Look, don’t touch (or for that matter, bark) has been my watchword this week.

I don’t often get the chance to ride or drive horses these days but I do come across horses a lot, whether that is working horses, competition horses at shows or just happy hackers in local parks.

It is therefore very important for Travis to be accustomed to horses, not least because he is a herding breed. He met his first pony at 11 weeks old and was pretty unfazed. Needless to say, he was more interested in trying to eat droppings and make friends with everyone else in the yard.

I know that this will change as he grows up and is eventually off lead, and I will ensure that his training continues.

Many people would be surprised to find that London not only has a sizeable population of working horses but a fair few recreational ones too, although sadly all the working brewery drays have gone and stables are under ever-increasing threats from developers and rising insurance costs. The local wildlife includes the usual feral pigeons and other birds, aquatic birds, seals and foxes and there are two working farms with cattle within three miles of Chiswick. Sadly, these animals can be harried on a  daily basis and sometimes killed by unruly dogs and irresponsible owners who have no control over their dogs and often are not paying them any attention anyway.

I am working hard to ensure that Travis is not one of them by rewarding him for disengaging from wildlife and cats – look, don’t touch.

Next week: The Whole Tooth And Nothing But

Meanwhile, why not check out R+Dog Training Puppy Start Right Courses, the Country Canines Course for walking around wildlife and livestock and register for the new Puppy Social Walk in Chiswick House grounds.