I've written enough about my training for a few days, except to add that a brisk sprint on the bike from home to Brixton and back this afternoon got the blood pumping! How's Benji getting on, I hear you cry!

Well, week two of puppy class was last night and once again he seemed to forget everything we've been working on together for the past six weeks within the first two minutes of being in that church hall with five other puppies. The trainers rely heavily on the use of treats - these can be very effective in teaching new things but a smart breed like the Schnauzer susses out the situation pretty quickly and I really don't think bribes are working for my dog.

Benji immediately knows that I have treats about my person, and because he knows how to sit, lie down, stand etc and will do it for me at home with no treats, it's almost as though he thinks "Why on earth is she making me do this again when we did it this morning - gimme that treat!" as he goes to snap my fingers off with impatience. I've found both sessions quite frustrating, especially yesterday's when he started jumping up at me to get the treats and the trainers came over to help me with his jumping up problem - very common they said. He doesn't have a jumping up problem normally, he just wanted those treats!

Today I started working on straightening him out again after puppy class craziness, and with the help of an extendable lead my friend JJ lent me we had a lovely run around the local park. The sun was in the sky, a light spring breeze was in the air and all was well with the world. Check him out!