Travelling with an Old Dog..Peeeeeuuuuu!!

Ever smell the breath of an old dog with rotten teeth? How about those uncontrollable releases out of the basement? If you are going on a trip, be prepared! I pack treats, bones, water and LOTS of air freshener. Old dogs seem to pant more too so the whole truck smells like rotten sewage carnage! YUCK! Don't get me wrong, I love my old boy but that doesn't mean I have to smell him:-p

"Board" er Collies Can Entertain Themselves

I swear I just love the Border Collie breed. They suit me because I too am a big goofball. Buster is 11 now and Daisy is over a year old. "Gramps" which is what we call Buster now, tolerates Daisy. Anyway, I've noticed how creative they can get when not given attention. When Buster was young, he would chase his tail, bring it to me and run around my leg with his tail in his mouth. It's hard to picture but I have video somewhere. He was on The Planet's Funniest Animals doing it.

The other thing Buster used to do is put his head in the couch. At first I thought he was looking for crumbs or something but after a few minutes of stillness, I realized me enjoyed the laughter and did it for fun. What a retarded dog right? They say Border Collies want to please their masters so in his own way, I guess he was.

Oh, I just remembered the racket ball! Buster would put the ball in his mouth and squeeze it so it would pop out real fast and hit the cabinet. Then he would try to catch it. Over and over again, he would do this and it was hilarious!

Daisy entertains herself with toys. When she goes outside, we see a flash of white run by the door and she is holding the Frisbee, teasing Buster. Too funny.

Daisy's other entertainment is the shower curtain. She bites it and barks at it. Don't ask me..she's just goofy.

My Dog is A Raging Lunatic!

Poor Buster has been afraid of thunderstorms for years. I have tried everything from comforting him to ignoring him and the only solution is to place him in his kennel. If I leave him out, he will scramble for safety and sometimes that means going behind entertainment centers and behind furniture where he can get hurt. His favorite place is the tub but that is not an option. He digs as if he is reaching out to China so he spends the time in the kennel. Many a sleepless night because of it. Since we started ignoring him altogether when he is frantic, we have noticed a difference. I guess the idea of negative attention creates the frantic dog even more. He used to run away when he heard loud noises but we stopped that too. I used to get scared and freak out, which was causing him to freak out more I guess. Now we just call him to our side softly and give him a short petting, then inside to the kennel as usual. I don't medicate him since it is hard to know when storms come but occasionally I will give him 1/2 a Benadryl which really helps.

When he was a pup I made the mistake of taking him to the fireworks. I believe this is what started the whole nightmare for him. I didn't know nearly as much about dogs then as I do now. I guess that is one of the reasons for all of my research. Daisy is one year old and she thinks it is playtime when it thunders. Again, we did that. I did not want her to end up like Buster. It is so important when they are puppies to know as much as we can in order to have an awesome dog. Dogs can live almost 20 years sometimes so it would be nice to enjoy those years with them.

Dog in Heat???

What to do what to do! Doggie panties are so expensive but nobody wants little spots all over the house. Go to the local thrift store and buy baby clothes! It is cheap and you can throw them away when your dog is done with her heat:-)

Dog Bloopers

Puppy Whisperer Training

I would like to point out that my training starts from day one of getting a puppy and never ends. I am in tune with my animals and stay that way as if I were a mother. I do not have any 2 legged children for reasons only God knows, but I do have 4 legged ones. I listen for the slightest change or movement and can understand exactly what my dogs are doing at any given time. This is unique to what many people have time for. Most families work and have children so cannot find the time to spend with the animals. I, however, have too much time on my hands as some would say. I am a student and a wife and I love learning new things. I have always had a passion for animals and since dogs are trainable pets, I enjoy spending time working with them. I get the occasional outsider who wants special training but it is expensive so most people prefer not to have any training done at all or do it on their own. If you have the time, that's awesome because you can have a good dog or a great dog! Either way you win. The radio show came about because I love talking to the public about animals. I hope that by sharing what I have learned from animals can help others.

SINGLE BLACK FEMALE

SBF Seeks Male companionship, ethnicity unimportant. I'm a good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love: long walks in the woods, hunting, camping, riding in your pickup truck, fishing trips, cozy winter nights spent lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. I'll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me and I'm yours. Call 555-2121 and ask for Daisy. (The original phone number given was the Humane Society and Daisy was an eight week old black Labrador Retriever.)

Top Ten

Top Ten Benefits of having a Senior Dog

10. Bath time is no longer a fight to keep them in the tub. I think it’s harder to get them out.

9. They decide to run from you but only make it to the front yard because it’s just too much effort.

8. 17 throws of the ball is now only 1 and they are completely satisfied.

