Hobbit

Take a nap. Take a shower. Read a magazine on the john. Check on Guy a number of times to make sure he hasn't caught his hooks on anything. Check on the outside. Come to the board! :wink:

Thanks everyone. Funny thing is, we are used to the smell and can't smell it. I went to the post office yesterday, rather quickly, wasn't thinking about anything and noticed people would pass and then look rather hard at me!! :lol: :lol: It took me a minute to figure out what was going on --- I DID LAUGH!! :lol: The hot wet towels are to get his muscles ready for the exercises. I don't see why he would need it, he is active --- ALL OVER THE HOUSE. Hot wet towels before exercise and then cold wet towels after exercise to keep the swelling down. Taking him out to use the bathroom and a short walk --- he wants to go 9-0 (wide open). He doesn't care that he's not supposed to, he just knows that life is passing him by and he MUST make the most of it NOW. Our conclusion --- a regular person could not do this. We aren't regular, okay.......we're not normal, ... happy?? :lol: . So, the average person that works all day, cares for a family --- would be hard pressed to do this. It's an all day job, with a few hours off inbetween.

I could tell you guys lots of stories that are amazing, but they are long and would be a book. My personal belief, from experience, is that many dogs are extremely intelligent. Their breeding depends on the level of intelligence in some instances. Poor breeding vs good breeding is what I'm talking about. Good breeding, not necessilary meaning *champion this and that* and several lines of inbreeding. I'm talking about selecting for intelligence over *looks*. Anyway, that's another topic altogether. I've seen to many instances where the dogs saw a problem and acted accordingly (worked it out). Too many people and most of the scientist have the attitude that a dog is JUST A DOG and nothing more. They think they have no emotions, no feeling, no sadness, no happiness --- they are only hormonally driven machines. These people have never lived with dogs on a daily basis, they only see them for a few short minutes a day to record their findings on a piece of paper ("oh, Fi Fi, remembered to look underneath the cup for her treat" :roll: )

[quote name='Bensam']I guess this is what I am getting at. Back in the days when I had Affies, they were the hardest dogs I had ever come across to TEACH anything to, but to live with them and see the way they could work out things for themselves was incredible. There were just so many instances about different things that it was past coincidence. They were a wild pack hound originally and I have seen them work in their unique way with a snake bailed up, seen them work together to open a gate, had one show me where a pup had got out and tracked it. Just so many things, but 'sit, stay' not on your life![/quote] Maybe they see no need for such things as "sit, stay". What is the purpose (their thought)? :wink:

In the newspaper today ~~~ [color=red]AKC rare chocolate pointing labs — ready by Christmas, excellent hunters or family pets. 915/524-2322[/color] I wonder if they are pointing with their middle toe (finger) and that's what makes them RARE?! :roll:

:lol: :lol: The Dr doesn't want him to become an addict! Yeah, you know what thay would lead to.......prostitution, stealing, burglarizing, armed robbery....just to get his fix. :lol: :lol: ......and since it's a narcotic, they don't want the human person taking the dog's pills. As if I would!

Gigi, not yet. He is on Meloxicam -- not really thrilled with that because it can cause digestive upsets. I don't know how long he'll be one the pain meds. It was suggested by a friend to give him Valerian with Kava Kava. I would hate to do more harm than good.

[quote name='Mei-Mei']Hobbit, I didn't know you had Anatolians! I am fascinated by the breed. Are they very aggressive or just on the level of say a German Shepherd? Did you have any dominance problems?[/quote] VERY aggressive towards anything that isn't part of the "pack". They will kill a coyote in a heartbeat. They have an incredibly deep bark. They are aloof at strangers and will stand between us and them. We normally put them up if someone comes out --- it makes me nervous when strangers come out (especially those with small children). If we are caught off guard and someone just "shows" up (I loath those characters), then we tell them to let the Anatolians approach them and NOT to approach the Anatolians. So far, Annie and Sable have been really good. Oh yeah, dominance problems. They are persnickity when it comes to some things. If they get mad at one of the dogs, goodness --- they want to kill the dog. It takes them FOREVER to cool out and some times, we just have to watch them around the one that they've "choosen" to not like (because if the opportunity arises, they will take it and kill the dog). They are very gentle with us, but their aggression toward a coyote or varmits are a reminder that they can get nasty. Annie is a mole freak. She hunts them down, digs them up and kills them. Sable likes to trip you when you walk. She takes great delight in this and it's a game to her. She will sneak up behind you while you are walking and grab your leg at the ankle with her paw --- then laughs as you fall on your face. I've been working on stopping this behavior and have done fairly well. She now only does it when she's really happy to see you. She is just trying to get you to stop and talk to her. It's more like predator and prey thing. They have been a saviour for us keeping the coyotes and wolf-hybrid's away from the house. Now, if I could make them understand to just leave the skunks alone and let him just wonder off --- without chasing the skunk and causing him to SPRAY everywhere...... :wink:

Ms. C (I've always wanted to say that): I called a "breeder of Miniature Aussies" and she said she had two normal sized Aussies and just "got" mini's. She was rather proud of herself. I asked about their bloodline --- severely inbred, brother to sister for SEVERAL generations! They were "champions". :roll: Then I finally smooth talked (okay....I tricked!!) another "breeder" into telling me that her mini's were Aussie X Sheltie crossed and registered with NSDR and the North American Mini --- whatever it's called.

