Rocky the Otterhound: Big boy - baby boy!

When is a young Otterhound grown up? That’s a good question! As you know Rocky is now ten months old, weighs over 5 ½ stone and is pretty large, but is he still a baby? Rocky tends to lead you astray on this at times; he can look thoughtful, noble, curious and at times very intelligent but mostly he is just a messy mud magnet that we wouldn’t change for the world. It is easy to think of him as a grown dog but there are little tell tale signs that puppy-hood is not entirely left behind – as you read through this weeks blog see if you can spot them.

This past week has been glorious, with bright hot sunshine, refreshing breezes and longer evenings. Rocky has had such a busy week you just wouldn’t believe!

The fun started with a walk down by the river. “Daddy” still intent on seeing his favourite Otterhound swimming, sat our boy down and explained all about what fun there was to have in water.

Then to reassure our timid lad dad walked into the water with him. This seemed to work a treat as Rocky followed him happily and even ventured further out on his own, knowing that dad was in the water and the lead was clutched firmly in his hands.

Unfortunately when trying to play in the water the splashes seemed to have an adverse effect and our hero got out of the water and refused to go back in!! Ho Hum!!

We walked further along the water meadows and Rocky was rather taken with the flotilla of swans lazing about on the river. It looked like he was trying to count them but ………….

If he was trying to count he gave up when he ran the other way to the hedge and saw lots more!! He remained interested enough to hang about and take it all in but the intense expression had gone. It must be hard to count so many though when you can’t use your fingers or toes!

On the way home Rocky saw something on the pavement ahead, sat down rapidly while pulling back on his lead and refused to move an inch forward?! Inspecting the pavement ahead for some reason for this sudden spooking I noticed a van parked on the pavement. Leaving Rocky with his “dad” I strode over to it and touched it to show him it was nothing to be scared of ……… Nope, still couldn’t get him to move. Looking around in desperation I noticed that the entrance to one of the driveways by the pavement had two stone lions on top of the gate posts. Surely not I thought, but nonetheless went up to them and patted and stroked them.

Sure enough Rocky then moved cautiously forward and slowly standing on his back legs proceeded to sniff these two scary (?) statues! Then, happy as a sand boy he trotted off for home again.

The couple on the other side of the road were in hysterics by this time and congratulated us on

having such a lovely big baby!!!!

Rocky has spent much of the week lazing about in the garden. He hasn’t quite learned the art of finding a shady spot, so tends to laze or play in the warm sunshine until he gets too hot – then he heads (at great speed I may add) for the shelter of the indoors. After a cool down and a drink he is off outside again. The hot weather does seem to deter him from digging I am pleased to say; perhaps it is just too much work in the heat?

Our cat, Biskitt, also enjoyed the great outdoors this week. Being 18 she is very choosy which sort of weather will drag her from the comforts of home, but hot and sunny seems to do it!

Yes, we even had times when both of them were in the garden together!! Needless to say Rocky will not give up asking her for a game. But due to persistent disappointment he does only do it every now and then. He is trying to do things right!!

This week’s dog training went well again. Rocky now seems pretty well socialised with other dogs and the benefits are that he is less intent on getting to other dogs when out on the lead. Good manners come slowly but surely.

He has become very good with “sit” and “down” and is not so distracted by what the other dogs are doing.

He is relaxed enough now to stop and have a quiet conversation with his mates while the humans receive instruction.

He has even relaxed enough to inspect the state of the flooring, or his nails, until it is time to get on and do some more fun stuff!

Due to the heat and the fact of the lighter evenings much of this week’s lesson was outside, which all appreciated! The dogs were led around and around; and in and out of each other like a complex flying display (only without the planes ………. Or the flying!) – Rocky likes that bit!

Rocky is really good now at waiting to be called - and then coming straight away. But it is only at close quarters at the moment so we are not counting our chickens (or any one else's poultry)!!

The evening finished with one of Rockys' 'favourite games – follow the dog in front through the long round thing!! He likes this game so much that dad has to really run in order to catch him at the other end (has to be done or there would be pandemonium with dogs all over the place). Rocky doesn’t think he gets enough goes though; I think he would keep doing it until he collapsed given the chance

Oh yes, I must tell you about this photo ………….. Happily laying on the patio one evening, after a hot day, Rocky was perturbed to see his “dad” pick up the hose in order to water the plant tubs. The result …………. A lightening charge indoors in order to hide from the horrible wet snake thing!! What a brave grown up dog!!

Lastly, it was too hot yesterday to take Rocky for his big adventure during the heat of the day. So at 7pm, when the air was cooling we took Rocky to his favourite watering hole.

Rocky was walking in and out of the water as if he was born in it and dad got excited thinking that this was going to be the big push and Rocky would actually go for a swim!!

So all sorts of sticks went into the pool in order to entice him to go deep enough for a swim ………. Rocky however, being an Otterhound and a good problem solver noticed that if he waited long enough the breeze would blow the stick close enough for him to reach out and grab it!!

