Elbie, Hoover, Dodge & Friends!

[koalathebear]

Well I managed to find a combination of food that Astrid at least pays some attention to! Yay! A nice mix of ham and chicken devon stuff, vintage cheddar, salami and tinned tuna, all mixed and squooshed together. I'm pretty sure that people can smell me about 1km away!

;) Yup, I know the feeling. My fingers and hands smell So Gross after dog training - kibble + devon and other stuff. So gross. And during class there's nowhere for me to wipe my hands except my trousers so the dogs like to sniff those, too

My OH used to let Astrid lick his cheeks and ears ;) it just grosses me out so much! I told him that if Astrid kisses him, I won't

Same rules here! When I've seen the dogs licking OH's cheeks and chin, I make a point to avoid Dog Zones

We also got some good news that a good friend of OH's here is finally getting his Fiance's immigration stuff sorted out and she will be moving here from Thailand in July I am SOOO happy!

Yay, that's great news. OH will finally get his permanent residence at the end of the year, which will be good. The process was quite painful - lots of forms, an interview, proving that we were a genuine couple - holiday photos etc. We had to have statutory declarations from friends saying that they believe that we were genuine couple and that they had socialised with the both of us blah blah blah. Quite crazy, really.

I've actually lived here since 2006, and owned the place since 2004 and I don't know any of my neighbours

Urgh. I envy you. Most of our neighbours are ok but I'm feeling decidedly underwhelmed by the neighbours who were complaining about the spraying. Makes me wonder what else they complain about that we don't know about!

I have exactly the same problem!! If I run while she's on lead she jumps up at me and goes mental, perhaps she and Ziggy are related! Not that I can run much

Elbie's the same so I do things like, walk slowly then do a few quick steps then slow down, then speed up again. When he's busy concentrating on whether I'm going to go fast or slow, he forgets to jump. He's been very good on the lead these last few days - no more leash attacks, lots of calm loose leash walking, so he's making progress.

wizzle: G looks soooooooooooo cute with that apple core. I just want to pick her up and cuddle her! Our two get bathed very rarely - dirty and dust just seem to fall off of them. Probably every few months or so. Both got bathed heaps when we first got them - Elbie because he had ringworm and Hoover because we miscalculated a few times with his crate training After that, the bathing was much more rare.

lilli_star: I love that photo of Roo with all the dogs! Do they work sheep or cattle? I also loved Jasper the Interloper taking possession of the crate Smiley Roo is very squooshable - she looks so happy.

TheFenstar: There are heaps of innocuous posts you can post to. Just look at the threads that the people in this thread have posted and you should be able to post half a dozen: "Awww so cute!" posts in no time I can't imagine the Sleeping Puppies thread ever getting nasty.

betsy: I sympathise. I feel like we went through a full range of options with Elbie's pulling - martingale, normal collar, ezywalk harness - none of them were providing the solution, although the ezywalk front-hooking harness was really good for a while. The problem was, when he got really amped up by cars passing by, he would still lunge and end up pulling so hard on the harness he'd limp for a bit. Hence our eventual visit to K9Steve. It's still early days but he is making good progress - calm walking, no lunging ... still barking a bit when frustrated because things are beyond his reach but hopefully these things will get better.

Training went well today. Elbie was apparently very good in his class and OH was pleased. He was on a flat collar during class and even after class heading to the off-lead area to play - normally he pulls like a train but he walked on a loose leash today. He probably thought he was still on his correction collar ;) Hoover was pretty happy in his class today as well - did well in all his various bits and pieces except he is still so bad at heeling and loose-leash walking. I just took him out on our street just then to make sure to myself that he actually can do all those things and he can - just struggles in class because everyone else smells so interesting

What was also cool was that CleoJ brought along an upside down plastic box - kind of like a Step Aerobics step so that the dogs could offer up various behaviours. At home we just have cardboard boxes and phone books so it was cool to have a nice large, durable box for Hoover to play with. He put both paws up and then also climbed on top of the box, which was pretty cute. I'm also happy with his controlled greetings and stays. His drop stays were shocking last week so we have been working on them during the week and he was much better this week. His latest trick is 'crawl' which he can do, but not necessarily on command

Both monsters of course loved playing with Mars and Ava in the offlead area!

clastic: Don't worry - Mars wasn't obnoxious about it, he just likes to keep a hold of the frisbee. I am amused by his dilemma though, he wants to play keepaway and yet he wants to drop it close enough at my OH's feet so get him to throw it :D

wuffles: it was nice to have Ava heeling so nicely on my left like that.

