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32
Newfoundland Discussions / So proud of my boy!
« on: January 04, 2009, 02:32:22 pm »
You may remember that I asked advice a couple of weeks ago about introducing Fargo to a woman in our training class who uses a motorized wheelchair due to CP. We've done a lot of extra socialization work with him in the last few weeks and it's paid off already.
Just two weeks into class and today he actually approached our classmate and let her pet him! She was almost as thrilled as I was!
Extra treats were in order tonight!
Just two weeks into class and today he actually approached our classmate and let her pet him! She was almost as thrilled as I was!
Extra treats were in order tonight!
33
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Redoing the dog room floor - need opinions please!
« on: January 03, 2009, 07:02:13 am »
We're looking at options for redoing our dog room floor and went out today to look at some different options. We currently have carpet but that needs to go - it's too hot and too hard to keep clean.
We're definitely pulling up the carpet but can't decide if we should put down a textured tile or stain the concrete. Any flooring we choose needs to be easy to clean, not too slippery if it gets wet, cool enough for the dogs if they want to lay down on it and able to take the weight of 2 full grown Newfs and their crates. Ursa - being the good girl she is - is allowed more freedom so she doesn't have to be crated.
Any thoughts?
Have to add - you should have seen the shocked expressions on the flooring sales guys' faces when we told them the size that our dogs will be!
We're definitely pulling up the carpet but can't decide if we should put down a textured tile or stain the concrete. Any flooring we choose needs to be easy to clean, not too slippery if it gets wet, cool enough for the dogs if they want to lay down on it and able to take the weight of 2 full grown Newfs and their crates. Ursa - being the good girl she is - is allowed more freedom so she doesn't have to be crated.
Any thoughts?
Have to add - you should have seen the shocked expressions on the flooring sales guys' faces when we told them the size that our dogs will be!
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Great Pyrenees Pictures / Ursa's big girl picture!
« on: January 02, 2009, 02:35:59 pm »
I snapped this photo of Ursa the other day. She looks so grown up!
35
Group Discussions & Photos / By Request - Pics of the Triplets
« on: December 29, 2008, 03:28:06 pm »
Patty and Esther - Thanks for asking about the triplets! As requested, here are some updated pics of the kids!
Ursa's 8 months old now
Fargo is 5 1/2 months old - he and Ursa both weigh 56 lbs!
Sadie is the baby at 4 1/2 months old - a tiny 39 lbs
The triplets with their Daddy
Ursa's 8 months old now
Fargo is 5 1/2 months old - he and Ursa both weigh 56 lbs!
Sadie is the baby at 4 1/2 months old - a tiny 39 lbs
The triplets with their Daddy
36
Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / First day of training for the Newfs
« on: December 28, 2008, 01:26:29 pm »
The Newfs had their first formal training class today and it looks like I was worried for nothing! Some of you may remember that we did their basic training at home so they started today in intermediate. I felt like they were ready but it's hard for me to be objective sometimes.
We had a couple of problems keeping the dogs focused on us in the ring instead of each other but once we split up for individual practice they both did very well!
I was especially proud of Fargo. Not only did he relax around our classmate in the motorized wheelchair but my fuzzy baby bear actually sought out some attention from strangers!
The best part? Ursa's daddy is handling Sadie during class so he's getting a chance to bond a bit more with her and to practice getting the puppies to obey him. We had originally thought we'd swap off dogs so everyone could try working together but quickly realized that wasn't going to work.
We had a couple of problems keeping the dogs focused on us in the ring instead of each other but once we split up for individual practice they both did very well!
I was especially proud of Fargo. Not only did he relax around our classmate in the motorized wheelchair but my fuzzy baby bear actually sought out some attention from strangers!
The best part? Ursa's daddy is handling Sadie during class so he's getting a chance to bond a bit more with her and to practice getting the puppies to obey him. We had originally thought we'd swap off dogs so everyone could try working together but quickly realized that wasn't going to work.
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Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / Any advice on teaching "stand"?
« on: December 27, 2008, 04:41:33 pm »
Ursa is really struggling with this command. She'll do it if you put the treat directly in front of her nose and slowly pull it away from her but I can tell she doesn't "get it". If there's no treat, she tries everything she knows to do in response to the stand command - sit, down etc. That tells me that she knows she's supposed to do something but she's not exactly sure what!
Anyone have any suggestions on how to help her get past this? Needless to say, we can't work on stand-stay (which is what we're supposed to be working on in class) if we can't get a reliable response to stand.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to help her get past this? Needless to say, we can't work on stand-stay (which is what we're supposed to be working on in class) if we can't get a reliable response to stand.
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Group Discussions & Photos / Not a good morning at Casa del Puppy!
« on: December 26, 2008, 04:39:18 am »
The kids must know that Santa has come and gone so they can take a break from being good!
Already this morning they've dug two holes out back, chewed on some of the coffee table trim and peed on the back porch!
