Just a few days after turning ten months old, my little Paisley Bella has advanced to advanced basic training. Her first class was tonight, and I think we both had mixed emotions about it. I'm definitely glad we took a little hiatus after completing the basic level. I'd hoped it would give her some time to mature and also allow the training a chance to consolidate in her brain. Well I don't think she's much more mature, but she did seem to remember a few things about heeling and behaving in general.
She was stressed though, leaving little damp paw prints after her sit-stays. It's a larger class than I'd hoped, with a really noisy dog, a few big ones, and at least one that seemed a bit aggressive. Everybody was nervous the first time around, I guess though. Maybe next week will be better.
My real dilemma is whether or not I'm doing the right thing bringing her to more training at all. Part of me thinks the experience will be good for her confidence. She's such a timid pup to begin with - today she was scared of the big bad kayaks on the lake. She cried the whole car ride up too. Maybe it's all just too much stress for her. On the other hand, now is definitely the time to expose her to as many different situations and experiences as possible. It could give her coping tools that will help her entire life. Lots of kibbles and a chance to meet new friends should help alleviate the tension somewhat too. So we'll keep at it; hopefully she'll be a little bit happier every week. And no matter what, it's only seven weeks until summer!
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dogs. Show all posts
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Paisley's Progress
I don’t intend to turn my blog into the diary of a doting dog owner. At the same time, though, Paisley and Hershey are definitely huge parts (and two of the very best parts!) of my life. They bring me love and delight every single day. Paisley has just turned seven months, so it’s about time to catch up on how she’s doing. She’s still all puppy, but shows every sign of becoming a wonderful dog. So here are seven portraits of Paisley at seven months:
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| Paisley - February 2, 2012 |
1. Paisley the Pristine
One of the best things is that Paisley is now completely housebroken. It took a lot longer than with Topaze (but less time than with Perky), but we’ve made it. She had a few accidents last month, but nothing for about three weeks now. She can wait longer between outings too, and she’s fine overnight (say from 11 to 7:30-ish), although we don’t waste much time in the morning. It only took a couple of times being left downstairs in her cage to cure her of overnight trips. Best of all, she’s nicely trained to ring the bells (and quite insistently) hanging on the back door when she needs to go.
One of the best things is that Paisley is now completely housebroken. It took a lot longer than with Topaze (but less time than with Perky), but we’ve made it. She had a few accidents last month, but nothing for about three weeks now. She can wait longer between outings too, and she’s fine overnight (say from 11 to 7:30-ish), although we don’t waste much time in the morning. It only took a couple of times being left downstairs in her cage to cure her of overnight trips. Best of all, she’s nicely trained to ring the bells (and quite insistently) hanging on the back door when she needs to go.
2. Paisley the Peaceable
Another great thing is that Paisley is friendly and forgiving. She’s a little nervous of loose dogs, but she’ll go up so respectfully to any dog on a leash, wagging and cocking her head sweetly to one side. Usually she’ll give them kisses and hugs too – even the biggest dogs. She doesn’t hold a grudge either. One week at obedience class a grumpy cocker spaniel grabbed her ear and wouldn’t let go; she was crying and crying. A few minutes later though, she was ready to try being friends again. And this week a bumbling golden retriever got loose and bowled her right over. She didn’t even grumble.
Another great thing is that Paisley is friendly and forgiving. She’s a little nervous of loose dogs, but she’ll go up so respectfully to any dog on a leash, wagging and cocking her head sweetly to one side. Usually she’ll give them kisses and hugs too – even the biggest dogs. She doesn’t hold a grudge either. One week at obedience class a grumpy cocker spaniel grabbed her ear and wouldn’t let go; she was crying and crying. A few minutes later though, she was ready to try being friends again. And this week a bumbling golden retriever got loose and bowled her right over. She didn’t even grumble.
3. Paisley the Perambulator
Paisley has come a long way – literally – with her walking. She was a little pup I had to drag everywhere. She was scared of everything – trucks, buses, cars, bicycles, strollers etc. etc. etc. And she flatly refused to leave the property at night. It took a lot of short walks – and more patience than expected – to get her to move along. But she’s finally able to go a decent length with very little tugging involved. She’ll still leap into a snowbank if something big and noisy goes by, but for the most part she’s walking like a normal dog, which is a huge relief.
