You know you've done a good job socialising your dog when

[ClareMarsh]

You decide to pop into town (Covent Garden, London to be precise) because your walking shoes have decided to start leaking and you fear trench foot. Knowing that outdoor shops are usually pretty relaxed about dogs (well tiny dogs anyway) you take your dog with you. He sleeps through a 20 minute train journey, walks up through reasonably quiet streets to the shop. Sits nicely on Dad's lap whilst you try on shoes, wags tail when shop assistant makes a fuss of him. In shop two he accepts the cardboard shoe insert you offer him as the assistant "is just going to throw it away anyway" and thoughtfully shreds it whilst you try on more shoes.

You leave shoeless , walk back to the station through reasonably busy streets which include a Morris Dancing Display complete with drums which you have to double check is actually there because your dog walks past as if nothing is going on. Another snooze on the train and back home.

He has been on a train before and in the odd shop and whilst I would never drag him on a long shopping trip he did so well today. He's such a pleasure to have out with us

[jacksdad]

way to go Ted.

[ckranz]

Yeah I kow that feeling great job

[Suzette]

Oh, I too love those moments when it all pays off!

[Nettle]

Wonderful - well done you for making his life so good.


Now go and get some shoes - you need SHOES.

[JudyN]

Here you go, Clare... you know you want them....

[ClareMarsh]

I do NEED shoes, and for once I actually do NEED them rather than just WANT them! They didn't have the ones I liked most in my size so am 'tinternet scouting today.

Although now I've seen Judy's recommendations I may rethink In all seriousness I wore heels every day of the working week for years, since departing my stressful job and getting Ted I have worn heels 5 times, once for my sister's wedding, other 4 for meetings as I was exiting my job I am now mostly found in walking boots/shoes/trainers and my beloved DMs

The only one who got anything yesterday was Ted with his cardboard shoe insert

[bendog]

Yay go ted. I do feel proud of pop now. Whilst she certainly wouldnt be as well behaved as ted I've not seen her spook at anything in a long time and she went to a busy car boot sale today full of people and dogs and kids and food and aside from some over excited pulling she was good as gold. It's a real test when they are in situations like that.