Picture of Harry

Hi. My name is Harry, I'm a Guide Dog Puppy in Training and this is my Blog.

Atherton Appeal

Harry supported Guide Dogs' appeal to equip the brand new training school for the North of England at Atherton. He was keen to help as he was to be one of the first puppies to train at the new school.

Harry was at the launch of the appeal on 7th October 2008 where he got to meet the Press. One of the newspaper articles can be seen here.

January 30, 2009

Waiting

Is is snowing yet?

Harry at the window

Harry at the window

January 29, 2009

Performance

Harry always gets a bit perplexed when he’s given something new, and his extra large chew stick was no exception. He was delighted to be given it as a reward for a really good obedience session and ran through to the front room with it, tail wagging furiously. And that’s when the performance started.

First it was dropped on the rug while he paced round it a few times and looked at it from a few different angles. Then he offered to share it with Fred, but Fred wouldn’t play the game and was banished to the corner so then Harry tried to bury it under a pile of toys.

Finally, after picking it up and tossing it in the air a few times (while we ducked), he lay down and gave it the hard stare.

It was another 2 hours before he actually tried to chew it.

Harry staring at his extra large chew stick

Harry staring at his extra large chew stick

January 28, 2009

Weekly update – 54 weeks

Harry’s had another busy week this week, he’s been on at least four shopping trips to town and another trip to Leeds City Centre by train.  Harry loves the train and if he could, he would probably chose to spend his whole day riding around on it. He always lies with his back tucked under the seat and facing the doors so he can watch all the passengers getting on and off.

At the weekend we went along to a local supermarket to support a Guide Dog fund-raising event. Naturally, Harry turned on the charm and received lots of fuss and attention in return.

Harry on his fundraising trip

Harry on his fundraising trip

This week has also seen Harry spend quite a lot of time in the company of older and retired Guide Dogs, not just at the fund-raising event but also on free runs and it was fascinating to watch the effect on him. Instead of being a silly, giddy pup wanting to play all the time, he was sensible and respectful towards them. He even sat quietly under the table with another dog  in a coffee shop with out tormenting them and trying to play. Definitely something we must do with him again.

Harry is really looking forward to next week, he’s been watching the weather forecast with us and there’s a very strong chance of snow. Harry has seen the white stuff before but as far as he was concerned, it didn’t last nearly long enough and he can’t wait to see more of it. It was just so much fun!

Harry at 54 weeks

Harry at 54 weeks

January 27, 2009

Oh Deer!

On our walk through the woods earlier today Harry suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and stood motionless. It took us a while, but eventually we saw what he saw – three deer quietly grazing among the trees.

Unfortunately it meant the end of the free run for Harry, as we clipped him back on his lead for the rest of the way. He wasn’t very happy about that and probably won’t be  pointing out any more wildlife to us again in the future.

Deer in the woods

Deer in the woods

January 26, 2009

Fund-raising

On Saturday Guide Dogs were fund-raising at a local supermarket so Harry went along to support them. It’s something he’s always keen to do, especially when retired Guide Dog Alma is around.

Harry has always enjoyed spending time with Alma at fund-raising events, ever since he was little. We’ve often wondered if it’s because she’s a black Labrador just like his mum, but then again, Harry is always just happy to be in the company of ladies.

Harry fundraising with Alma

Harry fundraising with Alma

January 23, 2009

So many leaves, so little time

Up until recently Harry hasn’t spent much time with grown up dogs, as most of his socialising has been done with other Guide Dog pups, but he really enjoyed his time with Naylor earlier in the week and wanted to copy everything he did, especially foraging in the leaves.

As a result, when we took him down to the woods and he saw the abundance of leaves available to him, he was like a rabbit trapped in the headlights, he just didn’t know where to start.

Harry surrounded by leaves

Harry surrounded by leaves

January 21, 2009

Weekly update – 53 weeks

Harry’s had a much better week this week – whatever caused him to suffer tummy trouble it seems to have passed and his energy levels have definitely returned to normal. He’s back to his cheeky normal self and raring to go, although he still likes to relax in his bed and watch whatever is happening in the kitchen.

Harry relaxing in his bed

Harry relaxing in his bed

We’re not sure when he began crossing his paws, but he’s such a mimic he probably picked up the bad habit from us.

This week Harry has been to a market, a really busy market full of legs, shopping bags and pushchairs but he loved every minute of it and wagged his tail all the time we were there. In addition to his regular trips to the supermarket and local shops, he’s also had a couple of trips on a bus and been into Leeds city centre on the train.

Harry also returned to Pilates class this week and was so relaxed he managed to sleep almost all the way through, although he was heard to give out the occasional very loud snore during some particularly difficult exercises.

One of the best things about feeling better was that finally he got to socialise with other dogs again. Harry’s highlight of  the week was definitely the day he got to go free running with his pal Naylor. They had such a good time running in the park and foraging in the leaves together, he just can’t wait to do it again

Harry and Naylor in the park

Harry and Naylor in the park

January 20, 2009

Alien

Harry has a pal called Naylor that he sometimes goes for a free run with. Today, Harry’s energy levels were definitely back to normal so we took him down to the park this afternoon to meet his friend.

They hadn’t seen each other in a while so they were both excited, but Harry was so giddy and set off at quite a pace to meet him, his huge ears flying. When Naylor saw him charging towards him he too started to run and was all, ” Help! I’m being chased by an alien!”

Harry chasing Naylor

Harry chasing Naylor

January 19, 2009

Hide and Seek

Harry was more than ready for a short free run on Saturday so we took him to the woods so he could let off some steam.

One of the things we do when free running is to hide, usually behind a tree and then call him back.  This keeps Harry from getting over confident and reminds him not to stray too far away from us when he is off pretending to be a big brave explorer.

Sometimes Harry can be a great comedian and this time he thought it would be great fun to turn the tables. He disappeared from view for a minute or two and when we found him, he was stood perfectly still behind a tree, waiting for us to find him.

Hiding behind a tree

Hiding behind a tree

January 16, 2009

Happy Birthday Harry!

The Birthday Boy…

Harry wearing his bow-tie

Harry wearing his bow-tie