pondering a pup

also my coworker with the puppy was telling me about how her dog needs a lot of training for leash walking (duh) but she doesn't want to take the time to work on it during morning walks because it's early and she's tired and doesn't want to have to get up earlier. So they are having a trainer come to work with her because she's still too young for classes. Ughhhh trainer stuff wont work unless you practice it. Also get a book and learn how to own a dog and don't get a puppy if you don't want to take the time to raise it. Ugh.

i was wrong about the nylabones, jordan says it just that neko doesn't like them all that much and loses interest really quickly.

but idk the vet isn't the be-all end-all of dog knowledge and gail at n0rsled was v pro antlers/bully sticks so i think we'll keep them around. but the bully sticks are like 10 bucks each and last less than 90mins!!!!

oh and there is dog daycare near us that is more affordable than i realized so once she has gone through classes we'll look into doing that at least one day a week - it'll be good for her (and v good for us)

I think if Gail gave her antlers/bully sticks without issue then she should be fine! I have lusted after antlers but they are $$$$! On that note: amazon prime is your friend for all things doggie!

Basil doesn't go to daycare anymore since she's developed fear of unfamiliar dogs....and I half wonder if something traumatized her at daycare but it's hard to say and was probably a mix of several things. Make sure they have a good staff to dog ratio. Ok I am going to stop telling you how to own a dog now :(

lol we buy 90% of everything on amazon prime already! it's just too easy. i think the antlers last a really long time even tho they are $$$$ - way way longer than bully sticks or himalayan chews.

her first obedience class went well, but we know now to bring a bunch of different treats bc even tho she is highly food motivated, she got bored really quickly with the same thing and got distracted. there are only two other dogs in our class which is good.

all the money we've spent on toys (many of which she destroyed in minutes)... the trainer suggested i make a thing out of fabric scraps, since moving parts will satisfy her prey drive. where do i work but a place where i constantly have bags of fabric scraps i'm always trying to get rid of. so i made her this shit-ass toy and she fuckin LOVES this stupid thing, she went crazy flinging it round.

p.s. i like advice from you, tza!!!

that's awesome :) i buy the cheapest plush toys at tj maxx etc because she can kill them pretty quickly but her trainer said it's really satisfying for her to be able to tear them apart. Amazon is awesome for having 30lb bags of food delivered to your door </lazy>

B's group class was at like 7 or 8 and she'd get bored without a lot of treat variety. Sometimes she'd just lie down and give up which was hilarious but frustrating. That may have also been a response to being in a more stressful environment.

ha yes the two other dogs were jumping round non stop, neko kept just lying down. it didn't help that every time she tried to sit, you could see her butt sliding gradually out from underneath her bc the floor was too slippery for her furry bum.

haha<3

harry was a complete dunce at obedience school, he'd be fine practising at home but when he was there he was so excited about being with all the other dogs he'd only cavort around and then line up enthusiastically for treats he hadn't earned, it was disgraceful. he has always gotten on very well with other dogs though (apart from this mean snappy little pomeranian across the street who is his arch enemy) so it did help and he also became obedient in the end.

awww, he is such a love!

basil had another good interaction with milo (her former nemesis from upstairs) today! but then we found out her friend willie the pug fell off the bed and broke his leg! poor wille :( :(

i got her an antler tonight and she lovves it.

she always steals my seat when i work from home but i love her anyway.
http://https%3A//scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1376580_10151724856786589_694230058_n.jpg

basil slides on the parquet floor here - it's funny because she'll sit, but then her front paws will start sliding and then she's in 'down' without even trying to be good :)

boo where is my picture?!

http://https%3A//scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1376580_10151724856786589_694230058_n.jpg

Ughhh

http://i39.tinypic.com/2ls8mx3.jpg

oh man basil

i love how endlessly disgraceful harry is

J did you give neko split or whole antler? The one i got for b was split and she made a huge dent in it in no time!

what do you mean by split? like split lengthwise? her one is whole but short, about 6 inches

Cut in half, like this
http://hungryhound.com/wp-content/uploads/antlers-splitwhole-300x199.jpg

Actually if there is worry about hardness, you could try a split one with neko. But obv it won't last as long.

Baby bear is being so cute and lovey today. I feel bad that i have to torture her with a bath soon :(

oh no her one is def a whole one

neko was really good at the little dog park near our old house today. i get so nervous about her around other dogs, so we walked along the fence and the 6 dogs there seemed cool so we went in and she was really good! didn't play too rough and even left the little dogs alone.

has she previously had issues with other dogs or are you just being cautious til you get to know her better?

either way I'm glad she had fun!

just a cautious thing, mostly, but she DID almost eat a little dog at her last adoptive home... so...

she was being kenneled for a long time, so i figured she's mostly ok, but it's good to be careful. i worry about her getting hurt but i also worry about her hurting another dog - huskies are known for playing really rough (i have the scratches and bruises to prove it).

for estela:

http://youtu.be/y3r7XawqLqI

oh she's so wonderfully mischievous! Basil is not allowed to watch that video! It would give her ideas ;)

On Monday we are meeting a new dog sitter called estella and i just want to tell her she spelled her name wrong!

http://i41.tinypic.com/161fbtk.jpg

I've been watching the walking dead so maybe she thought she needed to stand guard.

oh man we had such a good day at work yesterday! i figured it out - i give her half her breakfast and then take the other half to work and dole it out very slowly over the course of the day. i was unable to leave her unleashed for the entire day, and after her cursory sniff of the entire workshop, she quickly figured out that if she lay or sat down near me, she would get food on a regular basis. no whimpering or whining or being a pain!!

yay!

that should say i was ABLE to leave her unleashed for the entire day duh

Hah i didn't even catch that!

I have secured basil's Halloween outfit after several attempts. First costume (black cat!)would have been awesome but i couldn't find the right size :(

For option 2 i got the one for dogs up to 90 lb dogs but all the measurements were good and it said labs, boxers, etc. it was lolhueg so i went down a size (one of the breeds on this tag is French bulldog!).and it fits perfectly. It is a Medium. The first, she would have needed a xxl!

silly basil is afraid of scarecrows!

scarebasils

HI.
http://i42.tinypic.com/2i12exx.jpg

<3 such a gorgeous goofy girl.

I have been away for 3 days and her sitter has sent a few adorable pics and it's making me so wistful!

aw, it's great she's having fun and then she will be very thrilled when you get home.

http://usercontent.packdog.com/post/photo/v3bf9g_4219f81e632f9150ca2814db0ea6722a299d252a.jpg

neko update?

she's doing ok - lots of health problems, which has been worrisome; finally making significant progress on the bed-territory issue; still getting into the occasional frenzy and turning vicious O_o

She is so lucky to have you!

Today is basil's first adoptaversary! She got a bottle of puppy champagne (aka squeaky toy) and is relaxing on her huge new bed (early xmas present from grandma). <3 her so much!

http://usercontent.packdog.com/post/photo/Sjfajp_a49bacff92121f48ad0431d76619d0474590354e.jpg

I promise she is happier with that toy than she looks in the pic

I think she was pissed at me for making her pose with it instead of playing!

She looks totally focused on it, super intent. Happy forever-home-day, Basil!

love

basil has been so happy hanging out with my sister's dog in a big house full of people...I'm starting to think she needs a buddy. If only i had more space/money :(

So it turns out the crazy lady who yelled at me does this to others, too! The other night a neighbor and i were talking about dog stuff while our pups played and i mentioned it and she said the same thing happened to her! That woman must be very, very unhappy.