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Monday, March 27, 2017
Feline Freedom
The house has a doggy door. The "furkids" didn't know about it until a couple days ago. We has stuffed a pillow inside it, sandwiched between the inner & outer security covers. With springtime bringing warmer temperatures we decided ti open it & teach them how to use it.
Charlotte got it very quickly. She is now going in & out many more times per day than ever before. We no longer need to worry whether she is in or out when we're ready to leave or to go to bed. We know she'll let herself in , or out, when she's ready.
For Marley it's a whole different story. The door was installed for a Boston bull terrier (Tom's mom's dog). Lois's dog, Missy, would almost fly through that opening. The bottom of the opening is only about 4 inches off the floor. Marley is somewhat higher than that. The height inside the opening is right for a Boston. Marley's deep chest just fits through the opening ... one way. The flap is two pieces: a smaller flap pushes outward, inside a larger flap that pushes inward. Marley can hunker down & come inside, but is too big to go out the smaller flap. So far, he will only come through it if we actively encourage him. He'd rather stand tall, & come through the people door, instead of having to drag himself inside.
We've discussed getting a bigger doggy door so Marley can use it comfortably. Then we discussed waiting until we see how the mushrooms are this year. More importantly, we've also discussed waiting until after the new garage is built and we put that part of the fence back up. We're going to have to take down some of the fence for access & construction. The doggy door is on the side of the house that would be a nightmare to rearrange the fence in a way that would work for construction, access to the house and dog security. So, we'll probably separate the front & back yards & keep Marley to the front until it's all put back together.
Charlotte got it very quickly. She is now going in & out many more times per day than ever before. We no longer need to worry whether she is in or out when we're ready to leave or to go to bed. We know she'll let herself in , or out, when she's ready.
For Marley it's a whole different story. The door was installed for a Boston bull terrier (Tom's mom's dog). Lois's dog, Missy, would almost fly through that opening. The bottom of the opening is only about 4 inches off the floor. Marley is somewhat higher than that. The height inside the opening is right for a Boston. Marley's deep chest just fits through the opening ... one way. The flap is two pieces: a smaller flap pushes outward, inside a larger flap that pushes inward. Marley can hunker down & come inside, but is too big to go out the smaller flap. So far, he will only come through it if we actively encourage him. He'd rather stand tall, & come through the people door, instead of having to drag himself inside.
Marley has to lower his head just to look out the door
We've discussed getting a bigger doggy door so Marley can use it comfortably. Then we discussed waiting until we see how the mushrooms are this year. More importantly, we've also discussed waiting until after the new garage is built and we put that part of the fence back up. We're going to have to take down some of the fence for access & construction. The doggy door is on the side of the house that would be a nightmare to rearrange the fence in a way that would work for construction, access to the house and dog security. So, we'll probably separate the front & back yards & keep Marley to the front until it's all put back together.
Monday, March 20, 2017
A little touchy ... with good reason
Yesterday at Puppy Play Marley was not himself. But, when I stop and think about it, he had reason.
First, we had the bad day at home - the power went out, so we discovered a roof leak. Tom went up in the attic to find the source and get a container under it, and at one point fell halfway through the ceiling. Marley didn't like the ceiling fan stopping - it had been running 24/7 and the change was, well, ... a change. He's not fond of change. Then the noises as Tom moved boards to walk on up in the attic. Then again as he went up to check the containers to make sure they were big enough to contain the leak. The power came back after an hour and a half. We didn't turn the fan back on until last night (he still isn't sure about trusting it).
Then, yesterday, we took him in for his first professional bath. He's not fond of water and he was nervous about that. He also had his eyes, ears & teeth checked out. The bath service also includes "gland expression*". It wasn't until we were at home and thinking it through that we realized it was probably that "gland expression" was the final straw for him.
