Rocky the Otterhound: Rocky makes soup!

Rocky has had a better week this week. The rain has disappeared, well mostly, and we have even had some sunny cold days; nice and crisp - just how we like them.

Anyhows, Rocky has spent more time out of doors, enjoying life, the universe and everything!

This photo shows what it's like to try and get an Otterhound out for a walk - just a gentle stroll to stretch those legs................... Yes he's hiding, doing the "if I can't see you, you can't see me" thing!

The funny thing is that he has plagued us to go out into the garden since the rain stopped, he will spend ages out there watching the birds, sniffing the air and playing with his toys. Why he is reluctant to go for walks is a mystery, as he always finds something new to watch or explore!

Things have improved though, if it's not raining you can occasionally get an almost eager response out of him. So "hanging on in there" does have some benefits! He is still only six months old though, so there is still loads of time to get enthused, I guess.

Rocky has some new hobbies. One is sitting down (how Hound Dog) and having some good old fashioned fussing. He really seems to enjoy having a rub down with a rubber brush, it doesn't groom him as it has no effect on his top coat; it just catches any loose hairs from underneath that are floating about and ready to fall.

He does of course turn it into fun and games - there is the try and catch the brush with your teeth game, or his favourite - try and catch the hair bunnies that float around! This last one is a bit of a challenge, as the duty "fusser" has to try and get to the bunnies before Rocky does. If you fail there follows a more active game of trying to catch Rocky, in order to retrieve the hair bunny before he tries to swallow it!! He probably wouldn't really try that, as I am sure he is far more intelligent than we are prepared to admit. But, being responsible owners we have to assume he will do the worse.

Another hobby is seeing how many cushions you can bundle from the sofa to put "under you" before taking a nap.

In this photo he has four cushions under him!! Its not as if our sofa's are uncomfortable - they're not, honest!

I'd swear he was even pinching them from one sofa to put on another! Once he got big enough to walk on and off the sofa he seemed to forget all about his bed. "No thanks folks, if it's good enough for you it's good enough for me too"!

The most unappealing of his hobbies however, is making soup! Rocky is very fond of drinking water, I say drinking but most of the time it is more like relocating!

He stands there lapping at his water with his tongue, beard, ears and other furry parts dangling in the water.

Be warned, do not call to an Otterhound when its drinking ....................... the resultant shower as a head turns suddenly and flings multiple droplets of water from every single hair that has been in contact with it, is something to behold!!

If you have been clever enough to let things be, you will only be rewarded with "water relocation". This is where the multiple droplets of water drip from the offending hairs and either form a huge puddle under Rocky's chin or is more generously spread over the entire ground floor of the house!! I had to give up walking around in bare feet or socks due to this adorable Otterhound trait!

Anyway, back to the soup making. When first owning a puppy you are endlessly reminded to always make sure that there is a plentiful supply of fresh water for your dog - THANKS. Changing his water to ensure fresh water has become a six to eight times a day job, even more some days. As previously mentioned, it isn't just an Otterhounds tongue that enters the water .................. not only does drinking water refresh your Otterhound, it washes it inside and out!! The residue (that's all it can be termed as really) that is left in the water bowl consist of slobber, mud, paper, bits of stick, dust, sand and whatever else your curious Otterhound has had in or near its mouth in the last few hours - the resultant mess can only really be called "soup". It is very cloundy and generally so bad that even your Otterhound won't consider drinking it. Rocky will look at you imploringly to change it for something more appealing! We don't wait for the look anymore - we're well trained!

Rocky has learned a new skill this week, as well.

We are still giving trips out in the car and he appears to have settled well with car journeys. This is him by his open window, his seat belt allows him to catch the breeze (note the handsome swept back look he is sporting) while still being safely inside the car. He has got the knack of weight distribution with the car movement, and has settled very happily to the myriad of interesting things he can see from his vantage point.

This week we left him in the car, with his window open, for a short period of time while we went off to do some shopping.

He learned the skill of waiting patiently without eating the car (Yes we've had a dog that did that as well!), very well and was as good as gold.

I have honestly never had such a non destructive dog before, nothing to do with us, he's just like that. What a smasher............... mind you I have had to give up the idea of getting new dining furniture as a reult of raising a puppy in the house!

Lastly, after returning to the car we took him out for a little walk in a park where he enjoyed watching children play and cyclists go past. We bumped into a couple who asked us if Rocky was an Otterhound pup, amazing! - someone else who recognised the breed. It turns out that they had recently watched a programme on endangered breeds and Otterhounds were one of them.