Little monsters!
Already this morning they've dug two holes out back, chewed on some of the coffee table trim and peed on the back porch!
Little monsters!
39
Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / Training dilemma x 2 - need your advice
« on: December 20, 2008, 02:13:10 pm »
We're ready to sign Fargo and Sadie up for their first training class which will start at the end of the month. I've trained the basics at home so they'll be starting in an intermediate class. Ursa will be halfway through a different intermediate class which will give us plenty of refreshers on the the things she's learning.
Two questions/issues/concerns have cropped up though. Number one - when Ursa started the beginner class she was a total goober. It took a few classes until she associated the training ring with working and settled down. Now she's usually good as gold in the ring because she knows that means it's time to work. Fargo and Sadie have never been to class though. Will they be at a disadvantage? They know all of the commands from the beginner level and a lot of intermediate work is done outside the ring but still - I want them to be successful.
Number two - we were talking with our trainer today about who would be in the upcoming class and she mentioned that there's only one other student. No problem there until she mentioned that the other student is in a motorized wheelchair. Neither of us has an issue with that - I applaud her for getting out there and going for it! Fargo, on the other hand, is a bit nervous around things that move and sound like a motorized chair. So I'm torn. I'd like to take him to this class and use the opportunity to acclimate him to new people and things but at the same time I don't want him to be so nervous that he doesn't learn anything.
What would you do? Sign him up for the class and hope that the trainer can come up with some strategies to help him get past his nerves (without making the other owner in our group feel like the class project)? Or wait until the next class which doesn't start until mid Feb? I don't want to switch trainers as this one is excellent with the giant breed dogs.
Two questions/issues/concerns have cropped up though. Number one - when Ursa started the beginner class she was a total goober. It took a few classes until she associated the training ring with working and settled down. Now she's usually good as gold in the ring because she knows that means it's time to work. Fargo and Sadie have never been to class though. Will they be at a disadvantage? They know all of the commands from the beginner level and a lot of intermediate work is done outside the ring but still - I want them to be successful.
Number two - we were talking with our trainer today about who would be in the upcoming class and she mentioned that there's only one other student. No problem there until she mentioned that the other student is in a motorized wheelchair. Neither of us has an issue with that - I applaud her for getting out there and going for it! Fargo, on the other hand, is a bit nervous around things that move and sound like a motorized chair. So I'm torn. I'd like to take him to this class and use the opportunity to acclimate him to new people and things but at the same time I don't want him to be so nervous that he doesn't learn anything.
What would you do? Sign him up for the class and hope that the trainer can come up with some strategies to help him get past his nerves (without making the other owner in our group feel like the class project)? Or wait until the next class which doesn't start until mid Feb? I don't want to switch trainers as this one is excellent with the giant breed dogs.
40
Great Pyrenees Discussions / You're Not My Mother
« on: December 09, 2008, 04:05:04 pm »
I think I scared Sadie out of ten years’ growth!!
Tonight was hair dye night for me. The roots were so bad that my coworkers were starting to call me grandma! So I’ve got the ancient robe on – the threadbare one used once a month for the dyeing ritual – and some crappy sweatpants and ugly slippers which all add up to a pretty stylish look if you ask me!
The dye has been applied and now my hair is up in no less than six clippies to keep it from touching anything that wouldn’t look good in medium reddish brown. I come out of the bathroom to kill time (and why does it seem like time stops when you’re waiting for your dye to set??) and poor Sadie just about jumps out of her skin! She’s barking and running from me and her fur is all puffed up! 
I finally had to come upstairs to give her a break.
No matter how many times I’ve spoken to her she’s positive that this creature CANNOT be her mom!
Tonight was hair dye night for me. The roots were so bad that my coworkers were starting to call me grandma! So I’ve got the ancient robe on – the threadbare one used once a month for the dyeing ritual – and some crappy sweatpants and ugly slippers which all add up to a pretty stylish look if you ask me!
The dye has been applied and now my hair is up in no less than six clippies to keep it from touching anything that wouldn’t look good in medium reddish brown. I come out of the bathroom to kill time (and why does it seem like time stops when you’re waiting for your dye to set??) and poor Sadie just about jumps out of her skin! She’s barking and running from me and her fur is all puffed up! I finally had to come upstairs to give her a break.No matter how many times I’ve spoken to her she’s positive that this creature CANNOT be her mom!
41
FAQs about puppies / Silly Fargo....
« on: December 08, 2008, 03:19:15 pm »
If you read my pleas for housebreaking help then you know that Fargo is back in the crate when we can't supervise him. Every morning he gets a frozen peanut butter kong when he goes into the crate - which he loves!
Tonight we opened a fresh jar of peanut butter and the second he smelled it he took off running! We found him sitting in his crate waiting for his treat!
Tonight we opened a fresh jar of peanut butter and the second he smelled it he took off running! We found him sitting in his crate waiting for his treat!
42
General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws / Sadie "drops it"!
