IT’S Teddy the labrador’s second birthday and it’s hard to conceive what the house would feel like without him.
Our inquisitive black bundle of fun has matured into a 40kg Tigger-like high-energy presence: infinitely curious, hugely well meaning and still demonstrating a perversely independent streak at the most inopportune moments.
On the plus side, he still sleeps contentedly through the night in his den, has the gentlest of mouths and is, we are reassured by all who know him, a “sweet boy” who doesn’t appear to have a nasty bone in his body.
He’s never snarled in anger and will patiently let puppies clamber over him, children pet him and more boisterous friends nibble, pester or bounce all over him.
Despite a couple of unpleasant bites from jealous assailants before he was chemically castrated earlier in the year, he’s shown neither fear nor resentment towards grumpy or barky dogs, although it’s taken him time to learn how to take a more cautious approach towards unfamiliar canines and learn that not all human strangers want a huge black beast careering towards them at high speed determined to make their acquaintance.
There are a dozen things we should be grateful for: he doesn’t howl or bark, for example, or nip ankles, bite fingers or hump visitors’ legs.
He’s even learned not to stare beseechingly at us when we eat a meal and from a young age he’s known how to ring a bell by the door when he needs to go out for a wee or a poo.
But recall is still a challenge – despite our persistent efforts to encourage him not to race off to explore the nearest fascinating distraction, be it human or canine. From Day One, he’s demonstrated that boundless bouncy enthusiasm that labrador owners recognise only too well.
And while smaller cockapoos and poodles with their tiny paws and winning grins can perhaps get away with an audacious leap at a passing stranger, 40kg labradors cannot count on the patience and understanding of random passers-by.
Apart from the embarrassment factor, there are genuine safety risks involved when a large dog bounces at someone young or infirm, never mind smaller, older dogs with health problems.
To celebrate his birthday, we have finally graduated from his harness to a slip lead, and it’s been a heartwarming transition.
He never really approved of his smart blue body harness, but it played a crucial role in preventing him from pulling like a train on walks, the two-clip attachments limiting his capacity to yank you off your feet.
Likewise, the Halti headcollar was no silver bullet to the lead-pulling problem, but an invaluable part of the training process, particularly important with a powerful dog like Ted, who joined our family too late for those crucial initial puppy obedience classes.
Using a slip lead wasn’t possible when he was younger and would bolt like a greyhound out of a trap at any intriguing passer-by – and the prospect of neck or whiplash injuries was a serious deterrent.
But now that his loose-lead walking is so much better, the slip lead is a lot more practical: and it’s almost as if he’s proud of being trusted more. He certainly looks more excited at the prospect of a walk, and slipping it on and off is infinitely easier and less stressful than getting him into the harness.
But recall still isn’t guaranteed – and as one trainer pointed out, if you haven’t got 100% recall you haven’t got recall at all.
He’s undoubtedly making progress, though – and the number of successful stress-free off-lead outings has dramatically increased since he’s been able to use the slip lead.
Reliable canine role models are hard to come by but spending time off lead with a favourite friend is a perfect way to expend all that excess energy.
But of course the whole process is a learning curve, and back when tiny Teddy first arrived we might not have realised quite how long it would take to get to this stage.
We’re making good progress and even strangers in the park comment on how much calmer he has become since they first saw him.
Yes, there’s a long way still to go. But despite all the hard work, Teddy’s firmly part of the family now and we wouldn’t have it any other way, however long it takes to turn him into a model canine citizen.
The adorable little black bundle who snuffled into our lives eight months ago is now a solid and substantial 36kg teenager with massive paws and a big heart.
An inquisitive, well-meaning black shadow around the house who’s always keen to keep an eye on what we’re up to, Teddy is as affectionate as he is enthusiastic.
But while that’s a winning combination when he’s calmly posing for a stroke from an obliging passer-by, one-year-old labradors aren’t always so good at controlling their emotions.
MOMENT OF CALM: Teddy basks in the sunshine
The frantic tail-wagging joy of a family reunion can be heartwarming, of course. But those huge paws can do a lot of damage and keeping them all on the ground when meeting exciting strangers can be a challenge.
Off the lead, he has the speed of a racehorse and the sound of those thundering paws charging towards you in the gloaming would be totally unnerving for anyone unaware of his cheerful demeanour and ability to neatly sidestep human obstacles at the very last moment.
TURN OF SPEED: Teddy steps up the pace
That means training is still a top priority, especially when it comes to improving recall and damping down reactivity to other dogs.
He’s getting better all the time, though progress is not always linear and setbacks can be disheartening.
AND HE’S OFF: putting recall to the test
Without booking a training field, nowhere in the Chilterns is sufficiently remote to guarantee there will be no unexpected encounters with people, dogs or horses. And in those circumstances, recall has to be 100 per cent reliable to avoid potential disaster.
Yes, there have been plenty of tiny triumphs: of being able to ignore distractions, walk neatly past other families without lunging or jumping, and settle down more quickly around both friends and strangers.
ON THE RIGHT PATH: beside the Thames
But it’s a gradual learning curve and persistence, patience and consistency hold the key, we’re told.
For relaxed snuffles in the woods we’ll try to steer clear of other distractions.
But the desensitising process does mean exposing Teddy to more challenging environments too: busier, narrower footpaths with more obstacles, like those down by the Thames at Bourne End, along with cafes and pub gardens.
USEFUL LESSONS: Kokoni-cross rescue Yella
A major “win” sees Teddy behaving himself on market day in St Albans, even able to walk round Waterstones without mishap.
And a day out with Lucy Parks and rescue dog Yella is a chance for Teddy to learn a few lessons from an older, calmer animal and for me to pick up some tips from an owner who has written so eloquently about her own journey into dogparenting.
