As one-year glides smoothly into the next and we enter the early days of a new year, I am yet to see the Happy Farmer's list of New Year's resolutions – but new qualities are emerging.
He appears to be getting quite serious and sensible, is developing a somewhat stern persona. Apparently, he seems to fancy himself as a bit of a Barbara Woodhouse when it comes to his skills as a dog trainer.
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These changes in his personality are emerging as Tiggy, our pup, is maturing into her 'teenage' phase. It is a 'battle of wills' in the farmhouse, between farmer and dog and I am not quite sure who is winning!
In Tiggy's eyes, the rest of the family have so far proved an absolute 'pushover' in the training and upskilling department. They have mastered the knack of happily handing out treats and belly rubs on demand.
All it takes these days, is a slight nudge of a muzzle, maybe the lifting of a paw, sometimes just a glazed and woeful expression will do the trick. There was even a selection presents labelled 'Tiggy', under the tree at Christmas.
We are at that crucial stage in the dog training where Tiggy now has most of her family acknowledging her favourite 'spots' in the home, such as the comfiest part of the sofa. This spot also has the additional bonuses of having the best view of the television and being positioned to capture and enjoy the most heat from the fireplace.
It is a spot now clearly reserved, among most family members, as a 'priority snoozing space' for Tiggy, and anyone who ventures onto this spot, will quickly be evicted by Tiggy herself.
On occasion, it can still be a work in progress, though, when it comes to training the Happy Farmer. He appears to still struggle to give in and let go of a niggling and annoying habit of banishing Tiggy back to the kitchen.
On his appearance, the 'Tiggy resting spot' on the sofa must be vacated. Her efforts to train him on this important point of note, is taking slightly longer than she had anticipated. You can see the dismay registered all over her face as she grudgingly saunters back to her kitchen chair, as Happy Farmer seems unable to fully grasp this latest stage in Tiggy's dog training manual.
Back in the kitchen, Tiggy resumes her training regime working on coercing the Happy Farmer to re-evaluate his understanding of her position within the family. This process seems to come in various stages and usually involves a bit of chewing, including, maybe the destruction of his woolly hat, or socks, if they are handy.
Extra 'gnarling' of the farmer's boot, leaving a pattern of tiny teeth marks, seem to help him in his understanding, especially on those days when he appears particularly incompetent in his grasp of her training programme.
We watch as she takes on this work in progress by showing the patience of a saint, whereas the Farmer is concerned as she gradually wheedles her way into his affections. We all know it is just a matter of time and soon, this irresistible little beauty will have moulded him into her way of thinking.
When it comes to dogs, the Happy Farmer thinks he is 'old school'. He likes to pretend his dogs were always purely working dogs, but as they faithfully followed at his heels, enjoyed sharing his biscuits whilst he stopped for a cup of tea, it was plain to see he was an absolute softie with them too.
Moss, the 'old girl', was quite open in her feelings of disapproval when I first arrived on the farm. She seemed to ignore my presence in the hope that I might just disappear.
In the Happy Farmer's absence, I would get the 'deaf ear', as she flatly refused to accompany me anywhere, and would happily ignore my commands. I would watch as farmer and dog skilfully worked as a team when it came to rounding up the sheep.
It took time and perseverance for relations to thaw, but the day came when she finally accepted me as one of the team. It did involve a long walk and a trip overseas to Jura.
On the day she chose to walk at my heel and follow me along the road, before accompanying me on the ferry boat, when she finally heard the Happy Farmer's old Land Rover making its way down the single-track road towards us, her tail started wagging. Her face broke into a huge grin and from then on, she was happy to accompany me anywhere, knowing that it would usually lead her to wherever her master had taken off to.
Mist, another of our collies, arrived on the farm as a fully trained working sheep dog. On this occasion, it was the Happy Farmer who had to wheedle his way into her acceptance.
She was not happy with the change of ownership, a new home, and a new set of instructions. She took several weeks to come round. In the end took a whole haunch of venison to do the trick.
I should just add it was one which she helped herself to, having mastered the knob to open the door of the old electric stove. It might have cost us a roast dinner, but from that day the Happy Farmer gained her respect and suddenly she was comfortably settled in her new home, as she transformed into a faithful, obedient, and reliable companion.
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- It did take the Happy Farmer a moment or two, to forgive Mist for eating his dinner, but he was full of admiration at this canny dog's skills when it came to circumnavigating her way into the oven and helping herself to the venison, even if it was on the rare side.
With Tiggy, it remains a 'work in progress', but the Happy Farmer has so far resisted the temptation to hand over a haunch of venison. However, as he works his magic, suddenly our smiling, boisterous, overzealous, bouncy flat coat retriever, can be seen sitting ever so quietly, patiently with her head cocked, as she watches his every move.
She hangs off his every command, as he laps up her attention, teasingly placing delicious treats before her. It is safe to say then, that Tiggy's New Year resolutions of having her comfy spot on the sofa clearly reserved as her domain and having all of her family perfectly trained to jump to her commands, will be ticked off her list of resolutions shortly.
Dogs are such characters, and bring out the best in everyone, especially the Happy Farmer, as his Barabara Woodhouse characteristics are continuing to emerge!
Wishing you all a Happy New Year from the whole clan at Persabus, including Tiggy.
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