Barny’s blog

A sprocker spaniel’s view of Purbeck

May 2021 - Barny comes home

Barny was born on the Isle of Purbeck, close to New Barn Farm, which features on our Multiple Farm Walk and the New Barn Farm Loop. As a sprocker spaniel (part cocker and part springer) we know he will have lots of energy for running, walking and playing. As he grows up we hope he will join us on lots of walks that we can share on Isle Walk Purbeck. We’ll try and keep a record of progress and adventures on Barny’s Blog, where he can showcase just how great our dog-friendly walks are!

July 2021 - Barny comes back!

Barny has been doing really well since he arrived home in May. Most importantly his recall is brilliant and he responds instantly to ‘Barny come!’ He’s fully toilet trained - well, most of the time. Barny’s learnt ‘sit’, ‘down’, ‘fetch’, ‘stay’ and ‘wait’. Having said that, it’s not all been plain sailing. He’s good at nipping my hands with his razor sharp teeth and is a bit of a chewer! Now that he’s getting a bit bigger and stronger he has ventured further from home and using a 10m long-line training lead he can have a bit more freedom in the fields and on the beach.

We’ve bought Barny a very soft harness, which really helps train him to walk to heel, without pulling on his neck. Having said that, loose lead walking is probably where he needs to make more progress!

August 2021

Recently, Barny enjoyed a trip to Purbeck Dog Park where he playing on the adventure equipment and running around the enclosed field. The park offers a tranquil, enclosed area for nervous and anxious as well as an adventure area for those who are more energetic. Barny enjoyed learning how to use the see-saw and jump through hoops - he wasn't so keen on the steep-sided ramp, but he is only little.

We’re hoping to book some dog training sessions through Muttley Solutions

Barny at Doolin pier

Barny goes on holiday

Walking with Barny

Playing fetch at Dancing Ledge

Walking to the Square and Compass with Cerys

Barny is one - Happy Birthday!

Barny is really grown up now that he is one! To celebrate he enjoyed a new squeaky toy and a tasty chew. Here he is at the beach practising his hurdling skills…

Barny’s been to the beach at Bramble Bush Bay, Studland and Shep’s Hollow in Swanage. He loves to chase after driftwood that we throw, but so far he’s only been paddling, not swimming. He’s going to be a very fast boy to catch when he’s older as once those ears go back, his paws hardly touch the ground!

🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾🐾

Barny’s return🐾

Throughout the autumn we’ve been working hard on Barny’s recall training - will he come back or won’t he? So far, as long as we are accompanied by his favourite pheasant ‘dummy’ toy, he’s great at retrieval and ‘fetch’. At first, he was keen to hide the toy in the hedgerow or garden, but following a tip off from an experienced spaniel owner, we discovered that as long as we didn’t make the toy inaccessible, he stopped hiding it. Meanwhile, I’m working hard on how far I can throw the toy, which is a bit random!

Cider and cuddles at the Square!

Barny is two!

Barny’s had a great year - he’s loved running in the fields and on the beach and what he loves the most is playing with his toys, which we constantly have to throw for him to fetch.

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