Minga & Malu & Costa's Blog (10)

Well, after treating Bennie for 10 1/2 months for congestive heart failure, he was finally too sick to go on. So I put him to sleep last night. Continue

Malu is 20 weeks old today. Until recently, he would never lay down and relax like the other dogs when he was out of his kennel. EVER. Come out of the kennel, run around the living room, get a toy, drop that toy because Bling has a better toy, bark at Bling because she won't give up the toy, chase the cat, chase the other cat, bark at Bennie because he won't play, bark at Bling some more, get some new toys out of the basket, chase the cat again, etc etc etc. Ball o' energy. So since he has… Continue

This morning after I finished my shower, Malu decided to jump into the tub and carry around the little rubber hair trap that sits over the drain (GROSS!!!!). I made him drop it and then get out. He got back in. Mind you, the curtain was pulled shut, so he kept nosing around the edge to get in. Crazy doodle! He got in and out about 4 times.

Last night we had our 3rd Puppy K class. We worked on down, getting the dogs into a heel position and patience drills to prepare for stay. Last week we worked on sit (Malu has been doing this since he was 8 weeks old) luring with treats and "grab 'ems" where you pull the puppies out of play by their collar and treat them, then let them go back to playing. This way they learn that getting grabbed by the collar doesn't always mean going in the kennel, having playmates taken away,… Continue

Well, Monday Malu and I went to Puppy K class. My early training at the house paid off big time! We only worked on a few things, mostly head control and being restrained on the floor by lightly touching shoulders and hips. But we also played the "Take It, Leave It" game, and Malu was the STAR! We spent alot of time playing this game at home in the early weeks (8-12) so he knew it so well. Also, he has previously been restrained by me for nail clippings and ear cleanings, so that was no big.… Continue

OK, so the name I keep coming back to is Hines Ward, after my favorite Pittsburgh Steeler. Here is a comparison between Hines Ward (Steeler's wide receiver) and (possibly) Hines Ward (doodle):



Hines Ward (Steeler) Hines Ward (Doodle)



Always smiling and happy Always smiling and happy

A mixed breed (Korean/black) A mixed breed (well, YOU know)

Wide Receiver Wide Retriever (LOL)

Catches balls and smashes into things Will (presumably) catch balls and smash into… Continue

Yay! The Doodle has arrived. Yesterday was a BIG day for me and the Dood. After we left Dixie's, it took about 5 minutes for the puppy to get out of his harness and seat belt. SIGH. So I am driving on I-35 and trying to stuff my face with a Chick-Fil-A Wrap at 3 pm in Friday before Easter traffic, north of Austin TX, while a chocolate Doodle is climbing over the console of my car and trying to get in my lap. Let the puppy shenanigans begin!!! So, we pull over, re-adjust harness, and get back on… Continue

So, because I need to be working on my research paper for publication, naturally I am posting on my blog instead.



My husband was so against me getting a new dog last year when I informed him that I was going to put a deposit down on a Doodle for a spring-time baby. He said "I don't want another dog" (this after we lost 3 dogs last year). My reply "EVER???" (this will not work for me because I always have a big dog). He said "Not right now" and I said "Well that is good, because it… Continue

So I felt I needed a photo, so I put one up of me, Bruiser and Bailey. I got Bruiser and Baily in September of 1997. Bruiser/Bailey's mother was a purebred Golden Retriever and their dad was a purebred Labrador Retriever.I helped my mom deliver their litter and then spent the next 8 weeks helping to raise them. Then they came home with me and lived happily for the next 11.5 years. They died within 6 weeks of each other from hemangiosarcomas in their right atrium. As siblings, it is not unusual… Continue

Well, it has been about 13 years since I owned a puppy! So this is going to be a fun re-learning experience for me. I have been brushing up on training techniques, including potty training. We recently removed most of the carpet in our house and have restricted the dogs from entering the carpeted area. So I feel like I am going to be calmer about the potty training, since it is just a spray and wipe cleanup. Therefore, I must remain diligent in my potty schedule!!



Countdown to D-day… Continue