Neal

One way I've found of building confidence is to simply walk a dog in woodland with lots of intersecting paths. Rather than directing which route you'll take, let the dog decide. I know it sounds daft but I've used that method to instil confidence into several more sensitive or submissive dogs. I once had a collie x whippet I did this with. She was so stuck to me like glue that, although she was the most obedient dog I've ever had, it took ages to teach her a recall as she never left my side. I had to get somebody to take her off on a lead and let her off so she'd run back to me and becom

Yep He was very friendly and outgoing, but calm and polite (never jumped up, even as a pup). He'd walk up to people and/or dogs, but unfortunately not all dog owners believe in the benefits of socialising dogs.

We've tried that, but didn't make any difference. The only things we've found that works 100% is if she travels in the front (wider field of view and all that jazz) and has her music on. Fine for me apart from I'm not looking forward to travelling from one end of the country with Taylor Swift all the way.

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, it's impossible to go the day before as we're staying in a rented cottage and we can't leave early (our usual tactic) as my mother in law has Alzheimer's so my wife has to do one last shopping trip and visit on the morning we leave before the carers take over for the week.

My male was attacked several times as a pup (due to idiots assuming he was either an Alsation, Rottweiler or Doberman cross and immediately putting their dogs on leads to "protect" themselves). After one attack he ran off and was hit by a car. Before this he'd been extremely easy going and relaxed (his nickname is Bob because he was like Bob Marley) but after the accident he became aggressive, initially only towards large dark coloured dogs (as these had previously been the main culprits) but eventually towards anythings with testicles that got too close. Fine with bitches and castrated males

Quick question: we're travelling up from South Hampshire to Appleby to visit my wife's family at the beginning of the school summer holiday. We've always previously gone via Oxford, A42, M6 etc but it's almost always static around Stoke-On-Trent. When I checked the route on aa route planner it also came up with an alternative route via the A3, M25, M1, A1(M) until Richmond and then head west. Anybody know which of these two routes is most likely to be unblocked (or the least congested) on the average Friday? We need to stick to as many non-winding roads as possible as my daughter is a puk

Feature on my local news a short while ago about fibreglass being found in shellfish in Chichester harbour. The reason given was because boats are now rarely built from wood.

Not a pure whippet, but the only whippet lurcher I've ever had (collie x whippet) would come in season pretty regularly every four months. What with that and her dreadful feet and I remember one year when she spent more time on the lead than free.

I love the one of the heron.

I have to say, I was dubious at first and I was trying to talk her into chickens instead but they're her pride and joy. I'm surprised but I'm definitely coming round to them. Less smelly than I'd expected and hilarious to watch and they are, basically, just pets (but with egg benefits). She's doing all the opening up and putting to bed at night and she gave them a good clean out today (in her dedicated "duck clothes"). I'm afraid that, unless we're outside with them, free-ranging is not an option as we have the occasional visit from Mr Tod...though the dogs are enjoying chasing him o

I've got on so well with the vivobarefoot boots during the last year that I've decided to get some of their trainer type things for the rest of the year. They're expensive but well made and last longer than previous trail running footwear I've had. They have a section on their website called revivo which are basically second hand revamped ones. I bought two from there. Still expensive but much cheaper than usual and look like brand new to me. I go one firm ground pair and one soft ground.

Update: the three pekins have been with us now for a week and are doing fine in their temporary home. However, looking ahead to when they need to be moved into a permanent walk-in run, I'm wondering about what to put on the ground. I've done lots of research but I'm getting widely differing viewpoints. Some people say to put it on concrete (with or without something on top) as it's easier to hose out, whereas some say to put them on grass with something on top as the concrete will be too abrasive for ducks' feet. The options mentioned for the base include: large woodchips,

According to the local news, it's not as simple as just washing it off. Not only are the sarsen stones porous, but they're home to a rare lichen. They interviewed all the people who were waiting to go onto the site and not one single person was sympathetic to their cause. I simply don't get it; if anything they're putting people off a cause they might otherwise have been backing.

I get peed off for getting frowned at for not having dogs on leads near sheep. I try to point out that a dog on a lead is only "not chasing sheep" because it's physically restrained. I'd much rather have a dog which ignores them because it's been taught from a young age to have no vested interest in them. That sounds ironic considering I have two sheepdogs. What I mean is that the dog always on a lead could very easily still want to chase them if off the lead. There's no way of knowing. I don't let mine wander around willy-nilly, but at least I know that, if they're unsighted momentarily

I had a great day! Huge pile of chocolate from my son. Lots of bits and bobs from my daughter, including a hand painted globe with a picture of me and her on it and she'd written "You're my whole world" on it. Then, yesterday evening, went to Southampton for a goat curry and a Madness gig! Best father's day ever! Must admit that my arms ache after holding my twelve year old daughter for an hour and a half dancing at the gig.