Up Up and Away

Flo is now about eight months old and she and her brothers and sisters  have all been assessed to see how they are getting on.
The pups were put through a series of tests to see how they are  developing as future police dogs. Sadly little Flo didn't quite make the  grade and trainers at Essex Police's dog unit have decided she doesn't  have all of the qualities needed to become a successful police dog.
Flo won't be taking part in the puppy programme any more and has gone to  live with a lovely couple as a family pet.
She is a bright, healthy and very intelligent little dog who I've loved  looking after. The family and I are going to miss her lots but I'm  really pleased she is going to be well looked after by a lady called Fay  Edwards who is a police officer with the Essex Police helicopter. Flo's brothers and sisters all did well in the assessment and will  continue training to become police dogs.
Being a puppy walker has been a challenge I've enjoyed every minute of  and keeping this blog has been a part of that. Unfortunately I won't be  able to keep this blog any longer but I hope one day I'll be able to  puppy walk another Essex Police puppy.

Flo has discovered that she can get on the trampoline which she seems to love doing especially if she has taken my dog Skyla's ball!

Flo faced one of her fears - helicopters! And in the process my son got the biggest treat ever.

Flo takes a well earned rest after playing fetch with her favourite ball in the long grass.

This is Flo at her last puppy class with her sister Saffy. Saffy was from the same litter as Flo but was sold to a private owner.  Gorgeous girls!

This is Flo demonstrating her "what me?" look! We took her to the fields to play hide and seek in the long grass. She loved it and had great fun sniffing the humans out.

A trip to Lakeside

It's not always sunshine and roses puppy walking! Flo has had some ups and downs recently.

She is still a little nervous of loud sounds and cars but with the slowly patient approach she is learning to overcome these things.

Flo has also finally learned that trying to dive into another dog's food bowl while they're eating will eventually come back to bite you! Literally! She was chastised by my male dog who is normally so tolerant of her with a nip to the nose. No major damage was done and Flo no longer tries to get in his bowl - lesson learned the hard way!

But now for the ups. We recently took a trip to Lakeside Shopping Centre with her sisters and brother. Flo fully enjoyed the trip and took it all in her stride. She thoroughly enjoyed the attention from the toddlers and everyone that she met was bowled over by how cute and how gentle she is. I have to say that also goes for all the other puppies that were there. We created quite a sight but they were all so well behaved.