New Year Resolutions

This year I am going to do something that I've never done before, make some resolutions. Why this year, you might ask. Simply because as I now have a blog my resolutions will be out there for all to see and I will just have to keep them in case in some months time some-one on the other side of the world wants to know my success rate. If that happens I want to be able to hold my head high and say "I did it" or at least most of it.
Having made the decision the next thing to decide was how many resolutions and how difficult should they be. I was thinking of going for just one biggy, like achieving world peace, but then thought that might be a bit ambitious for my first time. I'll see how I get on with my 2006 resolutions and then, if all goes well perhaps I'll save the world in 2007.
So here we go, using the 'Kiss' system (keep it simple, stupid) I have limited myself to four:-

1) Attend the gym at least three times a week. I have gym membership but in the last half of 2005 I've been so busy that my visits have been rare. I want my body to be a temple, it already looks like one, the only problem is that it's the Acropolis. I also have terrible problems with my feet, they keep taking me into pie shops.

2)To keep all of my admin tasks upto date. A fairly mundane one this but if I don't state my intention publicly I will lapse. I'm very good with important things such as preparing action plans for clients dogs but routine matters get pushed to one side, just look at the gaps in updating this blog.

3)To write my book. This will be the hardest one to keep due to both pressure of other work and the fact that I have the typing skills of a stunned herring. On a good day my finger dances across the keyboard. They say that everyone has one good book in them, I'm not so sure. However I have been very lucky and had a tremendously varied 35 year Police career of which I enjoyed every minute (except the bits when I got taken to Hospital, I usually didn't like them very much). In addition to many stories of Police dogs I will also relate some of my other experiences such as being one one of the first units on the scene in The Mall at the attempted kidnapping of Princess Anne. Being in Whitehall when the IRA blew up an Army Recruiting Office (and me) and many more. Most of my memories bring a smile to me although there are a few that usually come to me in the night which are not so pleasant. The good times heavily outweighed the bad and if you don't meet a good cross-section of people when working as a copper then you won't meet them anywhere.

4)To help more dogs and owners year on year and to continue to promote responsible and enjoyable dog ownership. This will be the easiest one to keep because, it's what I do, it's fun and there's very little paperwork.

Well that's it. I'm committed now. I've got to do it. Wish me luck

Belated Update

It's been a long time since I updated my blog due to a very eventful end to 2005. We thought that once we got over my daughters wedding in July things would slow down a bit but far from it. Treacle, the puppy, is getting bigger by the day. She is suffering from 'Friendly Dog Syndrome' and thinks that every dog out there is as good natured as her. She is just beginning to realise that some dogs are lacking in social skills. Generally her training is progressing well although she needs a good walk to let her burn off some energy before embarking on some of the exercises. She has the potential to track and search like a demon. Wait for the next exciting episode with pictures.

I lost my old German Shepherd 'Gaspode' aged 14 he just suddenly got very tired and knew it was time to go. It was upsetting for the family but the most affected was my remaining German Shepherd 'Jack'. When Jack was born he was rejected by his mother and so was bottle fed by kennel maids. As a result he missed out on the rough and tumble between litter-mates where a dog learns social skills. He was bought by a husband and wife, both Barristers, who returned him to the kennels at 11 months because he was too lively. Their theory was that if you bought a puppy from a kennels specialising in working dogs then it should leave the kennels aged 8 weeks fully trained. After a full and frank exchange of views between kennel owner and Barrister Jack was offered to me for training as a Police dog. I had been searching for a new dog and had looked at many but none were suitable, it takes a very special dog to do police work. They must be brave with fire in their belly but at the same time be good with decent people. They are after all going to spend a lot of time looking for missing children and it's always good if, when found, they are handed back to their parents in one piece. It's not good for Police/Public relations if your dog plucks a passing Nun from her bicycle! Anyway I went to look at Jack, not with any high hopes I must admit. We bonded at once he so obviously wanted to work, he was a natural. I took him home and that was when he got his reality check, he thought he was going to be top dog but the two older German Shepherds and Labrador bitch soon disabused him of that notion. Cocoa the Lab mothered him and taught him manners. Now Jack is an only dog and my wife Rosemary and I are already looking to the future, another GSD? Labrador? Or maybe something different. We both like Clumber Spaniels. Whatever happens we won't rush into anything, it will have to be the right dog. Remember dog ownership is like marriage without the washing-up.

Consultations with clients are increasing steadily. It is good to see so many dog owners are now taking the responsible route to 'dog training' and are realising that in general terms what we really need is 'Owner training'. I feel privileged to have the training and experience to be able to help people to have a full and rewarding relationshp with their dogs.

As I have mentioned in earlier postings I use Amichien Bonding when dealing with dogs and owners, this method was devised by Jan Fennell 'The Dog Listener'. Although trained by Jan I could not call myself a 'Dog Listener' because of trade mark restrictions. There were only two people who could use the title, Jan herself and Tony Knight her son. I am pleased to say that Jan has now allowed me to use the title so i will have to play with words. Should it be Robin Glover (Dog Listener) Consultant in Canine Communication and Behaviour or possibly Robin Glover Consultant in Canine Communication and Behaviour (Certified Dog Listener). Or maybe something entirely different? All suggestions welcome.