The Dog's Blog

Me at the start of one of the Tunnels

I know Smudge mentioned in his blog about us having a walk along the new Monsal trail but being Smudge of course he didn’t tell you much about it. So I though I would, as I found the new trail very exciting. Over the last few months they have opened up all the old tunnels along the Monsal trail. So you can now walk (or cycle) from Bakewell all the way to Buxton.

Anyhow last week off we went with Master and Mistress’s friends. The trail is not far from our Bolehill Holiday cottages. In fact if you wanted to walk from Bakewell it would be no more than 2.5miles. But we decided to go to Cressbrook and walk round Cressbrook and join the trail further along, so mistress could see the new views from between the tunnels, and then walk back to Monsal Head.

Me in one of the tunnels

It has to be said that master wanted to hire electric bikes from the Hassop Bike Hire Shop (which is on the trail near Bakewell) but he was overruled.  I wasn’t sure about the bikes bit either. It would have meant that Smudge and I would have had to run all the way. Fine for me but Smudge is a bit overweight and may not of made it.

I can report that the trail is very similar to what it was before.  Lots of smells, plenty of areas to explore and we are allowed off our leads for a while.  The tunnels looked a bit foreboding when I first looked at them but once I realised they were well lit and there were loads of different areas to explore inside them it was great fun.  They have even tarmaced the path for us so it makes it easier on or paws (very considerate towards dogs I thought).

Me 'chilling' in our front garden

Of course we had to do a lot of the ‘stopping to admire the view’ bit after emerging from each of the tunnels which slowed us down a bit but mistress enjoyed it.  Once we go to Monsal Head we had to climb out of the dale to the tea shop at the top where of course mistress had to have Coffee and a cake. Nothing for us of course.

Another day another well.

How many more wells can there be?  What wells have we done so far? Tissington, Over Haddon, Monyash, Youlgrave, Litton. How many more can there be?  I am sure it was not this bad last year. At least we got let off having to go round the Bakewell ones. Master didn’t. He got dragged round but luckly we were left at home. Then last weekend we had to ‘do’ another set of gardens. This time over at Great Longstone which is about 10 mins from our peak district cottages.  At least we got a nice walk up to one of the houses outside the village which was doing afternoon teas – a must for mistress.  At last the weather is improving so we managed to get in a picnic at mistresses favourite picnic spot. It also happens to be a great spot for swallow chasing so we were a bit preoccupied with that but did pop back every now and then to check for any left over food.

A 'team' photo (including idiot brother)

There have been quite a few dogs staying at our dog friendly holiday cottages in the last few weeks. So we have had lots of friends to run around with and a few cottages where I could put on my ‘I am starved’ look and get away with it. One cottage was especially generous so I made sure I went round a few times a day. Don’t tell mistress. My current meagre rations might get cut back even more.

Master and mistress’s friends from Yorkshire came over to stay for a couple of days. You know the ones that are allergic to dogs!  The bad news is we got banned to the kitchen a few times in the evening but the good news is that we got taken for a couple of  decent walks. The first was a bit short but was through the newly opened Monsal Trail Tunnels which was different and the other was up in the Goyt valley were we have been a few times before.

I hate Gardens!

The Goyt valley was the bestest walk as we were let off our leads most of the day.  The only serious problem was with mistress and her friend. Between them they are even slower than mistress on her own. At least we got 4 sets of sandwiches we could get some leftovers from.

Me looking after master

So much for our promised walk yesterday. We were supposed to go from our peak district cottages over to Chatsworth for a nice walk and picnic. Its great over at Chatsworth at this time of year although we do seem to have to be on our leads more often than at other times of year. Something about breeding season and us chasing young birds etc – as IF. But master decided he was ill  stayed in bed all day (mistress thinks its had ‘Man flu’. Mistress could have taken us. But then maybe that wouldn’t have been such a good idea as we would have taken hours just to go a few 100 yards as she ‘stops to see the view’ so often its hardly any point moving. Master did get up about 7:00PM by which time of course it was too late to go out.  I must admit he did look a bit rough.  A bit like Smudge after a day with his duvet. No actually. Thinking about it.  Smudge just looks like that most of the time.

