The dog musing/vent thread
- Thread starter Laurelin
- Start date
Clever Payton hopped himself up on my foam roller tonight and perched there. It took a few tries and several OH GOD MOM MOM MOM grabs at my face, but he got it. This is one of several exercises we are doing to help with the foot stall, including four-feet-in-a-tiny-box. So unbelievably thrilled with my baby dog, it almost makes me forget he can't get his contacts in the agility ring...
almost.
almost.
An old friend bought a golden puppy from hunting lines. They are first time dog owners, not hunters, live in an apartment in the city, and said that they are keeping him away from other dogs until he is about 6 months because they don't want him getting parasites.....what?????????????
I don't foresee this ending well. At all....especially giving the spontaneous nature of friend and his partner.
I don't foresee this ending well. At all....especially giving the spontaneous nature of friend and his partner.
Ugh, poor Fable. I feel you though. We adopted Hugo in July and he's been to vet once for a check, then he got kennel cough, then I found out the vet put him on too high of a dose of antibiotics so we went to another vet who put him on low level doxy, then he was neutered, then he had to be allergy tested after SO much diarrhea and we found out he has a grain allergy. Blerg. Hope Fable feels better (and stays better) soon!
Thank you. I don't think it's too bad, but she's really scratching at her ears and shaking her head quite a bit. One of the downsides to rescuing is that you don't always know the health of the dog. First it was anal gland issues, then chronic diarrhea, then a staph infection. I'm hoping this will end sometime soon. 
ETA: And she's due for vaccines next week. Fun times.
ETA: And she's due for vaccines next week. Fun times.
This whole surgery thing is for the birds!! Doesn't matter how many times I tell people what to expect when they bring their pet home from anesthesia... I've really never experienced it myself? And it's no fun!! Poor Cajun is still a little whimpery and just so confused, I'll lead her to a bed and she just sits there staring with a dazed expression and takes foreverrrr to finally lie down.
She just flat out doesn't really want to move at all. I mean, I should probably take time to enjoy it because it's really going to suck when she's back to normal and I have to fight to keep her quiet. But she seems so saaaaad and out of sorts and it makes me sad.
I'm also just really happy with how she handled everything today, I don't know why but I was a little antsy about how she'd do with all the procedures and other people messing with her. I guess it's just because since we've had her... I'm really the only person who has done anything to her. She hasn't really had the vet look at her much before. But she was so so so good. I held her for most things but she still had to allow other people in her space, no treats, no introductions first... I just expected her to be more squirrel-y I guess lol and not just sit still for everything.
Also, she was wearing her fur saver today and it cracks me up that every one of my coworkers made some sort of "look at that fancy collar!" comment. I like the way it looks on her but I guess I figured most people would just think it's a chain, big deal.
She just flat out doesn't really want to move at all. I mean, I should probably take time to enjoy it because it's really going to suck when she's back to normal and I have to fight to keep her quiet. But she seems so saaaaad and out of sorts and it makes me sad.
I'm also just really happy with how she handled everything today, I don't know why but I was a little antsy about how she'd do with all the procedures and other people messing with her. I guess it's just because since we've had her... I'm really the only person who has done anything to her. She hasn't really had the vet look at her much before. But she was so so so good. I held her for most things but she still had to allow other people in her space, no treats, no introductions first... I just expected her to be more squirrel-y I guess lol and not just sit still for everything.
Also, she was wearing her fur saver today and it cracks me up that every one of my coworkers made some sort of "look at that fancy collar!" comment. I like the way it looks on her but I guess I figured most people would just think it's a chain, big deal.
Josefina has been digging up the yard lately, like to the extreme, even for her and she even dug next to the fence ... something she know she is not supposed to do. Pn top of that she decided to cop an attitude when I told her off for doing it (in front of me!) this morning when I went out to feed the horses ... so to time out she went.
Jerk dog!
Jerk dog!
Well, Sherman is gone. Dropped him of at a vet clinic in New Orleans for his neuter/skin scrape, and then he's off to a new foster home.
I'm sad I couldn't be the one to place him in his adoptive home and that I'm likely to not see where he ends up now, but I'm happy that I was able to get him out of that shelter and on the road to recovery.
For the record, I will probably not EVER foster through a rescue again. I hate all of the red tape. I could have had him vetted, treated, and adopted with my money back by now had it not been for this rescue. As it is, I don't get to see him adopted and I highly, highly doubt I'll get the money I put in to his vet care back as every time I bring it up the woman gives me the run around. Ugh. Oh, well. Lesson learned. There goes $150, but he was worth it, at least.
