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Now that Barney has had time to settle into the crazy life of a Blue Peter dog, he, Helen and their vet, Reena, have been taking your questions! Let's see what they've got to say...

Message 2 - posted by Giddie (U14063848) , 3 Weeks Ago

First up, Cockerspainels asks:

Is Barney still getting car sickness?
From Cockerspainels

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Message 3 - posted by Helen Skelton (U13405119) , 3 Weeks Ago

Fingers crossed he is doing much better thanks! He is sometimes sick but not every time, which i think is a massive improvement!!!! I took him all the way to Cumbria and back in the car (12 hours int eh car in total) the other week and he was fine! So it's not my driving after all - despite what joel says!

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Message 4 - posted by Giddie (U14063848) , 3 Weeks Ago

journalistyaz asks:

Hi
Do you take Barney everywhere with you?
From journalistyaz

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Message 5 , 3 Weeks Ago

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Message 6 , 3 Weeks Ago

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Message 7 - posted by Helen Skelton (U13405119) , 3 Weeks Ago

I try, he comes on as many shoots as possible. Sometimes it's not fair or safe so he stays in the office with Joel, Andy or someone else from the Blue Peter team. Last week I was filming at an RAF base with loads of helicopters, it would have been a nightmare for him. It was loud and dangerous - no good for barney! I still look for him out of habit though when i am filming without him, i find myself looking over my shoulder all the time!

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Message 8 - posted by Giddie (U14063848) , 3 Weeks Ago

mehan123 says:

Hi Helen and Barney :D
I just got a dog and was wandering if you had any tips..?

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Message 9 , 3 Weeks Ago

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Message 10 - posted by U14190604 (U14190604) , 3 Weeks Ago

Good question mehan123

Firstly make him reassured in his new environment. Try and give him the same food as he was getting at his old home and remember to pop him into the vets for a check-up once he's settled in.
Finally enjoy having him around!

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Message 11 - posted by Helen Skelton (U13405119) , 3 Weeks Ago

Rope in your friends, you will need their help. It's brilliant having a dog but they need a lot of walks and attention so it is worth having mates around. Also try not to fuss over your new dog too much, i am guilty of it, but the thing is if you pander to them too much they expect it all the time. (I don't mean that to sound hard, it's just you could end up with a difficult dog if you fuss over them way too much).

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Message 12 - posted by Giddie (U14063848) , 3 Weeks Ago

BlueSkyGazer says:

Hii
What is Barney's fave place on the Blue Peter set?
BSG xx
{GirlsBringTheFunOfLifeSugarLikeApplePie}

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Message 13 - posted by Helen Skelton (U13405119) , 3 Weeks Ago

He loves to sit on the sofas. They are really comfy and he falls asleep there. The trouble is he gets confused because when he is at mine or at my parents we tell him not to sit on the sofa. Poor thing!

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Message 14 - posted by Giddie (U14063848) , 3 Weeks Ago

didmonkey asks:

Hi helen and Barney
What tricks has he learnt and what's his favourite meal.
Thanks

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Message 15 - posted by Helen Skelton (U13405119) , 3 Weeks Ago

I am still working on the tricks, he hasn't really learned anything yet. He loves eggs and chicken. To be honest he'll eat anything - literrally anything so i have to be careful as dogs are allergic to loads of things. Even nuts. I am trying to get him into carrots they are meant to be good for dogs teeth.

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Message 16 - posted by U14190604 (U14190604) , 3 Weeks Ago

As Barney loves his food it would be really easy to teach him new tricks as he can be rewarded with a treat when he performs them.

For dogs who don't like food as much, giving toys or just giving praise can help in teaching them to do new things.
Helen's right - carrots are good for dogs' teeth.

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Message 17 - posted by Giddie (U14063848) , 3 Weeks Ago

supersweetlaura9 asks:

hi
how old is barney now?
how long have you had him?
How old was he when you had him?
Have you ever considered starting a hobbie with him like agility or heelwork to music?
Frome Supersweetlaura9

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Message 18 - posted by Helen Skelton (U13405119) , 3 Weeks Ago

I think he is 8 months old. We don't really know because he was abandoned and rescued by the dogs trust. They then handed him onto me, no one really knows when he was born. He came to live with me in August, since then he has grown loads and although he is brilliantly behaved sometimes he has a puppy strop. He has done a few wee wees in the office, which i can only but down to being a baby! I would like to take him to agility but he has so much to get used to I might leave it a while. He has a lot to learn in teh studio, about filming and all the rest of it so I don't want to bombard him with too many things!

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Message 19 - posted by U14190604 (U14190604) , 3 Weeks Ago

Heelwork is an excellent idea for Barney. Dogs largely enjoy it as it stimulates their brains and is good exercise.

However, I would recommend that the dog is at least 1 year old as their bones are still developing and too much exercise can lead to problems with their joints.

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Message 20 - posted by Giddie (U14063848) , 3 Weeks Ago

moviespice asks: