Puppy Chewing!!

[Skippy]

My mum got a Kong for Blaze and she wasn't interested either! When mum left her for the first time apparently she howled the whole time and scratched all the paint and wood off part of the livin room door. The next time she was left mum left the door open so she had the run of the house and she was fine.

This is precisely why I won't be having a dog! My friend has a puppy and I haven't been round since she got it!

[Shining]

Oh I couldn't imagine life without my doggies, my choccy lab is highly trained as in I train with him for around 4 hours each Saturday and nightly for approximately half hour, he is 3 and doesn't require a lead at all not even on a busy street, but don't worry I make sure he is on one, I am a responsible dog owner! He is cool around horses, cows and children, he has been socialised with pushchairs and bikes and the like. My granddaughter walks him on a lead and has been since she was 3 (again with me beside her) as he walks totally to heel. I am very masterful of him and he enjoys working. However, when we go to River he knows it's 'his' time and he roams, sniffs and does all doggy stuff, but would never venture far from me. He's my soulmate.

The cocker is a good boy but sadly not a healthy dog so things are limited with him but he's more comical than anything bless him and he has a lazy life due to his eyesight.

[cat 1]

Lesley-impressive post!
My dog drags and pulls us everywhere.She so strong.A walk is very hard work if the lead is involved! She comes back when shouted-eventually!
I have to put a harness on her to walk.A month ago she jumped into a canal whilst on the lead and very nearly followed!
Catx

[kallis3]

Our little dog is pretty good off the lead, but he is always on it when we are near the road or see other people or animals.

The big one however, there is no way I could loose her off - she'd be gone and she's very fast being a lurcher.

[Skippy]

My mum's dog isn't allowed off the lead as her recall is appalling - her previous owners never trained her. The one and only time she was let off the lead she disappeared for 3 hours!

Some of you may remember that mum was havin to rehome the dog - the good news is that she has been able to keep the dog as someone my friend knows is walking her every day. She's going out for around an hour each day so she's getting the walks she needs.

[kallis3]

That's brilliant news Skippy, both for your mum and the dog.

[Shining]

Fantastic news Skippy, one day I'll upload some of my training videos to youtube and you can have a look if you want. He is good, Cat1 wish I lived nearer I'd borrow him/her for 20mins a day initially and hopefully sort out the pulling at least. You thought of a Halti/or Gentle leader, they have their uses in a dog that pulls.

[Skippy]

That'd be great Lesley. Some people who worked for the charity that Blaze came from ran dog training classes and mum could have taken Blaze. The problem was they insisted I had to go as well (no idea why as I didn't live with them!) and as I was going on holiday and couldn't always guarantee I could go (or that I'd always want to go) they didn't seem interested so nothing happened.

Mum had a gentle leader for Blaze and it didn't make any difference to her pulling - she's so strong she just ignored it. I don't think even a cattle prod would make any difference!

[Shining]

Bless Blaze, there are several sorts of head collar about but can't say I've ever used one personally but have seen dogs transformed from using them. Dog training is my one passion, I've been going to dog training since I was around 13 (34yrs!) I started when I got my first cros bred puppy. I love the unconditional love you get in return and feel a sense of achievement when we get it right eventually. We took him to the Flower Parade last week and all the loud marching bands or any noise didn't phase him. He loves going fishing with hubby too!

[Skippy]

Oh bless him! Mum and I actually had a row about Blaze last week - mum kept on saying that I don't like Blaze (not true) and that I never say anything nice about her. I kept trying to point out that yes I do like her, but I'm not attached to her like Cindy, the last dog as I don't live there. She wouldn't have it though.

I was 14 when we got Cindy and lived at home full time until I was 29, and then on and off until I was 31 so to me it's logical that I was more attached. Also she was the sort of dog who was a pleasure to walk and she knew more about me and my teenage troubles than anyone else! I used to take her for picnics by the river and feed her Nutella sandwiches! She was 18 when she died and even now with Blaze there I still look for her at my mums sometimes.

[kallis3]

Know what you mean Skip!

We had a Great Dane 15 years ago, and although we only had him 13 months I still look down the stairs if I walk across the landing and remember him lying there (he would never come upstairs).

Hubby calls our lurcher Bella (the dog we lost last year), and even calls Lloyd Benson sometimes (and he was put to sleep in 1994!)

[Shining]

Skippy that is lovely, our Lhasa Nelly was like that with my 15yr old as daughter never knew life without her but sadly went over Rainbow Bridge and we trimmed some of her fur and daughter keeps it in a box and can each year gets it on the anniversary of her death bless her and spends a few moments with 'Nell'. They do become part of you I believe.

My children love the Cocker and have a different relationship with him than they do the chocolate lab, I must admit he has more character as Lab is so laid back and lazy whereas Cocker 10 mile jog and looks at you as if to say 'and next we're going to?'

They're all individual and all lovable in their own way. If I won the lottery I'd have rescue kennels without a doubt.

[Skippy]

That's really sweet Lesley. You'll probably all laugh at this but I've got a whisker box for Harry - every time I find a whisker or the remains of a claw on the carpet or furniture it goes in the box. As he's my baby I suppose it's the equivalent of my mum keeping my teeth when I was a kid!

It'd be a cattery for me if I won the lottery!

[kallis3]

[:D][:D][:D]

[Shining]

I think the Whisker box is a fab idea, mine are both out right now eating rib bones! we just had a rack of ribs (yummy) and they get the bones, I like to share lol