Thought Zarley & Me would jump on the `Selfie` bandwagon!

December+Field+Tyre+Mud=Mucky dog!

Heres Zarley chillin with the Christmas present my niece Rachel bought for me.She buys me a GSD ornament every year!Need a bigger display cabinet now!
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Its been a long time since I posted about Zarley,but so far so good.Training going great.I think the key to training a good dog is consistency and patience.But hey...what do I know!
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Another few days away climbing hills,walking through woodland etc.Visited Rhaedr Waterfall which is stunning.Bit of a job to get to,but well worth it when you arrive.Zarley was in his element.

Just got back from a quiet break with Zarley in the Snowdonia National Park,Wales.Tons of forest walks,mountain climbs and days at the beach.Zarley was in his element.Yet again he was the perfect dog while away.Never barked once......just saved them up for when we got home!!!

Had a couple of days off work this week.Decided to take Zarley for a long walk and while we were out we came across a security dog handler and what looked like quite a young GSD.We kept a fair distance apart,and while I was training Zarley,I noticed the handler walking back and forth with his dog in the distance.He was trying to get his dog to walk to heel by correcting him quite severly with a choke chain.Now,I know that sometimes corrections are necessary.....but to me it seemed a bit harsh.He had come from kennels which were only a few hundred yards away,so I presume that the dog had not been exercised before training had started.In my opinion his dog was hyped up and needed a bit of his energy burnt off before proceeding with training.A dog which is tired will not be as stubborn.

Well Christmas is finally out the way!We came very close to getting a friend for Zarley.A lovely 8 month black and tan GSD girl,which was looking for a home.This time our heads ruled our hearts and decided after alot of thought that it would not be a good idea at the moment.Maybe in the future.

Training going well.Zarley now knows quite a few commands by using just hand signals.Palm up is sit...Palm down is down.....Point to right...heel.......Clentched fist.......bite and hold.....Two hands held out in front,palms facing each other...back.Now if only I could train him to bring me a beer from the fridge!Mmm!Now theres an idea!

Bit of a worry this weekBit of bad news this week..Zarley has had a stomach bug.Its been like a clip from the exocist!Stuff squirting out from both ends!!Two days of vomiting...two days of the runs...nice!Thought we could clear it up ourselves by giving him bland food,but that didnt work.Took him to the vets who gave him a shot,and so far its looking good. He wants to play all the time and is back to eating well.Fingers crossed!

Bought a caravan.....God I feel old!You know your getting old when buying a caravan seems like a perfectly normal thing to do.Forget the holidays in exotic places.....give me wet Wales in August anyday.We took Zarley to the Lake District,Cumbria for a few days.He loved it....we got wet.Stunning scenery and walks.The site we stayed on allowed dogs.Noticed a bit of discrimination against GSDs from other owners.One gentleman commented on how fantastically well behaved Zarley was,but most people avoided us like the plague!Some people are so ignorant about the breed.

Barbara and Zarley at Aira Force Waterfalls,Cumbria August 2011