It’s hard to believe a whole year has passed since Fig erupted into our lives. That tiny, chaotic ball of fur has grown into a beautiful, clever and occasionally stubborn young dog who has transformed our daily lives.
The puppy days feel like a lifetime ago, though my ankles and coffee tables might still remember them. The play biting has gone (mostly), the toilet training is well and truly cracked and our sleepy Sundays have made a cautious return. But as anyone who’s owned a young dog knows, the first year is never just a straight road to “perfect pooch.”
Highs, lows and the long game
Training with Fig has been a bit like the British weather: sometimes glorious, sometimes a complete washout and often changing without warning. Her intelligence means she picks things up quickly, when she wants to, but also means she finds inventive ways to test the rules. We’ve had weeks where everything clicked, and others where I wondered if she’d forgotten everything she’d ever learned.
Our gun dog training journey has been a particular highlight. It’s given her the mental stimulation she craves and has strengthened our bond. Watching her focus, follow commands and work with me has been incredibly rewarding. There have been frustrating days, of course, but I’ve learned to take a step back, breathe and remember that training is a marathon, not a sprint.
Neutering and growing up
Fig was neutered a few months ago and she bounced back remarkably quickly as we chose a laparoscopic spay for the quick recovery. Even though I am veterinary nurse, the worry of having her neutered is no less. I am the kind of veterinary nurse that when it is something to do with their own pet, my veterinary brain switches off. The team at Tonbridge looked after her like their own so I had nothing to worry about.
My reluctant but converted partner
A year ago, my partner made it very clear that Fig was not coming to work with him. Fast forward to now, and might to his reluctance, he takes her twice a week… It turns out she’s just as good at training humans as she is at learning commands herself.
Life with Fig now
We’ve reached a stage where Fig feels less like a “puppy project” and more like an integral part of our family. She’s confident around other dogs, travels well in the car and has slotted into our routines perfectly (even if she occasionally rearranges them in her own way).
Looking back, the first year has been filled with challenges, but every single one has been worth it. Fig has brought joy, laughter and a few grey hairs, but I wouldn’t change a thing (my partner may say different).
