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MerlinsMum

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Posts posted by MerlinsMum

    Help. My New Grey Is; Is My New Grey Threatening My Kids? (Long Post)

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    Chase sounds like a wonderful dog. I understand that you won't compromise your daughters' safety (no parent in their right mind would), but Chase didn't do anything wrong. You say you try to enforce the rules about not leaving stuff around and not taking things from Chase's bed - well, to be fair I think you are partly to blame here, as you clearly need to do a better job of enforcing these rules (rules that you yourself set because you know they make sense). In other words, you need to help Chase succeed. He is just acting like a dog in a very new and different environment who does not know the rules yet or what is expected of him. You need to try to see things from his point of view. I think that Chase has already shown that he can be a wonderful family dog, he loves people, he walks nicely, he is friendly, has no sleep or food aggression, et cetera. That's an amazing feat for a dog whose environment was radically different prior to entering your home. We had to work for weeks on Sagan's phobias including stairs, his food guarding (and his growl is very deep and can seem scary to someone who isn't used to it), and we had to work for over a year and a half on Merlin's separation anxiety. Seems like you've got yourself a very well-adjusted dog there. Please give him time. You seem like good, caring people. Although it is natural for your six year old to be intimidated at this point, it would not have happened if the rules had either been stated more clearly or enforced better. If I were you I would call a family meeting so you can discuss this and explain to your little girl that Chase is not mean or grumpy or aggressive, he was just acting out of insecurity because he did not know he wasn't allowed to take the toy. And that she can help him understand by not leaving her toys around again. :)

     

    I would also continue with obedience, and definitely include the girls in daily training games to get them both (and especially your more fearful six-year-old) more comfortable around Chase by sharing fun games with him. It will also increase Chase's confidence and comfort levels. He has only been in your home for a few weeks, this is totally normal behavior under the circumstances.

     

    Best of luck and please keep us posted!

    Treats

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    :lol :lol I am the wrong one to ask!

     

    - going potty

    - looking cute

    - not begging while we eat

    - any other exceptionally well behaved decision they make

    - sitting/targeting (if your Rainy, just looking cute) Rainy is not put on this earth to do tricks :rolleyes:

    - to clean teeth

    - we have 'special treats' that are for only after ear cleaning, baths, nails, etc

    - because the kid wants to feed them

    - to get Sunshine to some near company

    - did I mention for being cute?

    - jumping through a hula hoop and any other training we are working on

    - If Sunshine is in a scary situation sometimes play easter egg hunt helps her. just toss a handful of something all over the ground B)

     

    :rofl :rofl :rofl :rofl

     

    Loved this :lol

     

    Mine get half a tiny treat when I put their muzzles on and leave for work, a bigger cookie at lunchtime to keep them going until dinner (they get it while I eat my lunch), and a bigger cookie just before bed. I also sometimes give them a treat if they are asked to do something and they comply, and I definitely treat them right away if we're trying new games/commands and they "get it". Sagan in particular redefined the expression "food motivated" (read: desperate :lol), and he is very receptive to new games and picks things up very quickly if food is involved (or if he suspects that food may be involved :lol:)

    Arwen, The Traumatized Galgo

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Oh noooooooooo... :brokenheart :brokenheart :brokenheart How tragic :weep

     

    I am so happy that she experienced love and understanding in the last three weeks of her life... she deserved more from life, she knew goodness knows how much anguish and suffering... but at least in the last few days of her all-too-short life, she knew a gentle hand on her fur, a calm reassuring voice, smiling eyes looking into hers, and Love.

     

    Rest in peace, Arwen... :gh_run2

    An Unhappy Hound

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted

    I agree with Batmom and strongly believe that the crate is a big no-no for him. Muzzling and babygating should be the go-to solution for confinement purposes. There is definitely some underlying anxiety going on here, I am wodering if he is a bit lonely, so I definitely think that playdates are good way to go.

     

    I also think that whoever mentioned the possibility of Neville being cold may have a point. Also, does he sleep next to your bed, or further away? Merlin used to wake me several times per night to have me tuck him in again, and since I have started to put jammies on him before bed he wakes me up only about once per night.

     

    Whatever you do, do not put him in another room at night, as it will almost certainly increase his anxiety, and do not give into his whining or it will never stop.

     

    It could be that he is hungry, too. Do you give him a big biscuit before bed?

     

    Please keep us posted! We're here to help.

    Rascal

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    I am so very sorry :cry1 :cry1 I thought Rascal was beautiful (and Ruby and Buddy too). One of my earliest memories of GT was the siggy you had with Ruby and Rascal lying on the couch next to each other :heart

     

    Rest in peace, pretty girl...

     

    :gh_run2

     

    :grouphug :grouphug

    Exercise In The Cold?

    in Training and Behavior discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    She does not need boots. In my PERSONAL opinion, dogs don't need boots unless they have a cut or some other physical issue that necessitates them.

     

     

    I agree - though there are some places where they might be necessary, like parts of Canada. And they salt the roads and pavements/sidewalks in your area, in some cases the additives can be toxic, and in any case the salt can damage sensitive skin so it's advisable to wash paws if you don't use boots.