Me 'helping' with the clearing up

We did get a few fun hours in the sun helping mistress plant out her new bedding shrubs and played with the handyman while he was trying to paint the children’s swings etc but not really the same as going for a nice walk. At last it is getting warmer and I can laze in the courtyard.  We have a very very very big dog here this week. His name is Winston. He came last year but I don’t remember him being this big. We both keep a respectable distance from him – just in case.

Because master has been ill I have not been taken on any trips down town or out to any exciting building merchants etc. Hopefully he will be better soon and we can do the ‘bonding’ bit again.

Technorati Tags: dog-friendly, peak district cottages for dogs

And all we get is water

Its been very hectic around here at our peak district cottages. Master is still installing carpets and generally being grumpy.  I have been able to help here and there and did manage to take him out a few times to get some materials he needed (not that he appreciated it).  He does tend to get a bit up tight when he is fitting carpet. Not sure why – it looks easy enough to me.

Me on a small bridge

Smudge of course has been soaking up the sympathy since he hurt his paw (serves him right). I did get some of the fall out from his ‘injury’ (he isn’t even limping – whenever I hurt myself I never get any sympathy) because he got taken to the vet, master remembered that we hadn’t had our yearly booster so I got dragged down to the vet by mistress. How unfair is that? Smudge hurts himself and I get an injection!

The River Derwent near Calver

Anyway it isn’t all doom and gloom we did get taken out for a walk. We started by walking up the River Derwent then through Calver (10 mins from Bolehill Cottages) and then up a steep hill (as usual mistress took ages) to the  top of Bramley Plantation where we were supposed to stop for lunch. Good!  I thought. On the last walk we didn’t do too bad for tit-bits. But oh no! We had to find somewhere with a ‘view’. Why? We are having lunch not admiring the landscape. So on we trudged for a few more miles until at last mistress found a spot that was suitable (with a view). We did get a few tit-bits from mistress but as usual nothing from master. The rest of the walk was all downhill so mistress managed to keep up.

We seem to have lost our marauding hoard of sheep. They seem to have disappeared across the road where they can’t get at us.  Just as well!  I was never very sure about them. They looked a bit vicious to me.

Technorati Tags: accommodation, bakewell

Me waiting for the rest to catch up -

I managed to hurt my front leg the other day (probably when I was running from one of those cows at our peak district cottages).  It was sore for a few hours and I was limping. However, when I found out how much attention I got, I decided to prolong the limping.  It worked for a few days until I kept forgetting to limp.  I think I fooled mistress as I kept getting little treats and extra dinner.  I don’t think master was impressed.  On Saturday I decided I had better make a quick recovery as the word ‘walk’ was used and I am sure I heard master say that they would leave me behind if my leg wasn’t better. Well suddenly it got better. No more limping.

Well Dressing Ashford-in-water

Sunday – off we went on a walk directly from our peak district cottages – over to Sheldon then down to  Ashford-in-the -Water and back to Sheldon and home.  As usual mistress had to keep stopping to ‘admire the view’ and in Ashford we got dragged round the Well Dressings (see picture – they are made out of flower petals etc.)  We even had to stop off at one of mistresses friends for a ‘cup of tea’ (we got water).  Then on again up the Wye Valley towards Shacklow Woods, stopping for a quick picnic.  Again all we got was water.  After lunch we went into the woods for a while before  we had to go up 100s of steps to get the the top of the dale (see picture of me).  This nearly killed mistress.  She is still complaining  about her legs.  We didn’t think it was that bad but then we are in permanent four wheel drive.  From the top of the dale we walked back across to Sheldon where mistress was hoping for a cream tea (they usually put them on in the village hall at bank holidays).  Here we go we thought.  A bowl of water while they have an afternoon tea.  However, when we go there it was all closed – Ah! Maybe they didn’t do them this year.  On the way back across our local fields Smudge found a hare we could chase.  We nearly got it – well we would have done if it had run slower.  All in all a good day out and my leg feels fine!