....and let me add ~~ this morning about 4am (after getting in bed around midnight --- after getting Guy comfortable and to sleep) the two Anatolians commence trying to convince a skunk that he needed to GO AWAY. They chased him all over place while he gleefully sprayed! Oh yeah, he sprayed the house, the vehicles, the trees, the ground, the air, and did I mention THE HOUSE?! The inside of the house smells like a skunk and EVERYTHING in it --- towels, sheets, our cloths, toilet paper, plates, pens, paper, shoes, floor, walls, EVERYTHING! I opened the pickup door ----- almost passed out! Whew.....so much for that "new" car smell, huh? The skunk apparently was just trying to get away from Annie and Sable ---- so, I helped him, permanently.

Alrighty --- buckle yer seat belts. Tried to post earlier but it was raining so hard, it kept knocking our signal out (we're on satellite). We were walking out of the door on Tuesday morning and the Tech called and cancelled us until Wednesday. :o The surgeon had an emergency surgery and would not be available for conference before allowing Guy to come home. Okay....we went and ran some errands, got groceries, livestock feed, dog food, paid bills, went to the post office...etc.... bought Guy a sleeping bag (stop laughing), and inserted an egg crate, then folded the sleeping bag on top of itself --- man-o-man a comfy bed. Oh yeah, he prefers to sleep on our bed or the chair!! Go figure. Thursday --- can you say NIGHTMARE? The goat decided to kid early (about a week early) and have the twins in a water puddle. Tried to save them, worked on them all day (while spouse went to gather Guy) --- lost the babies about 6pm. Terrible, terrible. Guy FINALLY home around 4pm. EVERYONE was elated to see him. They kissed, hugged, lots of tail wagging (including my own), lots of barking and chaos, just total happiness. Okay, time to adjust the halo. OMG, can you say FREAKING NIGHTMARE, again? He is rather tired of the pull, tug, sting, hurt and general uncomfortable feeling. We use a wrench to loosen a bolt, then turn a nut 2 full turns on what is called the motor. Then tighten it down. Then on another location, loosen a bolt, then turn a nut 1/2 a turn (do this on two places), on what is called the hinge. It takes both of us to do this. One to loosen, turn and tighten, and one to distract him and keep him still (hard to do). It HAS to be painful, because Guy grabbed my thumb and clamped down. He wouldn't let go until the last nut had been tightened. It was like the cowboy that bites on the leather as the Dr pulls out the bullet! He wasn't being mean, it was just hurting. While the wrap is off, we also have to clean all the places where the wires are coming out. They had been bleeding some and were scabby. The Dr said to use regular water and gave us some gause pads. Too rough, so we use Q-tips. After we clean them, we put Triple Antibiotic salve on it. Then wrap it back up. The bolts stick out and poke him --- the wires are curved and snag on things --- aauuuggghhhh! We put some electrical tape on the wires to help keep it from snagging on stuff. Some of the bolts have tape on it to keep from poking him. How uncomfortable can that be? He still won't use the leg. So, we have to flex his paw and toes several times a day and rub it. Then lay a warm wet towel on the leg (oh yeah, try to keep him still for that!!). He gets Clavamox twice daily and Meloxicam once daily. The Meloxicam is for inflamation and pain. Today when we adjusted his halo, he had a dog biscuit to bite on. It sure hurt my heart, because he was begging us to stop and not do it. How do you make him understand that it's for his own good and soon he'll be able to run and play normally (as can be expected)? All this must be done twice daily. Considering what he's been thru, he's being a good sport. We dread it, he dreads it. It's painful for him and emotionally painful for us. He goes back on the 17th for x-rays and a check up. I'll get pictures of the halo tomorrow and post them. THANKS again a million times over for all the well wishes, thoughts, prayers, and finger-crossings!! :wink:

The Tech called just a little while ago --- WE GET TO BRING GUY HOME TOMORROW (Tuesday)! :multi: :smilecolros: So, I'll update you guys tomorrow when we get him home and settled down (probably late tomorrow night). :P :P

[quote name='gigishiba']Was it a two week wait before you could bring him home???? I can't remember and it's 8 pages of stuff to read through on this thread! MAN, Guy is popular. 8 pages dedicated to HIM![/quote] Gigi, totally missed this -- sorry. The Dr wanted us to wait a week; then longer if the elbow isn't relocating properly. Yeah, I'm taken by the all the encouraging words. We really appreciate it and it's so overwhelming and heartfelt, because the encourage is coming from strangers. Very much so are appreciative. The "family" --- the only words from them is -- they can't believe we are spending the money on a dog, or why don't we just euthanize him...he's just a dog. :roll:

:lol:

Yes -- yes Marble, please post a new picture! We have recently started to mix the "High Energy" with the Lamb and Rice for the growing young adults. They aren't really thrilled about the "Maintenance" formula or the --- and I'm drawing a blank on the name --- (the green sack or yellow sack, they aren't thrilled over). I can tell I'm getting old ---- memory is going fast.

