Most mornings, I take young Reggie round to the park and he runs around with his pals with a big smile and a wagging tail. For a few moments every morning we do a spot of obedience and general training, one of which involves patience in catching the ball. I stand, command a sit, wait and then throw the ball gently to his mouth for him to catch. 

There are many more key elements involved in training a young pup. Obedience, as covered, involves sitting, staying and coming back on request (a little like calling at the crease). Positive reinforcement is key throughout using treats, praise and toys (beer helps cricketers). Consistency is crucial, to keep engaged at all times for progression. Socialisation, getting used to various sights (stunning venues), sounds (edges/appeals/willow/leather), people (wonderful Greysman) and other dogs (including those attending with their cricketing owners) early in life helps them become well-adjusted and confident. Mental stimulation to prevent boredom and promote good behaviour. 

Many find it hard to dedicate the time to training their dog thoroughly and their lives can become busy and difficult to cater for a dogs needs, and this sadly, can lead to rehoming, which became a common thing following covid lockdowns. The plus side is that dogs often find their forever homes with the perfect matches and thrive.

This week, we’ve travelled to Colemans Hatch in East Sussex, the very centre of Winnie The Pooh, where there are 11 quirky examples in need of rehoming:

This majestic Great Dane is seeking a family willing to give him the time and space he needs to thrive. Although he did achieve his first catch of a ball, his performance with the stick was a little lack-lustre for his usual standards on this week’s demonstration. He has a gentle, laid back nature with relatively low energy levels. He likes to leave his accessories and sticks laying around in other dogs’ gardens, which could do with some training regarding boundaries.

This loveable English Bulldog needs a home with no other pets due to stubbornness and presence. A firm shelter favourite, he’s reliable, loyal and one of the leaders of our pack. Very assured with catching the ball, as shown this week, and looked good with his stick until a different dog’s ball grazed it. Occasionally shows bursts of high energy that can result in behavioural challenges, including grunting. Despite exercise, high arousal can override obedience. Overall an excellent companion, who will have your back and perform to the best he can every time. 

This high performance Portuguese Water Dog is a real treat of a hound. Affectionate, well-trained and eager-to-please, this one is perfect for any home looking for a candidate for Crufts, they have it all. Very keen to guard behind three sticks this week and great efforts to catch all balls heading his way. As seen last year, here at Colemans Hatch, he dominated with stick in mouth and was positive in his command of it this year too. He was seen to be taking the ball into a neighbours garden, the trees and all parts of the park. His sweeping of the ground was a joy to behold and a reverse move of this took him to his maximum again. 123 runs this year in very little time. Will suit a family with the ability to handle his high energy and ambitions to never fail. 

This highly intelligent Border Collie put on a great show for us today. One of the more experienced dogs at the shelter, he showed his foot skills on the ball leading to delightful shouts of “Fentinho”. Composed show of stick control when needed in a wonderful supportive role to the Portuguese Water Dog. This loveable pooch would suit a quiet home with owners that can give him activity every day, plenty of affection and a trip to the Park Crescent on a Friday evening.

Next we have a curious, smart and alert Basenji who quietly goes about leading the pack. Spends most of his day in the park arranging where the other dogs are going. Today he managed the workload of the other dogs excellently. Growing in confidence with the stick and providing himself more opportunity to do so is paying off as he continued to show his ability with some lovely placements, dissecting the field and some watchful late manoeuvres. He would suit a home that can offer plenty of time on the field, or attending his favourite car boot sales where he searches for new toys, treats and sticks. Boredom can lead to destructive behaviours, so plenty of mental stimulation is required.

One of our most loved buddies at the shelter, this Frenchie brings everything to the party. Playful, alert and completely irresistible. Eager to please, so good for first time owners. Well trained and shines on regular occurrences. Today was no different. Outfoxing others 3 times with a ball in his control with backup from our Great Dane and English Bulldog pals, he performed the best in this section of the show – including his directing a ball to the very top of a stick. Didn’t get a chance to show his excellent stick control today, but we can assure you it’s good. Prone to overheating, he did well today. Can have difficulties being house-trained and, with a mixed breeding background, there’s some hereditary conditions. However, largely in good health, always up for a cuddle and strong need for companionship should be a huge positive. 