In Puppy Play he was touchy, growling at any puppy that came up from behind him. I was beginning to think maybe he'd outgrown Puppy Play, then last night, thinking about the "gland expression", it all made sense. So, we won't schedule a bath right before Puppy Play. He's only got about a month more that he can go, anyway.
Once again this morning I had both "fur kids" on my lap together.
* If you're not familiar with "gland expression", it's when they squeeze the glands on either side of the anus to get to "goo" out. Our previous dog, Max, would have it done when he was already "out" for dental cleaning, so he never knew why he was tender back there. Plus, he didn't immediately interact with a number of other dogs afterwards.
First, we had the bad day at home - the power went out, so we discovered a roof leak. Tom went up in the attic to find the source and get a container under it, and at one point fell halfway through the ceiling. Marley didn't like the ceiling fan stopping - it had been running 24/7 and the change was, well, ... a change. He's not fond of change. Then the noises as Tom moved boards to walk on up in the attic. Then again as he went up to check the containers to make sure they were big enough to contain the leak. The power came back after an hour and a half. We didn't turn the fan back on until last night (he still isn't sure about trusting it).
Then, yesterday, we took him in for his first professional bath. He's not fond of water and he was nervous about that. He also had his eyes, ears & teeth checked out. The bath service also includes "gland expression*". It wasn't until we were at home and thinking it through that we realized it was probably that "gland expression" was the final straw for him.
In Puppy Play he was touchy, growling at any puppy that came up from behind him. I was beginning to think maybe he'd outgrown Puppy Play, then last night, thinking about the "gland expression", it all made sense. So, we won't schedule a bath right before Puppy Play. He's only got about a month more that he can go, anyway.
Once again this morning I had both "fur kids" on my lap together.
* If you're not familiar with "gland expression", it's when they squeeze the glands on either side of the anus to get to "goo" out. Our previous dog, Max, would have it done when he was already "out" for dental cleaning, so he never knew why he was tender back there. Plus, he didn't immediately interact with a number of other dogs afterwards.
Saturday, March 18, 2017
Doggie things
First there was "watch your head" -- Marley was a bit distracted as we were getting back into the car. It looked like he might lift his head while it was under the edge of the door, so without thinking I said "watch your head" and only seconds later he banged his head on the door. We cracked up
Then there was the priceless look on his face. Tom was right next to him when he released a large, sonorous gas blast. Marley's head whipped around and his eyes rolled up and to the side in a clear "why did you do that?" look on his face. I lost it. Big belly laughs.
And then, there's one of his favorite games, especially in the evening. He loves to play keep-away. His way. He will bring one of his toys, usually one of the rubber bones, and wave it around, maybe growl a bit, offer it to one of us. OK. So far, so good. As soon as the targeted human reaches for it he'll snatch his head away, maybe growl. As it progresses, he'll even put it down on or next to a thigh, then growl and snatch it as soon as the hand starts to move. After several times of "keep away" he will put it down and let the target pick it up ... to throw. Then we start again. He'd gladly play tug of war with it, but we have dedicated tug toys. The bones & balls are not for tugging.
Then there was the priceless look on his face. Tom was right next to him when he released a large, sonorous gas blast. Marley's head whipped around and his eyes rolled up and to the side in a clear "why did you do that?" look on his face. I lost it. Big belly laughs.
And then, there's one of his favorite games, especially in the evening. He loves to play keep-away. His way. He will bring one of his toys, usually one of the rubber bones, and wave it around, maybe growl a bit, offer it to one of us. OK. So far, so good. As soon as the targeted human reaches for it he'll snatch his head away, maybe growl. As it progresses, he'll even put it down on or next to a thigh, then growl and snatch it as soon as the hand starts to move. After several times of "keep away" he will put it down and let the target pick it up ... to throw. Then we start again. He'd gladly play tug of war with it, but we have dedicated tug toys. The bones & balls are not for tugging.