Paisley has come a long way – literally – with her walking. She was a little pup I had to drag everywhere. She was scared of everything – trucks, buses, cars, bicycles, strollers etc. etc. etc. And she flatly refused to leave the property at night. It took a lot of short walks – and more patience than expected – to get her to move along. But she’s finally able to go a decent length with very little tugging involved. She’ll still leap into a snowbank if something big and noisy goes by, but for the most part she’s walking like a normal dog, which is a huge relief.
4. Paisley the Playful
Puppies like toys and Paisley’s a puppy ergo she loves toys too. She started out with a whole basket full of them from assorted dogs in the past. But she’s whittled them down considerably by chewing off noses and ears of the soft ones, shredding the rope type, and chewing so vigorously on the bones I had to take them away before she broke her teeth. Still, she’s left with a few balls (a bright orange hockey ball is her favourite), a nylabone, and one tough rope (minty-scented) that she hasn’t been able to shred ... yet.
Puppies like toys and Paisley’s a puppy ergo she loves toys too. She started out with a whole basket full of them from assorted dogs in the past. But she’s whittled them down considerably by chewing off noses and ears of the soft ones, shredding the rope type, and chewing so vigorously on the bones I had to take them away before she broke her teeth. Still, she’s left with a few balls (a bright orange hockey ball is her favourite), a nylabone, and one tough rope (minty-scented) that she hasn’t been able to shred ... yet.
5. Paisley the Pest
Alright, Paisley isn’t quite perfect yet. Like a true puppy, she annoys Hershey by wanting to wrestle and pounce all over him. He’s still top dog figuratively- speaking, but she outweighs him now and can pin him down (he retaliates by gnawing on an ear). If necessary, though, he puts her in her place quite firmly with well-placed barks and growls. (It’s great if she’s doing something naughty – I just have to say “no” to her and he’s there giving her a stern reinforcement. It’s like having an extra hand to help raise her – one reason I love having two dogs.)
Paisley is also still firmly in the chewing phase of her life (supposedly it peaks between six and ten months). Her fondness for carpet under padding has waned somewhat, but she still enjoys a good sock ... also blankets, sheets, plants, and more. I’ve even caught her taking a stab at furniture and molding. And (such sacrilege!) my iPad cover has tiny teeth marks in one corner. Outside she enjoys a wide variety of sticks and the occasional bit of fence. She’s the only dog I’ve ever had who liked a doghouse, and she’s got a choice selection of goodies stored away in it for her gnawing pleasure.
Alright, Paisley isn’t quite perfect yet. Like a true puppy, she annoys Hershey by wanting to wrestle and pounce all over him. He’s still top dog figuratively- speaking, but she outweighs him now and can pin him down (he retaliates by gnawing on an ear). If necessary, though, he puts her in her place quite firmly with well-placed barks and growls. (It’s great if she’s doing something naughty – I just have to say “no” to her and he’s there giving her a stern reinforcement. It’s like having an extra hand to help raise her – one reason I love having two dogs.)
Paisley is also still firmly in the chewing phase of her life (supposedly it peaks between six and ten months). Her fondness for carpet under padding has waned somewhat, but she still enjoys a good sock ... also blankets, sheets, plants, and more. I’ve even caught her taking a stab at furniture and molding. And (such sacrilege!) my iPad cover has tiny teeth marks in one corner. Outside she enjoys a wide variety of sticks and the occasional bit of fence. She’s the only dog I’ve ever had who liked a doghouse, and she’s got a choice selection of goodies stored away in it for her gnawing pleasure.
6. Paisley the Piper
Paisley is also the only dog I’ve ever had who sings. I heard her first howl when she was just a couple of months old – her little mouth made a perfect “O” and sounded utterly miserable ... and so darn cute! Periodically since then she’s broken into song and it always makes me laugh, although I really don’t want it to become a habit. She’ll howl sometimes when she’s playing with Hershey, but sometimes it’s different; it really is singing. She’ll do it all the way to class – which I definitely do not enjoy. And if Dan or I howl too, she’ll sing right along with us. I’m still not sure if she’s happy or stressed doing it, though, so I don’t encourage it.