DOG’S LIFE: Lucy’s articles for The Beyonder
We’re not alone in our concerns about trying to get things right, of course. The dog forums online are full of worries and calls for advice about biting or barking, pulling or jumping – and an assorted range of other behaviours.
Logging on to a useful webinar about mental stimulation and enrichment, it’s a surpise to find hundreds of other owners looking in, all with their own specific concerns about their pets, which come in all shapes and sizes.
CHILLING OUT: Teddy takes it easy
Perhaps it’s indicative of the post-Covid generation that there are more older dogs who were not properly socialised during lockdown or who suffered anxiety when their owners had to go back to work.
Maybe we’ve also become more aware of our pets’ needs. But in the unregulated world of dog training, there’s a LOT of conflicting advice. And in online forums, the exchanges can get pretty heated about the competing merits or drawbacks of harnesses and head collars, slip leads or training lines.
CAFE SOCIETY: learning how to stay calm in company
Teddy is getting there slowly, we think. And hopefully he’s enjoying the process as much as we enjoy having him in our lives.
There’s still a long way to go, but practice makes perfect: and we have plenty of lessons to learn too about how to provide the perfect home environment for a contented pet.
THAT little black bundle of mischief which bounced into our home eight months ago is almost one year old, and it’s hard to believe quite what an impact he’s had on our lives.
I’m not sure any of the puppy books spell out quite clearly enough to first-time dog owners exactly how big the change will be on every aspect of their daily routine.
Even after a couple of years of researching and planning, there’s nothing that can fully prepare you for the bombshell that’s about to explode in your household when that new puppy arrives.
BOMBSHELL: Teddy approaches his first birthday
And it’s not just a brief novelty, of course. This new arrival is going to be part of the family for 10-15 years or more…which perhaps helps to explain the tragic upsurge in the number of unwanted pets needing to be rehomed since the pandemic.
For a long time work and travel commitments made it impossible for us to even consider owning a dog.
That still allowed plenty of time to pore over The Complete Dog Breed Book, weighing up the potential merits of different breeds and narrowing down a top three, any of which might be perfect match.
CAREFUL RESEARCH: comparing different breeds
We looked at gun dogs and terriers, hounds and crossbreeds, weighing up their various merits in terms of factors like cost, how much grooming and exercise they need and how well they respond to training.
We learned about breeds developed for their different skills and talents, from shepherding to guarding, hunting and retrieving.
We also thought long and hard about our own limitations: what size of pet could we cope with and afford, what habits would drive us mad? How much slobbering, yapping or moulting could we handle?
WEIGHING UP OPTIONS: what can you cope with?
With hindsight, none of that early research was wasted, and it seems incredible that people will make such a momentous decision on a whim, sometimes with tragic consequences for both dog and human.
We’ve spoken to otherwise sane people who have driven to another part of the country in response to an online advertisement, family in tow, and “fallen in love with” an adorable puppy on the spot, with zero preparation or planning.
But at the other extreme, we’ve heard of experienced dog owners finding it impossible to rehome a rescue dog because they own a cat or fail to meet one of the other required criteria of stringent home checks.
SOUND ADVICE: talk to breeders and other owners
Talking to breeders and existing owners helps, even if the advice can be contradictory at times. Round our way, almost everyone owns a dog, it seems: and seeing them all trotting neatly to heel may make you wonder just how hard it can be…
But then we also know from Graeme Hall’s Dogs Behaving Badly series just how nightmarish it can be to live with a dog that’s out of control, or whose barking, biting, jumping or pulling is causing major problems or posing a danger to others.
One Kennel Club study revealed that 10% of puppy owners said they bought their puppy on an impulse and 40% said they bought it because of the way it looked. Only one in 10 said they had actually checked that it actually suited their lifestyle.
PERFECT MATCH: which breed suits your lifestyle?
As the work schedule becomes more flexible, it’s time to take a trip to Discover Dogs, we decide, the Kennel Club’s get-together where it’s possible to get face to face with dozens of different dogs and their owners and find out more about the realities of owning a particular breed.
Very helpful it is too in narrowing down our favourites and eliminating the many impractical or less appealing options. We see pointers and wolfhounds, terriers and retrievers… We know we’re not looking for a lapdog and we don’t want a hulking brute that will be too challenging to train or aggressive with children.
During the days and weeks that follow the show, the final choice becomes a lot easier. Much as we love the glorious colours of the Great Swiss Mountain Dog and the elegance of flat-haired retrievers, the black lab is winning out.
FINAL CHOICE: labradors remain consistently popular
It’s not surprising that labrador retrievers have consistently been one of the most popular breeds in the country for decades: affectionate and lovable, they are lively and sociable, in many ways the perfect family pet.
But they can also be greedy and boisterous, destructive if left alone and very powerful. They are strong, active dogs that need daily exercise and obedience training, and can suffer from some scary hereditary diseases.
Is it really a viable choice in a household where one partner is suffering from long Covid and struggling to cope with many daily tasks?
BOISTEROUS: labradors are full of energy
Fully health-tested pedigree pups are also expensive, and older part-trained dogs even more so.
A much older pet could be a calmer option, but it’s hard to be sure about health problems in advance, and insurers won’t help if there’s a pre-existing condition you discover after you’ve made the commitment.
Despite all the qualms, when Dog Day finally arrives, the choice is simple, as I explained back in December.
BUNDLE OF MISCHIEF: Teddy at four months
But while Teddy is old enough to sleep through the night, the impact on our lives is immediate. Regular short walks, in all weathers, for a start. At dawn and dusk in the depths of winter, it’s not always a delight. And the house seems to be permanently covered in mud for what seems like an eternity, as the wet weather drags on into the New Year.