7. Potty time is pretty quick since they go as soon as they hit the grass..and they are done..Back inside to the nice, cozy bed!

6. You say “Go to bed” and they do….for the night.

5. The “stay” command finally works!....and any other command for that matter because they just don’t want to deal with it anymore.

4. Thunderstorm? What thunderstorm? They can’t hear it anymore!

3. No more shedding since they lost most of their hair to old age.

2. They run (well walk) to the window to bark and the only thing you hear is a soft whisper.

And the number 1 benefit of having a senior dog is…

Speaking of bark…Their bark is bigger than there bite even as a whisper…since they no longer have any teeth to bite you with. HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!

We've made it through the hard part with our puppy..yippie!!...Wait...More chewing?

Wellllll now it's teething time! Our little balls of fur have grown up and become wonderful dogs. But now the chewing is back...slippers, couches, table legs and more! Ahhhh! Ok....calm down. Our puppies are teething. They need another dose of fun stimuli to help them along through this time. Teething can be painful as we know and it is the same for dogs. They need something to chew on to help them loosen those baby teeth to bring in the new. Today Miss Daisy was rewarded with a marrow bone. She does not chew on our personal things, but does occasionally tear up a random trash item she reaches out of the garbage. I loaded up on Thrift Store toys again too. For the first time in a long time, she actually tore one up. This tells me I am on the right track. She is teething and she needs help. I would also watch for mood swings and depression. They may need a little more than bones and toys. If they are in pain, check the mouth to be sure there is no swelling or redness. When my other dog grew in his teeth, one did not fall out so it was wedged in with the new tooth. Needless to say, we got it out of there quick since it would have caused infection for sure. Good luck and get out there and buy some chew toys to save your possessions!

Puppy training the first week

The following information will help start you on your way with your new puppy.

"When your puppy comes home, it is important
to be prepared for many training opportunities ...

Puppy training basics during the first week the puppy is home is critical. It is obvious that you need certain physical items such as a dog bed or crate, food and water bowls, puppy chow, collar, leash, toys, etc. Equally as important, all family members must decide and agree on routine, responsibility and rules.

The first few days are extremely important. Enthusiasm and emotions are up. Everyone wants to feed the puppy, play with the puppy and hold the puppy. Pre-established rules are easily broken. Everyone agreed that puppy will sleep in her crate but as soon as she's home, someone melts and insists that puppy will sleep in bed. Everyone previously agreed not to let puppy jump up on them, but in the excitement, no one even notices that puppy is jumping up. No one sleeps the first night. Puppy wins and gets to sleep in bed. The next morning we find puppy has eliminated all over the bed. So the following night puppy is banned to her crate and screams all night. No one sleeps tonight either.

Grouchiness sets in; enthusiasm is down. No one wants to get up at the pre-agreed upon early morning feeding time. How are we going to housetrain puppy? How are we going to sleep with her constant whining?

Your new puppy has just been taken away from her mom and littermates. She is vulnerable and impressionable. What she needs now is security and routine. Set up a small room to be her very own special haven for the next couple of months. Paper the entire floor and put her food/water bowls and bed in one corner. Scatter her toys everywhere.

Play with her quietly and gently. Don't flood her with attention and activity. If she looks like she wants to sleep, leave her alone. Puppies need lots of sleep.

Decide who is responsible for feeding and cleaning up after her. Don't deviate from the schedule. Routine is especially important for your puppy. Don't spend all your time with her. If she is going to be alone during the day or night, she needs to start getting used to it now. If she wakes up from a nap and whines, resist the urge to run in and comfort her."

Dog vs. Cat Diaries

The Dog's Diary:

8:00 am - Dog food! My favorite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Milk bones! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Dinner! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

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The Cat's Diary:

Day 983 of my captivity.

My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed some sort of dry nuggets. Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength. The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates my capabilities. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a "good little hunter" I am. Jerks!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of "allergies." I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage. Today I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow, but at the top of the stairs.

I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches. The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released, and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded. The bird must be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe. For now.

About my training...

I am a Puppy Whisperer. This is different from the famous "Dog Whisperer" and my techniques are unique. Sure, some of the training is similar to the Dog Whisperer and behaviorists, but only because they have done the same research I have.... I study animals everyday. It is something I have always enjoyed and because of it, have learned so much from them. I don't work miracles overnight because frankly, it takes patience and understanding, not some "quick fix" behavioral trick. I always took for granted what I know and the further I research, the further I realize what I have is special and needs to be shared with others. The website is growing and developing each day so watch for updates and thanks for the support! www.puppywhisperer.com