     

    Nope. Merlin DOES need boots. I hate putting them on him, he hates me putting them on him, and I don't put them on him all the time, but it can get extremely cold here in Maine in the winter, and when there is a lot of ice or snow on the ground AND it's brutally cold AND the wind is blowing, he needs them. Otherwise I have to stop every five minute son our walks to warm up his pads, because he holds a pad up and limps, walking on three legs. No fun for anyone. So booties it is. Sagan does fine without though (and would probably cry and yelp until I took them off!)

     

    To the OP - I would try ditching the boots and also not being out for an hour if it's 20F. 30 mins should be fine in that weather if it's a nice vigorous walk.

    Lady Bug

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Jan, what a beautiful story, I have tears streaming down my face after reading your post.

     

    I know how much you miss your little girl :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

     

    ... but clearly she never really left :heart:beatheart

    Nov. 21, 2000

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Alan :beatheart.... so hard to believe that he's been gone two and a half years :( I remember smiling at your lovely pictures and posts of him as if it were yesterday. I miss him.

     

    :grouphug :grouphug :grouphug

     

    Happy Gotcha Day, sweet boy. :heart

    Mindy

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    So tragic :cry1 :cry1 :cry1 Poor little Mindy.

     

    I am so very sorry, Deb. It feels good to know that she knew love and caring and dedication before she had to leave.

     

    :grouphug :grouphug

    How Often Can You Bathe Them?

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    Once a week? :yikes

     

    I'd be very concerned about their skin with that many baths. I'd definitely scale the bathing back drastically.

     

    Merlin has been with us since January 2007 and he has had about two baths. Sagan has been here since 2008 and has never been bathed. They both smell amazing.

     

    They do shed. The trick is to vacuum every single day. I hope your DH gets some relief soon. I am assuming he is on anti-histamines? Are they not helping?

    Stretching A Lot And Vomiting

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted

    So glad to hear that Lexie's better this morning! :yay :yay

     

    I know how worrying it is when they arch their backs like that :( Merlin has IBD and when the stretching and arching starts I know that it's possibly a flare up :cry1 When it happens, it feels as though my own insides are all twisted up - I just get so worried that it makes me nauseous.

     

    Lexie :kiss2

    Tila - The Greyt Wannabe

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    I'm so sorry, Deb. Your tribute and remembrance offers such a vivid, loving portrayal of a very specia little girl who found her way into a truly wonderful home. Tila couldn't have asked for a better life. Thank you for sharing her with us.

     

    Rest well, sweetie.. :heart

    Honey

    in Remembrance

    Posted

    Marc, your tribute was lovely, and the video tribute speaks for itself. Honey was like a rose that kept blooming over and over. She was lucky to be loved and taken care of by someone like you who knew how to let the rose in her grow.

     

    You and the girls have been in my thoughts a lot this week. I'm so sorry that your physical journey together had to end, and end so suddenly - but I will celebrate the journey itself and a life well lived.

     

    Hugs.

     

    Rest in peace, sweet Honey. :gh_run2

    Avril Was Attacked.

    in Health and Medical discussion

    Posted · Edited by MerlinsMum

    I am so *terribly* sorry this happened to Avril (and to you) :cry1:grouphug :grouphug :grouphug I am sending a ton of good thoughts for speedy healing and hope the seizures were just a result of the shock. Glad to read your girl is a little better :)

     

    I have been there. I know what it's like to see your beloved dog attacked and be scared of walking him/her in the neighborhood again.I just told myself to breathe, be rational and focus on all the times I walked him and he was fine. After Merlin was attacked in 2008, I started carrying a stick AND citronella spray. I had to use the citronella once or twice, from a distance. The spray goes very far, which is great, and acts as a good deterrent to keep approaching dogs at a distance - unless a dog is hell-bent on attacking, as in your situation and ours - in which case, the stick will have to be used. I don't want to to hurt any sentient being unless absolutely necessary, and this is one of those cases I deem to be absolutely necessary. However, I had to drop the stick after we adopted Sagan - I only have two hands and it's too much to have two leashes, poop bags, and in the winter loves to take on and off AND a flashlight... it would be impossible for me to hold a stick as well. The one thing I have changed is that I never walk in the street where the dog who attacked Merlin lives. He is still there, still out of control (he came from a puppy mill and is messed up in the head), and his humans are clueless. They tried to use a shock collar to stop him from freaking out when he sees other dogs - go figure... :headwall So I stay away.

     

    I know EXACTLY what you mean about things happening so fast that you have no idea what's going on before it's too late. Sometimes it happens that way. But on many occasions you do have a little time and using a spray CAN help. As for the stick - it can be a bit of a nuisance, but I can guarantee that it will make you feel safer to know that you're prepared. I will admit that my eyes are EVERYWHERE when I walk the dogs, I am always on the alert for off-leash dogs, but really, it's like that wherever you live - because there are ignorant, irresponsible people everywhere. However, I won't let ANYTHING stop me from walking the dogs, because that's what they want and need.

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