Show us your pets!

[emily_in_nc]

Meet Bertrand:

...

papaver, thank you for not giving up on Bert. He is absolutely adorable and a wonderful friend, I'm sure. We are Boston Terrier owners who think Frenchies are delightful as well!

[papaver]

@Emily: I have a boston terrier too.

[mtbdarby]

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

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!

Signed one proud Mamma!

[andtckrtoo]

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

[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.

[elk]

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.

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.

[TsPoet]

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.

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 . 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.

[andtckrtoo]

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 . 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.

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

[TsPoet]

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

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).

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

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

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

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

[7rider]

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

Great news!!!

[PamNY]

Dar, that's such good news about Rusty. When I first worked with a behaviorist years ago I had no idea how much there was to learn. It really is a wonderful experience when things go well, as I'm sure they will for you!

Lisa, that's a beautiful kitty and I'm so happy for all of you.

Pam

[sundial]

Bryce was so happy he gave the trainer a big hug and thank you!

Awwwwww, that made my day!