That is , of course, the whole point of this blog - once people realise what smashing dogs they are to live with, demand has got to go up. Then we may have a chance of keeping this wonderful breed for future generations to enjoy!

Rocky the Otterhound: Rainy days and Sundays .................

This week has seen a continuation of natures experiment - How much water can we get on this little island before it sinks!!! Yes, we have had rain, more rain and still some more rain - ho hum, isn't this time of year a joy? One of the problems of bad weather is how to keep a teenage Otterhound amused? It's not that he gets destructive if bored, or tries to dig his way out through a wall (we have had dogs that have done this) -it's just the guilt factor. Otterhounds are very adaptable and will relax, sleep or whatever if there is nothing much going on - but Rocky has our number and has developed the "oh woe is me" sigh, gets us every time! You can't get out a jigsaw or paper and crayons for him, so what do you do?!


Well there is always musical instruction ................




There is the how well can you sing game, best played during the day when everyone else living close is at work. Rocky is getting quite good at this and has amazed us with the tunefullness and strength of his singing. It does tend to get him very excited though and always seems to end in some sort of a mad fit. So not the kind of amusement to indulge in if you are not feeling up to a bit of a chase around the room.




So we tried musical instruments - this is Rocky practising for the didgereedoo. We have one up in the loft and once we have perfected the blowing technique with him, intend to let him have a go!! How long will that be do you think?






Then there is the "listen with mother" tactic - find a good adventure story, particularly if it has a dog as the hero (Lassie is always worth a try) and see how long you can keep his attention.




As you can see his attention was grabbed ......................




Difficult photo to get this one, again my kung Foo skills came in handy - how to read a book with one hand and focus a camera and snap a piccy with the other. There are several skills you learn as a youngster that you can't imagine ever using ............... just goes to show!




Admittedly we had several false starts and Rocky seemed more interested in how the book tasted after a while, but it did amuse him for a short while.

As you may remember, Rocky is a budding impressionist - so why not use this skill ..............


How about a game of charades?


Rocky does tend to watch the same sort of films as us, well, as he hasn't learned how to use the remote yet, he has to!


Took me a few minutes but I got this one ..............




Silence of the Lambs" - he's Hannibal Lecter of course!!




During the long dark evenings, there is nothing he likes better than a bit of sparring with Dad.




He does tend to take advantage of his Dad's reluctance to get off the sofa, and we all know that extra height can be an advantage in boxing!




If he keeps this up he may make it professionally ..............






He is of course a "south paw" !!!!!!









Now that Rocky and Biskitt are both aware that escape is not an option .............. we are continuing to bring Biskitt down in the evenings ............... there is always hide and seek!







This week has seen a further reduction in hostilities - really!!







There has been a bit of vague paw waving in Rock's direction but nothing too vengeful.




Biskitt has also had a few cuddles on my lap which she absolutely adores, but only in the evenings. Even before Rocky appeared she was always an evening lap cat. So my fingers remain firmly crossed.


After hide and seek there is generally a bit of manouvering for position -with Biskitt on the high ground of course. Rocky seems to have learned what agitates her and what doesn't, so he will make a few close passes with his head turned away but his eyes firmly on her. He will then settle down comfortably on the sofa and watch proceedings. At times she appears to be more interesting to him than the telly, particularly if she is moving, but he seems to be patiently waiting until she accepts him ............... what a star!




Finally there is always the good old fashioned rainy Sunday afternoon walk!





We have a variety of places to choose to take him, generally for his big weekly run we take him to one of many secure fields closeby.





He is still a bit of a gangly youth who runs like a baby horse (front legs going forward and back legs going out to each side) but he has such fun. His favourite times are if there is another dog or human being to play with. He still doesn't do the tearing about like a lot of his dog mates, but thoroughly enjoys a run alongside with frequent paddy pawing in the vague direction of his playmate .......................... and what a smile he has on his face.








When its time to come home again he does his "wet but Noble" stance.

Always a good idea for a chap to end with a good impression, especially if there's a chance there might be some females in the vacinity!!

Much as we find him comical and get no end of pleasure and laughter from him, you have to admit he is growing up to be a good looking young fella!!

Rocky the Otterhound: If at first you don't succeed ...................

This week has seen a lot of bad weather, mainly lots of wind and rain - Not Rocky's favourite!! Consequently, apart from the occasional (almost forced) walk, Rocky has been confined to barracks, so to speak. Well he is getting to that age, you know the lovely teenage stage that we all find so endearing in our children (?), which in an Otterhound seems to result in an increase of the sleeping in and obstinacy stakes.

