Rocky the Otterhound: Romping, grooming and playtime!

Before this week’s blog gets underway I want to inform you that there will be no blog next week as Rocky is going on holiday with us, Molly and her family. I hope to bring you lots of lovely photos of this shortly after our return.

Anyway, onward with this week’s blog …………..

This week has seen the continuation of British summertime – rain, wind and a few sunny periods. But Rocky being a trooper has taken it all in his stride!

However, getting wet on walks tends to make Rocky rather bouncy on his return home!! He likes to have a little charge around with a big grin on his face looking for mischief to get up to!

While happy, damp and bouncy Rocky has also tended to abandon his own sofa and try to use ours instead …………………

We don’t know for sure but think this action may be something to do with the fact that ours has the comfy cushions on?!!

Pretty good guess I’d say!

Anyway, this weekend got off to a good start for our hero as the sun was shining and all was well with the world (well Rocky's bit of it anyway) ……….

We put Rocky’s seatbelt harness on, so he knew we were going somewhere and as the sun was shining he wasn’t quite so reluctant to go out.

We had kindly been invited to join the local German Shepherd group for a walk on the plain.

Great news for Rocky – a bevy of mates to run and gamble about with!

As we set out Rocky realised that his best mates were at the front of the line of walkers. So he put a spurt on to go and walk with them, didn't seem to mind that we didn't quite have his speed!

Anyway, we occasionally stopped to let the stragglers catch up, giving time for the dogs to stop and take advantage of any naturally occurring playthings.

Sometimes Rocky was having such a good time that he was the last to leave the play area; on realising he would run to catch his playmates up!

For most of the walk though Rocky was up in front, helping to lead the way. Occasionally he would run off to the side as he became excited by a scent; after following it for a little way though he would head back, eager to be with his pals.

At the end of the walk we returned for a rest while the barbeque got going. This gave time for dogs and owners to relax.

"Thanks dad that was great"!

Then we all collected together at the barbeque site and, even after the dogs had all had a drink, it sounded like there were many steam trains puffing up a hill. So many dogs laying down and panting! But this only lasted a short time before they were all up and running about again.

The food was very good and all dogs will beg given the chance.

The trick I am told is to look as appealing and cute as possible!

Well all present certainly took advantage of the opportunity to practice this art!!!

Rocky stuck with two of his new mates for his practice sessions ……………

And his patience and dedication to his art paid off in the end!!

Eventually the afternoon ended and we all came home. Rocky, like his friends, had expended a lot of energy and immediately got onto his comfy sofa in order to undertake one of his favourite activities!

That evening saw Rocky sleeping like a baby and, as he usually turns grooming time into playtime, “dad” thought he would take advantage of this quiet opportunity.

Surely he would be too tired to wrestle?!!

But he slowly came out of his slumber and realised that someone was taking advantage of him.

Dad turned his back and pretended it wasn't him. But Rocky thought he would show him just what he thought about this sneak attack and looking neat and tidy and groomed and all that!

After explaining that his coat was full of grass seeds and bits of twig after his run, “dad” was able to gain compliance with the business in hand.

Rocky was indeed too tired to get into a fully fledged wrestling match with “dad” and the comb (even though he loves wrestling), but did feebly manage the “move my head around and make it as difficult as possible” game!

With the game in full swing Rocky seemed to enjoy his grooming and showed his approval with varying facial expressions.

This one was the “Oh that’s good ……….I think you got a knot out there”!!

Eventually Rocky was looking dashing and gorgeous,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, before he shook himself that is!!

“Dad” put the grooming equipment away and turned to have a moment with his boy ……….

“What you up too dad”?!!

Dogs can say a lot without words you know ........................

This is the "I do love you look" …………..

Which was followed by a big slurpy kiss for his “dad”! Aaah!

Today saw the final practice for Rocky before the next dog display when we return from holiday.

He was a very happy Otterhound ……….. Lots of fun with the TUNNELS!!!!

He happily jumped over the hurdles ………

Charged into the tunnels ………

Came out and positioned himself for the REALLY GREAT “floppy tunnels” ……….

Worked his way through these ………

Floppy tunnels are great!!!...........

Then he was immediately asking “dad” if he could go again!!!

Happily he played with these many times and never lost his excitement for them. If ever we manage to get the back garden (part time Otterhound quarry) sorted, I think we will have to buy him a tunnel! He’d love it!

Then it was time to practice for the long jump!

A good run up ……….

Get ready for lift off …………

Then up and over!!

Rocky is getting better and better with these activities and gets such a lot of enjoyment from them.

He meets his friends, does all the activities he likes and gets treats for it too …………… doggy heaven!!

The doggy equivalent of formation flying was also practiced, another activity Rocky is getting better at.

Sitting pretty and …………..

Wait for it …………..

Wait for it ………….

He gets the call to “come” to “daddy”!!!
What a happy bouncing Otterhound!!

File out of the arena after a jolly good practice session.

Owners and dogs very happy with the days practice ………. Looking good fella’s!

What a happy week Rocky has had!