[Clastic]

I've finally found it, a place on Mars' face which he finds annoying. His nose.........! But here is a pic of him before I found that most sacred spot..

[The Ark]

Oh gosh they are cute and that is so hilarious to see an Ava in Corgi Puppy form!!!

I wondered what had happened to their legs, then I remembered that they were corgi bubbas! That little girl does look a lot like Ava (apart from the leg thing).

[lilli_star]

:p Poor Mars Great photo though

Wanted: Companion for long beach walks............must also be crazy enough for zoomies, bitey face and body slamming. Small dogs need not apply.

*Raises Ruby's paw* I do believe you've described Roo to a T, Betsy! Shame we're nowhere near each other!

Koala, my brother has both sheep and cattle, so his doglets work both. My brothers always give their dogs "interesting" names- for instance, the Kelpie that was given to us was Bert, plus my brothers have had dogs named Wal and Neville! ;) Thank God my nieces and nephews are all well named!

The dogs in the photo with Roo and Lucky are Wags, Joy and Missy. Wags is a boy, still a pup really. Joy is Missy's mother.

Wizzle, Roo gets bathed when she's stinky...which is rare when she's home with me, but if she goes to visit the 'cousins' at the farm...a definite must!

[betsy]

I've finally found it, a place on Mars' face which he finds annoying. His nose.........! But here is a pic of him before I found that most sacred spot..

Norty Clastic doing that to poor Mars. AND taking a photo for everyone to see

:)

PS I bath Ziggy when he is smelly, about 3-4 weekly (not 3 or 4 times per week)

[koalathebear]

I've finally found it, a place on Mars' face which he finds annoying. His nose.........! But here is a pic of him before I found that most sacred spot..

;) He looks so hilarious! Don't worry, I only ever posted the photo of Elbie with the peanut butter on his face but both he and Hoover have had sticky tape all over their face as part of the 'are you shy' trick preparations! The trick was extra tricky because as they swiped, I had to grab the tape before they ate it.

lilli_star: love the names. Very Aussie. Surprised that there isn't a Nugget, Boofer or a Mal among the names

betsy: I can loan you Hoover. He seems to enjoy body-slamming with Ava - he's more boisterous and plucky in his play than Elbie is so I suspect he could play with Aussies quite well.

OH weighed our two monsters tonight. Elbie at 12 months is 17.1kg, Hoover at 97 months is 17.2kg :p I think Elbie is fully-grown. Hoover doesn't seem to have grown much more in the last month or so but we shall see, his breeder did predict that he could grow as large as 28kg. I sure hope not! I quite like having both dogs around the same size - makes life much easier in terms of meals and that sort of thing.

Also, they finally killed their Tuffy starfish tonight so we have ordered 3 more Tuffies for them - bone, starfish and ultimate ring. OH bought them a rubber 'love bone' from Woolworths today (squeaky plastic toy in the shape of a bone with lovehearts over it). They killed it within hours - there's a chunk missing and no trace of the squeaker. No more flimsy dog toys for the monsters.

ETA: OH has corrected Hoover's age. I am stoopid.

Edited March 6, 2011 by koalathebear

[wuffles]

Must be a bad night for dog toys today as Ava destuffed a cheapy tuffie-style toy tonight. Came out of the shower and it was snowing. I told her as long as she only destroys her own stuff I am happy!

I only wash mine when they stink. Satch hasn't been washed in over a month, Ava had a bath 2 weeks ago. Sometimes we go at least 2 months with no bath.

