9 months old and new pictures

On 17th, Skye was 9 months old. How time flies!

Here's some pictures I took this morning on our walk:

Well, where do I start... LOL

Skye sure is going through her puppy stages. LOL She is very much the easily distracted spangle that so many people think spaniels are. So training is very much attention and following exercises as she sometimes just buggers off otherwise. But it's little and often, and overall we are making good progress.

Skye is getting much better with the house training though and she now rarely has accidents. Even during the day, she is now often dry and there hasn't been any poo for a couple of weeks now - I hope it stays that way.

On the other hand, I have heard her crying again virtually every evening I came home this week, so not too happy with that. I will ask Karen whether she would be able to have her on Mondays at least as that is a very long day for her. I also must set up that internet camera that I bought, just haven't had the time yet.

For a month or so, I felt she was better home alone, I had taped her a few times too and she was quiet - though of course it's different if it's a whole day. The month that she was better was when she was wearing a DAP collar rather than having a DAP diffuser, I wonder whether that makes a difference because it is always on her and doesn't get diluted by having the door open etc. So I think I will get another one of those.

Other than that, she is doing great; she is a fab little girl and things are coming along nicely.

Poor old Skye... LOL

Mummy has banished me to me bed whilst she prepares our dindins... she says I am a grumplebear otherwise who is constantly under her feet... don't know what she means.

Separation anxiety still an issue

I just bought a wireless webcam to spy on Skye to find out what exactely her "noise pattern" is when I am out. She is great and very quiet sometimes and a bundle of screaming crazyness at others.

I know it isn't just entirely separation anxiety, but just adolescence behaviour and the fact that she can't be with the other dogs. But yesterday, I saw one of my neighbours stop in front of my house (I was just approaching coming home from work) whilst Skye was screaming and Jesse barking... he then walked on looking at me. For the rest of the evening, there wasn't a single noise from any of the dogs, but I still need to sort it swiftly one way or the other, as it doesn't just stress my neighbours but me too! Not to mention of course Skye.

So I got a wireless web camera so I can see what the patterns are of Skye's noise, I will be able to monitor her from work online to help me see what is going on.

I have now started to take Skye in the evening with me and Dylan and Flash too so she is now getting two walks which hopefully will help too. That's nearly two hours of walking with the morning walk being more training and playing and the evening walk just running and sniffing.

I have to sort this out, if I can't, then I might have to consider putting her into day care until she is a little older and I can leave her with the others. I'll see how we are getting on.

Wow... separation anxiety resolution

Well, since yesterday, I have been giving Skye Bach Flower remedies (which she loves) for her separation anxiety:


Aspen - Vague or unaccountable fears. Appearing agitated for no apparent reason
Heather - Overly concerned with companionship. Constant barking
Honeysuckle - Homesickness or over-attachment to the past. Loss of owner or home
Vervain - Enthusiastic, always want to be involved, high strung
Walnut - For any period of change
Rescue Remedy


I am shocked at the result... today I taped Skye and there was less than 20 seconds of half hearted whining in one hour! Compared to continues screaming before... WOW! I am also giving her a rawhide bone, but she had that before and that didn't make such a huge difference.


I know we are not in the dry yet, but what progress! So happy! She also seems less manic when I come home, so I guess this indicates that she is less stressed.


I am also doing some separation training with her in the park by tying her up on a bench and gradually moving further away, yard by yard. She was much better this morning already than yesterday, calmer and I could get further away. Excellent.

Skye and her screaming as well as a bee sting

Skye has given me a lot of worry over this week-end. First my neighbour told me that she screams a lot and seems really unsettled. I have noticed a few times that she was yelling when I came back from walks, but didn't realise it was that bad.

Then yesterday at St. Edwards obedience show, I left her in the car (boot open as it was hot) whilst working Jesse. I then had people coming up to me saying that she was screaming and that they had taken her out of the car to comfort her. I went straight back to fetch her. It was very nice of those people, though I did tell them that Skye screams but she does that instead of barking. Although she sounded very distressed (and probably was a little bit), she isn't actually that terrified as she would still eat and sometimes screams like that when I come home out of excitement. My friends (Pat) heard her but they know her, so didn't think it necessary of taking her out.

Anyway, shortly after this episode, Skye got stung by a bee and her lip swelled up like a shar-pei's. So I gave her some anti-histamines which worked well. She soon perked up and a few hours later, she was back to normal.

So, I am now left with little Skye and severe separation anxiety, or at least, severe vocalisation. So I have got some Bach Flower remedies today, ordered a homeopathic remedy (ignatia) and have started separation training in the park (tying her and Jesse on a bench and inch by inch move away so she gets used to that). We'll see how we get on.

Other than this, she is getting so good, really no trouble at all. Still a bit of resource guarding - especially yesterday. But overall getting really good. But I am sure we will be able to conquer this separation anxiety too, which most likely stems from losing her first home and the first home never leaving her home alone.

Some new pictures and a new snood

Here's some new pictures especially also of Skye looking cute and her new snood.