We were prepared for the walks, of course. But in much the same way that new parents ask incredulously why no one warned them about the lack of sleep and constant 121 attention they were about to encounter, we’re looking at all those well behaved dogs in the park wondering how on earth everyone has managed to effortlessly train such docile obedient souls.
SMALL WONDER: growing up fast
The “cute puppy” period seems ridiculously short. Before we know it, Teddy’s twice the size and a truculent teenager. Still bouncy, curious and often adorable, but also stubborn, strong and keen to do things his way, with the accompanying boisterous bad habits we need to train him out of.
Of course like all proud dogparents we wouldn’t have it any other way. But as this hectic ball of energy approaches his first birthday, we’re not out of the woods yet when it comes to his training.
Give it time, it’s like a lightbulb being switched on, say some lab owners encouragingly. He’ll be calmer when he’s neutered, others advise sagely.
But we’re not trying to wish those precious months away. At the other end of the life cycle my sister and brother-in-law are mourning the loss of their faithful loving spaniel Megan after almost 16 years.
MUCH MISSED: Megan the spaniel
And an uncle writes from Scotland recalling another lost friend: “We sometimes still think she is here, stepping over her non-existent water bowl in the dark corner of the kitchen or imagining a dark shadow is her lying in your path. They have a hold on you long after they are gone.”
Well, whatever the future holds, Teddy’s here to stay. We have a long way to go and we’re learning all the time, but he’s part of the family now and we just hope he understands how firmly he’s managed to worm his way into our hearts.
NOTHING in life is as simple and pure as a dog’s love, they say.
Whether we deserve such unconditional affection is another matter.
SETTLING IN: Teddy at ten months
And it may be hard to know what “love” actually means to man’s best friend. What does the cheery wag of a tail actually convey?
We think Teddy is looking a whole lot more relaxed these days after those initial weeks when he was just a puppy, freshly arrived in yet another new home, the fourth of his short life.
CHILLED OUT: exploring the neighbourhood
Six months on, he sleeps through the night, seems to relish the peaceful gloom of his crate and appears to find it easy to relax around the house, knowing there are quiet times of the day when he is not the centre of attention.
His bladder control has improved dramatically and he’ll no longer wake desperate for that early morning wee.
OUT AND ABOUT: sniffing out new scents
But when he does need to go, he knows how to ring a bell to go out and has learned to distinguish the need to answer a call of nature from a walk that’s purely for pleasure…
That big smile of his seems broader and appears more frequently. Reunions involve a lot of enthusiastic licks and tail wagging, of flopping over for a tummy rub. And he’s more likely to cheerfully try to sit on your lap while chewing a toy, despite the fact that at 35kg he’s a little too large and clumsy to be a lapdog.
BIG SMILE: relaxing in the long grass
Never as obsessively motivated by food as many of his ilk, it’s still predictably hard to discourage him from begging at meal times. And he’s never been one of those dogs who gets obsessively excited at the mere prospect of a walk, much as he appears to love such outings.
But certainly for us, the bond is growing as we get to find out more about his personality and gradually get to grips with the more boisterous and worrying aspects of his teenage behaviour.
LIGHTS IN THE SKY: the aurora borealis
The list of shared experiences is growing too – of night walks in the woods, of the chance to see the Northern Lights over Chalfont St Giles, explore another section of the Chiltern Way or savour a glorious sunset while he snuffles about in the undergrowth.
EVENING CLOUDS: dusk falls in Chalfont St Giles
Dawn and dusk are favourite times of the day for a chilled-out wander, and after the bluebells of April, May is the month when woodland paths are awash with ferns, foxgloves and rhododendrons, joyful purple splashes amid those rich, glorious greens.
PUTTING ON A SHOW: rhododendrons in full bloom
After all the grime and mud of earlier in the year, at last the sun is out and the woods are warm, echoing to the sound of birdsong and the buzzing of insects.
WOODLAND SHADOWS: sun shines through the trees
Leisurely rambles are punctuated by the whistle of a red kite, the bark of a muntjac or the high-pitched “kee-wick” of the female tawny owl as dusk falls.
GLORIOUS VIEWS: the countryside comes to life in June
As May turns to June the shorts are dusted off, the rambles become a little longer as the Chilterns countryside really comes to life.
Skirting those big old houses with their gorgeous gardens, footpaths lead off through ripening wheat fields to grassy meadows and dark woodland groves.
ON THE RIGHT PATH: heading to the woods
Horses munch languidly in the fields or wander over to take a curious look over the fence as we pass.
Foxes and rabbits scamper across adjoining fields, but Teddy still has problems spotting any of the local wildlife, so immersed is he in the intriguing scents he is following.
At this age, every walk is still a training walk, of course, so there’s less time to focus on the views or local flora when there are lessons to be learned.
FOREST SCHOOL: every walk can be a training lesson
Plus boisterous Ted is still too prone to suddenly bolt off in an excited bound at the sight of a pigeon for you to safely take your eye off his movements for too long. Get distracted at your peril…
Nonetheless, for all the hard work of trying to get a lively young labrador to walk to heel, these evening walks are helpful bonding sessions, I hope, and leave us all suitably tired at the end of the day.
When Ted flops down for an evening nap before heading to bed, it feels as if the training is playing dividends, and the contented bedtime snuffles and reassuring tail wags tell us that he really is beginning to feel like one of the family.
“HAVING a dog can really transform how you think about the place where you live,” writes Melissa Harrison in The Stubborn Light of Things.
FRESH PERSPECTIVE: on the Chiltern Way at Coleshill
I suppose that even back in those days when we were still only daydreaming about owning a dog, we were aware of the truth of that statement.