Sunday, March 5, 2017
More pieces
Today, when I had Marley do a session with his agility set, I added the weave poles for the second time. He doesn't quite get the poles, yet, but he loves the tunnel and seems to like the jump. He wasn't quite as enthusiastic as I would have liked so I switched from mini Milk Bones to small pieces of cooked chicken. That got his attention.
As he learns the concepts of the agility obstacles, he gets more enthusiastic. I also moved the tunnel to a different location to make room for the weave poles to have a long run. This is the first day I've had all the pieces out and set up. So, I had the jump at the couch (if I stand at the other side of it, he has to go across it), then the weave poles were were one direction of the jump would end, then he'd go away from the jump, through the poles, then turn & go through the tunnel. This is the way a course would be set up -- so the dogs progress from one obstacle to the next in a reasonable flow.
A real course would have a lot more than 3 obstacles, but we're just starting, so we're working on "what" the different obstacles are. We're also working on directing him by voice, rather than running the course with him. The tunnel is the first one he does on direction. And I do mean "direction". I'm telling him to "go tunnel" (away from me) or "come tunnel" (toward me) and he's getting it. At least most of the time.
The hard part is that he is going to really enjoy the jumping part. I think he'd really like to jump higher, but everything I read says not to have him jump until he's fully grown at 18-24 months. That's a long way off.
As he learns the concepts of the agility obstacles, he gets more enthusiastic. I also moved the tunnel to a different location to make room for the weave poles to have a long run. This is the first day I've had all the pieces out and set up. So, I had the jump at the couch (if I stand at the other side of it, he has to go across it), then the weave poles were were one direction of the jump would end, then he'd go away from the jump, through the poles, then turn & go through the tunnel. This is the way a course would be set up -- so the dogs progress from one obstacle to the next in a reasonable flow.
A real course would have a lot more than 3 obstacles, but we're just starting, so we're working on "what" the different obstacles are. We're also working on directing him by voice, rather than running the course with him. The tunnel is the first one he does on direction. And I do mean "direction". I'm telling him to "go tunnel" (away from me) or "come tunnel" (toward me) and he's getting it. At least most of the time.
The hard part is that he is going to really enjoy the jumping part. I think he'd really like to jump higher, but everything I read says not to have him jump until he's fully grown at 18-24 months. That's a long way off.
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Thinking boy
For a few weeks now I've been having Marley make choices. Mainly, which flavor of treat paste to use in his Kong toy. For that I've just held two or more cans and he uses his nose to bump the one he wants. He's pretty adamant about his choices, too. The first few times he seemed so quick that I wasn't sure and I'd have him do it again. Then he'd bump it two or three times. Message delivered!
Today we went a step further. He was agitating for something. I couldn't tell if he needed to go outside or if he wanted his greenie & charcoal biscuit (part of the morning routine). I was in my favorite seat, a recliner, with my feet out. I pointed to my left and asked "Want potty?" then pointed to my right and asked "Want greenie?". He sat there for a few seconds then got up from my left side and moved to my right side. He had thought about the new "puzzle" and worked it out.
At times his intelligence almost scares me. I think he's the smartest dog we've had. I really doubt either Una or Max would have understood this challenge within seconds. It would have taken several tries for the concept to sink in (if it did).
Now, if we'd just get the loose leash walking and greeting people mastered.
A recent photo as I was taking sunset photos on the way home from Idaho. It's a composite of Tom & Marley and one of the sunset shots that could be blended. (The original shots of them didn't have enough color in the sky).
Today we went a step further. He was agitating for something. I couldn't tell if he needed to go outside or if he wanted his greenie & charcoal biscuit (part of the morning routine). I was in my favorite seat, a recliner, with my feet out. I pointed to my left and asked "Want potty?" then pointed to my right and asked "Want greenie?". He sat there for a few seconds then got up from my left side and moved to my right side. He had thought about the new "puzzle" and worked it out.
At times his intelligence almost scares me. I think he's the smartest dog we've had. I really doubt either Una or Max would have understood this challenge within seconds. It would have taken several tries for the concept to sink in (if it did).
