happier puppy news-with pics

[amy]

I missed you on our ride today, Aly. But now that I see the pictures, I can understand! Congratulations on the new addition.

On a side note, my dog trainer said you should never give a dog a name that ends sounding too much like "no" as it can be confusing. (Chico) I don't know, but I decided to take the advice and avoid it.

Have a great week with you new baby! I'll see you next weekend for the Tour de Foothills.

[KnottedYet]

So naming a dog "ShimaNO" is out?

[Tuckervill]

I hardly ever use the word no with my dogs. (I don't use it with children either, but that's for another day.) I just say some form of "uh-uh" and physical action (getting up or standing near them--not hitting) when it's necessary. At the same time I try to set up their world where it becomes unnecessary to correct them. Distraction and guidance towards appropriate behavior. Anticipation of situations were they might feel the need to misbehave. Doggie door for going out. Put the shoes away instead of leaving them where the dog can get them. Crating.

Right now I have to put a gate up across the kitchen when I leave so the dogs can come and go and still get the food. But I don't have to worry about whatever my son has left in the living room, or the furniture. She (my new dog) can't get to anything in the kitchen. I just set her up for success.

I guess maybe I shouldn't name any dog ending in "uh-uh", huh?

Karen

[sundial]

Here's a list of gsd names from my favorite gsd websites:

http://www.germanshepherds.com/names/

What about Jordy? Logan? Kano?

[ibcycling]

Congrats on your new furbaby!!!

He's beautiful and I'm sure will fill out and be even more beautiful under your care. He's got a lot of tongue to lick with. LOL! Keep us updated on how he's doing. How old do they think he is?

I work at Petco and we have an area with shelter kitties. I'm so thrilled when someone asks about them because they are from a local high-kill shelter and don't have much time. DH is VERY worried our cat family will be expanding. I'd bring them all home if I could.

Lora

[short cut sally]

Picture #1 is the best..Those eyes and that tongue. I fell in love too and could see why you had to bring him home. Good luck on finding a new name for him.

[teigyr]

Congrats on your new furbaby!!!

He's beautiful and I'm sure will fill out and be even more beautiful under your care. He's got a lot of tongue to lick with. LOL! Keep us updated on how he's doing. How old do they think he is?

I work at Petco and we have an area with shelter kitties. I'm so thrilled when someone asks about them because they are from a local high-kill shelter and don't have much time. DH is VERY worried our cat family will be expanding. I'd bring them all home if I could.

Lora

(short threadjack)

Is that the Ellensburg shelter? My latest rescue cat came from there. A lot of the no-kill agencies are taking all they can from that area because the shelter is so small most cats don't have a chance. He was taken by Purrfect Pals and brought to a Petsmart in Seattle where we found him

Now, I can't wait to hear how the dog is adjusting!!!

[aly]

Thanks so much for the compliments and encouragement! Chester (that's his new name- it just seems to suit his personality) is adjusting well. Poor guy had a little episode last might when he couldn't catch his breath- it almost looked like a seizure, but was more a breathing thing. It was short and hasn't happened again. We'll keep an eye on him and mention it to the vet this weekend. He also needed a good frontline and a bath. He's still smelly, but slightly more bearable. Hopefully his itching will go away soon.

Otherwise, he's doing great. He keeps patroling the house, he returns to me every now and then to give kisses. He isn't barking at all yet and ignored the food delivery guy that just came! I'm not sure if this is good or bad... We're trying to do some basic training and he's picking it up quickly. He's also getting more used to the kitties (very important).

Now I just need to get over him, so I can start riding again!!

[LBTC]

Right now I have to put a gate up across the kitchen when I leave so the dogs can come and go and still get the food. But I don't have to worry about whatever my son has left in the living room, or the furniture. She (my new dog) can't get to anything in the kitchen. I just set her up for success.

Great ideas, Tuckervill. But you must not have border collies! They see an obstacle, like a gate, and they put those border collie brains to work to find a way around (or over or through) the obstacle. Ours trained the neighbour dog, who had previously been quite happy to stay in the kitchen, how to get out through the maze of dining room chairs placed there to stop her. Oops.!

Aly, Chester is so wonderful! Thank you and congratulations!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[Tuckervill]

Great ideas, Tuckervill. But you must not have border collies! They see an obstacle, like a gate, and they put those border collie brains to work to find a way around (or over or through) the obstacle. Ours trained the neighbour dog, who had previously been quite happy to stay in the kitchen, how to get out through the maze of dining room chairs placed there to stop her. Oops.!

Aly, Chester is so wonderful! Thank you and congratulations!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

Oh yes, this wouldn't have worked with my previous Jack Russell, either. (Her name was Ladybug, and she weighed just 10 lbs.) She could leap over almost anything. Whatever she couldn't leap, she could climb. We had to electrify the fence to keep her in the yard. She only got shocked once and then we turned it off but left the wire there.

We set her up for success, too, though. Her doggie door opened into the sunroom which had an exterior type door leading to the house. (different house than this one) She just used her wiles to get out of the yard, instead. ::eeek:::

Karen