[koalathebear]

BTW if the DOL forum ever goes kabloom because some turkey-head posts something defamatory and ruins things for the rest of us, you know where to find me on facebook

Max#1, lilli_star et al - 'twill finally be time to join the facebook crowd ...

[lilli_star]

BTW if the DOL forum ever goes kabloom because some turkey-head posts something defamatory and ruins things for the rest of us, you know where to find me on facebook ;)

Max#1, lilli_star et al - 'twill finally be time to join the facebook crowd ...

Apparently there's an email???? Anyone had it?

PS We have a doglet in the dogbed people. It was not just a one time event Through trial and error I've discovered she will only lay in it if the brown blanket is in the bed. Funny doglet.

Edited March 6, 2011 by lilli_star

[TheFenstar]

ooh no email here and I hadn't read the thread coz I couldn't see any google ads

eeek!

Why can't everyone just play nice.

ONE WEEK til I get my pup. I have Mon - Wednesdays off, so it's time to puppy proof the house and make sure I've got everything.

But before I do that I think an afternoon at the beach is in order, we've got a last gasp summery day here in Melbs.

[betsy]

I did not know that I was participating in Satan - worshipping by using this forum. Although some of the threads should have given me a clue

Have fun at the beach fenstar (i love having an offlead dog beach to let my boy do mad zoomies on!)

[ravenau1]

Ugh, what a weekend! We went out to a concert on Saturday night and left Astrid outside for the first time (at night). We were gone for about 7 hours and when we got home I noticed there was stuff all over her outside bed but didn't pay too much attention because we had left her with a taped up box full of yummy stuff to destroy (she loves boxes) and I thought it was bits of cardboard. Well, at 2am she starts crying in her crate, she never makes a peep until the morning usually so I knew something was up. Wobbly tummy so I take her outside. VERY wobby tummy . I check the poop (the things we do! ;) ) no blood or anything so I'm not overly concerned as she does have a bit of a delicate tummy. Back to bed. 45mins later we're up again, and every hour after that. Once it's light I have a good look around and what's she's actually thrown up is mostly like a sawdust mush mixed with flecks of paint! I check on her bed and yup! Crumbled wood stuff and bigger bits with a white paint. It looks like part of a stirring stick used for painting or something. NO idea where she got it! The last time we painted was in October, and that was bright blue, not white. Maybe someone put it over the fence, but it seems like an odd thing to do.

By yesterday arvo she's feeling better and is back to her bouncy self. However the missed sleep was the last straw for me apparently. Things have been really busy/stressful in the last few weeks and I haven't been taking proper care of myself (I have had warning signs, I have just chosen to ignore them ) so now I am on complete bed rest for the next few days until my system rights itself. Frustrating because it hasn't happened for a long time! I am now working on things I can teach Astrid from the bed because she still needs her mental stimulation. I am working on getting her to bring me things from her crate and put them back again, the bringing them to me is the easy part as she does this anyway but we will see how she goes. OH is having a half day today so will take her out for a walk and some training when he gets home, which will be shortly I think. I'm actually pretty upset as I was supposed to be going to the Western Classic doggie show last night and tonight, to look at Aussies and Great Danes

CleoJ: Thanks for the info. The bit about the sense of humour does make sense! I will do some more reading about them in the next few days. I love this place, I am always learning something new

wizzle: Love those pics! Particularly the third one down "Let me in, I am ridiculously cute!"

I try not to bath Astrid too often. She doesn't have a doggie smell at all but we do have black dirt outside that she loves to dig and roll in so when she starts leaving black prints on the carpet she gets a bath. Sometimes I will just give her a good rinse though, with just plain water to get the dirt off.

lilli_star: Jasper and Ruby Jasper is saying "Oh, I'm sorry, were you under the mistaken impression that this is your crate? The rules are if I am sleeping in it, it's mine" Love the smiling pic too, she's so lovely looking!

