Walkies at the park

We all went to the park again this morning except this time Dad came with us to control "IT" Dad also worked with "IT" putting him a calm position every time someone or some doggie went by and by the end of our walk "IT" was actually ignoring peoples and doggies. There was just so many good smells and it was actually cool this morning so very enjoyable. Mom even managed to get a picture of all three of us in one picture !!!!











We thought we would share some of the views of "MY" park. Here is one looking across the lake and then here is one Mom thought was so interesting - she said the woodpeckers have been busy. I am not sure what these woodpeckers are but they sure seem to like making holes in the trees. Luckily they picked a tree that was already damaged from last years storms.












What a great morning we had - but can believe it, when we got home all three of us got baths - and you know how much I hate water - it was sheer torture ! Water at the lake is nice to look at - but water in a bath tub is just plain evil ! Hope you all had a great weekend and got to do fun things.

All in the day of a pup

Oh Mom - do I really have to sit here looking all cute??? There is just so many more interesting things for a little guy like me to be doing.

Like a good game of bitey-face with Jackie - yeah - look I won, I got him. But you know Mom - all this looking cute and playing bitey face sure does make a pup tired - so I think I will just lay here in the shade of Weilly's tree and have a little nap.

Hey where is Weilly? Why doesn't he ever want to be in pictures with me - doesn't he like me Mom?

Poor Mom Was Sooo Frazzled

Now as you know - I am the PERFECT dog. I walk nicely when we go to the park, I don't bark at other doggies and I generally just do my own thing - which of coarse involves a lot of sniffing. So what was the Mom thinking this morning when she took ALL 3 of us to the park??? Now I am not bemoaning about the park - it is the first time in weeks it has been cool enough for us to go - but to take an untrained puppy (Denny), the psycho walker (Jackson) and perfect me was quite a handful - to say the least.












Silly Mom thought it would help to have me and "IT" on one of those double walker leads - BIG MISTAKE. "IT" is a weaver - he weaves back and forth, runs under me, around me, in front of me and being on a double walker - that means I get all tied up. "IT" also has very very poor doggie skills and will go psycho when he sees another dog - which means more getting tangled up. I am VERY pleased to say "THING" (I may have to consider calling him Denny after this) walked perfectly - which considering it's the first time he has had a lead on - was AMAZING. Mom was very proud of the little guy.












Both Mom and I were a bit saddened to see that the park is no longer green - but after two + months of 90+ degree and no rain - it is to be expected. Not that I really cared - I just wanted to sniff and my dogness there were so many great smells! And so we ATTEMPTED to walk - with "IT" weaving every which way and getting me and even Mom all tangled up and even getting tangled up with the trees!! Poor Mom was so frazzled by time we headed back to the car I thought she was going to throw "IT" in the lake and drive off - forever leaving stories of the "IT" lake monster at Craighead Forest Park. She didn't of coarse but vowed not to take all three of us again by herself. It looks like we might have another cool day this weekend and she says Dad HAS TO take the "IT".












So that was our big adventure and it sure was great to get out (even if it was stressful) and now the Denny knows why we were soooooo excited when Mom said the magic word - P-A-R-K.

Comparisons & Apology

I thought I would do a little comparison today. Here I am at 10 weeks and here is "THING" (aka Denny) at 14 weeks. I was already bigger then him! Mom says "THING" looks a lot more 'delicate' which I figure is another name for whimpy - what do you think?

We just realized that our google reader hasn't been working properly - we wondered why not many doggies had been posting !!! We just saw "Lightening" the addition to the woo's family and missed ALL the posts about his arrival and his first few days. I am so sorry guys and gals - you must think I am an awful doggie not visiting and offering warms wishes to the new member. I am off to manually check all our other buddies pages and see what else we have been missing. Stupid Stupid Google Reader !!!

Cute moments

Firstly I want to apologize for not visiting every doggies blogs the last few days. When I am not slumbering - I have been busy taking care of Mom who hasn't been feeling well this past week. Her arth-e-ritis thingy has been bothering her and it is making it hard for her to get around. She did manage to capture these cute "aaaaawwwwww" moments though. As you can see "IT" and "THING" are best-est ever buddies. (Gawoof gawoof - I can call them that today cause Mom isn't looking over my shoulder today) Mom is a bit worried how "THING" will cope when "IT" moves to Nebraska to be with his Mom. Luckily it has been put off another month as "IT's" Mom isn't going to get an apartment until October. The other photo is of "THING" enjoying a piece of Duck Jerky. It take's the little guy awhile to gnaw through it but he does it - even though he has only half his teeth at the moment. His big dog teeth are just starting to come through now. "THING" has also grown quite a bit and is now an inch taller then "IT". Mom is beginning to think that "THING" might not be as small as she thought he would be (Both his dog parents are 14 inches) - but then again both of mine were under 15" and look at me - I am 17.5". I be the BIG sheltie dog!!! I guess time will tell. OK - I am off to check on the Mom again.