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Me at Carsington Water -

The day started off beautifully at our peak district cottages.  Master took us out for our morning walk then we heard that we were being taken to Hopton hall to look round the yearly Snowdrop display.  Great we thought a nice long walk round the grounds of a big house.  Always things to do and see at big houses.  Anyway what happens when we get there?  We get abandoned in the car. No dogs allowed in the grounds!  What about our rights?  I thought there were laws against discrimination these days.  Smudge didn’t seem to mind, he just curled up and went to sleep.  But I was furious.  It got even worse.  After Master and Mistress got back we all went to Carsington Water (a couple of miles down the road). Now we will get taken for a walk – we thought.  Oh No. They went off to Lunch, abandoning us in the car AGAIN (Smudge went back to sleep).  Apparently you aren’t allowed to take dogs into Restaurants.  I am going to write to my MP.  Don’t we have any rights. I am sure the EU has something to say about this.  Anyhow after lunch we did, at long last, get taken for a walk (although it was a bit short). The picture shows me sitting on one of the sculptures with Carsington water in the background.

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Every time i walk my dog it tries to lead. its always pulling on the leash and not moving when i want it to what. what can i do?

Put your dog on the leash on your left side. Hold the leash in your right hand and pick up the slack in your left hand.

Put your dog on a sit so that his front paws are even with your toes. Step off with your left foot and say "Buster, heel!" Give the leash a gentle tug and move forward.

Walk at an even pace that suits you. When the dog pulls ahead, make a sharp "UH UH" noise as a matter of correction and give the leash a tug to pull him back in line.

Praise him when he resumes the pace you’ve set.

Now, this is all well and good if you have a smart, compliant dog. Some dogs are bullheaded and want to charge ahead regardless.

Do not jerk the dog around. If he’s difficult, you need to get a training collar.

You don’t say what kind of dog you have, but for most breeds, a training collar or pinch collar is very effective. (A choke chain is an excellent way to cause an injury to your dog’s throat, larynx and neck muscles. A choke is worthless. Don’t even bother with it.)

A training collar or pinch collar is incomfortable for the dog. It does not poke the dog, have barbs, cause bleeding or any kind of injury and is quite humane, especially for a big, powerful dog.

When you get a training collar, take the dog to the store and have him properly fitted. Have the clerk show you the correct way to put the collar on; otherwise, it won’t work.

Once you have the collar, try "heel" again. When the dog jumps out ahead or falls back, give him a little tug to get him back on the pace, then praise him.

When you have a little control, do this:

Show your dog a small treat so that he knows you have it. Then old the treat up close to your face so that he keeps watching your face. Say "watch me, watch me" repeatedly. Reward him with the treat every so often.

Once you get the dog to watch your face, he will be wary of your movements and your pace.

Practice picking up the pace into a slow jog. Talk to your dog and say "pick it up" or "let’s go!" or something to indicate the change. Then slow down again by pulling back a little on the leash.

Always use the "uh uh" to remind him when he’s getting out of line.

Work with your dog for 2 five minutes sessions a day. You’ll be surprised how quickly he’ll learn, especially if you use a good training collar. Always talk to your dog and praise him for good behaviors.

Don’t work with your dog when you’re tired or impatient. Never raise your voice or hit your dog to correct him. Use gentle corrections and praise the correct behavior.

You’ll have a heeling champ in no time! Good luck!

I have to walk the dog everyday and I’ve just started bringing my ipod along to make it less boring.. But I don’t have any songs that want to make me move ect.

Who Let The Dogs Out

I have to walk the dog everyday and I’ve just started bringing my ipod along to make it less boring.. But I don’t have any songs that want to make me move ect.

Who Let The Dogs Out

I have a Rat Terrier and quite frankily, she does not get walked very much. She is not overweight by any means. I just feel like she has turned into a lap dog or house dog. She is a breed typically very active. When I do walk her, she walks me (obviously because she is not used to it). She does get exercise though in our large fenced-in backyard.

I am just curious if there are many people out there who don’t really walk their dogs.

I don’t necessarily walk them. We go to the dog park several times a week and walk the other days. They get some sort of out-of-the-house exercise probably 5-6 days a week, 1-3 hours each of those days depending on my schedule. I didn’t walk them today because the weather was AWFUL.

I don’t really have a choice though, with a border collie.