The first couple of weeks of the new dogs have been about getting to
know them and trying to get them acclimatised to a new environment and
routine.
One of the most extraordinary things we have noticed is
that these dogs appear to have read the book on dog behaviour because
they appear to do what is described. They sleep, they walk, they go
back in their beds for more sleep, they walk then they sleep again.
In
the morning I come down in my dressing gown (ignoring them to keep my
pack leader role) they do not move. They have completely respected my
14 yr old dog and left her alone. They even tolerate her telling them
off and vacate their own bed for her if she tells them to. She in turn,
whilst appearing initially subdued and slightly miffed, has come round
and seems quite comfortable. She even seems more motivated to eat her
own breakfast over which she had become rather picky!
It
is also interesting to see two dogs who are from the same litter of two
different breeds Weimaraner, Springer both of whom demonstrate more of
one type of characteristics.
Bruno is 90% Weimaraner
in looks and behaviour in the first few days he has established himself
as the definite leader of Max to the point of actually sitting on him at
times.Amazingly Max appears willing to tolerate this despite the huge
bulk of his brother. As we said, 43kg or close to this at the last
count.
Bruno has shown himself to be a challenging boy,
in the first few days I observed him always making for the back door
first and going in first after his morning toilet. I soon realised this
was his attempt at a subtle coup and that he was busy sizing me up to
see what I was going to do about it! I began by observing and then
started to make life in the garden so much fun for the others that Bruno
was soon out of the house again to see what he might be missing out on,
upon which I quickly marched in before him.
I have
also noticed that they seem to have had some initial training and can
sit, lie down, go in their bed wait and all the usual commands. They do
respond well to body blocking and maintaining distance from the kitchen
when we are preparing food.
However when out on the
walk it is a different matter, Max is as my dog walker described 'away
with the fairies', like a hyperactive child on hallucinogenic substances
he glazes over and follows his nose rather than being aware of you or
any kind of instruction. I have joked that once in the fields if I
purchased a pair of grass skis he would have me round the whole circuit
in less than 5 minutes. I am using a head collar to keep him under some
control but he seems to have worked out if he turns his head a certain
way he can make the collar less effective and pull me along. Clever
dog!
Monday, 7 October 2013
Sunday, 6 October 2013
New arrivals
Yesterday the dogs arrived. It was an emotional phone call from the
rescue which confirmed it after we we discussed the issues with the
chocolate one's weight and potential medical problems ie
hypothyroidism. My partner and I had already agreed that we did not
feel it was fair to separate these dogs when they had been together
since puppyhood. The rescuer was practical in tears telling me that I
was in a minority in accepting two largish dogs and also in being
prepared to take on any medical issues. It all just seemed to fall into
place. So an hour later and we had the dogs in the car and were
heading for home (although they didn't know it yet).
The next couple of days proved very full as we sussed eachother out and they got to know what was OK and what not. Poor Holly found herself back in the stricter rules regime after a few months of complete spoiling in being the only dog. She was not really phased by the boys arrival but kept to herself and they were repectful of her in this. The cat also had to contend with two new house mates and was understandably wary but not scared which helped the dogs understand their place.
The decision about names was a difficult one. They were initially named Coco and Smudge which we felt more suited to cats than dogs so these have been changed, with some observance, to their character we finally settled on Bruno and Max.
Today we introduced them to a man who is going to come and let them out every day, this would have been unheard of in Sonny's day as he would not have let anyone in the house. So he arrived at the door wearing a hat which as we know some of our canine friends can be phased by. After making them sit and being calm before I opened the door they sniffed him all over and then went and lay down and went to sleep whilst we discussed the details. After dealing with Sonny's problems with people this seemed like a breeze!
This afternoon we had a trip to the vets for a check-up, weigh in and advice about weight loss for Bruno who is 42kg and should be 30 kgs. We are now on a strict weight loss plan and aiming for a 2 kg loss over the next couple of weeks. As the additional weight is putting so much strain on his joints I will be glad when he has shifted a bit of it.
The blood test for hyperthyroidism was also done and we should know within a week or so if anything shows up. Apparently it is notoriously difficult to diagnose in dogs so we will see. If he does have the condition this will mean medication for life which is relatively inexpensive and normal life expectancy. I did wonder if the condition was related to his weight and lifestyle but the vet says not, which is a relief.
So today they have been vet check, vaccinated (not previously done since 2009) got their ID tags, christened with new names and had two good walks.
Tomorrow we have to go back to work so I will wonder if they are OK and hopefully not shredding anything.
The dog walker is going to text me later and let me know how they are doing so we will see but all in all a really good first few days but it's been really intense and I'm tired now.
The next couple of days proved very full as we sussed eachother out and they got to know what was OK and what not. Poor Holly found herself back in the stricter rules regime after a few months of complete spoiling in being the only dog. She was not really phased by the boys arrival but kept to herself and they were repectful of her in this. The cat also had to contend with two new house mates and was understandably wary but not scared which helped the dogs understand their place.
The decision about names was a difficult one. They were initially named Coco and Smudge which we felt more suited to cats than dogs so these have been changed, with some observance, to their character we finally settled on Bruno and Max.
Today we introduced them to a man who is going to come and let them out every day, this would have been unheard of in Sonny's day as he would not have let anyone in the house. So he arrived at the door wearing a hat which as we know some of our canine friends can be phased by. After making them sit and being calm before I opened the door they sniffed him all over and then went and lay down and went to sleep whilst we discussed the details. After dealing with Sonny's problems with people this seemed like a breeze!