KTB: Yes, we've been there too and it's a pain! I met my OH while I was on holiday in the USA and we got engaged there. Then spent 2 years getting a fiancee visa, then the temporary residency when we got married here then in 2009 he got his permanent residency. I found the whole process quite intrusive at times, and absurd! Some of the things they asked were so personal I wouldn't have been comfortable discussing them with my friends, let alone a stranger!

That's a good idea, the speeding up and slowing down while walking. I will start doing that I think. Great to hear you are having success with the new training methods with Elbie ;)

Clastic: that pic! Just standing there, patiently waiting. Just like Astrid :D (unless she decided to roll on the ground)

The Fenstar: Only a week to go! Exciting!!! You must be feeling really impatient by now!

Edited March 7, 2011 by ravenau1

[koalathebear]

ONE WEEK til I get my pup. I have Mon - Wednesdays off, so it's time to puppy proof the house and make sure I've got everything.

:D So exciting! So make sure you have:

1. LOTS of sleep I'm pretty certain I cried the first week we got Elbie because I seriously got ZERO sleep for the first four nights!!!

2. a reliable alarm clock

3. lots and lots and lots of paper towels and spare 'dog towels' and 'dog blankets' - prepare for lots of laundry ;)

4. lots of cleaning products like that urine-off/urine-free stuff

5. make sure you take lots of photos and videos! They only stay tiny for a very short time!

ravenau1: Yoicks you poor thing – and poor Astrid! I'm glad she's ok – you must have been so freaked out. Also, I have to say that no matter how much your puppy-proof the yard, they can always find Stuff. OH and I were absolutely horrified when we found Elbie playing with a bit of wood that had rusty nails sticking out of it!!!!!! This was after both of us spent ages going through the yard picking up Puppy-Unsafe objects.

So sorry to hear that you've been so unwell - hope you feel better soon! Good Lateral Thinking there with all of the training from bed :D You could also practice targeting with a pointer from bed.

I found the whole process quite intrusive at times, and absurd! Some of the things they asked were so personal I wouldn't have been comfortable discussing them with my friends, let alone a stranger!

The funny thing for us was that we were expecting personal questions and in the end the questions were pretty benign :D I was asked far more intrusive questions as part of my security clearance interview for work. Haha.

That's a good idea, the speeding up and slowing down while walking. I will start doing that I think. Great to hear you are having success with the new training methods with Elbie

Thanks! I've been really happy. Elbie was doing some perfect loose-leash walking and no lunging at dogs/cars etc but he wasn't checking back regularly so yesterday I introduced food into the equation and that was enough to increase my value in his eyes. I'll go back to walking him without food though to see if I can get that attention without food – changing directions a lot and changing speeds seems to be very good at drawing his attention.

ETA: Thread-watch. Fascinating reading - it would be pretty amazing if introducing pointer could actually erradicate the dalmation illness in question. Also, I watched the latest episode of "Extraordinary Dogs". I suspect we're going to have spirited debate/argument soon about the Labernese - the new crossbreed being used as a service dog to assist autistic children in Canada ...

Edited March 7, 2011 by koalathebear

[Clastic]

lilli_star - Roo must prefer the softness of the brown polar fleece blanket, or I think its polar fleece.. we have like 5 of them at home for our dogs.

ravenau1 - Big *hugs* for you!! Also *hugs* for Astrid!!

KTB - That last episode was very interesting, I was very suprised about their cross breed choice. Guide Dogs cross Labs with Golden Retrievers, must be a service dog organisation thing? :D Crossing breeds for something more versatile to suit their needs? I dunno...

[TheFenstar]

Thanks Betsy, I had a great day at the beach, can't wait til I have a pup that can go too.

ha ha yes RTB, I will definitely have to stock up on paper towel. :D

I have a HEAP of "human" towels because years ago I seemed to be addicted to buying them and now I have way too many. So they will come in very handy once he arrives.

Ooh and thanks for the reminder about the Urine Off, I must put that on my 'To Do List'. I have to get some cheap lino for the puppy pen too, I have polished floor boards so I think cleaning lino will be a bit easier!

