We visited the secure field last night, whilst it was only 6pm it was almost dark on arrival and 5 mins in it was like 10pm! The field has a concrete path all around the edge, with small lights on each post. An abundance of young trees have solar powered fairy lights so it has quite gentle lighting. The visit was lovely. The four of us go and play hide and seek (only time we scream help) and Leif finds us in the dark. Just wondering whether these dark evenings are inhibiting walks and exercise or enhancing them?

We have all prepared for November and the fireworks but what about Halloween? Are your dogs calm with repeated knocks at the door by mini ghosts and ghouls or is this something that may contribute to trigger stacking? Are you prepared with the calming music, massage etc? Also what about added lights and noises in evening walks, all more to consider. I know some neighbourhoods are quiet but some are becoming as bright as Christmas with all the lights and decorations.

Hunter used to get soooo excited when he saw these or muntjacks running and could barely control his excitement. But now I have trained both boys that all the things I don't want them to chase like hares, rabbits I say "just babies" Of course they are still alert and interested but they are more inclined to watch rather than pull me off my feet. But this morning there was 🦌Doe with two little babies and it was so lovely to see them play and for the boys to not be excited and vocal and just watch them as they disappeared off into the woods. I have a video of this How do your guys react when they see wildlife running?

So I’m looking at small wins daily, and as we know, we all get some steps backwards which is natural. Today Leif met 3 dogs, 2 off lead, on another bridge and he was absolutely fine! No hackles, no bolshy boy antics. Then we came across 3 more off lead dogs, bouncing around in the long grass. This time excited but no unwanted behaviour again. Lovely walking on lead too! What are your wins today?

Do you feel as though you are always ‘working on something’ with your dog? What I mean is, the not pulling, not stealing food, recall or tricks? It just occurred to me that whilst we want our dogs to walk nicely, absolutely not take our food before we have sat down at the dining table and to of course return to you on demand, are we always working on new skills, improving what we do all the time? I think that’s my plan because I want to improve and enhance Leif’s and any future dogs lives that come my way. So do we have a plan of training or is it as it happens?