Pup turned 9 months old today. I still can't believe that I've had him for 7 months!! I never, ever had a dog before, so I never had any idea what my life would be like. People with dogs always made it look so easy. They'd walk their dogs, feed, their dogs, and play with their dogs. Everyone always told me how dogs were their best friends. Everyone said that having a dog would be the best thing ever....
...I'm not so sure....
Of course I see the benefits to having a dog immediately. Because our dog is so high energy, hubby, son and I walk the little fella a lot. Whenever possible, we run him, take him to parks and socialize him. (Pup actually has a 12 month old girlfriend...a pretty Golden-doodle that has the same energy level as he does) We walk him morning, noon, and night. This puppy has forced us to go from being sedentary people, to being real out-doorsy kind of people. I love what all this exercise has done for us. Hubby has lost close to 30 pounds just by walking. I look GREAT in a skirt!!! For the first time ever, I can honestly say I love my legs. Also, walking right before or after meals has many health benefits too. So, for this, I am very grateful for my little puppy.
But...
Pup hates me!! He does not see me as alpha at all. In his eyes, the chain of command is "Hubby", followed by "14 year old son", followed by the pup himself,... followed by various twigs, rocks, and toys...maybe followed by a few other dogs, an afternoon nap, his favourite meal...and maybe, just maybe, I might be hiding in a little corner of his mind as an afterthought!! Pup does not respect me not one iota!!! When he was 3 months old and we took him to puppy school, the trainer actually had hubby and son sit in a corner of the room. She worked hard to get the pup to listen to me. A few times before and after the classes, we had the trainer come over to the house so she could observe my relationship with the dog. This dog just would not listen to me.
So, fast forward 6 months after the courses were over, and pup still won't listen to me!! Whenever I'm alone with him, he'll jump up on the furniture, hump the cushions and eat our shoes. Pup does not DARE do this when hubby and son are around. The worst is our walks. I come home from work ever day at lunchtime to walk him. Well I gotta tell you, the walks have been getting shorter and shorter. The reason being is that as soon as I put the leash on him, he jumps in front of me, puts the leash in his mouth, growls and pulls. It makes no difference if I put the leash on his collar or on a harness...the outcome is always the same..he pulls, barks and growls at me. We went from taking 40 minute walks to only one quick walk around the block.
Last week I was in tears!!! I couldn't believe that this is what my life had been for the last 6 months. I saw no end in sight...and sadly, pup's behaviour with me was really hindering me from bonding with him. It's not that I didn't love him..it's just that I really didn't like him all that much...and I'm absolutely certain the feeling was mutual on his part. Finally, after another disastrous walk, as I sat on the stairs in my house, sobbing, when hubby told me that he had left a message for the trainer. Almost on cue, the phone rang and there was that comforting voice on the other end of the line. All she told me was one thing, "Ignore the dog".
So I did. I acted as though there was no dog in the house. I walked right past him, I only paid attention to the humans in the house. Also, instead of telling him what to do, I only used silent cues, finger snapping etc.. Three days later, a miracle happened. Hubby was asleep and son was in the basement watching TV. Pup was alone with me. I saw that twinkle in his eye as he went for the Christmas tree. I snapped my fingers and blocked his way with my body. Seeing he couldn't get to the tree, he ran for the cushions on the couch. Once again, I snapped my fingers, blocked his way with my body, and put my hand out indicating that he should sit. 3 days ago, had I done this, he would have barked or growled at me all the while ignoring my commands and going for the couch. But, because I had ignored him for 3 days, all of a sudden my status was elevated! He sat down at my (silent) command, and then lay down next to the tree. He started whimpering. He was not happy. This went on for about 10 minutes. When he saw that I wasn't going to back down, he just lay there until I walked away. He then went to the top of the stairs, whimpered some more, and fell asleep.
I felt strangely liberated that night. Like a huge weight was taken off my shoulders. Now I'm at 5 days of ignoring him. Our walks aren't perfect but they have gotten better. Time can only tell. The only thing I am looking forward to now, is that bonding sensation so many people have told me about. I'm hoping that in time, he too will become my best friend.
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Sunday, 25 December 2011
My Christmas Sweetheart
Christmas!!!
