Interesting that Zydo has started doing the same as Evie at around the same time. Just thinking if there are any animals that would be leaving stronger scents at this time of year. I have noticed that the deer have been grazing in the fields adjoining ours over the past couple of weeks and Evie got caught up amongst 3 Roe deer at full pelt the other day so may be just their scent is sending her a bit crazy. Fox smells are strong at the moment too so maybe it is just a 'smelly' time of year. Have you always had Flatties and Munsters Trish or is Zydo your first Munster?
How is Summer doing Ali - can't be long now?

Interesting what you say about Evie being scent led. Zydo is ususally pretty good on recall - 8/10 straight to my heel on either calling, whistle or hand signal unless he picks up a scent of a bitch being walked in season (which is understandable). BUT.....mmmmmmmm...... in the last 1-2 weeks it's gone right out of the window! He'll suddenly stop what he's doing, sniff the air knowledgeably, stiffen and then just tank off. Doesn't matter what I do he'll only come back in his own time. Like Evie he's not food led, nor indeed toy, etc - purely nose led!!!!! He'll be 3 in June and I was foolishly thinking we'd turned the corner -how naive I was! My flattie had other issues (?!) but he never had this incredible drive when he picked up a scent. I'm having to try and read the signals and put him back on his lead before he takes off, then allowing him off the lead but walking to heel and then off completely. Mind you, he's so fixated that even after that he'll suddely turn around and vanish following the original scent even if we've gone some way. I hope it settles down again as walks are not nearly so enjoyable and I much prefer it if he's off the lead enjoying himself.

Thanks Karen. Maggie sounds like she had the same drive as Evie does now. I guess perseverance is the answer. I know in the book the Dog Listener it reinforces the need to be calm and in control at all times - not easy when your dog decides to run in the opposite direction at 100mph with that look of defiance in her face and doesn't come back for 45 minutes. I think I will have to write the sequel to 'Marley and Me' and call it 'Evie and Me' - should make amusing reading!

IZZY

Hi

Just a quick video and photo taken yesterday.

Elsa had her stitches out this morning and after 10 days of lead walking only it was heaven taking her out this afternoon. She had begun to sit and look at me after her walk on the lead as if to say when are we going out properly! She went loopy this afternoon non stop running and looked so happy. The vet said it had healed well so all in all everything went well and I'm glad its done and over with. My arms might get back to normal length now!

I think training is an ongoing thing with Munsters. I'm trying to remember if Maggie went backwards in her training at this age and I think yes she probably did. She seemed to have good and bad days though depending on how she felt that morning - I could never understand how one day her recall was perfect so much so that I often gloated about it only to find the next day she would totally ignore me again. Food never worked for Maggie either, still doesn't. Sandra gave me this advice when I was having problems with Maggie's recall, like you asked for help on a forum and I've been grateful ever since! I think you have to find out what Evie most likes and then use it for her training. With Maggie it's a ball, I think Elspeth with Ceilidh uses a frisbie. Maggie only gets a ball now when I'm in charge of it. She doesn't get it at home just to play with. By taking it away from her I made it even more special and she now will do anything (almost) if there is a chance of a chuck of the ball. At the moment her favourite is a ball on a rope and I give it to her at the beginning of the walk and she carries it the whole way. Sometimes she gets a throw sometimes she doesn't but if she has it in her mouth she is happier and calmer and if there are deer ahead she is not so bothered with this in her mouth. I never used to give it to her to carry - this is a new thing - it used to stay in my pocket but I was having a problem with barking at the start of a walk and I couldn't stop it. By giving her the ball at the start of the walk she is totally quiet and so much calmer that I solve two problems at once! This is probably cheating a bit - I'm sure there are many more that have succeeded in training their munster's to recall without having to resort to a bribe. But for me it works, she's happy and I'm happy. With Elsa she will come back for a tiny morsel of food, her stomach rules her head)lol

Lovely recall Sandra - it's great to see them charging back like that when you call them.

In everyones experiences are Munsterlanders a breed that have a relapse in training and maturity at the 18 month stage. I have heard that it is common for some of the setter breeds to go a bit hay wire at this age but what about Munsters?
I only ask because over the last week Evie has become very defiant She looks at me when I call or whistle her then disappears at top speed in the other direction. She has escaped out of our field twice this week and ran around the adjoining fields only coming back when she decided she had finished not when I called her. She totally ignores me on walks so much so that for her safety and so she can not get in to any trouble with Farmers or Gamekeepers I am now having to use a tracking lead on her when we are out. She did seem to be doing well despite her incredible hunting instinct and drive but has suddenly gone a bit scent crazy. I am going to do some field training in the Spring so I am hoping this will put us both on the right track again in the meanwhile any advice will be gratefully recieved!!!!!!How do I get her to choose me over all the exciting things out there? Food does not motivate her when she is 'in the zone' as she is too fired up to eat. She loves to play ball but this does not entice her either.
This is quite new to me as my Flat Coats have never been scent driven like Evie - I guess that is the biggest difference with a HPR to other gundogs. Any help please!!!!

