Well, for the followers of the Reprobate, an update. Today has been odd. Both walks on the long line. He gives me the look as soon as he sees it. This morning he dug his heels in and I could not budge him when I tried to go to a different field to test how I could control the distance with the line, as there is no maize in it and it has old stubble and weeds. I just could not cajole, bribe, trick or get any change. We therefore ended up in the maize field. He even waited expecting me to take the line off. I did not, of course. He walked round like every one else's dog does, but to me he is so different and so subdued, with no quartering and little sniffing or mad runs and jumps. I was quite worried about him. As soon as I took the line off when we got back to the green he sprinted after the ball, so I knew he wasn't ill or anything. This afternoon I waited til about 5.30 because it was quite hot. At least he sniffed around and tried a couple of dashes. I took his ball, squeaky chicken and liver stick. He wasn't interested in ball or chicken, but did come back for a treat everytime I called, and first time. He clearly was desperate for a hunt, and he even pointed at one stage but his head was up and tail wagging, so I assume he will be ok. It's just that he doesn't dash around and the same type of exercise and I am not used to a slow dog plodding round with me after 4 years of mayhem.
