With 4 other dogs, it’s not easy training Polar, as he always wants to be with them. He’s learnt the basic sit and down but really needs to socialise with other dogs and people. So today was his first day at ‘doggy school’ and a whole new experience!

We had some crying in the car as I drove away from home. We very definitely had a tail touching tummy when we arrived and he was confronted by a dozen strange canines who had plenty of ideas about ‘behaving badly’!

Staying at the rear of the pack, we followed a group of youngsters into one of the rings. By now Polar’s tail had come out from under his belly and he was watching everything around him with interest, although not too sure when another dog wanted to make friends.

One section of the ring was fence off for a ‘run and chase’ area; the most excitable dogs were let off first, then it was Polar’s turn with a couple of calmer ones. That was the icebreaker! Yes, he’d made friends and ran and showed that his bad leg didn’t stop him from joining in frolics and fun!

He impressed the trainer with his sit, stay and down – all on lead at this stage.

Then we moved on to the table, tunnel, A frame equipment – and I wasn’t so sure this was a good idea after all.

He didn’t like the tunnel – the collapsable section was definitely a no. I’m not sure about that exercise anyway as it means him bending his bad leg. I also wasn’t sure about the large A frame but the trainer said it would help if we were out somewhere and he had to go up and down flights of stairs. So, with her help and a couple of other people, Polar was coaxed up to the top. He came down no problem and when turned round to repeat the exercise, went up and down happily!

All in all, she was really pleased with him and so was I. Afterwards she told me she wanted to use some of the agility equipment to help strengthen his muscles to cope with his disability.

During coffee and biscuits afterwards, a few people came up to meet the Star and I explained the history of his disability. One lady had previously had a German Shepherd with mobility problems which had been helped by a canine physio. She’ll let me have the details on our next visit.

Sadly Polar and I will miss the next two classes as I will be in Spain, so we’ve to wait another 3 weeks to return to ‘school’ and see how much he remembers. In the meantime, he’s not spent much time off his bed since we came home! And it’s not because his leg hurts.