Happy Birthday To Maggie, and all your siblings.

3yrs old, that has really gone so fast, hope you all had a lovely day and have been thoroughly spoilt.

Hope Dodger is feeling better, I expect he has eaten something he shouldn't.

Did a little video today out on our walk, of Narla and Dee Dee coming back to the whistle.

Nice to see Milo and Merlin enjoying themselves on the beach, and Milo getting his feet wet at last.

Merlin & Milo having fun

Hi all

Some latest snaps of my boys taken down on the beach. Milo (Fulaluv Aristocrat) does not like getting his feet wet or muddy(yet!) so to see him running around with his toes in the water was progress!. Merlin of course, is like any typical Munster - the wetter the better. The other photo is of Merlin in the lounge watching his ball, in the fervant hope that it will be thrown once more!

Happy birthday Maggie

Hope Maggie had a lovely birthday - it's amazing how time flies.

Dodger bless him more liqui-poo this morning so the only thing I had in was rice and some chicken so Sandra thank you I'm giving that a go - then tesco later for value fish fingers and mash so I have them on standby for the future.

Also phoned and chatted to our veterinary nurse and she says now to fast him for 12 hours, then more rice and chicken and see how he is over night, then if he's still having problems to pop him down to them to check his temperature etc. It's a little easier for Dodger to have his temp taken now as we were lucky to have a new brand of chip which when scanned takes his temp at the same time - so no thermometer to contend with.

Got to take up all of his rawhide type chews and no treats - he's going to be very confused for the next few hours bless him. Although he's sleeping cuddled up in his crate at the moment on a towel and his vet bed from when he was first home.

Our vet also said no exercise whilst he's not very well, except a small walk round the block if needed, although he should be fine just bounding around the garden.

Will keep you posted on how he is.

Yep I'm like that too in past couple of months I've had Keisha's, Jiggy and Majik's birthdays!!!!!

How bad am I - I forgot it was Maggie's Birthday yesterday - she was 3 so

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOR YESTERDAY MAGGIE

and to your sister Kaia and all your other siblings where ever they may be

I'll make it up to you today!

Theo was a bit like this as a puppy. He had chewed some carpet, pulled out a lot of the yarn and swallowed it. He vomited it up about three days later and was then OK.

Tummy Upset

I always have some value fish fingers in the freezer, the very cheap shop's own ones, at ASDA I think they are about 25p for ten, I cook them and then mix them in with Instant Mash made up with just water, again just value instant mash.
Feed that till the runny poohs stop and then gradually introduce normal food. A friend of mine used to work for Springer Spaniel Rescue, and it is what they used when they got a sick or starved dog into rescue, you can have them in handy for whenever you need them.

Chicken and Rice is also another food that is light for an upset tummy.

Hope everything clears up, but if you are at all worried or see any blood, or the puppy starts to be unwell get him to the vet immediately.

My daughter once ate the cheap fish fingers by mistake and she said they tasted fine, but I am a Birds Eye girl myself, the dogs seem to like the cheap ones though, they do smell quite fishy !!!

Upset tummy - your advice please

Hi all,

Sorry not the best subject but in need of some advice. For the last couple of days Dodger has had an upset tummy during the night - not sure why as we've changed nothing in his diet and as far as I'm aware he hasn't eaten anything he isn't supposed to. No stealing off the work surface etc.

He's eating normally, drinking lots of water and bounding around like his usual self. But during the night liquid poo in his bed.

Was thinking of taking him to the vet, but apart from the liqui-poo he's absolutely fine.

Any suggestions would be great.

Our dog sitter suggested scrambled egg or rice to help settle him tummy, but not sure if this is good for Munsters.

Hoping to find a solution so I don't have another morning of a poo covered puppy!

Show

Pauline I won't be at the Club Show, but you can either email me your address and I will post you a schedule out, or the contact details of the secretary for the show are on the LMC website.

It is snowing quite heavily again here, and seems to be sticking, I hope it is only a flurry and we don't get as much as last time.
We should have gone to Ringcraft on Monday but I had to miss that as I have had a tummy upset, and we should have gone to Obedience tonight, but as it is a way away I'm not going to chance it as it is likely to freeze tonight and the roads will be bad.

Hi Sandra
If you are going to the LMC on sunday could you please take me a schedule for the Goyt Valley show. We would like to go as it is not too far and im not working that day. Thanks Pauline Gill