Puppy training - and what NOT to feed!

Since the age of 8 weeks my Sprocker (Cocker x Springer) called Sprocket has been fed Bakers Puppy complete. I started to attend Vets puppy classes after he had his second jab. He was so hyper and panted all the way through the sessions which were over a 6 wk period.

During this time the behaviourist allowed us to let all 8 puppies off the lead to socialise...little did I realise this only promoted bad behaviour as it encourages the puppies to approach any dog which is certainly a bad thing if they meet an aggressive dog! Sprocket and his little spaniel friend raced around the small reception area banging off the walls and pouncing on each other.

Anyway when these classes finished, I decided to look for more in depth training. I found a fantastic lady at Stonham Barns in Suffolk. Henri has been fantastic, she took one look at Sprocket and asked me whether I fed him Bakers, I was a little shocked, as this was the first thing she asked me, I said yes I did - and in a slightly paniced voice I asked why?

Apparently even though Bakers is made by Purina (approved by vets) it's full of E numbers and additives so I've basically been giving my puppy smarties...and as you can imagine a springer cocker cross is mad anyway without extra help! I was so mad with myself I should have checked, but I guess you just trust brands to be 'good' for your dog. Don't worry I'm not trying to panic people from using bakers, it just made Sprocket very very hyper and he'd only slept till about 3am every morning and was banging off the walls for the rest of the night...after taking him off bakers, 2 weeks on and I've noticed a real difference, he now sleeps until 6am (which is way more manageable and I'm feeling less tired and frustrated). Some of my friends dogs have been on bakers all their life and have been fine, I guess it depends on the breed.

I not a professional and certainly not wanting to preach, but certainly for working dogs a good trainer is essential so look into it carefully, vets 'puppy' classes only promote bad behaviour and now that Sprocket is on Field & Trial - a museli based dog food he's calmed down allot and is just being a normal teenage dog (still giving me a run for my money just with a calmer attitude).

So the moral of this story is that some vets classes aren't a good way to train your puppy (some other vets classes may be better managed) but seek an approved dog trainer and also check what's in your dogs/puppies food even if it's by a recognised brand!

Thanks for reading and I hope you got some tips :-)
For anyone local to Suffolk interested in the classes I use, have a look at their website:
http://www.petdogtrainingcentre.co.uk
They also do advance dog training & agility classes.

Guy Gladwell - Fifty Years of Art on show in Aldeburgh, Suffolk

GUY GLADWELL
Fifty Years of Art

The Aldeburgh Gallery
143 High Street, Aldeburgh, Suffolk IP15 5AN

Open 10am - 5pm
Thurs 19th November - Tues 24th November 2009

BIOGRAPHY

Guy Gladwell was born in Nairobi and aged nine came to England with his family, settling in Jersey, Channel Islands. It was here that he began painting under the guidance of Sir Francis Barry and went on to study art at Bournemouth Art College. He later studied anatomy at Sir John Cass School of Art.

In 1976 Guy joined the Nicholas Treadwell Gallery and over the following decade his work was exhibited throughout Europe and in New York. Guy also exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibitions and at one man shows in Dusseldorf, Milan, New York and Tokyo (sponsored by The British Council).

Guy was commissioned by Peter Langan to produce paintings for ‘Langan’s Brasserie’ and many of them, along with those of his contemporaries such as David Hockney, still adorn the walls today - the portrait of Peter Langan and ‘The Langan’s Painting’ depicting a table covered in a red and white checked cloth, are particularly well known. His other numerous commissions included portraits of Michael Caine and John Lennon, a painting for Paul Simon’s collection, book and magazine covers and award winning images for advertising campaigns such as Cadbury’s, Volvo and Sony Trinitron.

Guy's commissions for corporate collectors have encompassed a wide range of painting styles and he has always loved producing images that stretch his own creative ideas for sale to galleries and private individuals. However, due to ill health, Guy is at present unable to accept commissions and the paintings, drawings etc offered for sale on this site and at exhibitions of his work are from his private collection over the past fifty years.