We've had a bit of time off from training over December as we've been travelling around a fair bit, I've been ill about four times and parenting has taken up a lot of time. Willow has been remarkably manageable throughout, a combination of our training efforts and her growing up quite a lot. I suppose we've still trained during her walks, but it's been low level. My plans for 2026 are: - Walking nicely on the lead - Improve heeling duration - she struggles with impulse control when moving around distractions - On the topic of heeling, I'd like to get her to recall to heel. Our standards have dropped a little and she likes to release herself or not complete the recall - After one too many jumping incidents culminating in nearly knocking over an old lady, we need to tackle this - Teaching her to calm in busy places. This has improved with age, but I'm going to actively target this I'm still working on the "how", but I plan to try to get a few active training sessions a week besides her walks, so will update as I go. In the meantime, here's a little video someone took of us on the beach where we're working on her impulse control. I like to get her to sit/lie down and wait before chasing her ball sometimes. The baby is asleep and strapped to my chest 😂.

Today we were focusing on walks around people, I think Mabel is finally growing up, we have worked hard on self control lately and it’s working. Today in the field we walked with a guy who owns Blue the spaniel, just by chance. Mabel did go say hi to the man but then ignored him and came away when called. There was a young lad sat on the floor in field , blue took his ball over but Mabel managed to ignore him, I engaged her in hunting on the way past! Then Jim arrived with his terrier Jack, they were a good way away but Jack ran over to see Mabel who went to say hi…. Meeting a dog in Mabel’s brain always equals a person is around and she LOVES Jim, she said hi to Jack then started heading for Jim, but I called and she came back and stayed with me. Later we popped lead on to go chat to Jim and she got to say hello to him, but I’ve taught her to go say hi then come away for a treat and she just kept coming back to me instead! All that hard work has paid off! If your struggling with an over social dog do keep going all that hard work pays off in the end! So many people expect quick results and then give up!!!! Don’t! It takes time and consistency and hard work!!!!

Aster has been doing a lot of enforced resting, which luckily for her is extremely easy. I don't know how people with incredibly high drive dogs manage in these situations. I remember seeing a post by the ModernMalinois guy (I really loved his content but I don't think he does much anymore which is a shame) on his training of rest days which he builds into his schedule as a must. I got to say I have it easy, although she is still trying to play and get excited when I stand up to stretch or go for a wander between working... We've done a few very low energy reps of leash pop focus and indications and whatnot, which has been good. I have also looked up and contacted a couple of physios as I would like to have Aster looked at more routinely. I spent a long time last night just giving her a good massage myself, using some fascial release work on her hind leg and around her hindquarters. She absolutely loved it, loads of yawns and squidgy eyed looks. A lot of muscle twitching happening and "disco leg" - quite a lot going on. I also did some tail pulls/bounces as I think this is a very tight area for her too. She is definitely better today on it today. We have a way to go but she's putting more weight on it. I really hope she is OK for the meet up this weekend!

So sorry not to make the meet this evening! Now feel like I missed out! Fill me in if you can! I was cooking with my daughter and making tea for everyone to catch up! My focus has been the little things, someone said what you allow/put up with is your standard and it made me think about the little things! So we are working on not bouncing at the cupboard when I get her food in the morning! I tend to put up with the bounce as she then lies on the floor while I make her meal! Instead we are getting the down straight away rather than after bouncing! If she bounces the food goes back and we try again in a few minutes. When someone knocks on the door she has to get on the bottom step and stay there. I’m sharpening up not moving until released even if it’s one of the kids coming in! She’s pretty good but sometimes moves before I say and I’ve not been as strict as I could be! We will be picking a few things and focusing on sharpening the manners!

First weekend of 2026. So are we discussing Stranger Things? I lost my car keys this morning. We looked for them for two hours before admitting defeat. I had to call out a locksmith which was very expensive 🤦‍♂️