I am getting impatient now, but yes, also relishing my sleep ins. I was talking to the cat the other night (as you do) :D and I asked her if she was ready to share her Mummy! LOL.

Question - does the ticking alarm clock thing work for keeping puppies happy at night or is it one of those old wives tales?

Oh Ravenau1 what a night you had. I've probably got those to look forward to I hope you're feeling better and getting all the bed rest you need.

[Max#1]

Ah ha! I've got one tab with the thread in it and one with my reply - this should work a treat!

Clastic: happy belated birthday!!! I don't believe that photo! And that is mean doing that to him! And taking a photo! I agree with Betsy!

KTB: beserkers does not sound like fun. Especially the 'can't reach him' bit - that really struck a chord. Just remember all the stuff that you and Mr KTB have taught him so far - and that you are human, he is dog. You will win! I'd be telling a big fat one if I said that there was nothing about Max that I would like some professional help with - just have to work on the OH....

Wizzle: your turn to make me laugh with that classic apple shot! Don't you love it? They knock, you go and stand at hte door. They drop it. You open the door. They pick it up. You shut the door. They drop it. You open the door............

Lilli_star: great shots! Ruby looks oh so happy! Especially in the dogbed :D .

Fenster: don't tell me about off topic. I'm only a few away from there - but am struggling with finding things to say.... :D And judging by that thread KTB linked us to, its either going to be cheap to have fewer posts - or we'd end up having to pay for off-topic even if we did make it to 150.... I can't believe people are actually suing about a forum. I can't believe it. I always get the impression the internet is a bit like 'make-believe' so how can someone really sue? Anyway! What is it now? 7 days to go?

Betsy: I hear you. After Max stayed at our friend's last week - they said to me in no uncertain terms, 'he needs a friend'. Then tonight at the lake, I had a lady also talk about it, 'oh its cruel to have one, I'm just sorry I waited so long... its been the best thing ever in the whole wide wide world...'. You get the idea. There's only so much bitey face I can do

Rav: feel better soon.

A confession. I've decided to give obedience a miss for now. Maybe my OH will talk me out of it this weekend (in which case HE can take the wriggly puppy!) - but I'm just a bit over it. Its just not hitting the right spot. So far we've hardly gone out to a park to practice (to play ball or socialise with other dogs, yes, to practice sitting and standing, no), and I guess without me making that effort there's not much point.

[betsy]

Poor Astrid and Ravenau - I remember the days of 'surprises' of items I didn't know existed in the backyard just appearing. And the day I had to clean out the laundry and walls because a certain little doggy had an upset tummy (yes, I know, I was a bad mum putting Ziggy in the laundry when he was little. He had free range of the lounge after he figured out how to open the laundry door.)

Fenstar - are you anywhere near the off lead beach at Brighton? I have seen other posters mention it.

Not sure if the alarm clock works. I didn't actually have anything with the smell of doggy mum/littermates on it (wish I had), I ended up throwing my socks in. I also bought a small treat-dispensing ball which was great to keep Ziggy distracted when I put him to bed. I also tried to keep him up after 7pm so he was exhausted when he went to bed. I did not crate train so feel free to discard any advice I have just given! Maybe also look up somewhere here about dogs and cats? Ravenau - I think you have had success (where I have failed, I blame Ziggy's prey drive )

And get lots of sleep now!!!! I am only just managing to get sleep ins past 7am again (in summer waking up time was 5.30am :D)

Lilli_star - maybe Miss Roo realised from her farm stay what a privileged doglet she is compared to the farm dogs, and has decided to use her Bed! Ziggy would love to play with Miss Roo on the beach

Max#1 - sorry to hear that obedience isn't going so well? I honestly don't do 'sessions' at home, but I normally incorporate 'manners' into walking, or around the house. I know Ziggy went through an awful adolescent period where he didn't really learn anything new. He is only just starting to pay attention again now, and want to please. I should really do more with him, but I'm not the greatest trainer.

well, I have just been for a proper run with Ziggy! I am undertaking the couch to 5K app, so it is a combination of running /walking. He actually did really well once he got the rhythm going (and stopped trying to heard me from behind )

OT - I have finally selected the shade of white for my spare bedroom walls - my dad is coming to help paint this week. It would have just been easier if I had googled "No1 paint colour Australia", because that's what I ended up picking :D

[lilli_star]

Thanks Betsy, I had a great day at the beach, can't wait til I have a pup that can go too.

ha ha yes RTB, I will definitely have to stock up on paper towel.

