Rocky the Otterhound, an endangered breed: February 2009

A young Otterhound can seem to do nothing but have a good time, but did you realise that all of their activities are learning activities? Sure playing and training can and should be fun, but like humans, it is also learning for living. Young dogs have to learn a huge amount in the short time they are young; which probably explains why so much sleeping is involved. However, even sleeping is learning, as it’s while a dog sleeps that it reviews the day’s events and processes information …….. That explains the dream running (moving their head and legs about) and funny noises they come out with then!

This weeks blog would not be possible without the kindness of Kathy who volunteered to undertake some of the photography. So a huge thank you goes to Kathy who has provided some wonderful photo’s!

Playing with friends provides plenty of opportunity to learn …..

..... How rough can I play before my friend decides they don’t want to play anymore and walks away; for instance!

Learning this lesson enables the correct application of activity in order to prolong the enjoyment of a game.

This learning enables our young Otterhounds to get the most pleasure out of their indoor and out door friend.

A friend who is so relaxed around them, she is usually horizontal!

Time spent playing also builds bonds and trust, enabling your pets to get along without arguments.

Rosie has a rawhide chew stick here, but is perfectly happy to let Mij have a sniff at it as she knows that is all Mij will do ….. She doesn’t feel she has to protect against Mij stealing her treat.

Time spent exploring what can be done with toys allows choice …… Our hounds now empty their toy box in order to find the right toy for whatever game they feel like playing. Clever problem solving, sure …… But for some reason they never learn how to put them all back again!!

Post playtime relaxation has become a family activity which provides a feeling of comradeship as most lines of acceptable behaviour have been drawn and learnt.

It is only recently that Rosie’s introduction to the family has been successfully incorporated. I am not talking about fights or arguments but the fact that all (including Rosie) now know and understand what lines can and are to be crossed and what behaviour is unacceptable. When first introduced; Rosie, Rocky and Mij entered a period of frantic playing and exploratory behaviour. They were finding out how much and how far their activities would be accepted by all members of the pack. The fact that they can all relax and sleep more, indicates that they all understand what they are and are not allowed to do and how much “misbehaviour” they can get away with. There are undoubtedly more lessons to learn but those that allow our three youngsters to feel secure with each other are completed. Rosie still seeks Rocky out (especially when new experiences abound) but she is happy to do her own thing most of the time.

Like ourselves, not all learning is conscious, for instance Rosie successfully solved the problem of getting up on the sofa without effort ….. She uses her bed as a stepping stone! She didn’t seem to think about it ….. Just tried it, it worked …. So now it is part of her behaviour pattern.

Both Rocky and Rosie know how much noise they can make before “mum” comes in to check on what they are doing and they have to behave all innocent!

Rocky and Rosie have learned that Rocky will finish a chew stick first but will gently tolerate Rosie cuddling up to him while she takes her time gnawing through hers.

They even know where the (fairly short) bone eating line is …….. Crossing this line results in a short sharp telling off from the other hound. But being amiable Otterhounds this is more a shock to the system than a serious telling off!

Rosie, who has had the most to learn, is finally knowledgeable enough to completely relax. She never seemed to sleep as much as Rocky did at that age but is now making up for it.

She sleeps ……..

And sleeps …….

........ Totally relaxed!

I think she may have learned some of this from Rocky though, don’t you?

They are so alike in some ways ……..

....... The Otterhound relaxation …….

....... Bookends!

And the daytime bookends …….

...... I wonder if there is a marketable idea in here somewhere?

As well as the unconscious learning, a young hound also has some conscious learning to do. Well ours do!

Yes, Rocky still goes to dog training ….. For learning, socialising and taking part in charity fund raising.

Because Rocky is an old hand at this he can help new attendees understand the finer points of doggy behaviour.

And guess who else is attending? Rosie doesn’t concentrate as much as Rocky yet and seems to think it is somewhere to go just to get yummy treats!

Mind you, Rocky still thinks treats are one of the most important parts of training!

Rocky and Rosie get a pep talk before proceedings start …..

“OK team Otterhound – Let’s get out there and strut some stuff”!!

Rosie is brought forward to meet some of the club members …..

But, she is not concentrating very well …. ‘Cause she’s too excited!!

Rocky shows how it should be done ……

It’s time to line up and do some work.

“Ooh, ooh mum what are we doing now …? More treats, more treats”?

“OK mum, I’m sitting nicely ….. Now can I have more treats”?

Rocky looks on and does a mental Otterhound shake of the head in dismay!!

“What is she doing over there”? “How embarrassing”!

As we turn to start work Rosie falls into line quietly confused.

Taking turns around the hall Rosie looses concentration and starts hoping for treats again …… Hasn’t yet learned that she has to work for them!

Rosie does quite well and is rewarded with a treat …..........

....... And some affectionate fussing!

However ….. Able to sit nicely at home on command, she appears to be a bit confused when asked to do it in a room full of potential playmates!

Rocky, of course, takes it all in his stride!

Rosie is also confused at being asked to stay in one place while “mum” moves away from her …… A big thing when you’re only little and the room’s full of other dogs!!

But she gets lots of fusses for trying it anyway ….. Well done Rosie!

Finally Rosie realises that she is supposed to concentrate on “mummy” and decides that working out what is wanted leads to lovely treats.
She is concentrating so hard that she doesn’t even notice Rocky walking around her!