Once back home he does the hound dog thing!

Sleep well Rocky, you’ve had a busy time!!

Rocky the Otterhound: What a busy social life, It's better than mine!!

This week has seen a slow start to the week (yes, more rain!), however as the weather improved the tail end of the week enabled Rocky to enjoy the sort of busy social life he relishes.

During the dull and wet few days we had, Rocky busied him with collecting trophies while on walks. This particular gem (a wrecked leather glove abandoned on the byway) lasted him 3 days. It started as a favourite for tug of war games and then filled a few dull hours with seeing how quickly he could chew the fingers off. All in all a good return for the little effort he expelled carrying it home!

The week started to pick up for Rocky on Wednesday when he went to see his friends at the training club.

As well as lessons to be learned there was plenty of opportunity for play ………..

And like his mates he had the opportunity to show off how well he has learned his lessons; his favourite time as it generally means lots of treats! Bribery and corruption abounds!!

At the weekend he also met up with his mates again for show practice. This is the part of training he loves most of all …………

Because there are TUNNELS to play in!!

Although still growing and finding he has to duck low to get in and through them he still seems to enjoy them as much as ever; and he has picked up speed through them as well!

“Daddy” has to really run to meet him at the other end now.

There was a reason I became the photographer instead of the trainer you know, no flies on me!!!

Rocky also enjoys the jumps as well and gives it his all ………..

I do wonder though if he would be as keen if there wasn’t a tunnel at the end of them though ………….. Being a lazy hound and all!?

However, he comes out of the tunnels raring to go over the jumps on the other side so maybe I am not giving him the credit he deserves!?

Rocky had another attempt at the weaving poles this week. He hasn’t performed very well on these to date as he is a little inflexible in the middle at present. He was better than the last time he tried them though, so well done Rocky.

He was impeccably behaved at the sit and stay game ………..

And ran to “dad” with utter glee when called.

Well done Rocky!!

Immediately after training and on the spur of the moment (as it wasn’t raining yet), we made hasty arrangements for this weeks expedition. We arranged to meet up with some of his friends on the plain. He was so excited as we arrived and he saw other cars ahead of him.

First to greet him was, of course, Daisy. Little and large back together again!

Whether others are about or they are charging around, or quiet; these two seem to have an affinity for each other.

On this walk though, the two friends enjoyed the company of Sparky and Brandon. Four pals out for a good time!

We walked in a fairly straight line while the dogs were running and playing together all over the place.

Not waiting to see if we were going to the pond, these chums decided that water play was the order of the day …………….. And any water would do.

Stopping to ask Rocky and Daisy if they were having a good time seemed a little waste of energy really …………… not exactly hard to tell if they were having fun was it!!??

We strolled on, chatting while the pals ran and gambled!

Brandon and Rocky found another puddle and determined not to miss an opportunity!

And Guess where we ended up??

The water level had receded somewhat, but it is still one of our favourite places.

Rocky and Daisy discussed the pro’s and con’s of actually going swimming. As it wasn’t boiling hot just yet!!

Meanwhile Brandon had abandoned all propriety and just gone for it …………. Good on you Brandon.

Daisy and Sparky were coming to their decision ……….

While Brandon tried to persuade Rocky to “come on in, the waters fine”!!

In the end, Sparky opted for snorkelling …………..

Brandon, Rocky and Daisy loved paddling, but Daisy and Brandon also swam. It was, however, charging about that was most fun for the three youngest!!

Interspersed with these moments of sheer indulgent bliss, there were periods of thoughtful reflection amongst the grasses and reeds.

A tender moment for Rocky and Daisy …………..

A matey discussion between Rocky and Sparky!

Then, of course, it was back to playing and hanging out for Rocky and Daisy …………

While Brandon did his own thing in the pool!

A damp and drippy Rocky looked on while daisy took a quick dip ……………..

Then she joined him for some more frolicking in the grass …………

The two settled down for a bit of a rest, checking to see everyone was having a good time first of course!

Then it was time for a bit of a lay down to recharge those batteries!!

Rocky got pretty wet considering he was juxt paddling; but then he was playing with the others (who were practically dripping most of the time)!

Anyway, he was just about dry when we called him for walking back. Otterhounds dry off very quickly you know – you don’t need a blow dryer or anything!!

On the return journey Rocky met up with some cows. He was not as overwhelmed by their size this time and managed to stay close by; even when they walked slowly over to take a look at this strange group of humans and dogs.

Well done Rocky, that’s another fear conquered! But what about swimming???????!!

Anyway, we met up with a bevy of Golden Retrievers on the way back as well, Rocky has met them here before and now considers them his mates …………. So he stopped to spend a little time with them.

We all walked on slowly and pretty soon our young Otterhound was charging to catch up with us ………….. “Hey, wait for me”!!

We all said our goodbyes and loaded our tired but exceedingly contented dogs into our cars.
What a lovely afternoon they have had!!

At the end of the day things were back to normal ……….

All the lads go bye byes ……………

Sleep well Rocky!!