Dog Tidbits

I was finally able to get Hendrix to start learning the "down" command. YEEESSSSS!!! The past few times I tried with him, he would get out of his sit and try to hunt down the treat in my hand while standing up. This time, he lay down while trying to find the treat I had in my hand, which I let him have immediately. YESSS!

Bruno, a previous favorite dog of mine who was transferred to the Vancouver shelter in hopes that he would have a better chance of finding a home out of that location...is still there!!! He's been at the SPCA since March now, which is much too long for any dog, especially a dog like Bruno who especially hated being put back in his kennel. He's such a warm, loving dog, who used to press up to me for cuddles and also knew a lot of commands. Someone out there want to give him a home?

There's an adorable Pomeranian named Pepper at the Surrey SPCA who came in with only one testicle. How do you only get one? However he ended up that way, the one lone testicle has been neutered. Now he's testes free!

Adventures in Dogwalking: Sosa

I spent the last night in Bellingham to droff the bf off at the airport early this morning, so he could go to Vegas while I stayed home! This meant I arrived at the shelter a little later than usual for dogwalking, and that my favorite dog Hendrix was already on his walk.
The dog I took out was named Sosa; he's a biiiiiiiggg German Shepherd/Rottie mix of some sort. He has a cute face, where it always looks like he's smiling at you.



He definietly lived up to his size as he pulled a lot on his leash, and if there was something ahead that he wanted to get to, i.e food or a bird/bunny, he'd get these huge jolts of energy and lunge towards whatever got his attention. More than once he almost yanked me off my feet trying to get to someone who had bread treats, and in his eagerness to get to the wooded trail he pulled me so hard I slipped on some grass and fell into the mud.
Sosa seemed like a very nice dog; he responded well to food (of course) and was quite obedient when it came to doing things for them (sit, down). He waited to be released from the command before moving, and when it came to other dogs he didn't appeared not to be fazed by them: while in the pens another dog came up to the fence and they both had a sniff of each other, but the other dog growled and bared its teeth...Sosa merely looked politely puzzled.
I tried training him not to pull so hard on his leash, but I can safely say my attempts failed...miserably. The times when he'd pull, I would stop in my tracks, waiting for the leash to slacken a little so I could praise him at the right time and start walking again. It never happened. I would stop and become a tree, and Sosa would sniff around and look at the other dogs and try to lunge forward when he realized we weren't moving. When nothing happened, he would just sit down and wait, which is NOT what I wanted!
On the SPCA page, it says his owners gave him up because they didn't have enough space and fencing for him at their home. If that's the case, why would you adopt a dog that's a German Shepherd/Rottie mix then? Surely you can't expect a dog to be, at full grown size the size of a poodle? Another example of people who don't do their research before getting a pet!

May Cause Nausea

How?

Why?

Atrocious. Dispicable. Disgusting.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article6324489.ece

Adventures in Dogwalking: Hendrix

I love big, fuzzy dog breeds (no bully breeds for me!) and some smaller, fuzzy breeds as well, but I have a special soft spot for German Shepherds and Siberian Huskies. That's why when my favorite dog Viva (who I mistakenly referred to as Vivi in my last blog) was away at the vet for her spay appointment today, I chose to take Hendrix out for his walk.

At the beginning of our walk, he seemed very uneasy. He kept walking here and there, smelling things and then randomly pulling ahead with a burst of energy (he's an older dog, so he wasn't super powerful, but still a little strong). He also kept whining and barking, even though there was nothing ahead of us. After I corrected him a few times, he seemed to calm down, and walked a little better (even though he still needed reminding not to pull on his leash). After going around the trail a few times, I rewarded him with a treat and some cuddles, and he seemed to calm down even more.

That is, until the other dogs started being brought out. Then I realized that poor Hendrix was afraid of them.

Actually, it would seem like he became more shy and insecure around other dogs; when another one was nearby, he would start whining, which would escalate into barking and lunging, combined with whining. He would also try to hide behind me, which sounds kind of cute, but really, it's not good for the dogs' emotional and mental well being. I'm sure there's a little fear there, maybe something stemming from puppyhood (might've been very submissive, picked on a little by other dogs, etc).

Anyways, it was my goal to try to help him get used to other dogs as much as I could. Whenever another dog would pass by and he started getting antsy, I would stop and say "hush!" until he calmed down. As soon as he didn't show any signs of anxiousness/fear, I would immediately say "good dog!" and give him a quick hug. It kind of worked and kind of didn't...towards the end of our time together he could ignore certain dogs, but other dogs (mainly big, male dogs) still got him worked up.

I have to say, I fell in love with this dog. He's so smart and cuddly! He already knew sit, and (give your) paw. Once he associated an open hand with cuddles, he would duck under and lean against you. Whenever I left him alone in the pens while I went to get him some more water or treats, upon returning he was always waiting for me at the gate with his tail wagging, and wouldn't even try to get out (unlike some of the other dogs) when I opened the door to get in. He knows fetch, but when I throw the ball he sloooowly trots after it, picks it up, and drops it near you. I think he gets tired of it easily.

Of course, it's my hope that he gets adopted soon, as it's always sad when older dogs are at the shelter. Until then, I'm going to stick with him and try teaching him new things, because he is a smarty pants! He's got quite the nose (he was able to sniff out a treat buried in gravel in a pen when we were walking by on the outside) and I plan on letting him use it!

The Saddest Doggie Face I've Ever Seen

Luna the Samoyed. (http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9627246)

From Petfinder:

At 11 years of age, Luna was abandoned by her family at a local shelter. She was a mess--filthy, with multiple infections, and not being treated for medical issues she has. We got Luna's infections cleared up and we started her on medication for epilepsy and for hypothyroidism. Luna is now stable on her medications and doing beautifully! She takes her pills very easily, eating them with her meals, without a fuss. The cost of her medications is about $40 a month.Luna has a wonderful, easy-going temperament. She loves people and is good with other dogs. She is ok with cats too and is good with kids. Luna rides well in the car, is house trained, and walks well on leash. She enjoys slow walks in the neighborhood and laying on or near your feet.

Aww.