Chaos at the Cunninghams

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

It has been a wild week at our house.  It started out last Friday with the e-fence install and the boys getting shocked, Stuart getting stung by a bee and then him developing head tremors from (we think) the topical flea & tick meds.  Mid-week we had the broken glass fiasco and last night the eaten shoe caper.  Stuart has really started feeling at ease in our family and is challenging Rooney to see who will be alpha dog so we have had some rather zestful humping going on with both boys taking turns.  Through it all I have great news to report. 

1.  The e fence is working so well I'm almost afraid to talk about it as it has only been a week.  Rooney really has to be coaxed into the front section but feels very happy running and playing along the side and in the back of the house.  We've had some real tests - three times now their puppy friend from down the street was walking past while we were out and when Stuart acted like he might run out the driveway I said the warning words "Watch Out" and the brakes went on!  DH was shocked to see them running and playing off leash.  Of course all the flags are still up BUT we are on the right track and it brings tears to my eyes to see the beginnings of what is going to be so fun for all of us to have this bit of freedom!

2. Today was our 1st "in home" training with Rooney's trainer.  Rather than take Stuart to her classes I've decided I would rather her come to us and work on real life issues.  Rooney having taken some classes and Stuart starting out this way - I'd say if you can afford it - to me this is the way to go.  She came for an hour that was really an 1.5 and it was $75.00 but she has travel time and gas to consider so I find this reasonable.  We worked with each dog on an individual basis and together.  Rooney is advanced but boy we were impressed with how quickly Stuart caught on.  I plan to have her come once a week till we have all the basics and then we'll go to twice a month ending at some point in the future.  My goals are; stop barking on order, doorbell signals get on rug & then stay on rug till released upon guests arriving.  Walking loose leashed with both dogs at one time.

She is into homeopathic stuff, it a certified animal massage therapist and she said that Stuart's tremors could have been caused by the shock from the fence but most likely it was the flea and tick.  She is bringing some flower something or another to give him that is supposed to sooth his system.  She takes it along with her dogs.  I'm not sure how much of that stuff I believe but as she swears it can't hurt him - I might as well give it a try.

She also said that she can't believe how calm Stuart is for his age, of course she already knew Rooney and she attributes some of Stuart's calm to being around Rooney who is very calm.  I'm very proud of both of my boys.  She is Roo's agility trainer and as the weather starts to cool a bit I'm ready to get him back in the action.  Hmmm - wonder if Stuart might enjoy it too. 

So wow - a wild week here  . . . . wonder what next week will bring.

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

I am glad things  are going so well. I don't believe in that "flower stuff" or homeopathy, though. I also would not take veterinary advice from a trainer, certainly not a homeopathic one.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

F - I don't know a diddley darn thing about the homeopathy stuff so can you please explain further what your thoughts are.  As far as the advice - I believe that she is correct that it could have been caused by the fence but most likely the flea and tick but I'm not taking anything she says over a veterinary for sure.  She isn't selling me anything - she loves dogs and she thinks this might help the tremors but she isn't pushing me to do it.  It was just a kind offer on her part.  She is a great trainer (all positive re-reinforcement).

[F, Calla & Luca]

Homeopathic remedies are when infinitesimal amounts of an active substance, whatever it may be , are dissolved in water or something else. They are, IMHO hokum. Here's the Wikipedia take http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeopathy

Read it and weep.

[Traci -Bexter & Maggie]

Good news, Jane!  You said that Rooney's trainer can work with him on real-life issues also?  Isn't he a year old?  So...does this mean that old(er) dogs can learn new tricks (so to speak)?  I was always so paranoid to get Bexter to a trainer immediately (he's 4 months old now), and we did do puppy kindergarten, but I was feeling pressured to get him with a trainer before he got any older.  Maybe I'll just take my time then.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Traci - Rooney came from the breeder at 11.5 weeks crate, potty and leash trained.  We paid extra to leave him for 2.5 weeks of training.  Rooney started going to 1 hour of puppy play time and then after all his shots he started the advanced puppy class as the kindergarten he already could do.  Stuart at a little over 4 months has had no formal training and I've decided that rather than them follow along in a class where other dogs might be above or below in what they already know - we can really focus on the things that I think are most important to our lifestyle.  It is great to put your puppy say in a down/stay but if they react every time the doorbell rings that what is the use.  I think that sometimes what is taught in class isn't always the most "life style practical".  Dogs continue to learn through out their lives - younger is better but they are never too old.  I'd say go at a pace that if fun and comfortable for Bexter and you!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

In home training isn't for everyone but I sure am glad we did it (and will again).  One reason we did it with Murphy was that we both work and it was just much easier to have the trainer come to our home than us have to come home from work and then go back across town to classes.  Wilson will go to a puppy socialization class but we will have private in home training just as we did with Murphy.  The doorbell training has been a lifesaver....I am curious to see if it all goes to hell once Wilson is out of the "nursery".   I waited for Wilson for a year so I put in home training money and pet sitter daytime potty break money into his college fund while I was waiting :) 

[Jennifer and Jack]

Ronna, I want to know about the nursery and I want to see pictures!!!

[Leslie and Halas]

I'm glad to hear that your week is ending better than it started. You deserve a good yappy hour.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Wild, eventful, but it is sure to keep you young!

[Carol and Banjo]

Jane, Sounds like there's never a dull moment at your house!    It's so wonderful that the "boys" have responded so well to the "fence"!      What a treat to be able to walk outside and know that they'll stay in their yard!

[Jeanne, Tura and Dolly]

When I got my 2nd doodle, a guardian situation, the breeder said no Frontline, which I had used on my other doodle and previous dogs.  She recommended a flea and tick natural product which has herbs in it and so far (one year), no fleas.  There are some things that work to calm us (like camomile or lavender, and they may work for dogs.... who knows?  I used to dismiss a lot of things but have found having an open mind sometimes brings pleasant surprises.  Wouldn't it be great if whatever she has in mind helps Stuart's tremors?

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Our breeder uses "Rescue Remedy" which is flower based and is taken by humans and dogs. I have a friend that I worked with in Florida who has used it for years. There is certainly no harm in trying and it may or may not work.

There are many things that are natural in nature that some people find too "out there" to believe in, but I like to think about other countries and civilizations that have been using natural and what we call holistic or homeopathic here, for centuries and it has helped them survive. I don't believe in "Flower power" over anti-biotics say, but we're not talking about an infection here.

 Like Jeanne says, an open mind sometimes brings pleasant surprises.