Noticing his “dad” was a little frustrated Rocky (damp Rocky) enticed him into a game of chase and good fun was had by all. Do you know that there hasn’t been a day since we got Rocky that he hasn’t made his “dad” laugh (really!); I think that is pretty amazing!! There are so many reasons to share your life with a dog and fun and laughter are two of the best!!




Eventually it was time to go home and Rocky got into his seat with such a happy Otterhound look on his face! Supper was very late last night and dad and I were very tired but we wouldn’t have missed our trip out for the world ……………








As for Rocky, well he slept like a baby having happy dreams of a happy week. Night night Rocky!

Rocky the Otterhound: Growing up means so much to learn!

Rocky has had another good week. On top of everything else he now has his own business cards; with nearly everyone we meet asking about him and asking about his websites we decided it is much easier to hand over a business card with web details on. These have been warmly received by all who have had them and we don’t have to feel guilty because we forgot to take a pen and paper out with us (again!!).


Since Rocky was very small he has enjoyed sucking thumbs (ours of course) and small rounded pebbles. A strange habit for a dog but he loves it – he has never swallowed any (to our knowledge) and tends to have one or two favourites. As he has grown the size of pebble has grown with him, we still have the two tiny ones from his puppy-hood. The latest two he has pinched from one of my pots in the garden, they are well rounded and he loves them.



Rocky keeps his pebbles in the top of my oil burner on the coffee table – my fault I fear as having cleaned the burner after use over Christmas I omitted to use it for a while! Any point during the day or evening you are likely to hear the tell tale sound of pebbles clinking together as Rocky delicately attempts to lick his choice out of the stone bowl. Then, like any teenager, he will walk about (or sit about) rolling his pebble around in his mouth and giving it a good sucking ……………. Of course, with the teenage analogy I was thinking chewing gum but you get the picture! He does have some endearingly human traits at times!




Rocky and Biskitt are still working towards full cessation of suspicion and avoidance (slow but continuous). Rocky, being an Otterhound and a problem solver, has worked out that she is less fractious when on my lap – he therefore takes full advantage of these times.







The other night he tentatively gave her a lick - notice he starts on her back, well away from the sharp end.





Having got away with it and not received a hissing fit for his trouble he was emboldened!

Not only did it turn into a full scale grooming lick – but he headed upstream towards the sharp end. What a brave Otterhound!!

Rocky is a clever Otterhound though and spotting Biskitt turn her head towards him with a “watch it buddy” expression, decided that withdrawal was the best thing to do. But you should have seen him strut as he crossed the room – very pleased with himself he was!!


Knowing how important grooming is to dogs as far as bonding is concerned (and of course, knowing he is a mud magnet) Rocky gets groomed regularly himself. He has by now got used to this and no longer does the puppy trick of seeing how quickly you can attack the comb. It does tend to relax him though ………. And sleep follows on quickly!!



With a mixed bag as far as the weather goes, Rocky hasn’t had quite so much time outdoors as last week, but has made the most of it when able. He continues on his planned excavations of our garden and it now mimics the building site up the road from us! Bless!?

His big adventure this week has been to explore the roads and byways around where we live. Although we live in a small town (it was a village when we came to live here, but that’s progress I guess), we are surrounded by countryside and woodland and you don’t have to walk far in any direction to get there. Consequently there are many places close-by that Rocky can explore.

Meeting people and other animals on the way all make for an interesting time for Rocky and he drinks it all in. It can take quite a while though as anything particularly interesting or new is still greeted by a good old sit down and watch. Allowing him this time helps tremendously with his socialisation and there is now a huge repertoire of experiences that no longer make him nervous.





However, all this walking about, taking in new smells and experiences and generally having a good time makes a young dog tired. Whenever Rocky comes home from a walk he generally wants to play …………… I do think he was a little too tired after this walk though ……….. occasionally sucking on his favoured squeaky, was all he could muster before falling asleep!!




Rocky had a good time at his training session again this week. He got to meet all his fellow students and there were a few more this week – lots of happy dog tails!






Rocky worked hard at paying attention to what was being asked of him. But still managed to make it look like he was having a game – happy Otterhound!










As you can see he is doing a grand job with his “down” and “stay”. You could suggest he was just tired, but I prefer to think of our boy as really putting the effort in!!
















My theory was upheld as after walking into the kitchen to make a cup of coffee on our return home, I went back into the living room and was met by this sight! This ladies and gentleman is a very tired and fast asleep Otterhound!! How cute is that??!

Rocky’s training continues at home as we are given “homework” to do! Rocky of course thinks he is just getting what he wants …….. treats ……….. but we know better. Any doggy person will tell you how manipulative they can be ……… well now it’s our turn.

However, he has fun as he learns which is the only way to do it - and so do we! It is fun sharing your life with an Otterhound …………….

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!!