The dog musing/vent thread

[Babyblue5290]

Talon did good at the Disc Competition today. There was also a car show, which meant a ton of people and he did great. He wasn't as "omg yay people" he was a bit more in his srs work mode I think, but that's ok because he got pets from people, met more dogs, and overall did great. There was one dog that, for some unknown reason, Talon HATED with a passion. The dog would walk by and Talon would freak out. Eh, I still call it a success overall though.

Artimis came with us and he did pretty good too. He mostly just relaxed and had fun putting his face in the grass and taking in deep breathes. He was so weird. But he did meet a few people, overall did well. One guy he wasn't a fan of, growled at him, but with as many people and dogs that were there, and considering he went from an extremely people reactive dog to one who is willing to get pets from people I'm happy with it. Plus, this is the first time we took him with us to an event.

Overall, very happy with them both today! ^_^

 

[sassafras]

After our most recent Rally trial, which was a pretty lackluster performance despite 2Qs, I've been making more of an effort to practice heeling with attention in public with Squash. Which means more leash walks.

Even though I really only practice it for maybe a half a block at a time intermittently throughout a 30-45 minute walk, I realized today that even in between he has really become a pleasant dog to walk. He stays out at the end of the leash but doesn't really pull unless he sees a squirrel or something - and then the "yardstick" method gets him back. He's just matured so much over the summer in a lot of ways and this is just one of them.

Now I want to tell everyone who is frustrated that their 1-2 year old dog doesn't walk nicely (or whatever other young dog shenanigans they do) to just be patient and stick with it. IT IS COMING.

 

[Julee]

Bloo is seriously the best running partner, ever.

Perfect pit bull.

 

[Southpaw]

Happy ran laps around the yard with Juno today. HAPPY RAN LAPS.

It was seriously like... one of the most amazing things ever. She is soooo much healthier than she was 7 months ago when I adopted her. She was running around and play bowing and chasing Juno, they were both having a blast! Unfortunately her old body couldn't handle it for very long, but it was the most play and running I've ever seen from her! One of the greatest parts is that after all that activity, she didn't even start coughing... she hardly coughs at all these days anymore, maybe we're really beating this heartworm infection?

I wish I would have got a video but I honestly didn't think she was going to go on long enough for me to have time to open the camera.

 

[Hillside]

Nico ran smack dab into a parked car today. Then he playbowed at it.

 

[Grab]

Brooks did so much better today on his second ever hiking trek. He still got a little woofy if people were coming up behind us, but in all but one instance just having him sit off to the side made all well again. (the exception was a family with a large amount of kiddos and, while he's pretty ambivalent to kids, there were a lot of them, all wearing backpacking equipment, and one parent had to turn around and take a toddler in full meltdown screaming tantrum off the trail. So I'll give him a pass for getting the heeby jeebies. I still had him sit, and he did calm, but he thought they were sketchy and kept an eye out until they'd rounded the trail corner)

We also came face to face with an elk (and, later, a second he did not see) and he totally said he could take on an elk and did his very best attempt at poofing up and sounding fierce Way to be one with nature, Brooks, lol.

 

[Airn]

I really want this foster dog. But the organization wants to keep the two siblings together. Jess sent me an article weeks ago which I gave to them that explained why keeping littermates together is bad. I even hinted that I'd take one but two was too much. She explained their situation (1 year old dogs adopted out alone at first, brought back and adopted out together) and they're apparently attached at the hip. No ****. But good luck finding a foster or better yet an adopter.

They don't listen to me... "Oh but the person who's returning them wants them together" Uh this person is GETTING RID OF THEM. Why do they get a say? Ugh...

Edit: This post has to include a picture of said dog(s).

This is the one I'm REALLY wanting to foster. So freaking cute.

I would also foster this one. They're both cute but the nose on the first one....

 

[Cali Mae]

I believe we found one of Cali's favourite past-times today at the beach: digging. I'll have to upload the video but she loved it! I pretended to dig and then she started to do it herself. Cue sand flinging in every direction, and within a couple minutes, she had a hole nearly as big as herself.

