AstasMinion

Greytluv, maybe it can't really be trained . . . just needs to be done . . . but the "meanie pull" has definitely been done and it fails. I'm comfortable pulling hard to get it done and so is my husband, but she has resisted SO hard that I really am worried about hurting her. Maybe we're just too wimpy.

We need to re-train our sweet girl Asta to respond when we touch her collar/try to move or lead her with it. This winter she has TOTALLY stopped responding to it. She'll come when called and respond when on leash. But if there's no leash and we try to move her by taking hold of her regular tag collar, she will not budge at all anymore (digs in her heels and becomes statue dog) — and that worries me. We've had her for 6+ years, and she has always been super obedient and easy to train. She came to us already completely responsive to any collar action, though, so we didn't do the initial training on that . . . in fact up until a couple of months ago, she would follow/come just if one of us lightly touched her collar with a finger. So my question is, how do I train her now to respond again to the collar? Other training we've done has been with treats/positive reinforcement. But is it as elementary as giving a training treat if she moves half an inch or even just her head? I'm not sure she gets that connection --- it's so close to getting a treat "just because." Not sure I've clearly described the situation, but it's a start! Thanks for any thoughts!

Asta has several kitchen items that she does not want to see/hear: toaster waffle iron electric griddle the crinkling of the bread bag (it will likely lead to toaster use) and now, as I discovered tonight . . . the salad spinner! When she hears or sees these things, she heads straight for the basement.

Asta kisses just my husband and me, but I'm pretty sure she once kissed one of my nieces who stayed with us for a few days. So I think she'd kiss more people if she had time to get comfortable! We know she's extra happy/love-y when she adds a gentle nose nibble to her kissing technique. Also, she wants to thoroughly lick my husband's hands when he comes home from work or a business trip. (He doesn't always let her.) She doesn't do this with me. It's their "thing."

Nice!

Glad it's "just" Giardia (but sorry pretty Sophie had to feel poorly)!

So sorry your baby had to go through this!

Sending prayers your way.

Love that pic! Asta sleeps in our bedroom every night -- her dog bed is in the corner right next to the people bed. Once in a while she'll move to her dog bed in the guest room in the middle of the night, but that's rare. If she hears thunder or firecrackers in the night, she'll head to the basement and stay down there till the coast is clear.

Asta rarely barks (just a few times a year when VERY excited by an invitation for a walk or ride) and I've only heard her roo once -- on her first full day home with us 6 years ago. She does chatter, though; she enjoys whining and squeaking; and she "laughs" when we descend upon her bed to start petting her. She also likes to come find one of us when she's about to burp -- burping is for sharing. She certainly uses her own language!

I am so very sorry for your loss.

I am so very sorry.

Asta took it, along with an anti-inflammatory and muscle relaxant at Thanksgiving time, and she had no problems when the pills stopped (other than looking for the glob of peanut butter she'd gotten used to getting after dinner). Good luck!

Thanks for the good thoughts! She did fine last night and is still in bed this morning. Time to get her up for a yard trip/food/meds . . . then she can basically be still while we prepare the holiday fixins. So glad we're here and that nobody's coming over. Very low key!

Just adding more good thoughts for your hound to get well soon!

Just returned from the vet's office. At dinnertime I noticed that, suddenly, Asta couldn't manage the stairs!!! She was fine earlier in the day, and I'm assuming that she took herself outside while I was gone this afternoon and either ran/fell down or fell on the deck stairs coming back inside. Poor baby! Anyway, I got her right in to the emergency vet tonight, and she is clearly in pain from her middle back down to her tail. Legs and hips are fine, and they did an X-ray to rule out obstruction (the vet could feel something, but we think she held in her business today and was uncomfortable from that, too) and any tears, etc. He gave us Rimadyl, Tramadol, and Methocarbamol . . . !!! I understand the combo, but this is the most medication I've ever had to give Asta at once so I'm a little nervous. I'm hoping she tolerates them all. She's also on 3 days of bedrest. It's good that it's a holiday weekend so we can be here to monitor. Wish us luck!!

Sending good, strong thoughts and prayers for sweet Beau.

Sending prayers!

Sending hugs for your sweet baby Star!

Asta is 8 and definitely sleeps more than she used to, but to be honest, ours is a pretty quiet house. Not much activity, but the main thing is that she's ready to join in if something's going on, and always still happy for morning time, walks, rides, etc., and it sounds like Roo is too! I've also noticed that she wants to be alone more these days — but I've attributed that to her feeling completely secure. The routine here is awfully predictable, so there's nothing to worry about. If we're doing something different, though, like a house project, or if we have guests, she seems to spend a bit more time seeking us out. I agree with everyone saying to get Roo checked out if something really seems off. But it sounds like you have a well-loved, very secure, laid-back houndie!!

Thinking of you and your precious boy.

Aww, so handsome AND smart!

Congrats!

Welcome!

Sending prayers and good thoughts to you and your baby Cosmo.