Anyone interested in an 8 month old, allegedly Hungarian Vizsla?
Breed identification currently pending.
Colour: Predominantly red, although approximately 45% is now a rather fetching shade of dark brown. Not entirely sure whether this is mud, fox poo or something that was once alive. 
The post amused me so much that I had to share it, and it reminded me so much of a young Ross. No male pup has ever pushed me so much, I have never come so close to giving up on any male pup as I did with Ross. I remember crying and telling Steve that I wasn't well enough to deal with this puppy, if there had been a through bus service to Suffolk, he could have been on it many a time.
Fragrance: Eau de Fox Arse. Quite pungent. Lingers beautifully. 🤢
Hearing: Selective. Possibly profoundly deaf. Can hear a crisp packet being opened three counties away but apparently cannot hear me shouting his name from six feet.
Recall: More of a suggestion than an actual trained behaviour. Occasionally acknowledges my existence before continuing with whatever criminal activity he’s involved in.
Intelligence: Currently sharing one brain cell with the rest of the Vizsla population. Unfortunately, it’s not his week to have it.
Personality: Somewhere between a feral woodland creature, a caffeinated toddler and a Victorian street urchin with absolutely no moral compass.
General behaviour: Feral. Completely and utterly feral. If chaos wore a fur coat, this would be it.
I have spent over 30 years training dogs. I have qualifications, degrees, accreditations and a fairly respectable understanding of canine behaviour.
And yet here I am, standing in a field, covered in mud, negotiating with what appears to be a ginger wheelie bin full of bad decisions.
I am questioning my career, my life choices and whether I should have taken up something considerably less stressful. Like crocodile wrestling.
THANK GOD FOR SCENT DETECTION.
Because apparently, when there’s something to sniff out, the little git transforms into a focused, intelligent, highly motivated working dog.
The brain cell clocks in. The lights come on. Someone is actually home.
The minute we finish?
Brain cell clocks out. Gone fishing. Back to being a complete and utter swamp donkey.
I love him dearly. Obviously.
But if anyone sees me wandering around Northamptonshire muttering to myself, please don’t be alarmed.
I’m just a professional dog trainer being professionally humbled by an eight month old ginger idiot.
Peanut. You absolute weapon. ❤️🐾
No puppies will actually be rehomed. Although offers of wine, sympathy and industrial-strength dog shampoo will be gratefully received."
I've been blessed to have a lot of other male puppies, Blade, Dexi, Louis, Mikey, Loki, Orin and now Zavi, and of course others that have joined us on route, Simba, Jay, Kai, Finlay, Nico and Zeus ... and I have to say that generally these boys have been a damn site easier than the girls. Yes, Jay was a headcase, but a lovely one, Kai was an awesome but loud presence, and Zeus, well we do Ok, better than I ever thought we would really. In all honesty, as a puppy, only Ross has ever made me doubt my abilities; only Ross has ever made me feel inadequate. How could such a prat of a puppy grow into such a super adult? It just goes to prove that we should never give up on them, doesn't it?
Then there's the girls, as a puppy, Seffe didn't listen to jack shit, Kizzie was lovely but bloody crazy, Kiri fought with everyone into adulthood, as did Jezi and Tali? OMG don't get me started on Tali! Sammi was not an easy puppy, hence "Naughty Angel," and Beti was and still is an explosion of excitement and love. Asha must have been the easiest female ever, and Ziva and Kaiah had the best recalls.
Yeah, boys are easier than girls, but of course there are exceptions. Zavi is as easy as his father was – here's hoping with Beti as his mentor that he continues to walk the path to stardom!
