Storm (now Kizzy)

[tosca100]

Lynne -you make Mij sound like a saint!!

He has always been more of a carrier than a chewer, I wonder what Gracie will be, Carol tells me today that she has chewed a coat sleeve!!!
Ky

Yes Gracie ate the sleeve off hubby`s coat!! She has also chewed several laces and my boots. We have now learnt to put things away. Maybe she just wants us to be tidier

Ah but she's still a baby!

Sara

[SueA]

Took Kizzy to Pets at Home today to get some food (and a little treat!) (Also car training)

She jumped straight into the car onto the driver's seat and refused to move

Had to start all over again (and it was raining)

Arrived at the store and she thought she was in heaven-other dogs, food, treats, (live rabbits which took her eye... ). She wanted to meet everybody and everything. I was on the other end of the lead doing pirouettes

Have enrolled her on the KC Good Citizens Dog Training Club for March, once her vaccs are finished. She's brill in the house and garden at come, sit, lie down, stay, wait,no, off, (well...she does get off, but will get back on the settee as soon as I'm not there!!). When we're out she's pretty good, we're working on not pulling on the lead. On the whole, we're getting there but she still wants to take off when she's on a scent, sees a dog, a person that interests her or a plastic bottle. Then she's deaf to me . So roll on March! Hope they have some good training ideas because we've booked a cottage on the LLeyn Peninsula for May and I want her to be more responsive by then. Have to keep her on lead walks for at least another week

She's not long since had her tea (with a little bit of chicken which she spent ages thanking me for-sssssh,don't tell the vet, ,she's got to lose some weight!!)

She's a little sweetheart (well, most of the time )

Sue

[Ablineth]

She sounds to be coming on in leaps and bounds---quite literally!!

We have all this fun to come when Gracie comes home.
We may be asking sister Kizzy for advice.

Ky

[Ann Mee]

Am really pleased Sue that she jumped in the car for you that's one hang up almost crossed off the list even though she was in the wrong seat. She sound a complete joy, she'll come on a treat when you take her to training school.

Ann x

[SueA]

I had hoped to do the training myself, but this eagerness to run and jump up people and to run full pelt to other dogs could cause problems, so I think it's better to get expert guidance. Also, to be with other dogs where she has to respond to my commands.

I wouldn't mind so much, but the field/park where I walk her is next to a Primary School, so there's always children about, and also we meet about 20 dogs and owners whilst out for a walk there. Once she's allowed off the lead I can take her into the woods down by the river again and let her run off the energy.

Ky, that's why I wondered on your thread, whether mothererhood might have quietened Gracie down. Also you have the space, and the companionship of your other dogs to help keep her focused. Time will tell-won't be long for you now...

Sue

[SueA]

Well, Kizzy and I had just settled down for a nice relaxing evening.......when Devon, my neighbour's 7 year old, knocked on the door and asked if I was going to take Kizzy for a walk and could he come with me? It was dark and raining and I'd not had my tea, (Kizzy had). But out we went. She had a lovely time with Devon and his football-she's obviously played with her previous owner and with a football before. She was on her flexi lead and we had a great time getting tangled up and falling over in the mud. (don't tell his mum, he was still in his school clothes!!!). Devon is thrilled that Kizzy has taken to him so well. She gave him her paw, lay down and licked his hand. An absolute sweetheart. Love her to bits.

Inflammation where the stitches were has gone down, so no return to the vet. Appetite back to normal. Still working on not pulling on the lead, and today she has done really well- she just gets so excited about going out and seeing everything that's going on-we may have passsed Level 1 of the KC Good Citizenship before we start the training course!!

She is learning new things every day........how to shorten a cable/ change a plug, on the vacuum cleaner (that she chewed)(and pinch the plug whilst I was sorting out which wire went where), how to hang out washing (and pinch socks out of the basket), what a washing machine is, how to put a handle on a door, how to make holes with an electric drill, how to use a sewing machine, oh the new experiences are endless.........

