Yeti

So if any dog out of control is against the law, what is the point of limiting the number of dogs? Other than perhaps to massage some bureaucrats egotistical need to wield power? (Sorry, is my cynicism starting to show?) Regarding how do I control seven dogs, and BTW it takes much, much more that a question to offend , I have just got back from dog training with Rosie where I was doing a bit of campaigning and was asked exactly the same question. The answer is I don't know - not very helpful am I - The Beastly Beasts just behave themselves. In fact they are often (and by that I mean every time we are out and meet new people, so multiple times in a weekend) complemented on their behaviour. They are five greyhounds and two lurchers, and they do, as DanishPastry says, just trot along (not sure about dainty in a couple of cases ) and are really gentle; the term "laid back" implies far too much activity most of the time. There are some things I do that I think help with controlling them: First and foremost they are rewarded - verbally and/or with treats - for good behaviour, and told off or ignored for bad; they soon learn. If there are other dogs around we will always stop and let them walk by - that way we can not be perceived as aggressive by the other dogs; they are rewarded for behaving when other dogs go by and I think they know when they are on to a good thing. If they are off lead they are usually - not always (just to keep them on their toes) - rewarded for a good recall. If other dogs that we don't know are around The Beasts do not go off lead - I don' know if they would "gang up" and I don't want to find out. With dogs they know or when we are on our own they all go off lead. If anyone else is around they go back on the lead. They are well exercised, and I believe that fit and healthy dogs - both body and mind - do not feel the need to create aggro. Then there's the "background" things that mean that I am the boss, and what I say goes; for example: Food and treats are given at home in a certain order - the order they arrived in, so Kai is always first, then Monty, Jack, Troy, Lucy, Mack then Rosie. When they get out of the van it is in the same order - one at a time. When we go in and out of the house I go first. I decide when it's time for cuddles or play. So on and so forth - in fact, almost everything I do with them is about me being the one in charge. And (this is blowing ones own trumpet - so sorry if it seems arrogant in any way) I feel I know my dogs and can read their signs and behaviour reasonably well and intervene to avoid any situation developing. So I guess it's a combination of knowing my dogs, having dogs that are pretty laid back to start with, having well defined behaviours and boundaries all of the time, and erring on the side of caution. I should say that by no means do I have the largest group of dogs that are walked together; there is a lady in Northampton that walks 10 dogs - a mixture of breeds - and never seems to have any problem, and Wendy in Cardiff walks 14 without any problem; those are just a couple I know of and I bet there are more. I hope the answers are what you wanted to know, but if there are more questions please ask away.

I think that's why the limits are being introduced, but I really do think the issue should be the ability to control the dogs you have, not the number. I, and I'm sure many others, have come across people who can not handle one or two dogs; yet under the proposed legislation they will not be breaking the law when people in control of their dogs will be simply because they have more than a certain number. Makes me ***!!!!!!@@@@ mad (Rant over) Thanks for this - I have signed up with them. Thought they do seem to be ignoring the issue of numbers of dogs in their blurb and their petition. I sincerely hope that will change and they represent all responsible dog owners.

I've just found out that dog control orders are to be introduced in Northampton. There are five orders; one - that dog owners must pick up poo - is through the consultation stage. This and three of the others seem OK. However order 4 is a different matter; this seeks to limit the number of dogs being handled by an individual to six - not good when you have seven dogs!! I of course think that people should be in control of the dogs they are handling; but this should be irrespective of the number. To place an arbitrary number on how many dogs a person can handle is, in my opinion, ridiculous. If you agree with me, and particularly if you live in or around, or visit, Northampton, please download the leaflet from the Northampton Council website and complete and return the comment section (it's FREEPOST) before 16th May when the consultation period closes. You can also e-mail [email protected] with your comments. A list of councillors in Northampton is here if you live in the area and want to write to yours. If anyone has any advice on how to combat these orders I'd be grateful if you'd share it. If you can help in any way - thank you.

Fab pics. Looks like everyone had a good time.

And they are never really gone while they remembered. Run free Danny

Like you say - it's the whole package, but ... Kai - for being so laid back about everything. I am convinced it is his attitude to life that has helped everyone else settle in Monty - because of his transformation from being scared of everything to a confident hound that enjoys life. When he bounds down the garden with tail up it is still the most brilliant sight for me. Jack - whatever Jack is doing is the best thing Jack has ever done. He always has a wag and a kiss for everyone Troy- not the brightest of hounds but so loving Lucy - she's one of those eccentric ladies that wants to do things her way and doesn't let anyone or anything stop her, but does it all in way that nobody minds Mack - is another one that's really affectionate and lets you know he's happy to be with you - though 'you' could be anyone, so maybe it's his loyalty Rosie - for being much more than I hoped and much less than I expected. She is my second shadow

You may remember a while back I asked for ideas about doing a chat to Cubs and Scouts - we did it yesterday - survived. Actually, survived is not really fair; both the Cubs and Scouts were really good with the dogs and The Beastly Beasts just loved it; Troy's done post on BeastBlog with his thoughts on the evening. The RGT packs that Alison sorted out went down a storm, and we sneaked in some Pet Blood Blank stuff as well - we've got at least one recruit for them out of it. As I said, the kids loved the dogs. A couple of the leaders commented on how well behaved they (the dogs that is) were over such a long time and how gentle they were with the kids; so I'm pretty sure we left everyone with a good impression of greyhounds and lurchers. We were out for about 3 hours all told and the dogs were totally shattered when we got back. Thanks to everyone that suggested ideas - the evening ended up as a mixture of many ideas.

