Max#1

Commiserations for the thunder... and for wet and smelly puppies all round! Good to hear Ruby is home - hope she goes okay! I'm very envious of your MDTL too!

Wuffles: my purpose for going to obedience was to have the kind of experience you're having! ha! I guess I was just trying to say there's more than one reason why it may not be 'working'. It may be you, it may be the dog, it may be the learning style, it may be the instructor-you-dog combination.

KTB and KA: You two are terrible! Though the whole matter wasn't helped yesterday afternoon. We ran into our park-friend out walkies, and went back to his place - this turned into a few beers - and Max and one of his dogs got to play for a few hours! There was a bitey-face-good-time had all round! My OH, like an innocent child, was enthralled by their antics. He cracks me up sometimes. KTB: well done with that video. From the point of view of a potential owner - its a very good idea to give an honest indication of the dog's temperament. But that wasn't over the top. And the moment in the video where he sits, then puts his ears back, that's a winner! KA: I understand your feelings regarding obedience. I think if I hadn't met my friend from the park (see above - also a long-time instructor and flyball guy) I would've thrown it in by now. But I think that has a lot to do with the instructor of our class. I think they can make a big difference. I know our instructor knows what she's doing - but do you know what I mean? Our puppy pre-school lady was great. She took a personal interest in the dogs, and made a point of showing that the different dogs had different learning styles. She knew everybody's puppies, they all knew her and loved her, everyone went away feeling good about themselves, and how things were going with their puppies - which is what you need in those first few weeks when you're not getting enough sleep and have seen enough puppy poop to last a lifetime! She was very encouraging, while also being honest if there were problem behaviours. My instinct was to trust her implicitly. Its the same with our park-friend/flyball instructor. Our obedience instructor - well its not quite the same if I'm honest. Again on Sunday we were called back after class for 'a chat'. I leave those classes thinking I'm doing everything wrong, and that my puppy is a wild animal, and we're going to end up irreparably ruining him. Anyway - I don't even know what my whole point is?! We're just hanging out for next year and hopefully we'll be a better match for our next instructor!

Clastic - if there was ever an 'ad' for having two dogs. Your photos would be it........ Why have one? .... when you can have two....! Ha! They're so adorable! Meanwhile those holes are pretty impressive! Tonight we were at a friend's house with Max - they were curious as to his breeding and reckoned they could 'discern' - border, lab, staffy, and kelpie... Poor Max and his indeterminate heritage!

Can you tell he's suffering? Max really suffered when he lost his teeth. He'd chew on things (like the corner of the couch... yeah great I know - it was almost like he was stretching his mouth for relief?) and kind of wail... Or - my normally happy little puppy just became kind of grumpy, for lack of a better way to explain it. In any case, if he's not suffering, I wouldn't worry about it! I've had other puppies where we didn't even notice they were teething! Just found an occasional tooth and that was it! For relief - just anything chewable! Cold is better! I think as well as making their gums feel better, chewing might distract from the pain???

Poor Ruby! I'm sure she will be fine and the vet nurses will spoil her rotten!! Thanks for the link to the K9 site too. Would you recommend going to see this guy? What more do you want to get out of Kuma? The concept of training in drive I think is really interesting. I would definitely like to know more about that. In terms of training, we've had some little wins the past few days! We were at the park, and two days in a row people were playing ball on the other side of the park. Normally, Max would be off like a shot, not hearing me, to run endless circles round these people chasing their ball. BUT - he didn't do it!!! He stopped when I said his name, then came when I called him. He kept wistfully looking off in the distance - so after a bit I rewarded with his own game of ball.... I was so proud!!!! Now this one goes out to all of you who have ever videotaped themselves doing something strange with their puppies..... then posted it on the internet..... (warning: you can see my face - I hope that's not illegal)

Interesting name for that particular article. I have to ask: Who is Steve?

KTB: love the new thing with the photos at the bottom of your post. Elbie, particularly, strikes me as looking very grown up and responsible!

Oh Niques: my dog also thinks being towel dried is something between torture and a game.... the dramas! James has the most adorable face! And Betsy, mine particularly likes wiping himself off on the carpet. But not if he's clean-wet, only dirty-wet. Much to my OH's bemusement (though I think secretly he loves getting the Bissel out). And good luck Wuffles with Ava next week! KTB: on poo I'm an expert. We didn't call Max the poo-machine for the first couple of weeks for nothing. Although lately I've been surprised to notice its only three a day. What else can I say but 'yay?!' You could almost start a poll with that one! I still chuckle every time I think of that thread about dogs pooing on walks, and someone said, 'depends if you like walking poo external to the dog'. That hit my funny bone... About getting a second dog - I think having the reassurance from breeder (or rescue?) that there's support there if it doesn't work out with existing dog is a good idea. Ravenau - five more weeks yay!

