Vinnie and his lovely family have decided to add to their household and have just adopted a sweet little dog. I think Vinnie, my webmaster, got the bug when he had to read all the articles he put onto my site so beautifully.

So after much preparation Vinnie, Tina, Wayne and Jennifer together with myself, took a trip down to Battersea Dogs' Home at Brands Hatch in Kent.

After an in depth interview with the whole family a suitable dog was suggested to them and we all went out into the paddock to meet INDY.

She is a very sweet little Jack Russell Cross Bitch, liver and white in colour, six and a half months old. Regretfully she had already been docked at birth. The previous owners had left her alone for 12 hours a day and were surprised when she cried, howled and destroyed things around the home. Would you leave a baby alone for that long? Why then should people expect a pup to behave when they are left all alone in the big wide world? Anyway moving on………..

She is a dear little dog, can be handled and examined by anyone and just pleased to be in your company. Eager for a game and with no apparent vices! The Battersea Advisor did say she did a little food guarding but nothing that could not be overcome.

Needless to say she won everybodies heart! She would need housetraining but this was not thought to be a problem. However, as there was a cat in residence in Vinnie's home she had to be cat tested.

They chose a really feisty black one and INDY soon realised ignoring this hissing bundle of fur would be the best policy. Obviously she had brains as well as beauty!

INDY was going to become a member of Vinnie's household and the staff at Battersea took them through everything they wanted to know and more, supplying them with food, treats and lots of good advice. Once the formalities were completed we all got into my car and set off home.

INDY was in my dog cage at the back and never made a squeak all the way home. A good start, I thought!

Vinnie's cat was at home when we arrived back. The cat immediately arched it's back and let INDY know it was not to be messed with! INDY although interested decided to give it a wide berth and got on with the important business of sniffing and exploring everything in her new home.

Tina and Jennifer went around making sure all little enticing items were put out of reach (just in case).

Vinnie had wisely decided to clicker train her from the word go, and we all did just that! After she had settled down a little we started with the sit and coming when called. I said she had brains and she picked it up like a house on fire! I think the cheese helped!

There was a little accident in the kitchen but no fuss was made of it and she was taken outside immediately. The clicker would certainly help in letting her know outside was the best place to go. I then went home myself and left them saying I would return later in the evening as I was going to lend them a crate for her to sleep in at night.

Vinnie was a little hesitant at first about the crate but he trusted my judgement about it. INDY would be put into this at night, beside their bed, and this should help her to be clean and dry overnight.

They did just that. She winged a bit at first but then settled down and slept through. In the morning Vinnie carried her downstairs and took her straight out into the garden where she obliged by relieving herself.

Later he took her for an early walk and where she carried out the rest of her toilet needs! They would give her the opportunity to go outside every couple of hours and especially after meals. I do not think it will be too long before she is clean!

They have continued with her clicker training and she now does a lovely sit, down and an instant recall. Out on her walks she appears fine with other dogs, a real bonus!

I am so pleased that after all this time of reading about it Vinnie is actually trying it for himself and seeing the results you can get.

I will report on INDY'S progress as it happens. As you can see from her photo she really is a cutie!!!!!

A little note from me "Vinnie" none of this would have been possible if it was not for a great friend like Kay, Thank you for your patience and guidance.

Indy has now been a valued member of the Franklin household for some weeks and is settling into her new home nicely.

Although a little sceptical about caging her at night Vinnie now says that this has worked out great. When it is bedtime she knows and goes into her indoor kennel and settles down for bed even without being asked to do so!

Indy is very bright and her training is coming along well. Vinnie will stand no nonsense from her and she knows it! Now she has her paws under the table so to speak she tries it on a little with Tina but that is going to be redressed! You cannot blame a pooch for trying however, and they all do it! Cute looks must cut no ice where training is concerned. However, I am sure she will get the message as she has a lovely nature and that goes a long way!

Sits, Downs and Recalls are all great! Stays are coming along too as well as her tricks! Touching objects seems to be especially good and before long she will be the clever little dog I know she can be!

Vinnie has taught me everything I now know about computers but my biggest fault is trying to get everything done yesterday and not taking my time. I have to slow down and listen more! I know I try his patience at times! Sorry Vinnie!

It is with some satisfaction that sometimes as far as dog training is concerned the boot is on the other foot!

Because clicker training gets immediate results you can also tend to rush and move too fast because you expect the dog to catch on immediately. This is a common fault with lots of folk when using this method. Taking your time and making sure the dog really understands all the basics is the key.

Vinnie realises he may be rushing Indy's training a little and is taking my advice to slow down and be less ambitious! He takes it all in good part and I hope I do the same when it comes to computers!

PAGE 2 "MORE ABOUT INDY" CLICK HERE.