Yawn yawn

While everyone is napping I decided I would take some time out of my own slumber and post some updates on MY blog - things those others won't tell you!!!!

Like how the "honey badger" had to have a sudden and quick bath this morning. Gawoof gawoof - the Mom picked him up for a cuddle and suddenly held him way out at arm lengths mumbling about what a 'stinker he was. I wandered over to investigate and yes, he had that enticing aroma of "eu de colgne dead bird" vintage of at least 2 days and fermented in 100+ heat. He was pretty ripe I must say and I did enjoy seeing him get not one but two baths before the Mom was satisfied that the smell was gone. Personally I kinda liked it - but Mom found the offending perfume maker and removed it before I could partake in a good roll myself. This is the fourth dead baby bird we have found and mom thinks there are some other birds trying to get into the nest boxes and throwing the babies out - she isn't too happy about that. Nor was she happy when she found "IT" had found one and was happily chewing the head off - can we all say eeeeeerrrrkkkkkk.

As for me - I am enjoying retirement - from not having to play with "IT". He no longer pushes toys in my face or jumps on me - now. Instead "THING" does that to "IT" Okay Mom - Honey Badger not THING - she says it's okay to call him that but not "THING" We all know that "THING" and "IT" are their real names though!!!! Time to head back for some more slumber......yawn.

Wordless Wednesday 08/03/11

I am Denny - The Honey Badger

On Saturday Mom and Dad took Denny and I too a puppy play time at Petco. They were all BIG dogs there, Rottweilers, hound dogs, mixed breeds and so on. Poor Denny looked so tiny next to them and was pretty scared of them - that was until one of the Rottie pups came over near my Mom - well out came the honey badger, he charged at the rottie - backing it into a corner and growling like crazy. EVERYONE (human and dogs alike) jaws dropped - then there was roars of laughter. Mom went over and showed Denny that the Rottie was safe and that he could play with her and that Denny didn't need to be protective like that. After that they played quite happily together. Mom couldn't help but secretly smile though - even though that was not good behaviour and Mom did correct it - she was pretty proud of the honey badger and pleased he can stand up for himself all eight inches tall of him :) Mom really wishes she hadn't forgotten her camera - but isn't that always the way !

Too many toys

Three little boys
Had too many toys
What was the Mom to say

Throw them away
No doggies would play
Or save them for a rainy day

{MOM} - This is what I came home too after I had just gone to the shop for a few minutes to get the boys some duck jerky (we had been hearing about it from the Woo's and Jackie who hasn't been eating much lately - loves it). I am actually happy they emptied the toy box and left everything else alone - this was a Denny and Jackie test to see if they would get into any mischief and I am pleased to say they didn't.

To funny not to share

I guess that sums up "IT" thoughts on having his photo taken !!! You can almost hear the raspberry sound !!!!

It's Jackson Day

It's tough having to share MY blog with all these 'others' but Mom said I have to be fair so today is just about "IT".

Like any good "IT" he doesn't like having his photo taken (glad something I taught him stuck in that pea-brain) He will pretend to be looking at something "over there" or taking a great interest at something on the ground. "IT" has even be known to sample some grass as an excuse not to look at the camera. Okay - I have to give him credit - he knows how to avoid the 'flashy thing'.











And when all else fails and he can't find anything else to pretend to look at - then and only then will he just close his eyes and take a nap - all the while leaving the Mom muttering strange things about unco-operative doggies.

The sneak attack

Weily is such a good bigz brudder - he be showin me how to do sneaky attacks. Wile Jackie is lucking at my mommy Ize cum in from the side - getting closer and closer........... just like we shepdogs are suphosed to do

Then wam - loks at my teefies - do I luks all meen and viscuz! Got ya Jackies - Izs nipped you on the neck. Thanku Weily

Luv Denny

Oh Oh

Oh dear - what a mess ! I wonder who did this????? I had better check inside this pot for evidence.

Hhhhmmmm I am sure I smell the scent of a little trouble making 'garden monster' Maybe if I move some of the dirt I can find it ! I sure wish we could catch him because Mommy doesn't seem to happy with his little escapades.

Maybe if I check over here at that other pot? Oh !!! Urrrmmm hello Mommy - I didn't see you standing there.

What??? No of coarse it wasn't me that made that mess.

I am way to cute and innocent looking to make a big old mess like that and how could little ole me pull over such a big pot??

Blogger troubles

It must be my turn for the blogger issues - the past few days we have been having trouble trying to get buddies pages to load and being able to leave messages. This morning was better and we did get to leave some responses on about 3/4 of your pages. Please know I am visiting you when you post something - I just can't always leave a response. I am nothing but persistent though - so I just keep trying and I have learned that eventually blogger tends to resolve itself.