Oh how I dreaded the thought!! No, not the thought of having 15 very loud relatives over...not the thought of all the cooking, cleaning and preparations I would have to do...no, no, no. I dreaded the thought of how pup would behave after everyone was gone!
Please, let me explain. Last October during Thanksgiving, pup had behaved like a dream. It wasn't until everyone had left, and my overnight guests were getting ready for bed, that pup decided he didn't feel like sleeping. He actually kept us awake all night, barking from midnight to 8am every hour on the hour. Well, this time, the only overnight guest we had was my mom, and I certainly didn't want the poor lady to be kept awake. Hubby decided that today we would do everything the complete opposite of that fateful October day!!
The day started like any other. We got up, we walked the dog in the morning. Then, hubby and I proceeded to clean the house and start up the cooking...but, learning from our mistakes, we tried to keep to pup's routine as much possible. At lunch time, I dropped everything I was doing, and took pup out for a walk (he's used to me coming home at lunchtime every day, and I kept to the same route). After we came home, I continued my cooking and cleaning, and pup took his usual midday nap (man that pup sleeps a heck of a lot!!)
As hubby and I continued our work, we put on soothing Christmas music instead of the upbeat rock we listened to during our cooking last October. Pup seemed good with that as he lay on the floor and had a deep, deep sleep.
Around 4pm..roughly an hour and a half before the guests would arrive, son took pup out for another walk. Once again, pup is used to son walking him after school, so once again, in pup's mind, he was just following his usual routine.
Once the guests started arriving and the noise got louder and louder, hubby and I exchanged nervous glances..but it was OK..pup wasn't too excited with all of this. He was just happy to have new people around him showering him with affection.
As we sat at the dining room table, carving the turkey, pouring the wine, and everyone talking above everyone else, pup just sat and looked at us..perfectly happy with all this life and activity in the house. At one point, I asked hubby if he knew where pup was (as I had noticed he wasn't in his usual spot). One of the guests told me that pup was under the table, sitting on one of the guests' bare feet..keeping them toasty warm.
I have to say, after 7 months of putting up with his biting, pulling, growling, jumping, leash-biting habits, this was the first time that pup really felt like the family pet. He was just wonderful. A real pleasure!!
Finally, once all the guests were gone and the dishes cleared, hubby took him on his last walk of the day. The snow had started falling heavily at that point, and, as I looked out the window, I could see pup frolicking out in the snow, trying to grab snowflakes out of the sky. I finally felt something that had been evading me for 7 months. I finally started feeling a warmth spread over me as I saw how happy he was. Yep, on that Christmas day, my pup gave me the greatest present of all....pup gave me the gift of love.
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Oh how I dreaded the thought!! No, not the thought of having 15 very loud relatives over...not the thought of all the cooking, cleaning and preparations I would have to do...no, no, no. I dreaded the thought of how pup would behave after everyone was gone!
Please, let me explain. Last October during Thanksgiving, pup had behaved like a dream. It wasn't until everyone had left, and my overnight guests were getting ready for bed, that pup decided he didn't feel like sleeping. He actually kept us awake all night, barking from midnight to 8am every hour on the hour. Well, this time, the only overnight guest we had was my mom, and I certainly didn't want the poor lady to be kept awake. Hubby decided that today we would do everything the complete opposite of that fateful October day!!
The day started like any other. We got up, we walked the dog in the morning. Then, hubby and I proceeded to clean the house and start up the cooking...but, learning from our mistakes, we tried to keep to pup's routine as much possible. At lunch time, I dropped everything I was doing, and took pup out for a walk (he's used to me coming home at lunchtime every day, and I kept to the same route). After we came home, I continued my cooking and cleaning, and pup took his usual midday nap (man that pup sleeps a heck of a lot!!)
As hubby and I continued our work, we put on soothing Christmas music instead of the upbeat rock we listened to during our cooking last October. Pup seemed good with that as he lay on the floor and had a deep, deep sleep.
Around 4pm..roughly an hour and a half before the guests would arrive, son took pup out for another walk. Once again, pup is used to son walking him after school, so once again, in pup's mind, he was just following his usual routine.
Once the guests started arriving and the noise got louder and louder, hubby and I exchanged nervous glances..but it was OK..pup wasn't too excited with all of this. He was just happy to have new people around him showering him with affection.