I have a HEAP of "human" towels because years ago I seemed to be addicted to buying them and now I have way too many. So they will come in very handy once he arrives.

Ooh and thanks for the reminder about the Urine Off, I must put that on my 'To Do List'. I have to get some cheap lino for the puppy pen too, I have polished floor boards so I think cleaning lino will be a bit easier!

I am getting impatient now, but yes, also relishing my sleep ins. I was talking to the cat the other night (as you do) :D and I asked her if she was ready to share her Mummy! LOL.

Question - does the ticking alarm clock thing work for keeping puppies happy at night or is it one of those old wives tales?

Oh Ravenau1 what a night you had. I've probably got those to look forward to I hope you're feeling better and getting all the bed rest you need.

Hmmmm...puppy shopping list.

I bought (and actually didn't use more than one or two) some of those puppy training pads from the $2 shop. The $2 shop was good for toys, dishes, doggie/baby wipes and the bed that is still in Roo's crate (one of these days I will get around to replacing it :D ) Oh, another thing I bought and didn't really use were those compost panels from Bunnings. I bought 2 lots- tied them together with cable ties and attempted to use it as a play pen. Meh. A couple of days later my dad fenced off some of the yard for Roo that she still uses now, so didn't need them.

I did use a small wheat pack I got from Big W a lot though, until Roo got a bit bigger and discovered chewing! I almost bought one of those snuggle safe ones, but to be honest, the wheat pack was fine for the time I needed it, and I only used it at night in her crate. I put a clock on top of her crate for the first few nights, but she was already used to sleeping apart from her mother before I got her, so that part was okay. I had a few pigs ears for Roo to have in her crate to get her u sed to it too- one ear lasted a week back then! Lol.

I used white vinegar and water to clean up any messes, but thankfully Ruby only had a few accidents inside.

Raven, what a night! Poor Astrid! I've had a few nights like that with Ruby. Not fun. I hope you and Astrid are feeling better and getting plenty of rest.

ETA- I failed with cat/dog interaction. I thought I did everything right, but at the end of the day, Roo wants to play and say hello, and Jasper blows raspberries at her and says nyer nyer nyer nyer nyer in cat language.

Ruby was forever finding surprise items in the yard too- bits of wire, wood, lino. The fenceline between my house and where the GSD lives was like a treasure trove for Ruby! She'd stick her head under, find some contraband material and then run around the yard daring me to chase her! Gah! Don't miss those days!

Edited March 7, 2011 by lilli_star

[TheFenstar]

Betsy - yes I'm a 15 min drive from the Brighton off leash beach, and my local beach is off leash btwn sunrise and 10am then they're allowed in the evenings on leash. LOL @ the socks comment. I think the cat will be fine, I've heard as long as the cat establishes itself as higher in the pack rank than the dog then it will be fine. She's met dogs before and not flipped, more peered curiously from a distance, so I'm sure after being put out for a bit she'll get over herself!!

ha ha Max#1 at least you're almost there, though Troy did say he would never make anyone pay for the forums, but who knows. Suing someone for something said on a forum just seems ridiculous if you ask me.

Thanks for all the advice guys, keep it coming if you've got any more puppy suggestions. I'm adding stuff to my list to do over my next 2 days off.

I need to re pot some of my plants so tomorrow I'm going on a big drive out to a cheap pot place to pick up some big pots. Bunnings is so expensive for large pots.

Edited March 7, 2011 by TheFenstar

[Genabee]

KTB - You should create a facebook group!!!!!!