Imagine .............. it's raining and walkies time - Rocky tries to hide under the table (I say tries, he is now so big he usually only gets his head underneath it) and you have to cajole or bribe in order to get him to allow the lead to be put on. Then you have to jump up and down, squeeking encouragement, in order to get him out the door. Having done your soggy duty of walking him you arrive back at the house, take him through the garage to the back garden (so that you dry him as he comes through the back door); and he won't come in!!! It ends up in a standoff - he won't come in, you shut the door on him - he barks to come in, you open the door - he won't come in etc ............. Rocky seems to find this good fun, despite the weather.

Sitting on command can now end up as a battle of wills if you let it (tidbits for good behaviour will still work though, thankfully) and "NO" appears to have turned into a new game of "OK, if you want me to stop you'll have to get really really cross with me or I'm gonna play with you" - how do you get cross with such an endearing hound?

He has also decided to become a bit more vocal - I don't know if this is the Otterhound teenage version of throwing a tantrum or what, but it takes you by surprise - he is usually so quiet!? As eplained above it is useless at present saying NO, so we are trying diversionary tactics, with a little success.

I think we are slowly winning on the good manners and behaviour side of things but we are right back to puppyhood with tidbits.

Oh yes, he also does a wonderful teenage sulk, especially if you have managed to stop him doing something naughty, like taking something of ours off the coffee table (a big no no in our house)! He gets as high onto the arm of a sofa as possible and, almost frowning, looks anywhere but at you! If you try and look him in the eyes he will turn his head and stolidly examine the pattern on the floor!! But I am happy to say that all teenage behaviour is short lived and not really a patch on what the children were like.

To relieve the enforced monotony (due to our lovely weather) we have tried to pep things up for Rocky and the cat. We have gone back to trying to get them to share space in the same room again. Well Biskitt (the cat) used to love a lap to sit on and Rocky is still confused by her on the few occasions he sees her.

Biskitt likes the high ground and Rocky, still wanting to hug her and squeeze her and love her, can't understand why she won't play!

She is less hissy and a little more curious (guess she has realised he is staying now), but continues to resist Rocky's advances.


After sitting opposite her, shuffling slowly towards her on his bottom, a slight stretch of the neck to sniff close to her will result is Rocky gettin a clawed paw waved vaguely in his direction. Now, our Rocky can only be described as a big gentle coward who needs reassuring in order to proceed towards anything which may have spooked him (that includes carrier bags blowing in the wind - which are apparently very scary to 63lb dogs?!).





This is one of his - "Cripes Mum, what am I supposed to do know" looks.


In this instance much reassurance resulted in Rocky relaxing and getting a little closer ...................
Yippe we thought ...........................
but ....................................



Biskitt then decided she was bored and dissapeared upstairs again.


Poor Rocky he'd love to play with her ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,


We are, however, continuing to proceed with the getting used to each other tactics. Biskitt does not seem upset or frightened by Rocky and on a couple of occasions has even sat on my lap enjoying a tickle and stroke.


Rocky continues with the "Aw, come on puss, play with me" attitude and I think she may slowly come to accept him.



He got this far quite recently and she didn't hiss or try to back him off with paw waving ...........



so perhaps I am right to be hopeful!?









Yesterday was so funny - we have a full length mirror in our living room, right next to the door (which we usually keep open). Rocky actually noticed his reflection in the mirror!



We had the shake of head with snuffling noises, as he made sure he was seeing right. Then there was the paddy pawing of the mirror with a "come play" bark. Eventually he poked his head around the door to see where the rest of this fine looking dog was; having no luck he went into the next room to find him. There is a long cupboard on the other side of the wall from the mirror, so Rocky barked for someone to open the door - looking in he saw no dog - so it was straight back to the mirror to check he was still there, he was!!



This turned out to be a lesson in how to confuse an Otterhound! But, like all the times you can laugh at someone elses expense - you have to pay ............. every time we go into that room now we have to open the cupboard door so Rocky can see if that dog is there!!



Finally, having told you of all the teenage behaviour we are experiencing I can't sign off without letting you know about the more frequent behaviour.

Despite growing, and growing up, he remains a happy child like dog. He doesn't ever get aggressive or bad tempered and prefers to keep smiling and having fun.

He is affectionate without being "in your face" and soooo adorable. he loves his cuddly toys and has really taken to the duck he got from santa, he carries it around a lot and talks to it often.

Actually, if I'm honest, I wish the kids had been this easy when they were teenagers! Sorry, can't do anything but love this dog!!

Rocky the Otterhound: ............... And Relax!!!!