As we sat at the dining room table, carving the turkey, pouring the wine, and everyone talking above everyone else, pup just sat and looked at us..perfectly happy with all this life and activity in the house. At one point, I asked hubby if he knew where pup was (as I had noticed he wasn't in his usual spot). One of the guests told me that pup was under the table, sitting on one of the guests' bare feet..keeping them toasty warm.
I have to say, after 7 months of putting up with his biting, pulling, growling, jumping, leash-biting habits, this was the first time that pup really felt like the family pet. He was just wonderful. A real pleasure!!
Finally, once all the guests were gone and the dishes cleared, hubby took him on his last walk of the day. The snow had started falling heavily at that point, and, as I looked out the window, I could see pup frolicking out in the snow, trying to grab snowflakes out of the sky. I finally felt something that had been evading me for 7 months. I finally started feeling a warmth spread over me as I saw how happy he was. Yep, on that Christmas day, my pup gave me the greatest present of all....pup gave me the gift of love.
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Brrrrr....
Our wonderful little puppy was born on April 1st, 2011. We brought home our little April fool on May 28th, 2011. All of 8 weeks old. We went through a challenging Spring together, and an easier Fall. However, this is everyone's 1st Winter together.
When we used to go for walks in the dead heat of the August sun, Winter was barely on anyone's mind. Our quest to look for sprinklers and water fountains pushed the menace of winter further and further out of our minds. Pup, of course, would have absolutely no idea that this white stuff even existed!! As Summer faded slowly into Fall, and the days got shorter and the wind got brisker, we'd throw on an extra sweater and laugh at how pup would put his nose up in the air to smell the unique aromas that Fall brings.
Then it happened!!! The weather started getting much colder. Now, to be fair, I have to say, it's December 18th and we still haven't had any snow on the ground. But, it has gotten considerably colder. At first, I felt kinda sorry for pup. I went out and bought him boots so his little feet wouldn't be too cold. I put them on him, and the poor thing hated them. He kept walking on his ankles. At one point, he had the strap of his front paw in his mouth. There he was, walking on 3 legs with the other leg at a right angle, foot in mouth!!!! All this before he had reached the end of the driveway!!! Needless to say, I took the boots off him. He seemed much happier, and, get this, the cold didn't seem to bother him at all!!! He loved it!!! It was as though the cold air made him come alive!
My husband has a theory. Although my little Portuguese Water Dog's roots are in southern Europe, this breed was originally bred to carry messages from boat to boat in the rough seas of the Atlantic. That's gotta be some seriously cold water!! So, although they are moderate climate dogs, they love the cold. At first I laughed at this logic, but the more I saw my little pup frolicking on the cold frozen ground, the more I realized that this pup will really give me a run for my money when the snow starts falling. My fantasies about sitting in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine and the dog at my feet are now shattered. I foresee a long cold winter, me dressed in layers upon layers of clothes...nose and eyes watering in the cold...while pup will be running up snow-banks, digging tunnels, getting drenched in the cold, cold snow, and crying when it's time to go inside!!!!
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
When we used to go for walks in the dead heat of the August sun, Winter was barely on anyone's mind. Our quest to look for sprinklers and water fountains pushed the menace of winter further and further out of our minds. Pup, of course, would have absolutely no idea that this white stuff even existed!! As Summer faded slowly into Fall, and the days got shorter and the wind got brisker, we'd throw on an extra sweater and laugh at how pup would put his nose up in the air to smell the unique aromas that Fall brings.
Then it happened!!! The weather started getting much colder. Now, to be fair, I have to say, it's December 18th and we still haven't had any snow on the ground. But, it has gotten considerably colder. At first, I felt kinda sorry for pup. I went out and bought him boots so his little feet wouldn't be too cold. I put them on him, and the poor thing hated them. He kept walking on his ankles. At one point, he had the strap of his front paw in his mouth. There he was, walking on 3 legs with the other leg at a right angle, foot in mouth!!!! All this before he had reached the end of the driveway!!! Needless to say, I took the boots off him. He seemed much happier, and, get this, the cold didn't seem to bother him at all!!! He loved it!!! It was as though the cold air made him come alive!