Heee heeeee! For me sticky tape wasn't the answer. I had more success with small pieces of 'treat' (I remember using ham), that I managed to stick onto his nose using vegemite (mine's not a peanut-butter kind of dog...). This had the benefit of being self-rewarding too. Ah - I so wish I was having the dilemma of training two dogs at once! But KTB, it does look like you're doing a great job - and having a lot of fun as well!

Oh KTB - that's nearly too much to bear. And she's deaf. I just think of the way Max is always listening to me.... Clastic and KTB: everything you say about having two dogs, is exactly how I imagine it. I appreciate everyone's opinions! Last night I went back and got out the Ava-Satchmo playing video ('partners in crime') and the Elbie-Hoover video (Kung-Fu) to show the OH. Its nice that through such a forum as this, we can live vicariously through you guys! Do you know what I mean? Like even the excitement of Hoover's arrival! Mind you, the thought of 2x poo is something. And Intense Guilt is something else too. That's part of the reason I think it might be a good idea to get another dog. I've noticed Max is very focused on me. He follows me around, he's always watching me with those big brown eyes of his, waiting for his next instruction, listening to what I'm saying.... I started noticing it when at obedience, doing recalls with the instructor holding Max and me calling him - all the other puppies would turn around and say hello to the instructor - Max kept his eyes firmly on me. Its not separation anxiety - its okay if I leave him - but I'm worried its not quite healthy nonetheless. Of course I like it though - he's my faithful friend! KA - I hope Kuma's leg is okay! You'll have to keep an eye on him when he's snoozing and role him over from time to time! Betsy - how did you go with your parents?

Max: when I told him the news... James - beware the ball-obsessed dog!

Growing up we had a cat... then a dog... then another dog. The cat was always 'top dog', then the first dog, then the second dog. They would eat in that order, and go screaming down the hallway in that order too!

Wuffles - that's a good idea with the sleep over. But, just to let everyone know, crisis averted - we're not going to do it. I didn't know but the dog is actually in nsw. Its just too much to bring her down here. When (not if! ha!) we get another dog - especially if its a grown up already - we'll have to look a bit closer to home so that there's a chance for some getting-to-know-you meet-and-greet first. Look out for a very tiny bc female rescue with an adorable crooked white stripe on her face. I'm sure she'll have no problems to find a good home.

I think we're on 500 m2, so a fair comparison. I guess enough space they don't feel the need to escape? Ha! Max is looking like he'll be about 20 kg - and this girl is only 12 kg! So that's another plus - she's only a littl'un. I've just emailed my dog-walking friend (who's also an obedience instructor and flyball chief) to ask his advice as well - he's got three! Of course I've been asking Max if he wants a friend:

Thanks Wuffles and Belgian Blue! So I expected my OH to just say no flat out - but last night when I was playing tug with Max, I told him that if we had another dog, she would be playing tug. He didn't believe me, but when I convinced him - he said I better go have a look at her! He thought this would be hilarious! My primary concern is probably space. We have a smallish house, and not a huge backyard. Though we only need about 4 m of fence out the front, then we'd probably qualify for having a big yard. Though as we're on a sort of busy street, I wouldn't like to leave a dog there while we're not home. Our back and front yards have high fences, so that's already a good start. Our backyard is just a grass area, a covered car space, and a pergola that's covered - so quite suitable for doggies really! Another concern is time. We are both full-timers. Actually the OH works really long hours, and I'm an early starter and finisher. Which is why we got Max in the first place - because I do have a lot of time to spend with a dog. And I am trying to get a different job at the moment that would allow me to at least work a bit from home. The primary reason to get another dog would really be for Max (and the other dog then) - to have company. Max loves other dogs, loves playing with them at the park - and always looks longingly after the other dogs as we leave. Growing up we had two (and a cat!) - but they were mini-poodles so hard to make a comparison I think! And of course having two dogs makes things more complicated for outings - for obedience - for flyball - for if we ever go on a non-dog holiday (all the OH's family are in EU so there's probably a month trip every second year or so). ETA: Another concern I guess is that Max is 6 months, and this girl is 2 years old - that would be an interesting dynamic. Very different to getting a new puppy I think. Thinking... thinking.... thinking....

We have a lot of carpet and some vinyl in the kitchen. The carpet is short though, and a dark colour! It was in the house when we bought it and looks pretty new. I don't know what I would change it to if we ever decided to - I kind of like it because it makes the house feel warm! For those with carpet (or who like drinking red wine) I have one word: Bissel. We use it every three/four weeks and it really keeps the carpet looking good.