Rocky like the rest of us has had a quieter week this week. The Christmas and New Year visitors have dissapeared and this weekend saw his much loved playmate return to University. So the family again consists of Hubby, myself, Rocky and our uncomunicative cat!

So what does a quieter week consist of for Rocky?

Well, first of all there is the all important catching up on sleep issue! Silly humans are rushing around doing things like clearing up, housework and putting away decorations .................... puppy dogs (especially Rocky), however, prefer to lie back and get over the excitement in an altogether more relaxed way! This way of recharging takes second place, but only to the more important issue of .......... eating!

If Rocky was a cat I would be a little afraid he was going to turn out to be a Garfield!

Once you have got enough sleep under your belt it is important (apparently) to pester the life out of the overworked humans in order to go out and about, exploring the world you are living in!

I know in previous blogs I have stated how reticent Rocky has been over going out for walks, this still holds; on the whole .............. but when faced with a large pup who wants to play while all you want to do is sleep, it is better to visit the great outdoors where pup can explore and all you have to do is facilitate! Lets face it, there is only so much tug of war or chase a person can stand after a very busy couple of weeks!

Familiar haunts continue to provide an endless variety of unexplored sights and smells for Rocky.

But if you are getting a little bored you can always practice your impressionism .....................

How's this for a "devil dog"?

Intended to get your humans running in order to facilitate a game of chase perhaps?

However, if this was the plan; it failed miserably - as after taking and reviewing the photo, much merriment and laughter followed. This left Rocky to go off to explore any interesting smells elsewhere. I suspect he may wish to practice this particular impression a bit more - needs some polish I think!

I did say that sleeping was second only to eating, well Rocky has developed a particular trait which is both endearing and bad manners at the same time. It has not been encouraged or rewarded but appears to be a development that he is loath to give up.

When sitting at the table enjoying your own food Rocky will (of course) sit as close by as possible. After observing you eating for a while he will shuffle even closer on his bottom, look at you with big adoring eyes and with his head to one side let out a small and quite clipped bark. If this does not produce the required reaction (handing over your lunch to your dog I suspect), he will proceed to tactic number two.

Tactic number two appears to be still under construction as at present there seems to be two versions. The first is to start licking your humans leg with gentle enthusiasm until they are damp enough to react by turning and asking you politely to stop. The second is to nudge your arm (preferably the one with a forkfull of food just about to enter your mouth) with his nose. Both of these versions are followed by an expectant and smiling facial expression. Looks awfully cute!

However these tactics have failed to provide a consistant positive reaction so I am interested to see if he will continue the development of his begging tactics or not. As long as he doesn't end up launching himself into the middle of your dinner plate (like a kitten we used to have did), I recon we can cope with it.

Anyway, back to his second favourite activity ........ sleeping again! One of everyones favourite passtimes this week. So much so, that Rocky has taken to the "having an early breakfast followed by going straight back to bed" routine, very well! Loves it actually!!

Rocky doesn't usually mind the hoover when housework is being done, but I guess that after all the excitement and furore of the last couple of weeks he kinda wanted a bit more peace.

I came down to this site after finishing the hoovering up stairs, I have no idea how he did it but he was fast asleep under his favourite piece of clothing and there was no sign of a struggle in or around his bed! I guess it kept the light out of his eyes if nothing else and I guess Otterhounds must be good problem solvers!!

To finish off his peacful and relaxing week we took Rocky to a new place to walk him. Although remaining on his lead (as it was not completely secure) Rocky thoroughly enjoyed his time out.

He had a lovely trot as Hubby was able to walk at a pace that allowed Rocky to explore while not giving him enough time to consider seeing what the MASSES of Bunny Poo tasted like. Always a good idea in my opinion!

However, Hubby, like myself, often likes to stop and enjoy the view if visiting somewhere fairly new.

Rocky apparently got a little bored at this point and decided to play a practical joke!

He wound himself and his lead around and around Hubby's legs until neither could move an inch.

The joke was to resoluteley decline to move an inch in order to extricate anyone from the mess.

After much muttering under breath and finally giving in, in order to soley use the lead (and not the dog attached to it - yes Hubby can be stubborn too!), the pair were freed up and the walk could continue.

They say dogs get like thier owners but I'm not sure who is getting like who in this relationship?

Not a particularly eventful week for any of us, but there are times when all need a little rest and recuperation. It is so nice to have a dog that not only respects that - but whole heartedly joins in!!

I just hope that when we go back to work next week (which will involve a walk after breakfast instead of back to bed) Rocky adapts back to routine as well as we are going to have to?!

ah well, such is life!!!