Now, if we'd just get the loose leash walking and greeting people mastered.
A recent photo as I was taking sunset photos on the way home from Idaho. It's a composite of Tom & Marley and one of the sunset shots that could be blended. (The original shots of them didn't have enough color in the sky).
Monday, February 20, 2017
"Fur kids" in cahoots again
Well, they've been at it again. As I was bumbling around starting the morning routine, first I heard Marley chewing on a hard toy. When I was heading back to the living room after letting him out, I saw a dark "ball" on the floor. Hmmm? It was somewhat dark still since I only turn on the kitchen LED strip under the counters, on the lowest setting, and the lamp in the corner of the living room at this time of day. When I picked it up ... DAG NABBIT ALL TO H*** !! It was the lid to my favorite coffee mug.
I like the covered travel mugs because I can sip my coffee over the course of an hour to four hours while keeping it warm enough to enjoy. The current pair of mugs were welcome gifts from the credit union and the best we've had so far at keeping our coffee hot.
The best I can guess, since I found my cup on the floor in the kitchen, is that Charlotte was cruising the counter, checking for mice, and bumped the cup to the floor. This is not the first time she's knocked something off a counter or table that Marley then decided was OK to eat/chew/destroy. At that point, Marley has a target. For once it's something of mine instead of Tom's. He probably resisted temptation for a while, but eventually, he took it.
I don't know if I slept through a "request" (read demand) that I get up somewhere between 6:15 & 7:00 or if he just decided to be up without me. In the past he'd chew up stuff when I didn't get up when he started his stamping & whining & groaning routine, and he was bored all by himself (or whatever reason led him to the chewing-on-human's-stuff sessions).
At first I though the threads having been breached was why it leaked. Then, as I set it up for a photo, I realized it has a gasket for the stopper and it was off track. I was able to get it back in place and get it at least 98% leak-free.
So, what did I do to Marley? I picked it up & held it out toward him and asked him "what did you do?" in a very stern voice. He's sensitive enough that for several hours he skipped the parts of his morning routine and went straight to lap time, trying to suck up. Even when I started encouraging him to return to "normal" he was reluctant for a while. He knew he did wrong. He was very submissive & withdrawn. Later he returned to pretty much normal, demanding/asking for his daily activities. He thinks we're playing, but a lot of it really is one kind of training or another.
I like the covered travel mugs because I can sip my coffee over the course of an hour to four hours while keeping it warm enough to enjoy. The current pair of mugs were welcome gifts from the credit union and the best we've had so far at keeping our coffee hot.
The best I can guess, since I found my cup on the floor in the kitchen, is that Charlotte was cruising the counter, checking for mice, and bumped the cup to the floor. This is not the first time she's knocked something off a counter or table that Marley then decided was OK to eat/chew/destroy. At that point, Marley has a target. For once it's something of mine instead of Tom's. He probably resisted temptation for a while, but eventually, he took it.
I don't know if I slept through a "request" (read demand) that I get up somewhere between 6:15 & 7:00 or if he just decided to be up without me. In the past he'd chew up stuff when I didn't get up when he started his stamping & whining & groaning routine, and he was bored all by himself (or whatever reason led him to the chewing-on-human's-stuff sessions).
At first I though the threads having been breached was why it leaked. Then, as I set it up for a photo, I realized it has a gasket for the stopper and it was off track. I was able to get it back in place and get it at least 98% leak-free.
So, what did I do to Marley? I picked it up & held it out toward him and asked him "what did you do?" in a very stern voice. He's sensitive enough that for several hours he skipped the parts of his morning routine and went straight to lap time, trying to suck up. Even when I started encouraging him to return to "normal" he was reluctant for a while. He knew he did wrong. He was very submissive & withdrawn. Later he returned to pretty much normal, demanding/asking for his daily activities. He thinks we're playing, but a lot of it really is one kind of training or another.
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