We would wander familiar paths across the Chilterns bumping into countless dog owners along the way, wondering quite what it might feel like to have one of our own to accompany us on our rambles.
But with no specific animal or even breed to actively visualise, such musings lacked shape and form.
FAMILIAR PATH: the Chiltern Way at Hodgemoor
When Teddy arrived, one of the most exciting prospects was being able to have a much more concrete idea of how it would feel to be able to embark on such adventures when he was old enough to take exploring.
Since then, it’s been a delight to see his response to different walks – once we know he can be trusted not to overreact to the people, pets and wildlife he might meet along the way.
LONG LINE: Egypt Woods
Our own little nature reserve and adjoining Wooburn Park was a great starting point, of course, popular with local dog owners and on the doorstep for those first outings.
ON THE DOORSTEP: cygnets in the nature reserve
It’s ideal for peaceful early morning and late-night wanders though, or in filthy weather when most people are indoors, but this is a place that’s full of exciting distractions at peak times – perfect for some long-line training as he gets older, perhaps, but not somewhere he can yet be trusted off the lead during the day.
FIRM FAVOURITE: Wooburn Park
Exploring further afield has been fun, even it won’t be genuinely relaxing until he is old enough to be fully trusted. But as the weather starts to improve, there are plenty of memorable new experiences to savour.
His first trip to the seaside, for example, takes us on a rain-soaked visit to Avon Beach at Christchurch before it closes to dogs in the summer months.
WET PAWS: on the beach at Christchurch
Nice to get those paws in the water, yes – but he’ll need to calm down a lot before he can be trusted to potter about on the beach without jumping all over a stranger.
FUN IN THE RAIN: Avon Beach
Likewise in all our favourite spots, from the quietest corners of Hodgemoor, Penn and Burnham Beeches to the network of footpaths that criss-cross our corner of the Chilterns.
LOCAL HAUNT: wet weather in Hodgemoor Woods
It’s wonderful to see him discovering new sniffs to explore, and for now the emphasis is on encouraging that recall that will allow more chilled-out loose-lead walking in the future.
It’s a stop-start process as those hormones kick in. One day he’ll leap cheerfully into the car, the next he’ll pause to reconsider his options. Or flump like a dead weight in the grass refusing to budge.
SPRING IN THE AIR: among the flowers at Coleshill
But as the bluebells spring up around the woods and the weather improves, there’s no shortage of old haunts to rediscover – and there have been some major triumphs too.
APRIL COLOUR: bluebells in Hodgemoor Woods
He’s joined us on our first short holiday away from home, inquisitively snuffling around the unfamiliar Yorkshire landscape and cheerfully nestling down to sleep the night in a guest crate in front of the dying embers of a log fire.
CHANGE OF SCENE: holidaying in the Yorkshire Dales
If the sheep-dotted fields smell different from the ones at home, Ted’s not giving anything away. But then our boisterous friend is not the most observant of puppies. When a curious sheep comes to look at him through a gap in the nearby wall, Teddy is oblivious.
OPEN OUTLOOK: the bleating of sheep fills the morning air
And it’s no different back home. Squirrels and deer go unnoticed. Rabbits might as well stick their tongues out at him as they bounce around in his wake…
He’s been introduced to pigs, horses and cows but reactions have varied. He’s unsure what to make of those friendly snuffling pigs. He’s managed to walk past horses quite closely without getting too excited but couldn’t contain himself when some curious young calves wanted to chat through a gate.
LEARNING THE ROPES: en route to Winchmore Hill
For the most part, though, he’s blissfully unaware of the wildlife criss-crossing his path while his head is stuck in the nearest bush. We wonder whether this mystery puzzles him. Those scent receptors are so sensitive and must tell stories of a hundred mystery animals he’s never actually seen. But then perhaps it’s a blessing that he’s not shooting off into the undergrowth on the heels of every passing squirrel or bunny.
Sometimes it’s hard to measure progress in a linear way. Two steps forward, one step back. But it’s easy to overlook those little triumphs that reveal our rebellious teenager is genuinely making progress.
On a good day when that little face looks adoringly up at you as you approach the house, or when he actually does sit down at the kerb before crossing the road, there’s cause for optimism.
FEED ME: cupboard love at the dining table
But then there’s a suspicious looking pigeon crossing the path and he bolts like a greyhound, wrenching the lead and almost dislocating fingers or shoulder…frustrating.
And yet, for all the setbacks, we’re not back at Square One. As the labrador forums remind us, persistence and consistency will pay off. Well, that’s the theory anyway…
LIKE many teenagers, Teddy finds the world can be a pretty confusing place.
All that testosterone, for example, and other dramatic hormonal changes.
No more of that delicate squatting for a neat and orderly pee. Suddenly, there’s obsessive free-form leg-cocking on every bush and tree trunk in the park.
But just when you want to test the boundaries, get more independence and explore the world, everyone seems determined to cramp your style.
TESTING TIMES: Teddy the teenager
Mum and Dad seem determined to get you to walk to heel, older dogs are looking distinctly unimpressed at the idea of playing games and many of the male dogs you bump into appear suspicious, grumpy or actively aggressive.
For owners too this can be a confusing time, we’re told. After making it through all the toilet training and puppy biting, suddenly that cute little bundle of fluff has turned into a rebel.
The vets and dog trainers are great at warning what to expect, but it’s still a difficult time for owners when it seems as if their pride and joy has forgotten a lot of their training and developed an insolent streak.
Typically, it’s a time of increased independence, curiosity and social desires. Thankfully, Teddy is a super-sociable soul with no hint of aggression, even when those pesky other dogs start to bark and yap at him.