« on: December 05, 2008, 02:13:52 pm »
I was outside with the dogs supervising potty time when Sadie picked up something. I thought she was succumbing to her mulch addiction so I went over, told her to drop it, and put my hand under her mouth. I was thrilled when she immediately obeyed!
Until I realized that she'd just dropped a slobbery dead mouse into my outstretched palm!!! (insert gagging icon of your choice here - lol). Of course I immediately dropped the nasty thing. Of couse the dogs immediately swarmed all over me wondering why mommy was making those strange sounds. After all, the only four letter words they understand are those like "come" and "stay"!! In their confusion, they completely ignored my command to "go get daddy"!!
Daddy disposed of the new toy, Sadie got praised for obeying even while my stomach was turning, and I've practically boiled my hand clean!!
Until I realized that she'd just dropped a slobbery dead mouse into my outstretched palm!!! (insert gagging icon of your choice here - lol). Of course I immediately dropped the nasty thing. Of couse the dogs immediately swarmed all over me wondering why mommy was making those strange sounds. After all, the only four letter words they understand are those like "come" and "stay"!! In their confusion, they completely ignored my command to "go get daddy"!!
Daddy disposed of the new toy, Sadie got praised for obeying even while my stomach was turning, and I've practically boiled my hand clean!!
43
Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / Crate Day 2 - not good
« on: December 03, 2008, 01:33:07 pm »
Fargo made it through the first day of crating with no accidents but day 2 has been a different story. Came home again to pee and poop 
. His housebreaking issues are really causing some friction here at Casa del Puppy. We're going to keep up the crating and hope that he'll decide soiling his den isn't a good idea. If it doesn't work I guess the next step is buying a cork!
. His housebreaking issues are really causing some friction here at Casa del Puppy. We're going to keep up the crating and hope that he'll decide soiling his den isn't a good idea. If it doesn't work I guess the next step is buying a cork!
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Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / need some URGENT housebreaking advice!!!
« on: December 01, 2008, 01:24:23 pm »
Before the SO murders Fargo!!
Here's the problem. All of the dogs are completely housebroken when we're home. The Newfs still need to go outside once at night of course but that's not a big deal. When we're at work though - that's a different story! Fargo can't go 3 hours without pooping in the house when we're gone - and it's wearing on everyone's nerves.
Fargo eats breakfast at 5 am and then goes out to potty. He has a rather slow system so I take him out again at 5:45. I do watch to make sure that he pees and poops. We leave for work at 6:15. The dog sitter comes over at 9:30 to let everyone outside and almost always has to clean up a Fargo pile (we know it's him because Sadie is crated and Ursa would die before she'd potty in the house).
The dog sitter comes back at 1:30 pm and lets everyone out again. Usually no pile in the early afternoon. We get home at 5 pm and ALWAYS have to clean up a mess. Bear in mind, at 1:30 pm it's been over 7 hours since his last meal AND he's been out 4 times
Fargo is not crated during the day but he is babygated so at least the mess is confined to the dogs' room. Little consolation though when we're going through two cans of carpet cleaner a week. Again, this isn't a problem when we're home so we're at a loss as to how to help him.
I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions. Seriously, I'm afraid that my SO is going to throttle this dog the next time he comes home from a hard day at work and finds Poop Mountain staring him in the face!
Almost forgot - we have had him checked by the vet just last week and he got a clean bill of health.
Here's the problem. All of the dogs are completely housebroken when we're home. The Newfs still need to go outside once at night of course but that's not a big deal. When we're at work though - that's a different story! Fargo can't go 3 hours without pooping in the house when we're gone - and it's wearing on everyone's nerves.
Fargo eats breakfast at 5 am and then goes out to potty. He has a rather slow system so I take him out again at 5:45. I do watch to make sure that he pees and poops. We leave for work at 6:15. The dog sitter comes over at 9:30 to let everyone outside and almost always has to clean up a Fargo pile (we know it's him because Sadie is crated and Ursa would die before she'd potty in the house).
The dog sitter comes back at 1:30 pm and lets everyone out again. Usually no pile in the early afternoon. We get home at 5 pm and ALWAYS have to clean up a mess. Bear in mind, at 1:30 pm it's been over 7 hours since his last meal AND he's been out 4 times
Fargo is not crated during the day but he is babygated so at least the mess is confined to the dogs' room. Little consolation though when we're going through two cans of carpet cleaner a week. Again, this isn't a problem when we're home so we're at a loss as to how to help him.
I'd appreciate any advice or suggestions. Seriously, I'm afraid that my SO is going to throttle this dog the next time he comes home from a hard day at work and finds Poop Mountain staring him in the face!
Almost forgot - we have had him checked by the vet just last week and he got a clean bill of health.
45
Saint Bernard Pictures / Penny! You look great!
« on: November 30, 2008, 11:59:11 am »
Just noticed Penny up at the top there - she looks too cute!