Like so many places - we are sweltering too - actually we have been sweltering since about March! Mom misses our nice green lawn - even though she waters it daily and so do I - not that I go outside much now - it's just to hot for me. (This is an older photo of when our lawn was still green)

I am pleased to say the antibiotics and baby powder has done wonders for my hot spot and for my itching. I still scratch occasionally but nothing like I was doing. And I smell baby fresh all the time now !!!

Learning to walk on the treadmill

Many of you have asked how I learned to walk on my treadmill. Mom is going to explain it all for you - it was easy but it does take a couple of weeks - over to Mom now

{Mom}
The first step is just to make this fun and a game.

With the treadmill turned OFF - I started by just getting Reilly to jump up on the treadmill (you can use treats as a reward or for Reilly it was favorite squeaky ball) This gets them use to feel of the mat. If you have walked on a treadmill in bare feet - you will know that it has an unusual feel to it.

Once he felt comfortable with jumping on it, I then got him to do a sit and wait on it - each time making the wait a little longer. I also added a lay down on it as I wanted him to feel comfortable getting up from the mat too.

Next - I got just a short 5 foot lead and tied the lead to one side of the treadmill. I attached the lead to Reilly too and had him do a sit and wait at the side of the treadmill (not on it). I then turned the treadmill on - giving lots of praise and encouragement until he got use to the sound of it. I did this a couple of times.

The game then became one where he would sit on the treadmill (while it was turned off) and sit beside it (while it was turned on) Remember, lots of encouragement, praise, happy voices and rewards.

Next step is to attach the five foot lead to the middle of the treadmill (if you don't have somewhere to attach it in the middle you can actually just hold the lead) it can help to have two people doing this - one holding the lead and one being able to turn the treadmill on and off.

When they are comfortable with the sound of it - Then have them stand on the treadmill and turn it on the lowest speed. Don't worry if they seem scared or nervous - that is normal. Lots of praise and encouragement - keep them focused on you. Give it a few seconds and turn off the treadmill - then straight away go back into the game of sitting on the treadmill (while it is turned off)- sitting by the side of it (while turned on). Keep repeating this until they feel comfortable on the moving mat at a low speed.

You also want to make sure they stay in the center of the mat - length ways as you don't want them getting to close to the end - if they are then it is probably going to fast for them. Weaving from side to side is normal as dogs have a different way of balancing then we do. Have a treat or squeaky toy in your hand to keep them focused on YOU.

Do this daily for about a week making sure to slowly increase the amount of time they spend on the moving mat. About 10-15 minutes of this "game" is good to start with.

When they feel comfortable just being on the moving treadmill - then SLOWLY start turning up the speed. Keep using the lead until you are sure they have found their balance on the treadmill. I used the lead to keep Reilly's head up and focus on me and slowly began to loosen the lead until he could walk on it with out it.

To find the perfect speed for you dog - they should be able to do a nice easy trot on it and keep pretty much in the center (length ways). Reilly's optimum speed is 2.5 - 2.8 depending on his mood :) Each machine varies though so you will have to find what works best for your doggie.

Remember this is a new exercise - so just like us they will need to build up stamina. Reilly started off with just 5 minutes for the first week of walking by himself on the treadmill, then 10 minutes the second week, then 15 minutes the third week. He now does his mile in 12 minutes - but he's been using the treadmill for three years now. Also remember NEVER just stop the treadmill while they they are on it - like us they need to cool down - so gradually slowly the speed down over a few minutes until coming to a stop.

Key things to remember :
1. Make it a fun game with of encouragement, praise and treats.
2. Keep them focused on you (using either a treat or their favorite toy)
3. Be in a calm happy mood - if they can feel you are worried - they will be worried!!!
3. Use a lead to keep them on the treadmill until they feel comfortable just being on it by themselves
4. NEVER NEVER NEVER - leave them unattended - not even for a second! Stay by them at all times. I had a chair nearby so I could sit and watch him.
5. Never have them flat out running !!! They just need a nice steady trot to get a good workout.
6. You can put a doggie bed at the end of the treadmill just encase they do slide off it. It happens sometimes when they get distracted by a noise or something.
7. NEVER put you doggie on the treadmill just after they have eaten. Exercise can encourage a bowel movement and trust me - poop flying off the back of the treadmill is not fun!!! (we learned that one by accident and poor Reilly was sooooo embarrassed)

It does take time for them to feel comfortable on a moving machine. I think I probably spent at least 2-3 weeks making sure Reilly felt comfortable on it. Now as soon as I say "treadmill" he races over to it and jumps on - waiting for me to turn it on.

Okay, I think that is everything. Feel free to ask any questions.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Oh MOM !!!! Did you really have to tell them about the poop incident - I am soooo embarrassed now !!!!