LOST IN THOUGHT: chewing a stick at Burnham Beeches
Sleek, glossy and big for his age, on a quiet day he’ll potter about in the undergrowth like a contented manatee, those sensitive scent receptors working overtime.
But he’s definitely keen to explore and a little too excited about meeting everyone. His recall can be great when he’s off the lead in remote places with few distractions. But he can’t be trusted in a busy park, especially with an interesting female around.
TASTE OF FREEDOM: off the lead in the woods
The experts say it’s all completely normal, a result of those dramatic hormonal changes and a reorganization of the brain, when all the early lessons seem to have been forgotten and the lead pulling, jumping and other anti-social acts seem to reflect a general lack of obedience and selective deafness when it comes to once-familiar commands.
SELECTIVE HEARING: recall can be unpredictable
Teddy knows how to sit, stay, settle down and search, but suddenly seems reluctant to do anything so compliant when required.
And as long as there’s a risk of him jumping up on a stranger, small child or vulnerable older dog, he needs to be under strict control whenever such hazards are around.
At 34kg, he’s just too big and boisterous: and these are situations he needs to become comfortable with, without using harsh training techniques or exposing him to bad experiences that could stay with him for life.
Gwen Bailey and other authors and trainers are reassuring: “Feelings of failure are normal, but remember that this phase will pass and you will both emerge on the other side older and wiser.”
Here’s hoping. In the meantime, using a long line has been one useful technique for practising recall, though using it without getting tangled in it is a feat in itself, and sometimes he’s more interested in chewing the line than focusing on the task in hand.
USEFUL LESSONS: on the training line
Like most owners we’ve had our fair share of embarrassing encounters and anxiety-inducing moments, when our pride and joy has wanted to jump all over a stranger or has suddenly chased off into the distance, distracted by a passing spaniel or friendly looking cockapoo.
LEARNING THE ROPES: practising recall
But if there are times we despair about him ever becoming that well-mannered model citizen who sticks to your side like glue whatever happens around them, there are plenty of small daily victories to remind us this is very much a journey, and that success doesn’t come overnight.
When things do go well, it can be easy to forget them, even on those occasion when they feel momentous, like the first perfect loose-lead saunter round the park or the times when Teddy makes the “right” choice to lie down and snuffle in the grass rather than jumping all over our neighbours.
TEMPTING TREAT: even teenagers need to eat
Just lately there have been more of those moments when we’ve had that warm glow that we might finally be making progress: like his first visit to an indoor cafe where he lay down contentedly despite the presence of other dogs at the table.
Of course there are those other times too, when Teddy flumps on the grass with a stick and refuses to move or where a moment’s inattention means you fail to realise he’s just taken off at 70mph in the direction of an unwary pigeon.
But at puppy class there are smiles all round when Teddy demonstrates he can be calm and contented rather than straining at the leash, even when fun small dogs are quite close by.
PAWS FOR THOUGHT: a peaceful moment
And when he’s snoozing at your feet or gazing at your with those wonderfully expressive gorilla-like brown eyes, there’s no hiding the fact of just how dramatically he’s wormed his way into our hearts in four short months.
Other labrador owners are perhaps the most reassuring, even if their messages are mixed. “Oh, he’s gorgeous,” they coo. “Such a handsome boy!”
LIVE WIRE: Teddy pauses for thought
And as Teddy leaps and jumps with excitement at the attention, that slight pause when they reflect back over the years. “And so lively too,” they add. “Don’t worry, he’ll be calmer when he’s two.”
ADOLESCENCE. At seven months and 30kg, our little black shadow has doubled in size and become something of a force of nature.
GROWING UP FAST: Teddy at seven months
Big, boisterous and overly friendly, there’s nothing subtle about our Ted.
As curious as he is clumsy, his furry snoot is quick to nose into everyone’s business, intrigued to find out what’s happening.
A sweet-natured soul, like most puppies he’s very excited about life. But he’s also at the age where leaping up on an unfamiliar child or older person could do serious damage, so training has been a top priority for several weeks now.
The trouble is, now that he’s a fully fledged leg-cocking teenager, he’s too old and over-exuberant for basic puppy socialisation classes and hasn’t completed the foundation course fundamentals that would normally secure him a place on “bronze”-level courses.
DIFFICULT AGE: exploring Penn Woods
There’s no shortage of training courses, it seems, but finding the right one in the right place at the right time has been harder.
Thankfully, Teddy’s been a quick learner and has been picking up a lot of the basic skills that would prepare him for a more formal training environment.
SITTING PRETTY: mastering the basics
The great news is that he’s sleeping through the night and seems to relish the comfort and peace of his crate.
Those early whimperings that were such a worry in the first few days have become a distant memory, and he seems properly settled in now, an intrinsic part of the family after the disruption of those early days before we found him.
SETTLING IN: Teddy feels more at home
He’s been out and about exploring the local woods too, though until we can be 100% sure of his immediate recall, it’s hard to find spots sufficiently remote to be confident about letting him off the lead.
STANDING PROUD: scaling the heights at Black Park
Being a labrador, he loves the water (the muckier the better, of course) and he’s predictably hungry, though perhaps not as singlemindedly food-motivated as some of his breed.
Which all means our sleek, shiny, bouncy boy is great company but needs to learn a few lessons about manners, over-excitement and how to cope with overwhelming distractions like squirrels, strangers and any other dogs he encounters.
FOREST SCHOOL: learning outdoors
He can sit, stay, lie down and walk to heel in short bursts when there are no such distractions: especially early in the day or later at night when other dogs are not around.
