I realised that a hound with a nose only 4 inches from the ground is unable to resist the urge to sniff and nibble on every leaf, insect, post, tree or piece of litter. Fearing that we would be late I resorted to ‘handbag dog’ mode and carried him the rest of the way.

Arriving at the community centre we joined the mêlée of excitable pups. Jeff took an instant liking to a Jack Russell and a Cavi-poo who he had a rough and tumble with before class began. 

We began with the usual walk to heel, sit, down and then progressed to ‘stay’. Jeff performed this well a few times then decided he was bored waiting for the other pups to catch on and looked for his new friends. Another rough and tumble ensued which quickly turned into enthusiastic humping, much to everyone’s amusement. One small girl suggested that they were doing the ‘hokey cokey’ which I thought was an appropriate euphemism in a family environment.   

In my embarrassment and eagerness to take photos whilst regaining control of Jeff, my bag of liver cake pieces became dislodged from my pocket and scattered all over the floor. This was quickly consumed by every pup that could reach that patch of floor in 2 seconds flat. Several disapproving looks were shot our way and Jeff and I retreated back to ‘our patch’ of hall. So much for my dog handling skills. Perhaps taking photos was a step too far…? I just thought Jenna would find them an amusing ‘record’ of the evenings events. Wrong again. 

Having returned Jeffrey home I was obliged to warn Jenna that Jeff had consumed more than an appropriate amount of liver cake and therefore his deposits the next day could be somewhat sloppy. Please therefore do not visit Nanny tomorrow? The look on her face told me that this was not perceived as a reasonable request. I sometimes wonder how I’ve managed to raise such disapproving offspring. 

Not sure I’ll be asked to take Jeff to classes again…

Dach’s all for now!

Jeffrey x