My husband has a theory. Although my little Portuguese Water Dog's roots are in southern Europe, this breed was originally bred to carry messages from boat to boat in the rough seas of the Atlantic. That's gotta be some seriously cold water!! So, although they are moderate climate dogs, they love the cold. At first I laughed at this logic, but the more I saw my little pup frolicking on the cold frozen ground, the more I realized that this pup will really give me a run for my money when the snow starts falling. My fantasies about sitting in front of the fireplace with a glass of wine and the dog at my feet are now shattered. I foresee a long cold winter, me dressed in layers upon layers of clothes...nose and eyes watering in the cold...while pup will be running up snow-banks, digging tunnels, getting drenched in the cold, cold snow, and crying when it's time to go inside!!!!
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 11 December 2011
The Allure of the Wood
My 8 month old PWD loves WOOD!!! Lots and lots of WOOD!!! He doesn't care how big, small, rough, smooth wet, brittle, treated it is...he just can't get enough WOOD!!
When he was just a pup, our walks would be very frustrating because his nose was so low to the ground, that absolutely everything would go in his mouth. Rocks, paper, grass, mud, sticks...it really didn't matter. However, as pup started getting older, his tastes became more refined. Sure, he still likes to kick back with the occasional used Kleenex, but his real passion lies in wood. Twigs, branches, tree bark, etc....as long as it once belonged to the tree family, he's in!!
Every lunchtime walk starts out the same. I put the leash on him, up goes the garage door, pup waits for me to lead the way!! He's an angel. Right up until that first pee 4 seconds later!! Once he's been properly relieved, he begins his never ending quest for that perfect twig.
At any given time, I look down and he's got a small branch in his mouth. He chews on it until it's almost gone, spits it out and continues the hunt. The next branch might be much larger. He loves dragging humongous branches, with all sorts of off-shoots, and all the leaves still in place, down the street!! Most times, the branches are larger than he is, but that only makes it more fun!! Many times, I'll be walking him, when all of a sudden, I'll feel a whip like sensation across my shins. I'll look down in pain, only to see him carrying a skinny twig, about 4 feet long, happily in his mouth whipping everyone on either side of him (Mostly me..of course). Getting the wood out of his mouth is never an easy task. The stronger I pull, he more he resists. The more he resists, the more excited he gets. The more excited he gets, the harder it is to pull the wood out of his mouth. Actually, I've found that the only thing that works to get him to drop the stick, is to entice him with another stick!!! My 14 year old thinks I'm nuts. He's sure pup will choke on the wood someday. I'm not so sure, however. The appeal for more and more fresh wood is enough to keep him alive forever!!
Last week, during one of our walks, I let him onto a lawn to relieve himself. He grabbed what I thought was a skinny twig. I was wrong!! Turns out the people who lived in that house must have been winterizing their front yard....chopping down bushes, covering plants, etc... My pup came back with a 4 foot rose bush twig!!! I knew I couldn't pry it out of his mouth because he would swallow, or get hurt by all of the thorns. Let me tell you, he was not going to let go!!! I tried everything I could think of. I tried to be authoritarian..make him drop the twig. Hah!!! That wasn't gonna happen. I tried to gently pry his mouth open, trying hard not to stick him with any-more thorns...fat chance of pup letting go!!! I tried to entice him with more wood, but pup was really happy with this new flavour and sensation in his mouth so that wasn't gonna happen either. Then, in desperation, I thought of the only thing I could. I started running with him...we ran really fast, we ran for over 3 blocks!!! My rationale was that if he started panting, he would eventually let go of the bush!! What a sight we were...me, holding onto a leash, running like the wind...my 8 month old pup, tail wagging, running beside me...a rose bush branch firmly embedded in his mouth, whipping my legs, and the thorns tearing into my pants!!! Needless to say, this plan did not work!!
Finally, after all that exercise, pup sat down and in the time it takes to blink your eye...I had taken the branch and flung it across the street.
I'm OK with wood as long as it's outside of the house, but today, as I was dusting my living room antique coffee table, I noticed a corner had quite a few teeth-marks in it. I wondered if that wonderful antique table was made from rosewood :(
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
When he was just a pup, our walks would be very frustrating because his nose was so low to the ground, that absolutely everything would go in his mouth. Rocks, paper, grass, mud, sticks...it really didn't matter. However, as pup started getting older, his tastes became more refined. Sure, he still likes to kick back with the occasional used Kleenex, but his real passion lies in wood. Twigs, branches, tree bark, etc....as long as it once belonged to the tree family, he's in!!