I'm sad I couldn't be the one to place him in his adoptive home and that I'm likely to not see where he ends up now, but I'm happy that I was able to get him out of that shelter and on the road to recovery.
For the record, I will probably not EVER foster through a rescue again. I hate all of the red tape. I could have had him vetted, treated, and adopted with my money back by now had it not been for this rescue. As it is, I don't get to see him adopted and I highly, highly doubt I'll get the money I put in to his vet care back as every time I bring it up the woman gives me the run around. Ugh. Oh, well. Lesson learned. There goes $150, but he was worth it, at least.
Okay, so my SO and I have been getting into disagreements when talking about our future and me wanting another dog (so I can compete in sports again) and he says absolutely not (although in reality I am going to get another dog no matter what he says, I am going to be the one that takes care of the dogs anyway as he just wants a companion dog that will hunt with him when he occasionally goes.
His argument is that I already have two dogs. But angel is too old and I don't want to injure her doing sports as she can be very drives and not pay attention to not injuring herself lol. And Chloe is kind of the opposite, she likes tricks but is uncomfortable doing them in front of people or things like agility which I really enjoy, she is willing to do the obstacles, but isn't racing to the next really enjoying the sport. And I don't want to push her into something she doesn't enjoy.
He says no to me getting another dog (not like it is really up to him though) because he wants to get another flat coated retriever as those are the dogs he has grown up with. So then we would be up to 3 dogs, and I don't think adding a 4th would be that much more difficult, not to mention all three of my dogs combined would probably equal the weight of his dog. And angel would be around 14-15 years old by the time I would get a puppy. And everywhere says the average lifespan for mini schnauzers is 12-14, although I believe it is more like 16-18.
I just don't really think it will be that big of an issue. It's not like we will be traveling or something all the time. And if we did we would be closer to people who would look after the dogs. If we couldn't bring any or some of them with us.
Cookies for anyone who read this whole thing! Has anyone experienced something similar? What did you do?
His argument is that I already have two dogs. But angel is too old and I don't want to injure her doing sports as she can be very drives and not pay attention to not injuring herself lol. And Chloe is kind of the opposite, she likes tricks but is uncomfortable doing them in front of people or things like agility which I really enjoy, she is willing to do the obstacles, but isn't racing to the next really enjoying the sport. And I don't want to push her into something she doesn't enjoy.
He says no to me getting another dog (not like it is really up to him though) because he wants to get another flat coated retriever as those are the dogs he has grown up with. So then we would be up to 3 dogs, and I don't think adding a 4th would be that much more difficult, not to mention all three of my dogs combined would probably equal the weight of his dog. And angel would be around 14-15 years old by the time I would get a puppy. And everywhere says the average lifespan for mini schnauzers is 12-14, although I believe it is more like 16-18.
I just don't really think it will be that big of an issue. It's not like we will be traveling or something all the time. And if we did we would be closer to people who would look after the dogs. If we couldn't bring any or some of them with us.
Cookies for anyone who read this whole thing! Has anyone experienced something similar? What did you do?
Yeah I thought about that. But he is also pretty old school when it comes to dogs and has many things he doesn't want his FCR trained to do. For example, absolutely no tugging ever. So we will see how that goes. I get the vibe that he doesn't want me spending too much time doing stuff with the FCR because he is wanting a dog that loves him the most or something, but that is just a guess. He has the mind frame that a dog should be allowed to "just be a dog" which apparently trick training and sports and such doesn't fall into that category.
I am looking at getting a koolie puppy in two to three years from now (after I would be done with schooling, we would be married and have a house).
But I am really wanting to get into agility again and to start disc. But yeah we have only talked about it maybe two times. Both times we had differing opinions though. His reasoning is just about convenience as far as going to his dad's cabin and such.. But his dad doesn't seem to want my current dogs going as he doesn't really like small dogs and such. But if his dad says my dogs can't come, I just don't go that trip. Dogs are like the only thing I enjoy doing stuff with at their cabin... I don't enjoy watching races on tv or old western movies all weekend.. Lol.
I am looking at getting a koolie puppy in two to three years from now (after I would be done with schooling, we would be married and have a house).
But I am really wanting to get into agility again and to start disc. But yeah we have only talked about it maybe two times. Both times we had differing opinions though. His reasoning is just about convenience as far as going to his dad's cabin and such.. But his dad doesn't seem to want my current dogs going as he doesn't really like small dogs and such. But if his dad says my dogs can't come, I just don't go that trip. Dogs are like the only thing I enjoy doing stuff with at their cabin... I don't enjoy watching races on tv or old western movies all weekend.. Lol.