OFF THE LEAD: practising recall at Littleworth Common
But a favourite pastime when off the leash is to race at high speed past you while carrying leg-smashingly huge sticks, so he can’t be trusted if anyone vulnerable is around.
BIG IS BEAUTIFUL: stick carrying is a favourite pastime
A double-ended smart new training lead and harness has been partially effective in curbing the worst of the pulling, and scatter-feeding can be a helpful distraction on occasions too, but there’s no doubting that Ted can be high-octane company.
MUDDY FUN: getting messy at Penn Wood
There are times, too, when it’s easy to believe from the look in those expressive brown eyes that he’s quite deliberately setting out to wind you up. That insolent side-glance when he slips onto the sofa and stubbornly refuses to get off, for example.
But I rather like Susan Garrett’s belief in the mantra that our dogs are doing the best they can with the education we have given them, in the environment we’ve asked them to perform in.
THE EYES HAVE IT: testing boundaries
In other words, if they’re not doing what we want them to do, it’s probably not because they are being deliberately fickle but because we haven’t trained them properly, or are expecting too much of them in the situation we’ve put them in.
Time to get that training programme sorted, then. Watch this space. It’s a steep learning curve for us as much as him….
When we first saw Teddy as a cute puppy, they looked wholly out of proportion with his body, like huge clown shoes.
Now, at six months’ old, our black labrador is twice the size he was when he came into our home two months ago, and still fleshing out fast.
GROWING UP FAST: Teddy at six months
He’s almost grown out of his smart new harness and the broken remains of a 30kg extendable lead are an indication of his pulling power, which means getting to grips with his recall training as a matter of urgency. Having an exhuberant 26kg puppy jumping up at strangers is no laughing matter.
SHOW OF STRENGTH: the broken extendable lead
The weather hasn’t helped, though. Footpaths are flooded, the woods are awash with muddy puddles and, fun though that undoubtedly is for a young labrador, it makes every outing just a little more challenging.
WET PAWS: footpaths are flooded
On the plus side, Teddy is sleeping through the night and his needle-sharp puppy teeth have given way to slightly less painful adult ones. Although he does try to be gentle, like all puppies he loves to chew.
That means no slippers, shoes or socks are safe and a couple of old fluffy friends have met with an unfortunate early demise.
FATAL INJURIES: Mr Sloth was loved too much
Mr Sloth was a constant early companion whose stuffing soon began to leak. Duck was very much loved but rapidly eviscerated, his squeaker rescued in time from being swallowed. Time to look out for some indestructible playmates, it would seem.
But what’s the secret of getting Teddy to become a model citizen? We’re surrounded by excellent puppy books, some first-class online resources and the advice of friends, experienced owners and breeders….but there are still plenty of contradictions.
But Teddy is already a little old for those early puppy classes and we need to see whether he can behave well enough to join an intermediate class.
Online, we love the straight talking and laidback approach of professional dog trainer Stonnie Dennis in Kentucky and the commonsense compassion of Canadian dog agility training and animal behaviour expert Susan Garrett.
Taken together, this pair of experienced podcasters don’t just have a huge following but also an immense amount of expertise to share, as well as absolute commitment to creating better lives for dogs and their owners.
Most importantly, they and other trainers committed to positively enriching dogs’ lives believe dogs will always do the best they can with the training we give them and the environment we expect them to perform in – which means that if they’re not doing what we want them to do, it’s our fault rather than theirs.
This can be a pretty important revelation to anyone convinced their beloved pet is being deliberately disobedient or who stumbles across trainers using old-fashioned methods based around correction and punishment.
These days we have the scientifiic evidence to show that positive reinforcement training not only works, but is much more beneficial to dogs’ health and wellbeing, as well as their bond with their owners.
POSITIVE THINKING: Teddy tackles some new challenges
Establishing that level of engagement doesn’t happen overnight, though. And for those of us new to the dog training game, there are bound to be setbacks as we battle to fully understand our canine companions.
For Susan Garrett, the answer lies in game-based training grounded in the science of animal behaviour. For Stonnie Daniels, it’s all about helping dogs reach their full potential through the use of physically and mentally demanding activities.
BEST BEHAVIOUR: Teddy in training mode
Whatever the precise formula, the goal is to raise happy, healthy and well socialised canine companions who can be much-loved family members.
Our new arrival has already won a place in our hearts. But we owe it to him to help him be that model citizen too, for everyone’s peace of mind.
IT’S 6am and the park, unsurprisingly, is deserted.
It’s bitterly cold, with frost on the grass and steam rising from the river. But a small black shadow beside me is snuffling along quite contentedly, eager to discover just who’s wandered this way before.
It’s a route we’ve already explored a lot, in all kinds of weather conditions and at all times of day and night, but it takes a crisp, sunny morning before we’re actually able to photograph the lively, excited ball at our feet.
NEW ARRIVAL: Teddy the black lab
Meet Teddy, a four-month-old black labrador who has already seen a lot of upheaval in his young life, but who arrived a few days ago to join our small family.
For us, it’s the culmination of two years of searching and researching, of considering different breeds, of watching training videos, speaking to breeders and reading puppy books. And now he’s actually here, our world’s been turned upside down overnight.
FRESH START: Teddy arrives in the Chilterns
For Teddy, the change is probably just as dramatic. The fact he has already seen a couple of other households since leaving his mum and siblings is no fault of his own, but down to unfortunate changes in personal circumstances affecting the humans in his life.
As we research his birth, vaccinations and back story, we meet a succession of people who are full of praise for our four-legged arrival. The only black lab in a litter of 11, he’s learned some basic commands, is good with children and seems lively and intelligent.
WINNING WAYS: Teddy knows how to make friends
He’s also teething, curious and boisterous in the way that black labs are. Already he’s won our hearts and he is trying SO hard to please – but we know it’s going to be a steep learning curve for us all.