Every lunchtime walk starts out the same. I put the leash on him, up goes the garage door, pup waits for me to lead the way!! He's an angel. Right up until that first pee 4 seconds later!! Once he's been properly relieved, he begins his never ending quest for that perfect twig.
At any given time, I look down and he's got a small branch in his mouth. He chews on it until it's almost gone, spits it out and continues the hunt. The next branch might be much larger. He loves dragging humongous branches, with all sorts of off-shoots, and all the leaves still in place, down the street!! Most times, the branches are larger than he is, but that only makes it more fun!! Many times, I'll be walking him, when all of a sudden, I'll feel a whip like sensation across my shins. I'll look down in pain, only to see him carrying a skinny twig, about 4 feet long, happily in his mouth whipping everyone on either side of him (Mostly me..of course). Getting the wood out of his mouth is never an easy task. The stronger I pull, he more he resists. The more he resists, the more excited he gets. The more excited he gets, the harder it is to pull the wood out of his mouth. Actually, I've found that the only thing that works to get him to drop the stick, is to entice him with another stick!!! My 14 year old thinks I'm nuts. He's sure pup will choke on the wood someday. I'm not so sure, however. The appeal for more and more fresh wood is enough to keep him alive forever!!
Last week, during one of our walks, I let him onto a lawn to relieve himself. He grabbed what I thought was a skinny twig. I was wrong!! Turns out the people who lived in that house must have been winterizing their front yard....chopping down bushes, covering plants, etc... My pup came back with a 4 foot rose bush twig!!! I knew I couldn't pry it out of his mouth because he would swallow, or get hurt by all of the thorns. Let me tell you, he was not going to let go!!! I tried everything I could think of. I tried to be authoritarian..make him drop the twig. Hah!!! That wasn't gonna happen. I tried to gently pry his mouth open, trying hard not to stick him with any-more thorns...fat chance of pup letting go!!! I tried to entice him with more wood, but pup was really happy with this new flavour and sensation in his mouth so that wasn't gonna happen either. Then, in desperation, I thought of the only thing I could. I started running with him...we ran really fast, we ran for over 3 blocks!!! My rationale was that if he started panting, he would eventually let go of the bush!! What a sight we were...me, holding onto a leash, running like the wind...my 8 month old pup, tail wagging, running beside me...a rose bush branch firmly embedded in his mouth, whipping my legs, and the thorns tearing into my pants!!! Needless to say, this plan did not work!!
Finally, after all that exercise, pup sat down and in the time it takes to blink your eye...I had taken the branch and flung it across the street.
I'm OK with wood as long as it's outside of the house, but today, as I was dusting my living room antique coffee table, I noticed a corner had quite a few teeth-marks in it. I wondered if that wonderful antique table was made from rosewood :(
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 4 December 2011
The 10 Minute Demolition
10 minutes!! That's all it takes for anything to last in my home once pup's been at it.
Before we got our Portuguese Water Dog, hubby and I did lots and lots of research. We knew that PWD puppies were notorious chewers, and, because they are classified as "working dogs", we knew that unless they had lots of stimuli, they got bored really easily. Unfortunately, in a PWD's case, boredom = destruction.
So, because we knew all this, hubby and I went out and bought him every toy we could think of. We bought him squeaky toys, balls, unstuffed animals, stuffed animals, kongs, and strong braided rope-like toys. Well, let me tell you, it doesn't matter what pup has in his mouth, he will destroy it in 10 minutes or less. We have had pup for exactly 6 months now, and absolutely NOTHING lasts. Every toy he gets is ABSOLUTELY RUINED before the 10 minutes is up. How could he be so fast? Each toy we get him is "designed for the serious chewer". However, nothing, but nothing lasts.
It would be great if the story ended there, but alas it does not. As I mentioned, PWD's are working dogs so they constantly need something in their mouths. Now, since the toys didn't last very long, my pup started dragging the cushions off the sofa. So, I've started putting all the cushions in a closet. I have to remember to take them out when people come over. So, no cushions, equals no chewing..right? Wrong. Now pup sees the sofa as his empty canvas. We've had to take 3 of the seats to be reupholstered this week. The guy at the shop told us there was not much he could do, so he's just kind turning them around and flipping them over. Sob!!!