Paisley is also the only dog I’ve ever had who sings. I heard her first howl when she was just a couple of months old – her little mouth made a perfect “O” and sounded utterly miserable ... and so darn cute! Periodically since then she’s broken into song and it always makes me laugh, although I really don’t want it to become a habit. She’ll howl sometimes when she’s playing with Hershey, but sometimes it’s different; it really is singing. She’ll do it all the way to class – which I definitely do not enjoy. And if Dan or I howl too, she’ll sing right along with us. I’m still not sure if she’s happy or stressed doing it, though, so I don’t encourage it.
7. Paisley the Pal
So she has her ups and downs, but the best thing of all about Paisley is that she’s one of my best friends. She curls up beside me if I’m reading or watching TV (sometimes she really watches the TV too; she especially likes sports). She hugs and kisses me if I’ve been out or if I seem sad. And she sleeps beside me every night. All my dogs have. (When we added Hershey to the family along with Nicky and Topaze, we got a king sized bed!) I just love going to sleep stroking her silky fur, the feel of her back, warm and firm, pressing against mine, and her happy morning greetings.
So she has her ups and downs, but the best thing of all about Paisley is that she’s one of my best friends. She curls up beside me if I’m reading or watching TV (sometimes she really watches the TV too; she especially likes sports). She hugs and kisses me if I’ve been out or if I seem sad. And she sleeps beside me every night. All my dogs have. (When we added Hershey to the family along with Nicky and Topaze, we got a king sized bed!) I just love going to sleep stroking her silky fur, the feel of her back, warm and firm, pressing against mine, and her happy morning greetings.
And those are my portraits of Paisley. She’s so much more, of course, and I’m sure there are things I’ve forgotten, but the most important thing to remember is that she loves me and I love her. That’s enough and what matters most of all.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
My Doggies are Home:)
Well, today is a substantially happier day. My puppies are home and all's right with my world (or at least that part of it). Their operations went just perfectly and I picked them up this morning - Hershey first, then I went back for Paisley since I didn't think it would be a good thing for her to be climbing all over him in the car. It's actually astonishing to me how quickly they seem to be recovering. Paisley's operation was more minor and, except for a few little licks at her scar (mainly out of curiosity, I think) she seems completely back to normal. Hershey's operations were more serious and he's a bit itchy and on painkillers for five days. But he too is amazing me. His appetite was bigger than usual, he was eager for his afternoon walk, he's up on the chair and sofa like always. Dogs really are quite remarkable creatures.
Now they say a body can get used to anything, and I suppose I could even get used to a life without dogs ... but I sure wouldn't want to. I think it would be a much narrower, more self-centred existence. It's good to have something outside yourself to care for and think of, and Willow, my fish, isn't quite enough. True, dogs tie you down a bit, but they give back infinitely more. I don't need fancy furniture or cars or vacations; the love I get daily from Hershey and Paisley is worth so much more to me. Just stroking their furry heads and hugging their warm bodies today made me feel so incredibly good. My doggies are definitely two of the very best parts of my life, and I hope I will always be blessed to share my life with dogs.
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Dogless:(
This is a tough day for me. I am sitting here dogless and miserable while my two babies are at the vet having operations. I know it's the best thing for them. I know they're in good hands. But I still feel worried and bad. I don't want anything to go wrong and there's always a risk with surgery, no matter how minor. I don't want them to suffer and feel pain or fear either.
The house feels so empty and dead without their presences. Even though they can be so quiet and still I'd hardly know they're around, I do. And it's so nice just knowing they are there. Even doing absolutely nothing, they are still the finest of company. It's also very good for me to have something to care for and to love; I need to be needed very badly in my life.
I will miss them even more tonight. Lying in bed with them this morning, I wanted to make the moment last forever. Hershey was curled between my tummy and thighs; Paisley was stretched long and warm up my back. It was about as close to a perfect feeling as I can have.
Anyway, hopefully my entry tomorrow morning will be much different. Paisley for sure should be home; Hershey's recovery might take an extra day, but with luck he'll be here too. I am praying so hard that everything goes perfectly and that my furry family is one with me soon and, even better, that these operations will give them extra long, healthy and happy lives.
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