Apparently a Kong filled with peanut butter, with an RMB shoved in it, then frozen, is only good enough to get me 45 minutes of quiet. It seemed complex, but maybe not. I'm no good at this Kong stuffing business.
That's about how long Juno's rib bone lasted her, and that required 0 prep time lol.
This "keep quiet" thing is tough. We're doing Kongs, puzzles for meals, trick training and leashed walks. But good God she is just vibrating with energy and needs to be let loose. I keep telling myself she's being good and that it could be much worse... and then I remember we're only 2 days into it.
That's about how long Juno's rib bone lasted her, and that required 0 prep time lol.
This "keep quiet" thing is tough. We're doing Kongs, puzzles for meals, trick training and leashed walks. But good God she is just vibrating with energy and needs to be let loose. I keep telling myself she's being good and that it could be much worse... and then I remember we're only 2 days into it.
Well, not the disagreement with the SO. But I have a vaguely similar pair of dogs right now, and a two dog limit (unless I get wealthy suddenly and can afford to buy my own place). And...I make it work.
Meg's mostly retired at 10; she doesn't like to train anymore, so we don't. She'll run a class a day or maybe two if I'm going to a trial.
Gusto was supposed to be my Next Big Thing for agility, and as things like that tend to, it didn't really work out right. He's had some physical issues, although we seem to have a handle on it now, but more than that, his stress issues have been a big hurdle. Probably a combination of his temperament, my mistakes, and some less than ideal training advice. In a perfect world, I'd probably keep him as my fun tricks/hiking dog, and I'd have a puppy already with whom I'd be working for agility.
But it isn't an option, so I keep working with Gusto. I travel 3 hours each way to a trainer who is helping us with the stress issues and agility in general. I've spent the last year going back and trying to fix the mess I made the first time around. I'm trying to teach him to love agility and not let it be a stressor.
And in a way, it's all good. The skills I'm learning with him are going to be a HUGE benefit for any dog I get in the future. I'm getting to be a better trainer, he's getting a ton of work that he's enjoying, and we are moving forward - albeit more slowly than I might have hoped. I understand him and his needs more than I ever have before, and I think we are both a little more in love with each other than we were even six months ago.
If another dog is a couple years off regardless of your SOs feelings, I'd be working with Chloe. It is only going to help you when you get The Next Dog. She may be worried about working in front of other people or not driving to obstacles right now - but learn how to make those rewarding for her. In general, I'm not a big fan of sitting around waiting for The Next Dog. Because that one is going to present you with obstacles as well, no matter how carefully you select it. And then it will be all about waiting for The Next Dog 2.0. Barring serious physical reasons - I'd train the dog I have, and see where things go.
That is probably not at all what you were asking about - but that's what happens when you spend 3 hours in the car by yourself driving home from an agility lesson! Way too much ruminating about life and dogs and such.
Meg's mostly retired at 10; she doesn't like to train anymore, so we don't. She'll run a class a day or maybe two if I'm going to a trial.
Gusto was supposed to be my Next Big Thing for agility, and as things like that tend to, it didn't really work out right. He's had some physical issues, although we seem to have a handle on it now, but more than that, his stress issues have been a big hurdle. Probably a combination of his temperament, my mistakes, and some less than ideal training advice. In a perfect world, I'd probably keep him as my fun tricks/hiking dog, and I'd have a puppy already with whom I'd be working for agility.
But it isn't an option, so I keep working with Gusto. I travel 3 hours each way to a trainer who is helping us with the stress issues and agility in general. I've spent the last year going back and trying to fix the mess I made the first time around. I'm trying to teach him to love agility and not let it be a stressor.
And in a way, it's all good. The skills I'm learning with him are going to be a HUGE benefit for any dog I get in the future. I'm getting to be a better trainer, he's getting a ton of work that he's enjoying, and we are moving forward - albeit more slowly than I might have hoped. I understand him and his needs more than I ever have before, and I think we are both a little more in love with each other than we were even six months ago.
If another dog is a couple years off regardless of your SOs feelings, I'd be working with Chloe. It is only going to help you when you get The Next Dog. She may be worried about working in front of other people or not driving to obstacles right now - but learn how to make those rewarding for her. In general, I'm not a big fan of sitting around waiting for The Next Dog. Because that one is going to present you with obstacles as well, no matter how carefully you select it. And then it will be all about waiting for The Next Dog 2.0. Barring serious physical reasons - I'd train the dog I have, and see where things go.
That is probably not at all what you were asking about - but that's what happens when you spend 3 hours in the car by yourself driving home from an agility lesson! Way too much ruminating about life and dogs and such.