Does the story end there? Of course not. Since pup has chewed up all his toys, cushions and seats, I've taken to giving him used bits of clothing. An old running shoe that doesn't fit my son any-more, an old T-shirt that's got a couple of holes in it..the list goes on. Each time, pup gets a hold of the new article and it is DEMOLISHED in less than 10 minutes!!! My 14 year old son, who has more sense than I do, pleads with me to stop giving pup clothing. That we are helping him develop a whole new set of BAD habits. Deep down I know he's right, but I just can't help it...pup's gotta chew and I have to be able to leave him out of my sight for a few minutes to get ready in the mornings.
When it was warmer outside, I use to tie him up in the backyard while I got ready. Well, after he chewed through his 4th leash, I started using a bike chain. No, not the metal ones, the ones that are coated in plastic and are pliable. He couldn't chew through them and I felt confident he wouldn't escape the yard. Well, now in December, it's started getting colder. Although we still don't have snow on the ground, I feel uncomfortable leaving him outside. So, being the conscientious (doormat) owner I am, I started putting him in the vestibule (a little foyer, if you will, between the front door and the inner door to the house). I figured he'd like it there, 2 large windows to look out of, and lots of space. Well, in the 2 times that I put him in the vestibule, I started noticing that my baseboards were shrinking! Yep, that's right. Not only has he eaten his toys, clothes, cushions and sofa...now our wonderful 8 month old dog has started eating the HOUSE!!! By the way, yes I feed him enough food, yes it's very good food, yes he gets plenty of exercise!!! He just loves to chew and chew.
So...last week, hubby and I went out and bought "bitter apple" spray. This is "supposed" to deter dogs from chewing on furniture and baseboards, etc.. The smell makes me gag and I certainly never finish my breakfast or coffee after hubby has sprayed the furniture. My son gets up from a deep, deep sleep and closes his bedroom door to block out the putrid smell. Pup, on the other-hand, walks over to the remaining frame of the sofa...his tongue out, as he licks up every last drop of that wonderful spray....
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Before we got our Portuguese Water Dog, hubby and I did lots and lots of research. We knew that PWD puppies were notorious chewers, and, because they are classified as "working dogs", we knew that unless they had lots of stimuli, they got bored really easily. Unfortunately, in a PWD's case, boredom = destruction.
So, because we knew all this, hubby and I went out and bought him every toy we could think of. We bought him squeaky toys, balls, unstuffed animals, stuffed animals, kongs, and strong braided rope-like toys. Well, let me tell you, it doesn't matter what pup has in his mouth, he will destroy it in 10 minutes or less. We have had pup for exactly 6 months now, and absolutely NOTHING lasts. Every toy he gets is ABSOLUTELY RUINED before the 10 minutes is up. How could he be so fast? Each toy we get him is "designed for the serious chewer". However, nothing, but nothing lasts.
It would be great if the story ended there, but alas it does not. As I mentioned, PWD's are working dogs so they constantly need something in their mouths. Now, since the toys didn't last very long, my pup started dragging the cushions off the sofa. So, I've started putting all the cushions in a closet. I have to remember to take them out when people come over. So, no cushions, equals no chewing..right? Wrong. Now pup sees the sofa as his empty canvas. We've had to take 3 of the seats to be reupholstered this week. The guy at the shop told us there was not much he could do, so he's just kind turning them around and flipping them over. Sob!!!
Does the story end there? Of course not. Since pup has chewed up all his toys, cushions and seats, I've taken to giving him used bits of clothing. An old running shoe that doesn't fit my son any-more, an old T-shirt that's got a couple of holes in it..the list goes on. Each time, pup gets a hold of the new article and it is DEMOLISHED in less than 10 minutes!!! My 14 year old son, who has more sense than I do, pleads with me to stop giving pup clothing. That we are helping him develop a whole new set of BAD habits. Deep down I know he's right, but I just can't help it...pup's gotta chew and I have to be able to leave him out of my sight for a few minutes to get ready in the mornings.
