Finally after 11 years....

[harveydales]

I can let Ben (our black lab) come upstairs with me and sit beside me at the computer.

We got Ben as a semi-rescue 10 years ago and he was a real handful. We have conquered most things but have never been able to let him upstairs in the house. However hard we tried, he would "go stupid" and not settle. He has always been happiest in the kitchen or in the car. Every now and then I have another go but to no avail. Then yesterday I let him come up with me and he sat quietly by my side the whole afternoon! Only one brief attempt at manic running around killing a piece of cardboard - that was when I had a bath and he settled down very quickly again.

So finally I can spend much of the day together with my dog, where ever I am at home.

[Debbie]

has it really been so long?! Eeeep! I remember when you'd first gotten Ben, time really does fly.

Congrats on getting to enjoy him properly in the house!!! Better late than never

[benjismum]

Aw that's lovely, we had a border collie we couldn't allow upstairs, but my yorkie goes all over the house with me, so I know how lovely it is to be able to have them with you all the time. Well done Ben lol

[valerie n scout]

Awww what a clever boy, well done Ben xxx

[harveydales]

Dawn - you are so right.

Debbie - yes isn't it scary! I remember well posting on here in desperation when we first got Ben and you giving me some helpful advice. That first week I was sorely tempted to take him back. Thank goodness we persevered.

[dalesnfellfan]

We had a rescue lab years ago and were sorely tempted to take him almost every week but we had him 12 years when we had to have him put down finally, he was a lovely dog but never easy.

Well done for finally getting there with him

[Debbie]

I remembered and you got Ben at the toughest time of his life. Teens are always a struggle he's so so lucky you stuck with him and he turned the corner to become a much better behaved pup

[dusty]

Better late than never. Although neither of mine are allowed upstairs and the kitchen is out of bounds unless I'm in with them. Kieko I would maybe let if he was an only dog but Kali never!

[dalesponyrider]

Awwww bless him, he's finally growing up and getting a bit of sense!

[tinkerdorisalison]

I'm another who can hardly believe Ben has been with you that long. I remember that he was a handful at the start.

How long has Dalesfans been going? - must have been around the same time??

[Debbie]

It was going for at least 3-5 years before Pam got Ben. I remember what a tightly knit family DFs already was when I joined in 2003

[harveydales]

I joined when I first got Harvey in June 2002 and Dalesfans hadn't been going for long at all then- it didn't take me long at all to catch up on all the posts from the very start.