The vet’s pronounced him fit and healthy and friends and family have been helpful with their top tips and sound advice.
MOMENT OF PEACE: learning how to chill out
But however many books you read, first-time owners are never fully equipped to know how to tackle every new challenge that arises – or how to cope with the sudden and overwhelming imposition on your daily routine (and interruptions to your sleep patterns!).
Not-so-tiny Teddy weighs more than 13kg and has big paws and a healthy appetite. He’s had three names and this is his fourth home in as many months, so it’s not surprising if he has found life a little confusing up to now. Mercifully, he seems relatively unfazed: biddable, eager and affectionate, he wins friends easily.
LIVEWIRE: puppies are eager for attention
Best of all, everyone is happy to help. From neighbours and family members with multiple dogs to kindly shop assistants and strangers in the park, there’s a lot of expertise to draw on.
Everyone makes it look so easy, with their polite and respectful packs trotting so neatly around them and responding with alacrity to clickers, calls and whistles. But re-reading old friend and colleague Lucy Parks’ experiences with her rescue dog Yella has been useful too, and a timely reminder of the rollercoaster journey that lies ahead.
Back in the park on our 6am foray I belatedly remember that it’s my birthday. Now in my mid-60s, I’ve only owned cats in the past and despite all the videos still feel I know little about how to train Teddy to become the trusted, loving, loyal and obedient adult companion I know he can be.
But I also know just how many lessons dogs can teach to us humans too, not least about mindfulness, zest for life, grattitude and unconditional love.
BEST BEHAVIOUR: perfecting the sit command
“Dogs are our link to paradise,” said author Milan Kundera. Or as author Orhan Pamuk put it: “Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.”
It looks as if we all have a lot of learn. And as those affectionate eyes look up at me and we start heading homewards to the warmth and breakfast, I’m determined not to let the little fellow down. Here’s hoping he really can help to teach an old dog new tricks.
ROUND our way it sometimes seems as if everyone has a dog.
Little and large, fluffy and hectic or aloof and unflustered, they come in all shapes and sizes, from purebred aristocrats with a proud pedigree to scruffy scoundrels rescued from the streets.
BEST FOOT FORWARD: loyal companions PICTURE: Lucy Parks
But whatever their size, breed and provenance, we love them just as they are, taking them into our hearts and our families in their millions as part of an extraordinary symbiotic relationship where it can be hard to tell who needs the other more.
Dogs and people have lived together for thousands of years, and we have bred different breeds to hunt and to guard us, to herd sheep, retrieve game and just keep us company.
Domestic dogs may share 99% of their DNA with wolves, but they are social pack animals which thrive on attention and affection, helping them to win our love and admiration for their skills, intelligence and character.
FURRY FRIEND: dogs win our love and admiration PICTURE: Olivia Knight
They may need us to survive but it seems that we need them just as much: our most loyal and faithful companions cock a listening ear to our worries, give us a paw to hold and an unconditional love that sometimes borders on obsession.
Mind you, it’s an obsession that is mutual. Britain boasts a canine population of more than nine million, with more than 200 breeds to choose from.
Joyce Campbell, the Armadale farmer whose squad of collies were a hit with viewers of This Farming Life, said: “We really are a nation of dog lovers – my team of dogs have also been inundated with fan mail. We have genuinely all been blown away with everyone’s kindness.”
FAN MAIL: the dogs from This Farming Life PICTURE: Joyce Campbell
That’s why we’re setting out to meet some of the best-loved dogs in the Chilterns, and asking you to send us your pictures of them out and about enjoying our wonderful countryside.
As well as sharing your shots on our Twitter and Instagram feeds, we’re keen to hear your own stories about the impact and importance of four-legged friends in your life.
Most dog owners will tell you that their dog is a family member – and for many, dog ownership has proved a life-changing experience.
CHILTERN ADVENTURES: rescue dog Yella PICTURE: Lucy Parks
Lucy Parks has written in detail about her adventures with Cypriot rescue dog Yella as the four-legged arrival adjusted to a new life in the Chiltern Hills.
“She was my first ever dog, although I’d wanted one for ever,” says Lucy. “I finally got her aged 50 and she’s totally changed my life!
“Yella has got me out into the local countryside exploring new places and has introduced me to the dog-owning community in Amersham. I’ve got new friends as a result, as has Yella, and we know far more about the area we live in.”
FRESH PERSPECTIVE: Yella explores her new home PICTURE: Lucy Parks
From beagles to greyhounds, lapdogs to St Bernards, each breed has its own ardent fans, and although dog attacks have contributed to some chilling headlines in recent weeks, millions of responsible owners know how crucial it is to spend time training their pet to ensure that wagging tails and stress-free greetings help to put strangers at their ease.
The rewards are huge. No animal can surpass dogs for their devotion and intelligence, and it’s that unwavering loyalty and pure delight in our company that wins us over so readily. We know that our furry companions accept us for who we are, flaws and all, without reserve or judgement.
For Beyonder photographer Sue Craigs Erwin, energetic sprocker spaniel Ted has been at her side for the past six years.
BEST OF FRIENDS: Sue and Ted at Coombe Hill PICTURE: Sue Craigs Erwin
“He has given me a reason to go out walking again after losing my husband six years ago,” she says. “I have become more aware of our beautiful surroundings. I always take my camera with me, capturing the day’s walk and sharing the beauty of the wildlife and changing seasons with my Facebook friends.
“We have recently made friends with a beautiful little robin in the woods. Ted now runs ahead of me and searches him out before I get there. I can’t resist a few shots of the friendly little chap everyday.