When it was warmer outside, I use to tie him up in the backyard while I got ready. Well, after he chewed through his 4th leash, I started using a bike chain. No, not the metal ones, the ones that are coated in plastic and are pliable. He couldn't chew through them and I felt confident he wouldn't escape the yard. Well, now in December, it's started getting colder. Although we still don't have snow on the ground, I feel uncomfortable leaving him outside. So, being the conscientious (doormat) owner I am, I started putting him in the vestibule (a little foyer, if you will, between the front door and the inner door to the house). I figured he'd like it there, 2 large windows to look out of, and lots of space. Well, in the 2 times that I put him in the vestibule, I started noticing that my baseboards were shrinking! Yep, that's right. Not only has he eaten his toys, clothes, cushions and sofa...now our wonderful 8 month old dog has started eating the HOUSE!!! By the way, yes I feed him enough food, yes it's very good food, yes he gets plenty of exercise!!! He just loves to chew and chew.
So...last week, hubby and I went out and bought "bitter apple" spray. This is "supposed" to deter dogs from chewing on furniture and baseboards, etc.. The smell makes me gag and I certainly never finish my breakfast or coffee after hubby has sprayed the furniture. My son gets up from a deep, deep sleep and closes his bedroom door to block out the putrid smell. Pup, on the other-hand, walks over to the remaining frame of the sofa...his tongue out, as he licks up every last drop of that wonderful spray....
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 27 November 2011
My Dog is Trying to Kill Me!
Yes, it's true. My loving 7 month old pup, the one I feed, walk, pet, play with, and enjoy, is trying to kill me.
Last week, as I was walking down the stairs, he darted out in front of me and I almost missed my step. I narrowly grabbed the handrail to keep myself from plummeting down to the main floor. I had a few bruises on my shins.
Yesterday, as I was cleaning my house, he ran in front of me..I fell face first into my dining room chairs. I put my hand out to break my fall and now I have a huge bruise on my hand.
This evening, I was taking him out for his evening stroll with my son. We walked wonderfully until we came upon what I call "Devil's Stretch". This is an ordinary stretch of land..about 2 blocks long. On one side of the street are typical suburban homes, on the other is a park. Well when hubby or son are walking the dog along this stretch, he behaves beautifully. However, when I'm holding the leash...HE GOES NUTS!!! He pulls away, bites the leash, growls at me, and barks up a storm. He runs back and forth yanking me and the leash with him. Then, once the stretch is over, he goes back to calmly walking beside me...weird!!
Well. this evening, I had the leash as pup, son and I went by Devil's Stretch. Pup started up as per usual, but, he now weighs over 45lbs!! He started running back and forth, turning somersaults in the air (quite the agile puppy!) At one point, he ran behind me and yanked my left arm straight out behind me. Then he jumped up so my arm went up. He then yanked back and I fell, on my left side, right into the muddy grass in the park. He then must have seen a squirrel or something, because he kept on running until I was completely flat, face first in the mud, with my arm stretched out straight out in front of me.
It took me a few minutes to roll over and get my bearings. I was covered in mud on my left side. It was a miracle that I had never let go of the leash. I looked up at my son and asked him if he was planning on helping me. He told me he would as soon as he stopped laughing!!!
So there you have it...pup throws me down stairs..he flings me into chairs, and he drags me through mud. When I walk him tomorrow, as a precaution, I'll wear my son's hockey helmet!!
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Last week, as I was walking down the stairs, he darted out in front of me and I almost missed my step. I narrowly grabbed the handrail to keep myself from plummeting down to the main floor. I had a few bruises on my shins.
Yesterday, as I was cleaning my house, he ran in front of me..I fell face first into my dining room chairs. I put my hand out to break my fall and now I have a huge bruise on my hand.
This evening, I was taking him out for his evening stroll with my son. We walked wonderfully until we came upon what I call "Devil's Stretch". This is an ordinary stretch of land..about 2 blocks long. On one side of the street are typical suburban homes, on the other is a park. Well when hubby or son are walking the dog along this stretch, he behaves beautifully. However, when I'm holding the leash...HE GOES NUTS!!! He pulls away, bites the leash, growls at me, and barks up a storm. He runs back and forth yanking me and the leash with him. Then, once the stretch is over, he goes back to calmly walking beside me...weird!!
Well. this evening, I had the leash as pup, son and I went by Devil's Stretch. Pup started up as per usual, but, he now weighs over 45lbs!! He started running back and forth, turning somersaults in the air (quite the agile puppy!) At one point, he ran behind me and yanked my left arm straight out behind me. Then he jumped up so my arm went up. He then yanked back and I fell, on my left side, right into the muddy grass in the park. He then must have seen a squirrel or something, because he kept on running until I was completely flat, face first in the mud, with my arm stretched out straight out in front of me.
