Our relationship is much better, I am much better at "listening" to Ted, when he mouths me for example, yes sometimes he's trying to initiate play and therefore he gets timed out, but also sometimes it's because he does want to be on the sofa with me but he doesn't want to be stroked, he just wants to sit with me. I am sure he now finds me less irritating
Our walks are more fun and we get more training out of them, his loose lead walking is much better and the short bursts of this are paired with playing and training on a long line so he has much more fun snuffling around and practicing recall, chasing me and playing games. Again I am more attuned to what Ted is saying to me and hence he's communicating more. His attention to me has increased and he now looks to me if he is unsure of anything, I sincerely hope he is starting to see that I am there to protect him from everything and he is safe. I have been much more careful about dogs that he meets and as a result he has had lots of positive interactions, has retained his confidence around other dogs and loves to play. Again without the advice from here and reading about what can happen from bad encounters I don't think I would have been so careful as I would have naively thought he needed to meet all dogs.
He seems to enjoy training sessions more, when I pick up the clicker he gets excited (oooo, yummy treats are on the way
) and I can see him trying to work out what I want him to do (that includes barking at me if he does what he thinks I want and no click is forthcoming 
). He's more willing to try new things already when I'm doing something new with him (yesterday he was playing jumping over and under my leg). He is also more confident with random objects. The first time I put down a box that he could fit into stuffed with newspaper, treats and toys he was very nervous about even touching it, now he'll pile in head first and empty it in no time. But he also goes to new things that I put for him with more confidence and more determination to open them/rip them up. Its like his intelligence is growing.To sum up if he could speak I think Ted would say "Thank you, my mum now listens to me more, is more fun, less irritating, plays lots more games with me, keeps me safe, teaches me new things and gives me lots more treats".
Thanks again from a very happy Clare and Ted
but came back to me when called. My friend, who regularly looks after some 'farm dogs', was amazed at just how focused he was on hubby and me, always aware of where we were and responsive to whatever we said/did.
usual fee 
Ssshhhhhh