9 Sep 2007, 12:02 PM Post #1
Deleted User

Yesterday I went to collect the new addition to the family

He is an absolute Poppet.

'Leo' is 8 months old, black flatcoated retriever, and morally, I am so much happier about this. I really didnt want to go to a breeder. Funny how fate works sometimes!

Anyway he's here with me now. Robbie, Kyra & Ellie adore him. They just play and play and play.

He's very nieve and clearly hasnt had any training. I'm not even convinced he has had much lead work, not that he pulls as such, he just sits down and refuses to move, like a very young pup on the lead for the first time.

Managed to get a couple of piccies after the hours of play & racing around.

9 Sep 2007,

Okay, he was a freeads dog. They wanted £600 for him (basically to recoupe what they had paid for him a week earlier) Husband had purchased him and from a guy whose cats kept attacking him. Hubby took him home to wife who already had 2 elderly poodles, one with a bad heart. Wifey starts getting allergy symptoms (thats why she had poodles! :rolleyes: but hubby thought he was a nice dog!) Poodle with bad heart is getting very stressed at the constant licking (Flatcoats lick incessantly, I dont think they know they are doing it)

I emailed them saying that I would not pay £600 for him, but I could assure them of a very good home having had experience of Flatcoats. Didnt expect to get a reply, but 3 days later I got an email back saying that a good home was more important than the money. What would I be prepared to pay.

I then rang the woman and I have to say she was VERY genuine and clearly the dog had got under their skin, but they had made a big mistake.

Anyway, after a long conversation, we agreed £200.

I went to collect him yesterday evening, and the whole family were clearly very upset about him going. I came home with shopping bags of Pedigree Chum puppy food, and Bakers complete (which has promptly gone in the bin, but didnt want to add insult to injury!) and loads of toys.

They have emailed me twice to see how he is, and asked if I will keep them updated.

All the paperwork I have with dates on seems to back up the story. Theoretically, I'm thinking the pup should have gone back to the breeder, but I will not go down that route. He is KC registered, he has been microchipped and vaccd, and I have all the paperwork signed to change ownership. He has a good home here with me, and I am counting myself extremely lucky. I have thanked the people I got him from for thinking of the pups interests rather than the money.

He has not put a foot wrong. He is desperate to please (as are all Flatcoats) and we start training classes tomorrow night.

10 Sept 2007

As you can see, work started on my garden today. Please keep your fingers crossed it stays dry for the next few days!







Having a rest. Leo Robbie and Kyra

11 Sep 2007,

Well, Leo went to his first training class yesterday. He went in with all the really young pups, and he behaved himself impeccably, and everyone has fallen in love with him.

He was actually shattered because he had been playing all afternoon and I walked him down to school to pick Rachael up, and again, he did really well considering I really dont believe he's been on the lead much. He was very well behaved waiting for Rachael to come out of school - just sat or lay down and waited very patiently. A few kids came up to see him and say hello, and he was excellent. A little unsure but then lapping up the attention.

I found out yesterday that his great great grandad was the father of both my previous flatcoat bitches.

I am so pleased with him.

14 Sep 2007,

Thank God its not rained!

I have black dust everywhere!. The house is covered. Thank God the decorating hasnt been done yet - see, fate looking after me again!

Everything is absolutely covered! When I blow my nose, even that comes out black! Urgh! Role on garden completion - well the groundwork completion anyway! The membrane thingy to stop the weeds coming up is going down as we speak, and I see the shingle (which is currently blocking any access to the house) is going down too!

Through all this, the dogs have been great. A bit bemused as to why everytime they go out, something major has disappeared - but now there is no grass - they HAVE to their abolusions (sp?) where they can.

Took all 4 out together yesterday evening. Other than Ellie (who always lets the side down) it was much easier than I expected. It was Leo's first adventure off lead, and I was so pleased with him. He had to go and say hello to a couple of dogs, but came back on 3rd/4th call. I remember my other flatcoats, despite being extremely obedient in every other way, just HAVE to go and say hello to everyone, and there's damn all you can do about it. Their friendliness is so overpowering, they cannot possibly ignore anyone! :rolleyes:

18 Sep 2007,

Well, 2nd session training last night. Leo was a different dog and everyone commented on it. He has much more confidence and its always a help when they've know what their name is

Its all very basic. Puppy socialisation really, but I think he needs to go back to basics. If we are going to do some Gundog work, he needs to become a little bolder, but he has improved no end in the last week, so it continues.

He's being introduced to many many things, and although very wary at first, has become very accepting given time.

Leo is, without doubt, in lurrrve with Kyra. He is always sharing a bed with her.



Typical bloke, takes all the room!

Leo is doing fantastically well. He is now being a puppy, like he should be Much more confident and cheeky!

Dog training is going really well. He concentrates very hard on each exercise but is like a puppy possessed in between, causing mayhem with the other dogs.

Cant believe how lucky I have been in finding this chap. Everyone that meets him, absolutely adores him.

Kyra has turned back into a puppy herself - she plays with him all day, and when she's had enough, he will play with Ellie or Robbie. (Robbie has decided that actually this new resident whippersnapper is really good fun)

Robbie





Kyra playing hide and seek



Kyra and Leo in lurve

Ellie




Kyra

Kyra and Leo





I'll tell you what, those two are inseparable. Leo is SOOOO in lurve with Kyra. She could take him or leave him, but he ALWAYS snuggles up to her sharing a bed. He was with his litter mates until he was 8 months old, I think that may be why he wants constant contact with others.

11 Jan 2008,

Leo's home from the vets, after being castrated.

You wouldnt know he had an op today. He's soooo pleased to be home, and the others (especially Robbie) are soooo pleased to see him. Robbie seems to have a smile on his face - not sure whether thats because he's pleased to see him home, or whether he's actually saying to Leo 'ner ner ne ner ner - you're like me now!

I'm actually having great difficulty stopping them from playing

4 Aug 2008,

Please welcome the new addition to the family






I am collecting him on Friday He is about 12 weeks old now, he was about 6/7 weeks in the first 2 photos.

His name is Alex, after Kyra's dad.

Cant wait til Friday - have been waiting months for a male pup - they've all been female.