Here we have the perfectly reliable Golden Retriever. He will do whatever is required on command and consistently performs week in, week out. Outgoing and trustworthy he takes a joyous and playful approach to life, working hard for others. This week, control of the ball was shown again in tight measure and successful dislodging of twiglets. One overzealous moment caused amusement in the show, as he playfully threw the ball behind him whilst aiming to retrieve. No stick play this week, but we know what he can do.
Will suit almost any home willing to understand the benefits of Jack Grealish!

This friendly Spaniel enjoys close relationships with the other dogs at the shelter. Very eager to please, needs a lot of positive reinforcement and wants to be dominant with a ball. Today he showed signs of being over-eager and ended up with no ball a couple of times. A lot of grooming is required to prevent matting and he is prone to separation anxiety if left alone for a long time. So it was a welcome return for him to be back playing with the others. Mixed ability with the catching of balls today, but two were firmly pouched legitimately, one being voted as moment of the day, as he swooped in and grabbed hold of a low, fast retrieve, very close to the ground. Would suit a home that likes long walks, pub trips and patience. 

A classic pomeranian. Playful and extrovert but part of the pack. Lacking some of the energy they once had, they still spin, spin, spin and contribute. A quirky character that has produced many memorable moments in recent years at the shelter. Bladder control is not at its finest today, going to the toilet in the show arena. Still collected one stick by popping the ball off a branch into the mouth of the Portuguese Water Dog. Would suit a home with a lot of patience and time to bond. Loves car travel and camping, recently had his birthday party there. 

One of our oldest members of the shelter, this Basset Hound largely likes to spend his time alone. Mild mannered at home, he’s very stubborn outdoors. For owners interested in winning county dog shows, this one improves with age and recently performed outstandingly in county trials. This has led to new found skills, including throwing a ball at 70mph and attempting to mankad dogs his junior. Once again he has turned out to deliver the goods again, collecting a prize scalp with the aid of our Spaniel. Will require owners with full attention. Food needs careful preparation and a household with no jumping or rough play. Their overall love of lounging around can lead to weight gain, so a supervised trip out every day is encouraged. Not the strongest of swimmers, so water based activity, even a pond, needs close supervision.

 Loveable, but one of our trickier lodgers. This great looking Afghan Hound has been a challenge for our keen volunteers. Known for their free-spirited nature and tendency to explore their environment on their own terms, they display less interest in pleasing others. Training can take a lot of patience and a good understanding of their unique temperament is required. Sometimes it can appear quite aloof. Prone to ear infections.
This particular one’s recall is out the window, their decision to freely roam regardless of instruction is frequently seen. He is, however, affectionate and extremely loyal to those they have managed to bond with. Unusually, for the breed, this one responds well to food as an incentive. Today’s outing was subdued for their standards, arriving with tag on. Keen, as always, for a drink. A potter around the field took place, wandering from place to place, observing instruction and then not being there – although largely in the vicinity. A spell at ball throwing was good, but not at full potential. At dinner, he ate well, although had his cucumber stolen by another dog at the shelter. One concern raised was the ability to throw his drink on his back whilst sneezing. Later on in the day all the dogs were asked to stand next to the dog they thought had done well today. This slightly confused Afghan went and sat next to the French Bulldog for their stick ability – but unfortunately, our Frenchie didn’t get to play sticks today.
Would suit a home with the patience of a saint. Needs constant observation, training, manners, diet control, mental stimulation and love. If you can manage it all, he’s an absolute joy to be around. 

Summary:

An excellent show. The pack mentality was in cohesion and, apart from some very minor blips, delivered a fantastic result. Stand out performance from the Portuguese Water Dog to a sensational level again at the venue, and some brilliant supporting roles highlighted throughout. All our pooches had a warm down in the pond post match with the Basset Hound and have been put in their crates for another week until they come together again next week in Ditchling. 

Statto’s report
Sun drenched stats…
Brought to you this week just off the coast of Sardinia. Cricket’s a funny old game last time I mentioned Tommy Nicks he had just posted his first duck for the Greys this week he top scores with 123*. In the tables he moves up to 6th not bad from 4 games…at the top Biff recaptures the lead mostly due to the fact that Dom only featured as a bowler but a wins a win. In the bowling it’s EO’s turn to be wicketless allowing Chris to ease away from him and Shadow to cosy up.
Not a lot to say about the lifetimes, next week’s the big one! Terry might even get himself a new shirt.
New opponents next week, we’re at St James’