I hope everything goes OK with the op.

We have just had a week at Little Dumpledale farm in Pembrokeshire (we stayed in Swallows Dance) - if you don't know about it, Little Dumpledale has to be one the best places in the world for dogs. There is a day by day diary and ooodles of pics on BeastBlog, but here's just a few that I think show that The Beastly Beasts enjoyed themselves. One of the problems is finding space on the beach When you can find room you can have running races Back home you can sunbathe .... .... or go for a paddle to cool down .... .... or have a cuddle ..... .... or just have a snoooooozzze So it's thanks as always to Carol and Trev who were wonderful hosts as always - as my sore head on Friday morning testified. And the best bit is (for us anyway) - we're back there in October

We like gotcha days - have a good one Milly

It's Lucy's nothing day today; nothing special at all happened to her today. But ...... Yesterday was her 9th Birthday, and tomorrow she celebrates her first homecoming day with The Beastly Beasts. Here's some pics of Lucy over the last year: On her home coming day At Salcey in May Bowood Show in June saw her first rosette In July Lucy officially became a Beastly Beast On the beach in October Having a cuddle with Troy at December's Meet and Greet Yesterday at Swallows Dance

Alison's put the group pic of The Beastly Beasts. If you want some individual ones of them here's one each and there are loads more on BeastBlog, just use what you need. Kai - Lurcher - rescued at 18 months, now 6 Monty - Greyhound - rescued at 18 months, now 5 Jack - Greyhound - rescued at approx 6, now coming up for 9 Troy - Greyhound - rescued at 6, now 8 and a half Lucy - Greyhound - rescued at 8, now 9 (yesterday) Mack - Greyhound - rescued at 5, now 6 Rosie - Lurcher - rescued at 5, now 5 and a half

Kai's blogged about the walk on BeastBlog Couple of pics to be going with

Yep, another foster failure - this time it's Rosie; she's staying on as a Beastly Beast. Here's some pics of her at Salcey Forest the other day. Having a mooch with Jack Catching up with the gang In full flight

Hugs and leans from The Beasts

It's strange sometimes how things work out. Lester, along with Dalby were potential candidates for fostering at BeastBarracks. Unfortunately Lester was a bit over protective of Dalby and everyone concerned thought it best they didn't come here (Lucy - now a permanent Beast - and Hooch did instead). But by not coming here Lester got to go and live with Jess (who is lovely), where he is having the time of his life and is now the perfect gentleman. Things do happen for a reason.

Way to go Holly. I think it's so important for kids not to be scared around dogs.

Great stuff - some good ideas for me to incorporate - many thanks. I'll get someone to take some pics and let you know how we get on, and I'm sure one of The Beasts will put something on BeastBlog.

So sorry to hear about Shadow; he will be missed by everyone that knew him and has heard his "bark". I didn't realise he was what started you in rescue - he can be happy in the knowledge that his legacy has given so much to so many other hounds and that his legacy lives on.

We are doing a talk on Greyhounds and rescue to some local Cubs and Scouts on 1st May. I have some thoughts about what to cover, but I was wondering if anyone else had done anything like this before, and if so what worked and what didn't. Or if you just have some ideas it would be great to hear them. All ideas and comments welcome. Thanks.

Happy 3rd Gotcha Day from The Beastly Beasts Make sure you get extra special stuff today.

Thanks for the plug Sam And just to say that in a year The Beastly Beasts have raised £150 for greyhound rescues; which I reckon is pretty fantastic, so thanks to everyone that's used Vet UK via us, and the Dogstar. 'Course, we'd both love to raise more for good causes Chris

So sad to hear Hugo has gone, our thoughts are with you Sue. Hugo was a true gentleman and had something very special about him. At the 2006 Gap Show Run free Hugo.

Congratulations Digby - you are one very fortunate lad. Enjoy being a Page boy.

The title is kind of appropriate coz my role in life - similar to many I'm sure - is chef and chauffeur to The Beastly Beasts . Unbelievably Rosie - we call her Dozey Rosie, not that she is, far from it - has been here six months, so here is photo review of the places that Rosie (and in most case all The Beastly Beasts) has been driven too in that time. First off was to the woods with all of The Beastly Beasts on the day she joined us. Our first outing was to the Greyhound Gap show in September. That was closely followed by our holiday at Swallows Dance and that meant The Beach. There was a holiday romance with Waljan. And fields to play in Then it was to Outwoods for her first White Lodge walk. She's had a go at agility and loved every moment. Beacon Hill was November's walk. By this time Rosie had become a blood donor. Then she was sent taken to Coventry to help with a Gap Meet and Greet, and then to Syston for another one. The next Meet and Greet as just up the road, and as always, Rosie loved meeting everyone, and everyone loved meeting her. She's also been to Wakerly Woods, Ratby Burroughs and here - Wimpole Hall in Cambridgeshire, where she found an admirer in Bronwyn (Helen's - MickeyMyGrey on various forums - daughter). So Rosie's been about a bit in the last six months - in the nicest possible sense , and for sure will be about more in the next six.