 

[Cali Mae]

Saw a papillon walking down the boardwalk, and got super excited.

Ironically, he belonged to a family that lives in our town, and the son is friends with my sister. It goes to show how little I know.

 

[Laurelin]

I think Jess and Ashley made Summer's day today. She went from lap to lap to lap to lap. Even figured out how to 'sit' in two laps at once!

I think they're both well acquainted with why Mia is known as 'the Brat'. :rofl1: She never fails to embarrass.

 

[Laurelin]

Had a great class tonight. Mia was initially a bit scatterbrained for unknown reasons. But at the end of class we had a good 30 minute long ball playing session! I was so happy! We've really struggled with having her drive for the ball transfer over away from the house and park. She had a blast.

And one of my agility friends is considering a papillon for her next dog! Her niece just got a pap puppy and she says that pup has her sold and that it's the smartest dog she's ever seen. I am slowly converting everyone at our training place.

 

[crazedACD]

Coconut is pretty **** blind now, and half deaf, and she gets lost in the house and barks non-stop, if she can't find anyone. I hope she isn't stressing really bad when no one's home :/.

 

[JennSLK]

I just found a litrer of "Peer Bread" doberman. Not sure if I want to laugh or cry

 

[ruffiangirl]

just for fun sometime, go into kijiji and search purebread :rofl1:

 

[BostonBanker]

Here's my current "huh" thing with my dogs. Both are allowed on my bed, and both sleep with me in bed at night.

During the day, Meg will not get on the bed uninvited. If I'm on the bed and she wants to join me, she will stand at the foot wagging her tail hopefully until I tell her she can come up. I've tried to wait her out. She WILL NOT get on until I tell her she can. At night, after last potties, she runs up and gets on the bed before I'm even upstairs, no permission.

Gusto will launch himself at me any time I'm on the bed during the day with no warning. Straight onto my book or laptop full speed. He doesn't think twice about it. After last potties, he waits by the bed while I get settled in, and absolutely will not jump up until I put an arm out to invite him up.

Huh.

 

[Katem]

Speaking of bed-related dog problems, Badger will not sleep in the bed. I like that Bear and Pig sleep in the bed, but if Badger doesn't want to be there, whatever. Exxxxxcept that I can't trust him loose in the room yet. On the bed? I would wake up if he gets down/starts doing something he shouldn't. On the floor, yea, just no.

He's going to outgrow the crate in my room soon and after that, he'll probably have to sleep by himself downstairs. I'm gonna miss his cute little snoring if/when that happens. It's just so weird though, he will hang out on the bed no problem, but the second I shut the lights off, he can't get off and into his crate fast enough.

 

[*blackrose]

I once again assert that bones are God's gift to puppy owners. I bought two giant beef stifles (or whatever they are...the hooves were still attached and everything). Cynder is outside nomming away (although she's good regardless) and Abrams has been occupied for the past hour and still going strong.

I have not had to let him out to pee, or pulled something out of his mouth he shouldn't be eating for an *hour*. It is wonderful!

 

[Oko]

Saw a gorgeous belgian mal today while in the car and had a freak out. Zomg, so purty it was.

 

[Locke]

I think...I might have found my new dog. We're dog sitting him now while his foster parents are away, and he meets most of my criteria, and is SO smart and SO adorable. Just need to get BF on board.
Yippeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Hillside]

Today was Nico's first day going to work with me. Tomorrow, I am bring both him and Saga with me. It's so awesome not having to worry about what time I get home so they can go out to go potty. (Several days of the week, I will be working 12 hour shifts.) It's also awesome to have a huge building and parking lot to use for training. ( I have an hour lunch break and other breaks too.) Nico thinks being a working dog is AWESOME! The boss even said he gets a raise tomorrow. A WHOLE TEN MORE TREATS! :rofl1: I made HUGE progress with his attention heel today, too. We got farther than we ever have before and we are off the wall and against the curb now because he only needs a LITTLE physical help now. He's heeling pretty well without the curb or wall, too, but we still need it some for now. But MAN, being able to train during the day when I'm inspired and not at 10:30 at night when I used to get home from my other job makes a HUGE difference.