It took me a few minutes to roll over and get my bearings. I was covered in mud on my left side. It was a miracle that I had never let go of the leash. I looked up at my son and asked him if he was planning on helping me. He told me he would as soon as he stopped laughing!!!
So there you have it...pup throws me down stairs..he flings me into chairs, and he drags me through mud. When I walk him tomorrow, as a precaution, I'll wear my son's hockey helmet!!
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sunday, 20 November 2011
The Social Butterfly
My pup has lots of friends. Lots and lots of friends!!! Everywhere we go..a new friend pops up!
Sadly, however, it wasn't always this way. In the beginning, when our 7 month old pup, was only 2, 3, or 4 months old..he didn't have any friends. It wasn't from lack of dogs in our neighbourhood, oh no, not at all. It was because our pup hadn't been fully socialized yet. He didn't quite understand "canine" language. Other tiny pups understood him. When he jumped up and nipped at their ears, they let him. Occasionally, they would bite back and a full out Sharks/Jets rumble would break out. They would fight till the other owners and I would have to pull them apart.
But, when my little pup would come across an adult dog, well then the rules would be completely different. Adult dogs would have no time for him. They'd turn their back on him, or just growl, saying "Back off pup..can't you see I don't want to play with the likes of you?!" Of course, being a young pup, and therefore, completely clueless, my pup just wouldn't take the hint. He'd jump at and yap at the adult dogs..ignore the fact that they were ignoring him, he'd nip at their ears...just long enough for the adults dog, with lightning speed, would pin him down until the yelping started. The other owners would apologize to me and try to get their 70 lb dogs off my 11lb puppy. As soon as the dog was off, my pup would start up again until once again he'd be pinned down. Actually, I didn't mind it one bit. I figured the best teacher to teach my pup the ways of the canine world, is another dog. And so it went....
Now my pup is 7 1/2 months old. I gotta tell you, he learns fast. Now, he has so many friends...pups his age, and dogs 10 years older than him. He plays really really well with everyone. When we come to a soccer field, baseball diamond, or a dog park, he's out there playing with everyone. He's got his regular friends that he sees every day, and he is constantly making new ones. He loves and plays with all dogs...except...he doesn't really care for very young pups. I occasionally find myself trying to pry him off a 2 month old that he has pinned down...he has no time for them.
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
Sadly, however, it wasn't always this way. In the beginning, when our 7 month old pup, was only 2, 3, or 4 months old..he didn't have any friends. It wasn't from lack of dogs in our neighbourhood, oh no, not at all. It was because our pup hadn't been fully socialized yet. He didn't quite understand "canine" language. Other tiny pups understood him. When he jumped up and nipped at their ears, they let him. Occasionally, they would bite back and a full out Sharks/Jets rumble would break out. They would fight till the other owners and I would have to pull them apart.
But, when my little pup would come across an adult dog, well then the rules would be completely different. Adult dogs would have no time for him. They'd turn their back on him, or just growl, saying "Back off pup..can't you see I don't want to play with the likes of you?!" Of course, being a young pup, and therefore, completely clueless, my pup just wouldn't take the hint. He'd jump at and yap at the adult dogs..ignore the fact that they were ignoring him, he'd nip at their ears...just long enough for the adults dog, with lightning speed, would pin him down until the yelping started. The other owners would apologize to me and try to get their 70 lb dogs off my 11lb puppy. As soon as the dog was off, my pup would start up again until once again he'd be pinned down. Actually, I didn't mind it one bit. I figured the best teacher to teach my pup the ways of the canine world, is another dog. And so it went....
Now my pup is 7 1/2 months old. I gotta tell you, he learns fast. Now, he has so many friends...pups his age, and dogs 10 years older than him. He plays really really well with everyone. When we come to a soccer field, baseball diamond, or a dog park, he's out there playing with everyone. He's got his regular friends that he sees every day, and he is constantly making new ones. He loves and plays with all dogs...except...he doesn't really care for very young pups. I occasionally find myself trying to pry him off a 2 month old that he has pinned down...he has no time for them.
For more blogs, please visit http://cluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/ and http://thecluelesspuppyowner.blogspot.com/
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