Show us your pets!

Good news! We spent this morning with a dog behaviorist in our home to help with Rusty. He spent 3 hours working with all of us - me, my son, Zeus and of course, Rusty. We tackled the doorbell issue and the vacuum cleaner issue, which left the fly swatter a non issue (it no longer phased him) by the time we got to it:D

Both Rusty and Zeus were retrained to not lunge at the door when the doorbell rang or there was a knock. Rusty is still a bit nervous with the vacuum cleaner, but trusts me much more to make sure he doesn't get hurt by it. I am so very proud of all of my boys! (Bryce was the official doorbell ringer). The trainer commented that he was easier to work with than he had thought and he had even anticipated getting bit a few times, which never happened. He will be back on Thursday to do some outside work introducing one of his pups on Rusty's turf, and to work with Rusty on going into his crate on his own. He will also work with my son on how to behave around strange dogs, since he was bit by a dog at the park and is a bit afraid right now.

All-in-all, I was very pleased with the progress we made in just the first session! I will continue to work with him daily so that we both get the reinforcment we need. I know one session isn't the be-all-end-all and I'm willing to do the work. Rusty was pretty exhausted when we got done with the work and went and layed down at Bryce's feet. Bryce was so happy he gave the trainer a big hug and thank you! Rusty is gonna be a fantastic pet and I'm glad we stuck with it!:p

Signed one proud Mamma!

Dar - your whole post just made me smile!!! I'm so happy for you, Rusty, Zeus and Bryce!!

That's great, MtnDarby!

I don't know if your trainer addressed it, but I just wanted to add my two cents in about teaching the dog tricks. It's a great way to teach them success, give them an opportunity to please their person, stimulate them mentally, and wear them out a bit. Combined with a good long walk (or two) every day, I think many dogs will really settle down. Tricks and walks have been an important part of Shiloh adapting so well, and overcoming many of his fearful behaviors. It's helped us bond, too, so that when we are out and about, he trusts me and listens to me.

I brought Shiloh to the local farmers market on Saturday and he was great. He got lots of attention because he's interesting-looking, and he behaved very well. The only issue he had was with a young Aussie. Shiloh growled at him from a distance. Shiloh has issues with Aussies for some reason. Perhaps other herding dogs stare at each other, I don't know. He doesn't have those issues with other types of dogs. Strange.

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Originally Posted by mtbdarby

Rusty is gonna be a fantastic pet and I'm glad we stuck with it!:p

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Great news!!!

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Originally Posted by tulip

That's great, MtnDarby!

I don't know if your trainer addressed it, but I just wanted to add my two cents in about teaching the dog tricks. It's a great way to teach them success, give them an opportunity to please their person, stimulate them mentally, and wear them out a bit. Combined with a good long walk (or two) every day, I think many dogs will really settle down. Tricks and walks have been an important part of Shiloh adapting so well, and overcoming many of his fearful behaviors. It's helped us bond, too, so that when we are out and about, he trusts me and listens to me.

I brought Shiloh to the local farmers market on Saturday and he was great. He got lots of attention because he's interesting-looking, and he behaved very well. The only issue he had was with a young Aussie. Shiloh growled at him from a distance. Shiloh has issues with Aussies for some reason. Perhaps other herding dogs stare at each other, I don't know. He doesn't have those issues with other types of dogs. Strange.

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I second that ....!!! We spend too much time smooching and petting and loving on them like monkeys....which happily they tolerate...but watch thier joy when you go and DO something together.

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Originally Posted by tulip

That's great, MtnDarby!

The only issue he had was with a young Aussie. Shiloh growled at him from a distance. Shiloh has issues with Aussies for some reason. Perhaps other herding dogs stare at each other, I don't know. He doesn't have those issues with other types of dogs. Strange.

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Murphy hates Aussies. I think you are right, it's because they stare. For some reason, Aussies really stare at Murphy. Border Collies aren't nearly so bad, but that's because they have a shorter attention span :p. There are a couple of Aussies in my dog training club that can stare at Murphy forever - or until I ask their owners to stop their dogs, which I usually have to do!
Murphy now sees an Aussie and gets upset whether it's looking at him or not.

Darby,
I'm so glad, keep it up. It's worth it in the end.

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Originally Posted by TsPoet

Murphy hates Aussies. I think you are right, it's because they stare. For some reason, Aussies really stare at Murphy. Border Collies aren't nearly so bad, but that's because they have a shorter attention span :p. There are a couple of Aussies in my dog training club that can stare at Murphy forever - or until I ask their owners to stop their dogs, which I usually have to do!
Murphy now sees an Aussie and gets upset whether it's looking at him or not.

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As the owner of a sweet Aussie who does not stare, please accept my apologies.

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Originally Posted by andtckrtoo

As the owner of a sweet Aussie who does not stare, please accept my apologies.

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:D Almost all Aussies stare, the've been bred to do so.
I've met lots of Aussies over the last few years, and all of them have been sweethearts.
Murphy's taste in friends is questionable (he likes me, so that's proof).

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Originally Posted by andtckrtoo

As the owner of a sweet Aussie who does not stare, please accept my apologies.

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This reminds me of when we were kids, riding in the back seat of a car...
"Mommy, he's looking at me!!!" :D

Dar- I'm so glad that progress is being made with Rusty. :)

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Originally Posted by TsPoet

:D Almost all Aussies stare, the've been bred to do so.
I've met lots of Aussies over the last few years, and all of them have been sweethearts.
Murphy's taste in friends is questionable (he likes me, so that's proof).

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Too funny! Jimmy is a big ole doofus. He's smart, and he does like to herd all of the dogs chasing the ball, but he's from a show line and does not have a lot of the instincts a field Aussie does. Barley stared, but only at the ball. Man that dog could focus! But, yes, staring is absolutely a sign of aggression in dogs and I can absolutely understand why other dogs do not like Aussies.

Lisa - well, I have heard that dogs have the mental capacity of 3 year olds - that would explain the staring thing.

We've been looking over about 70 homeless shelter kitties for the past couple of days. We have had just too many weeks of sadness here after two of our cats died, one after another, as most of you know.

The Humane Society just called- my adoption application for a particular kitty has been approved!!! I go pick up our new shelter baby in an hour!!! :eek: :eek: :p :p (well, at between 3-4 years, she's not exactly a 'baby', but she's a baby to us!)

Pictures later!
She is the most affectionate kitty I have ever met, and came from a cruelty/neglect removal case 3 months ago.

Too exciting!!! :eek: :eek: :eek:

Can't wait to see the pictures. How kind and brave you are to get another so soon.

I want another cat, but it's got to wait until after August.

Karen

Oh, how fun, Lisa!!! You need some furry happiness. I really want to see photos!!

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Originally Posted by Tuckervill

Can't wait to see the pictures. How kind and brave you are to get another so soon.

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Not brave....getting her is helping me feel better too! (not to mention helping her, and helping the next homeless kitty). They told me at the shelter that her spot has already been given to another desperate homeless kitty. :)

Here is the photo of her from the Humane Society website, rather a nice picture! (yes, the tip of one ear had to be amputated when she was rescued, hard to believe she was emaciated and very sick 10 weeks ago when she was removed from her former owner):
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/...a7d3db4af6.jpg

Aww........ How lucky she is to be going to such a good home where she will be loved and treasured all the days of her life. Congrats on your new "baby" Lisa!