This afternoon we had a trip to the vets for a check-up, weigh in and advice about weight loss for Bruno who is 42kg and should be 30 kgs. We are now on a strict weight loss plan and aiming for a 2 kg loss over the next couple of weeks. As the additional weight is putting so much strain on his joints I will be glad when he has shifted a bit of it.
The blood test for hyperthyroidism was also done and we should know within a week or so if anything shows up. Apparently it is notoriously difficult to diagnose in dogs so we will see. If he does have the condition this will mean medication for life which is relatively inexpensive and normal life expectancy. I did wonder if the condition was related to his weight and lifestyle but the vet says not, which is a relief.
So today they have been vet check, vaccinated (not previously done since 2009) got their ID tags, christened with new names and had two good walks.
Tomorrow we have to go back to work so I will wonder if they are OK and hopefully not shredding anything.
The dog walker is going to text me later and let me know how they are doing so we will see but all in all a really good first few days but it's been really intense and I'm tired now.
Adoptees
Things have moved on considerably since my last post when I was
bemoaning the state of the world and the difficulty in getting a rescue
dog if you work. A chance conversation with someone enquiring how I was
coping without Sonny led to me finding out about two dogs which were
down on their luck and needing a new home.
Dog1 and Dog 2 are 6 yr old brothers, apparently Weimaraner, Springer crosses, I couldn't imagine this at all but was advised that at least one of them looked like a chocolate lab which was my first choice. Hot off the press I rang the rescue who had already received a call of recommendation from my contact. I arrived with copies of my injection cards to prove I look after my dogs, plus copies of my house details to show I had enough room for them.
One of them is vastly overweight. He should be 30 kgs and he is 43, so a long way to go before he looks trim again. It seems that the story is they had been kept in a crate for much of their early years and got terribly fat. Then put onto a website 'free to good home'. The people who took them on then had a relationship breakdown and couldn't keep them. They are now in the kennels and seem quite happy although only been there a week. The rescue also found out they had not had any injections since 2009 and were covered in fleas!
I read up on all my notes from the Shaun Ellis course and did the Circle of Trust Exercise with the more confident one, who was definitely trying to lead me. After three times around the 'safe' area I created he stopped sniffing and calmed down. When I got him to sit he gave me eye contact for the first time. Result! We then got my other dog and we all went for a walk together. They proved themselves to be really well adjusted, we passed a horse (not even interested), pigs (not remotely interested) then went into the enclosed area to allow all 3 dogs off lead together for the first time. They were very respectful of Holly and sniffed her vaguely but not enough to irritate her. I was really pleased with the result. They are definitely not aggressive and Ok with dogs and that is the main thing - much as I adored Sonny I could do with a break from aggressive dogs for a bit I think.
Afterwards like an over enthusiastic teenager, I rambled on about all manner of issues to recommend myself as the best owner these dogs could possibly want. My partner said I overdid it a bit!
I would have taken them there and then but we need to get a report from the vet on Monday about the fat one's issues and what treatment is required. I think he may well have an underactive thyroid as he has some hair loss on his tail which can be a symptom of this. If he does have it the most expensive one will be the blood test and then the drugs are relatively inexpensive.
I feel a new sense of purpose and am excited about the prospect of having a dog training project very soon.
Dog1 and Dog 2 are 6 yr old brothers, apparently Weimaraner, Springer crosses, I couldn't imagine this at all but was advised that at least one of them looked like a chocolate lab which was my first choice. Hot off the press I rang the rescue who had already received a call of recommendation from my contact. I arrived with copies of my injection cards to prove I look after my dogs, plus copies of my house details to show I had enough room for them.
One of them is vastly overweight. He should be 30 kgs and he is 43, so a long way to go before he looks trim again. It seems that the story is they had been kept in a crate for much of their early years and got terribly fat. Then put onto a website 'free to good home'. The people who took them on then had a relationship breakdown and couldn't keep them. They are now in the kennels and seem quite happy although only been there a week. The rescue also found out they had not had any injections since 2009 and were covered in fleas!
I read up on all my notes from the Shaun Ellis course and did the Circle of Trust Exercise with the more confident one, who was definitely trying to lead me. After three times around the 'safe' area I created he stopped sniffing and calmed down. When I got him to sit he gave me eye contact for the first time. Result! We then got my other dog and we all went for a walk together. They proved themselves to be really well adjusted, we passed a horse (not even interested), pigs (not remotely interested) then went into the enclosed area to allow all 3 dogs off lead together for the first time. They were very respectful of Holly and sniffed her vaguely but not enough to irritate her. I was really pleased with the result. They are definitely not aggressive and Ok with dogs and that is the main thing - much as I adored Sonny I could do with a break from aggressive dogs for a bit I think.
Afterwards like an over enthusiastic teenager, I rambled on about all manner of issues to recommend myself as the best owner these dogs could possibly want. My partner said I overdid it a bit!
I would have taken them there and then but we need to get a report from the vet on Monday about the fat one's issues and what treatment is required. I think he may well have an underactive thyroid as he has some hair loss on his tail which can be a symptom of this. If he does have it the most expensive one will be the blood test and then the drugs are relatively inexpensive.
I feel a new sense of purpose and am excited about the prospect of having a dog training project very soon.
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