Rocky the Otterhound: Learning, swimming and butter that doesn’t melt!

Rocky has had a very busy week indeed; he has had so many new and exciting experiences and coped with them all in his usual happy-go-lucky way.

His week started much as all others; with fun and toys ……… he has spent quite a bit of time in the garden this week due to the arrival of the sun on our part of the planet. Needless to say there is no such thing as an inside or outside toy for Rocky, hence the fact that flowerpots appear in my living room!! This one seems to be growing a rocky dog though?!

Rocky spends some of his time in the garden watching the birds ………. watching them as they fly overhead ……….

Watching them when they fly onto the roof and give him a good shouting at; because he is there and they want to get to the bird table. We have a pair of Blackbirds which build a nest in our garden every year, the male has become particularly confident with the members of our household and has been seen to sit just out of reach giving our cat a real good talking to. I think this bird in particular gives Rocky a hard time, but he takes it on the chin and seems to be more curious than offended. It’s hard to offend an Otterhound; they are just too easy going!!

Rocky has turned up with quite a bit of wood clenched in his teeth this week (looking soooo innocent) and I found out yesterday that he is systematically destroying a raised bed that my husband built a few years ago!!

I was thinking of having our garden landscaped this year, but I may have to think again! I was hoping that I would get someone with flair and a bit of talent to undertake the job …………. But it looks like I got Rocky instead!!! These are just a couple of the soil and grass redistribution areas I now have in my garden …………. Mmmm maybe I’ll wait until he has grown up a bit before getting it done properly!!!

I was considering feeling cross or at least hard done by when I saw the results of Rockys playtime in the garden but honestly, with the undeniably cute “butter wouldn’t melt” looks he gives you ………. How can I be cross??!!

Rocky started his doggy training in earnest this week; he met all sorts of new friends. This aspect of socialisation will be his favourite part I think, although he has seemed to enjoy everything he does. Mind you that is an Otterhound for you.

Time is given at the beginning of training for each dog to get to know his or her school mates and there is so much tail wagging that a fair old draught goes through the hall.

Rocky appeared fascinated by everything that happened at class this week, he did so well at obeying commands and controlling himself when other potential playmates are around.

He was quite blown away at being able to mix with so many other dogs, but like all the others (who have been attending for some time) he did everything that was asked of him.

When we moved outside for more exercises I thought Rocky might loose his concentration …….. So many distractions but he was excellent, we were very proud of him.

He even managed the sit while we walk away bit ………. And his recall from that was brilliant!

Of course being an Otterhound it may just have been because he wanted to do these things (nothing to do with what we wanted you understand); but I think we will just wait and see. This is a bit of an experiment you see, there are some that think that Otterhounds cannot be trained as they are too stubborn and there are some that think they can be trained like any other dog ……… so lets see!!

Oh just before we leave the subject of dog training classes ………….. Why is it that in this part of the world there are so many ………….. DEVIL DOGS!!!

Rockys big adventure this week saw another return visit to his favourite watering hole. We weren’t going to go this week but the weather was glorious and a last minute decision saw us walking on this part of the plain again.

Rocky enjoyed a bit of “scare your dad while he’s sitting down” game ………. “Devil dog attack” ……… of course this game ended up with lots of slurpy licks and some rough and tumble ……… as always!

While we were admiring the scenery Rocky decided to do his “Noble” impression, like me you will be aware that his usual demeanour is “mud and scruff”, so of course it’s an act! His repertoire is getting quite large now don’t you think?

As we got closer to the pool we came across a couple of young Lurchers ………. All three at once decided it was “Playtime”!!

They each introduced themselves ……….

Then it was time to do what young dogs do best ………. Charge about like things possessed and have a whale of a time. These Lurchers could run ………… amazingly Rocky almost kept up with them ………. But like true playmates when Rocky lagged behind they turned and came back to ensure he was part of the fun. What a wonderful time they had ……… I love watching dogs have fun!!

When his friends had gone Rocky decided to go for a very quick swim ……….. well …….. it was more of a walk slowly in ………… realise you had stepped in a bit of water which no longer had a bottom to it ……… turn rapidly around and exit with as much of your pride intact as possible!!

After that of course he was wet………. And exceedingly happy and bouncy! He charged forward heading for his “dad”, and getting as close as he could ………… had a jolly good shake. This led to the inevitable sounds of torment from his “dad” and they were off on a hilarious game of chase. Rocky wanting to rub himself dry on “dad” and “dad” not wanting any of it! Was I helpful?? Well I laughed a lot ……. Does that count?

Rocky had played himself into the ground so to speak. We got back to the car put his seatbelt on and by the time “dad” had put the wellies in the boot of the car ………. our hero was fast asleep!

When we got home Rocky made his own way into the house, still smiling, but something gave us the impression he was still rather tired ………. Can you guess what that might have been??

Lastly, I feel that I must add something for anyone out there who is considering the merits of owning an Otterhound. We have been told that someone has been putting people off having an Otterhound because “they smell”! Let me set the record straight!

Having had Rocky since he was very young I can give you the inside story on this ………. Bearing in mind that he is an Otterhound living with us in our home. True enough there were a few times when Rocky was tiny that he had a pungent smell. It was not pleasant, I will be honest with you, BUT by the time he was 6 months old this hardly ever happened and now it is a rarity and will diminish further as time goes on. He now smells no better or worse than any of the other dogs we have owned.
Any vet they will tell you that all dogs have anal glands and young dogs can become overfull, but this will remedy as they grow.

Believe me if you are a “doggy person” you will be prepared to put up with this short term inconvenience, it is well worth it to live with such an amiable and fun dog!!