So much better – Wednesday 5th March 2025

So much better

Pebbles did so much better at her training yesterday. You would have been proud of her. The trainer suggested to Mum that Pebbles should not be allowed to greet all her friends. It seemed mean, but may have been contributing to Pebbles getting over excited before class even started. Pebbles wasn’t impressed, but it did seem to make a difference. It was worse than that for her, given how sociable she is. All the other dogs paired up for the first activities and Pebbles was made to work on her own with Mum.

Circuit training

The trainer had set up a little circuit of four activities and the dogs each had turns at all of them. In the first one they had to put their front paws up on a block. Pebbles already does that at home with Mum so it was an easy win. The trainer suggested that they tried it the length of the lead away and that didn’t faze Pebbles either. The second activity was a longish tunnel. Pebbles was quite happy with that one too. The trainer moved it around into a U shape to make it harder for her, but Pebbles simply carried on getting that right.

Down

After that there was a box to move onto where she had to do sit, down and stand. Sit was easy. Mum was just thinking that might be the limit, when Pebbles happily did her first down – and her second – and her third. Standing was a little less convincing, but she’s working on it.

The final activity was to only take food when it was given by Mum and not just assume she could help herself. Food manners are something we all have to learn at home, so Pebbles was fine there too.

Loose lead walking

By the half and hour mark of her lesson, Pebbles concentration was waning. Sadly, all the loose lead walking and recall which Mum has been practicing with her, didn’t result in her doing either thing in class. I guess her concentration will improve. Mum says in the meantime they will work even harder on them.

Pebbles also said her old harness was rubbing under her arms and was uncomfortable. She’s grown out of it lengthwise, rather than around her chest. Mum has her new one ready, but it is a little large. She’s moved on to wearing it anyway and says it feels much better.

My eyes

Mum asked for blood tests to be done when I was at the vet last week and for my thyroid levels to be checked. She’d been reading about possible causes of dry eyes. The vet rang with my results yesterday and guess what – I have a high level of thyroid stimulating hormone. Although my thyroid level was just in the normal range, it does suggest that my body is struggling to produce the right levels of thyroxine. If that’s right, it could be causing my eyes, my lethargy, my weight problems and my depression. Mum is going to pick up some medication for me today, so that we can see if it will make a difference. Paws crossed.

Love and woofs

Wilma

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