Ruairi proves Amazing

[Elizabeth I Cerins]

So very very proud of Ruairi.  He is now 8.5 months old and this weekend my 17-month old niece came to visit.  He was very intrigued with this 'human puppy' and has been loving, tolerant and protective of her.  However, just 15 minutes ago she was given a 'time-out' for grabbing his face (right at the eyes) before we could stop it and he just took it!   He has put up with a lot in the past two days but to me, that was amazing-I would have bit her-lol. 

Oh, and he has had one Obedience class so far and I hope he was not too ashamed of how badly I did.

[Elizabeth I Cerins]

No argument here whatsoever! 

[Sue Paterson]

He's a good Irish lad..bless him.

I looked after my grandson from 6months and Bridie (then 2 years with hardly any experience of children) was brillliant with him. As he grew older he would cuddle up in her bed with her. play with her ears, nose,tail...try to climb on her, hold onto her when toddling and so on. They were and still are best buddies. Even though he has one of our home bred setters at home, all of his very own, he still loves Bridie best (I think its a close call, but absence probably does make the heart grow fonder).

She's now 10 and he is 8.The first thing he does when he comes to visit is go to Bridie to give her a hug (Hey what about me?!) and she goes mad (madder than usual) when she sees him at the door. And this is all in spite of there being 4 others wanting to be first!!!

A very special bond....

[Ellen Turberfield]

My first boy was 8 when i had my first daughter i was worried he would be jealous, but he loved her lying by her  cot sitting by her in her bouncy chair and he put up with all the tail and ear pulling as she started to crawl and walk, this is what makes these wonderful dogs.

[Elizabeth I Cerins]

Wasn't he good!  I have had setters before prove to be good around kids but I was so worried as Ruairi is only a baby himself.  The only reason we had to keep him leashed was he did not know he could knock her over,

[Elizabeth I Cerins]

Sue your Bridie sounds like a very special girl and no wonder your grandson still is bonded to him and he to her.

[Chantal McIlveen-Wright]

Very well done little pup, those little children are not always easy to handle, but you did very well, we are all very proud of you  :-)

[Elizabeth I Cerins]

Thank you Chantal.  he did do remarkably well.

Now, a question.  My boy is very unfocused.  Well, that is perhaps not correct as he can be very focused-on a squirrel, a truck, a bird etc. but not on me or what I am asking him to do.  He is very very loving but he seems to tune me out totally when he chooses.  My previous setters were not like this at all so I am not sure if he will grow out of it.  Any ideas?

[Chantal McIlveen-Wright]

I am no expert Elizabeth but I would tend to say that he is challenging you  :-)  like, no Mum, you are not my master, I am the little man in town me. I think it is normal at that age, they all try to take control, a natural instinct. When they are in one of these phases, I make a point to be the first one to pass the door, to climb the stair, etc. and oblige them to see me as being the alpha one.  Rewards at the end of course :-)

[Elizabeth I Cerins]

Thank you Chantal-I have certainly seen the challenge at times-lol-and I am doing as you suggested.  We are in a good Obedience class and when he is good he is one of the best in the class but he is the most easily distracted.  I am encouraged by you saying it is a phase.