KTB: I have to limit watching your videos, they always make me a bit teary. Those poor puppies - especially the old guy. (There was a little typo I think in the first word screen of his movie, just an extra word). To all those with 2(+) dogs. What are your thoughts on having two dogs. How does it compare to having one dog? What changed when you got your second dog? How do you split obedience/other activities between them? (Though that one I kind of know from posts on here). How much space do you think you really need for two? Any thoughts (and of course photographic evidence! ha!) appreciated!

Sydoo - Max loves doing that too!!! Drives my OH crazy! Especially as his water bowl is in the kitchen......!

This may sound a bit strange - we've bought a roll of chicken wire and pegged it with big strong pegs into the ground horizontally (ie lying down) along any fence areas that lead to outside. This means that any digging attempts have to start at least 40 - 50 cm back from the fence. There's no sharp bits or problems like that for doggie injuries. Of course, this isn't quite practical if you have a huge long fence - or a round one - but it seems to work? Our puppy likes the occasional dig, I don't think its out of boredom as such, but maybe he's curious what's down there? He will often pick out grass roots. But along the fence seems to be his favourite place to do it! ETA: not quite sure how we'll go when we need to mow over it....

Enjoying reading! We don't use a mat at obedience either. I haven't tried directing Max to a place in training - though that might be a good one to work on the next time we have a wet weekend! Meanwhile, Sunday morning I was the only person who showed up (completely forgot it was cancelled due to the long weekend - I am in Melbourne) - nevermind the fact it was pouring with rain. What a hoot! Kuma - took at quick look at that link. I can't help but think Max would hang himself if I was to tie him up like that then use some kind of mechanised blowing device on him!!!! Probably both accidently and on purpose! He runs a mile from the blowdryer (I've had to use it once or twice to dry 'wet spots' when he was a wee puppy - ha! pun).... Anyway.... just sitting here at work fantasizing about being able to work from home (or not work at all!) and get another puppy (sigh). I was just sent an email about a rescue bc, only 12 kg (tiny!), female, 2 years old - she looked very cheeky - and like she'd have so much fun playing with Max (sigh)... KTB: excellent descriptions of Hoover's night time antics. I can almost see the chunky monkey diving in his crate! Betsy - I had a bin with pedal to open lid. I quickly discarded the outside of it, and put the plastic bin bit inside the cupboard with a bag in it once Max arrived on the scene. While not an obvious scent-hound, he has his moments... Though our bigger problem is still with bench surfing. On the weekend Max managed to steal about a quarter of a porterhouse steak, cooked rare-medium on the BBQ, that my OH had leftover on his plate, smeared in with some egg-y pasta salad - with that kind of reward I don't think he's going to give it up anytime soon.

Max gets bathed in the bathtub too! Much to his disdain. And somehow he always seems to know when its going to happen..... I'm lucky in that he seems to be quite 'waterproof'- and the mud doesn't stick. Though he does get kinda smelly after a couple of weeks. Though after a bath, his fur is all fluffy and he tends to pick up dirt more easily than after a few weeks, where his fur kind of gets oily - and more waterproof! In summer I think I'll try doing it outside with the hose. Can't wait to see his reaction to that!

Oh I didn't make it! I bought it from the lady who did though! She supplies the flyball team... :p Good to hear Hoover's little head is okay. He's getting good with his tricks! So quick!

Gorgeous photos! Kuma looks very professional.... and poor Hoover with his bald patch! Is he rubbing it somewhere? (perhaps against Elbie? Ha!). Sorry Wuffles, would love to come and play - but too far! We're facing a weekend of very heavy rain this weekend - bleh bleh bleh. Though on Sunday there's a pet expo out in the northern suburbs, where my flyball team is putting on a display - so might have to go check that out. I've got Max sitting here barking at a basket of washing. I know he's doing it to get my attention..... he loves helping with the washing! I haven't transferred any new photos from the camera to the computer so here's one from the other week. Max with his most favourite toy of the moment.... the 'tug'. Its a couple of pairs of tracksuits cut up and plaited! He loves it! I also forgot I was working on a 'movie' but gave that up! Ha! I'm hopeless! But I have a new topic! If I ever get there, you all will find out! Okay - question. What does you puppy (dog) do or like that you're pretty sure no other dogs do or like? For example - Max loves having the lengths of his front legs scratched. Sure behind the ears, and on the rear flank is good, but to really get him to bliss out gotta go for the front legs. Strange?

I'm with you - I would also love to do that! (But sorry no advice!).