“It’s so therapeutic to be walking in the fresh air whatever the weather. Dogs are just the best company.”
GOOD COMPANY: Ted among the bluebells PICTURE: Sue Craigs Erwin
Sue isn’t alone in appreciating Ted’s constant companionship. In a fast-paced world where human connections sometimes feel fleeting or even confrontational, dogs offer us vital emotional support, helping to reduce stress, anxiety and loneliness.
Says Jennifer Wynn, proud owner of a Great Swiss mountain dog: “Fearne is more than just a companion for exploring the beautiful Chilterns.
“She’s a friend for both of my teenage children, one of whom is autistic and the other is awaiting assessment. She listens without judging, loves no matter what and gives 50kg cuddles!”
Dogs have been our friends and protectors for centuries, and although they have transitioned from being primarily working animals to cherished family members, today they perhaps bring more joy and comfort than ever.
BIG HUGS: Great Swiss mountain dog Fearne PICTURE: Jennifer Wynn
They teach us responsibility and help youngsters learn the importance of kindness, while formidable sheepdogs and astonishing therapy dogs startle us with their skill, sensitivity and ability to perform complex tasks.
Of course, the individual breed we favour will vary according to our own preferences and lifestyles. Do we want a snuggly cockapoo happy to flop around the house like a supersoft chenille throw, or a livewire collie who’s panting to head for the hills every morning?
Do we need a miniature dachsund getting under our feet or an Irish wolfhound or Great Swiss mountain dog edging our guests off the sofa?
SITTING PRETTY: Fearne at home PICTURE: Jennifer Wynn
It’s all very personal, as author Patrick Gale writes in The Returns Home, a chapter of Duncan Minshull’s 2022 collection of walking stories, Where My Feet Fall.
“Hounds are not emotionally needy dogs when walking; whippets and greyhounds have none of the collie’s need for constant affirmative interaction with its human but seem quite content to trot independently from smell to fascinating smell, occasionally breaking off to send up a pheasant or make a show of chasing a rabbit. They enjoy walks hugely but they’re not forever nudging you to say, ‘I’m enjoying my walk. I am. Are you? Are you enjoying yours? Are you really?'”
LIVEWIRE: COAM sheepdog Bang PICTURE: Chiltern Open Air Museum
Whatever our personal choice of companion, those rambles allow us to come across a dozen other breeds, making new friends along the way, from doe-eyed whippets and gentle golden retrievers to inquisitive terriers or rumbustious young labradors.
Back in the Middle Ages, European nobles had close relationships with their dogs. Ladies doted on their fashionable lap dogs and noblemen went hunting with hounds — a practice that grew so popular that breeding hunting dogs became a trend throughout Europe.
By the Victorian era, dogs had wormed their way into the heart of family life and Britain had become a centre for dog breeding, with the first formal competitive dog shows held in the middle of the 19th century.
BEST BEHAVIOUR: TV dog trainer Graeme Hall PICTURE: Channel 4
Canines played such vital roles in military operations during the two World Wars that they steadily gained increasing recognition of their intelligence and abilities throughout the 20th century, with films depicting the adventures of Lassie and Rin Tin Tin capturing the hearts of millions in the 1950s.
The Queen’s fondness for corgis helped to popularise the breed, while on the small screen Blue Peter presenter John Noakes became so inseparable from his excitable border collie that “Get down, Shep!” became a catchphrase so well known that it was even immortalised in song by The Barron Knights when the pair left the show in 1978.
INSEPARABLE: John Noakes and Shep PICTURE: BBC
These days dogs have become a much more familiar presence on TV and social media, with the Crufts dog show attracting an unbelievable 18,000 competitors and almost nightly programmes highlighting different aspects of canine behaviour and welfare, from sheepdog trials to different training techniques.
Of course, the difficult down side of our love affair with dogs is the pain we feel at losing them.
Countless online commentators attest to the fact that the death of a beloved pet is excruciating. With their shorter lifespans, it’s also unfortunately an inevitability, made all the more intense by their unconditional love and constant presence by our side.
Shepherdess Alison O’Neill has won a Twitter following of almost 50,000 for her glorious photographs and homely posts from her small hill farm in the Yorkshire Dales, where sheepdog Shadow is a star attraction.
“Dogs are the best,” she says. “But yes, I’ve known the loss of a dog. It’s no different than any family member passing.”
Coping when they are suddenly not there at our side can be devastating. But then perhaps that works both ways.
Many dog trainers and behaviourists believe that dogs feel grief too, being highly intuitive and sensitive animals — perhaps much more than people give them credit for.
It may not quite be on the scale of devotion demonstrated by the apocryphal Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh, but artist Sir Edwin Landseer summed up the sense of loss memorably in his 1837 oil painting, The Old Shepherd’s Chief Mourner.
SENSE OF LOSS: Landseer’s 1837 portrait PICTURE: Victoria & Albert Museum
In a sparsely furnished room, a moping dog rests its head on the coffin of its master, the shepherd, whose staff and hat lie underneath a table supporting a closed bible.
The pathos of the scene made it popular with both collectors and the Victorian public in general, but it’s a striking representation of loss, described by the influential art critic John Ruskin as one of the “most perfect poems…which modern times have seen”.
Sentimental it may have been, but the painting also became an important part of animal advocacy campaigns in the 19th century, a reminder of the shared experiences and strong emotional bonds that can exist between human and non-human animals, and few 21st-century dog lovers would argue with the importance of that message.
We’d love to share your pictures and stories about your own dogs enjoying our wonderful Chilterns countryside. Contact us by email or our social media links — you don’t have to include personal details or precise locations, but we’d love to hear from you about the four-legged friends in your life.