Oh, and Lynne, your game with Buddie-'find the chicken'- we play 'find the pigs ear' it's about 20-1 to Kizzy so far- she loves it!!

Separation anxiety training is still in progress- it's up and down-but we'll get there.

Sue

[natty]

Did you say she had to loose weight? those pigs ears are all fat

[tosca100]

Did you say she had to loose weight? those pigs ears are all fat

Spoilsport!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SueA]

those pigs ears are all fat

I've spent the last 5 minutes looking this up on the I/N!!! I was shocked, nay, flabbergasted! However, Pets at Home do 'Diet Pigs Ears' I notice, so I'll check on their fat content and compare.

Sue

[Ann Mee]

[quote="SueA"]
She is learning new things every day........how to shorten a cable/ change a plug, on the vacuum cleaner (that she chewed)(and pinch the plug whilst I was sorting out which wire went where), how to hang out washing (and pinch socks out of the basket), what a washing machine is, how to put a handle on a door, how to make holes with an electric drill, how to use a sewing machine, oh the new experiences are endless.........

Don't you just love 'em - little monkey . Glad it wasn't on at the time! Well done in passing Level 1 Good Citizenship.

Ann x

[Ablineth]

Sue
I do not know what Gracie will be like and whether or not motherhood has "calmed her down". Gracie does of course have the trauma of leaving her pups (I do not think that will bother her) and leaving Carol, the first proper home she has had.
We are expecting a 30kilo dog with the mentality of a puppy!!
Carol has done a fabulous job with her and started her on a lead etc where as you got Kizzy within a short time of her being rescued and so she had experienced very little!!

The dogs as far as we can assume had experienced very little if any of "house life" so everything is a new and exciting.
We adopted a dog from a similar background years ago and I will never forget the look on her face the first time the washing machine went into fast spin, it was one of pure horror. Luckily Gracie has been introduced to indoor life.
So we are expecting both joy and frustration. Gracie has the added problem of joining my "pack" and learning her place within it--I am pack leader no matter what the dogs think!!
If Kizzy is now using a sewing machine is she going to help make the peg bags for the rescue!!

Ky

[SueA]

I will never forget the look on her face the first time the washing machine went into fast spin, it was one of pure horror.

Kizzy just stuck her face at the machine window and watched- nothing seems to faze her-she gets between me and whatever I'm doing-hammering a nail, vacuuming, mopping the floor, and just watches

nothing seems to faze her

Well, the separation anxiety training is not going too well- back down to 10 seconds. We'll just keep practising-******the horrible neighbours.

Ann

Well done in passing Level 1 Good Citizenship.

It doesn't start till March!!!

Sue

[kathryn]

Sounds like you are just experiencing puppy hood Sue, she will calm down, "eyes in the back of your head" and you will be fine...even my two were playing tug with one of my teatowels yesterday, when I tried to get it off them Lucy ran off with it, tail in the air and ran round to say come and get me...so I just ignored her, "Pack leaders" dont do chase...she eventually brought it to me and lay it down at my feet....

I think you are doing very well under the circumstances she hasnt had any real training, she has had to go through being spayed, so from now on I think you will start to see a difference, once the stitches are out,and dont worry about the weight when she starts regular exercise it will come off...as for treats, carrots usually do well,and less fattening, sorry but dont do pigs ears,they are full of fat, Rowena is right...

Stay calm, think Cesar, and you will be fine...keep us informed though love to hear your updates...

[natty]

Well, the separation anxiety training is not going too well- back down to 10 seconds. We'll just keep practising-******the horrible neighbours.

Have you tried a crate with a big dark blanket over the top? she might feel happy in a "cave"

[SueA]

This morning I received a very large parcel of dog food. I had someone to help me unpack it, flatten the cardboard box ready for the recycling bin.


The other half of the box was in the other room, in the same state of disrepair!

I suppose all this bending, kneeling and crawling around on hands and knees will help me keep my weight down

Sue