Rocky the Otterhound: Even mundane weeks are fun!

This week has seen more of the dull, wet weather that we are so used to. There has been no particularly interesting visits or people this week and although confined to the patio when let out at home; our Otterhounds are never bored or feel as though they are missing out. To a young hound every day is an adventure!




All sorts of household items can be fun to play with (when you can get them out of Rosie’s bed that is).



"Can I play with you Rocky"?






Never let it be said that Otterhounds don’t know how to share …….. Rocky has had a crash course on this recently, he is good natured enough not to mind though …….. He also rather enjoys having a playmate whenever he wants one!




If at a loss, a well stocked toy box is an advantage if you have young hounds in the house.





Choosing which item to play with can take some time, believe me there is never a sense of “Oh this will do”!

Each plaything is picked after rooting through, or even discarding toys ….. It has to fill the need at the time you know!

Sometimes they will choose something to play with individually ……… But it doesn’t always stay that way …….. When young, what others have is often more attractive; isn’t it?!

Time can also pass quickly when enjoying a rawhide chew stick …….. This remains one of the few totally individual sports in this house.

Then of course we have the activity that our hounds excel in …….. Synchronised sleeping!

In the evening there is always time for a bit of relaxed television viewing …..

If there is nothing interesting on, Rocky and Rosie will wind up for a game …..

The winding up bit seems to involve quite a bit of annoying the other until they give in and play!

Once playing is in full swing this activity can be just for the two of them …….. Or anyone can join in!!

The toy box doesn’t just provide fun during the day …… The usual question crosses our minds …… Is this going to be a team or individual event?

This one turned out to be individual in the end.

“I’m the great hunter returning home after a successful day in the wilds”!

Meanwhile, Rosie had decided on her own plaything …

“Aha ….. Got you now bird thing that makes a funny noise”!!!

Rocky will often change his mind halfway through a game ….. Particularly if there is a chance of enticing Rosie into joining him! The problem is which manoeuvre has the most chance of success ……?

Our Hero takes his latest prize and sits on his sofa as close to Rosie’s bed as possible …..

…… He will then make as much noise as possible ….. Lots of snuffling and smacking of lips ……..

If you ask him if he is trying to attract someone’s attention he tries to look all innocent ……

……. “Who me”?!!

This ploy never fails to get the intended response ……. Rosie is a pushover with this at the moment …..

….. And Rocky is a very clever problem solver!!!

Rosie’s approach will start gently ….

“Please can I play with you” ……

When Rocky pretends not to notice she is there …..

Rosie moves in with a rather more direct approach!

This is where Rocky gets the most fun ……

“No …. Get off”!

“Oh go on let me”!

“No you’ll have to force it off me”!!

….. Then the enjoyment really starts ………

Their usual daytime walks are also not as dull as you may think …..

We are lucky enough to have several enclosed fields near us, so Rocky and Rosie have at least one play off the lead daily.

There are usually all sorts of things to play with …..

And there is always each other …..

Such bouncy Otterhounds!!

More sedate games can be fun as well.

Of course, if they get bored with that they can always look around for more physical things to do …..

Such as tracking the path of one of last night’s bunnies.

There is always the chance of meeting up with new friends.

In fact, some days, there are a lot of new friends …….!!

Things can very quickly turn from gentle pastime to all out charging about.

This particular day Rocky was spoilt for choice of who to play with next.

I think he gave up and just played with everybody, if I’m honest …… All at the same time! Dogs aren’t as shy as we can be, on the whole, and given the chance will get on with just about everybody.

Lots of fun was had by all.

And by the end of their walking session, they had five playmates to gamble about with. What games they had!!

By the time they got home, there was a feeling that snoozing may be on the agenda ….. Replacing some of that used up energy!

Rocky got comfortable very quickly ….. A past master!

Rosie (still learning), although probably just as tired, didn’t seem to get comfy enough for a while ….. Despite having a whole sofa between the two of them!

Eventually, tiredness overcame everything else …..

And our beautiful Otterhounds drifted off ……

Sleep well and dream of happy days!!