That is a delightful greeting card (actually rather beautiful)! Happy Holidays to you, too.

[quote name='Jacsmom'][quote name='Hobbit'] And you can't put poop all the way around the fence [/quote] Says who!!!! :o :lol: :lol: :lol:[/quote] You just gave me a brilliant idea --- [size=1](insert evil laugh)[/size] Okay, to be really effective, bk -- you need other dog's poop, not just bk's. So, since we all love you so much, we all (and I mean ALL) would be more than happy to contribute by sending you ALL of our dog's poop, so you'd have enough to go around the entire perimeter of the fence!! Sound like a plan? :P

Yes, they want him to use the leg. I imagine he'll be lots more comfortable at home. They've moved it to tentatively getting to come home on Wednesday (instead of Tuesday).

Marble, We use Diamond (Lamb and Rice) and the puppy (in the purple sack). The dogs do very well, their coat is shiney, their poop is a nice consistency, they have loads of energy, feel good etc... Whichever brand you choose, I think a *balanced* nutrition is what matters.

Okay....maybe this is because this has been the week for lame excuses at why some people allow their dog to be tortured, then dump the dog because it's no longer convenient. --- totally not related to anyone here, just a gripe at something that happened elsewhere. BUT, while the shoe is fitting. Aroura, if this upsets you -- so be it. How dare you say you love Lilly and then allow her to be tortured, kicked, chased, stuff thrown at her? Just who do YOU think you are? She deserves better than. Just imagine how she feels --- when you leave with friends to go *party* and leave for hours, leaving her alone for hours >> she is wondering when your brother will come and terrorize her, hurt her, chastize her, torture her --- and being the obedient dog that she is...won't take up for herself (but will get enough one day and bite him out of fear). She'll be looking for you to protect her --- while you are off drinking and laughing and having fun......she is miserable, lonely and sad. Why do people do this? Why are some people so self-centered and selfish? Why put the poor dog thru H*LL for YOUR own self satisfaction of just having a dog. If you say you love your dog, then do what is best for the dog!!

[quote name='gigishiba']What a sweet boy you have.[/quote] Thanks --- we are counting the days to be able to bring him home. He has been TOTALLY missed! Okay.....it's been real quiet without him here! :lol:

Still not using the leg, but will set it down when he rests. His appetite is good, no vomiting, no diarrhea, no fever. He's happy (as can be expected), likes to go to the lecture hall and have everyone fuss over him --- what a ham! He will jump into his cage (hate that *cage* word), which is about 3 inches off the floor. He doesn't bark or fuss -- just waits to be taken out, fed and petted. Jacsmom, how long after Jac was casted, did he use his leg?

That is a wonderful story. And I would like to thank the breeder for being irresponsible and breeding merle to merle and producing her. I am thankful that someone felt sorry for her and took her into their home as a special needs dog.

[quote name='wildbunch']A woman I work with has a Queensland Heeler. She is having trouble with the dog. She is very aggresive, chases kids on bikes and won't let anything in the yard. [color=red][b]FIRST -- This just reinforced my post in the "Breeds" section!! ACD's should NOT be sold to pet families! :evilbat: She is simply doing her job. She is "heeling", which is what she was bred to do. She has a dominant personality because that is what she was bred to have. She is loyal and protecting the interests of her "family". ACD's love their family, but bond with one person and tend to ignore the rest. She is obvious the alpha dog in the family pack. She should have been taught what was acceptable to heel and what was not acceptable when she was a puppy. She is doing EXACTLY what her characteristics and genetics are dictating --- SHE IS HEELING. You can't beat this out of them, can't turn it off, but CAN manage it.[/b][/color] She even bit her sons girlfriend. The dog is actually her sons and has been spoiled, she is a year old. [color=darkred][b]Being spoiled has nothing to do with her behavior. Being allowed to conduct herself in a behavior that is not conducive to a safe environment, has everything to do it! I can imagine that the son thought it was "cute" to have her chase and heel his friends and to have a bada$$ dog that "protects" him. I'm guessing that he and his girlfriend were wrestling, or she made a move toward him that the dog preceived as aggressive and reacted to the situation ---- BECAUSE SHE HAS NEVER BEEN TAUGHT WHAT ACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR IS! [/b][/color] I have told her to seek some professional behavioural assistance but she may not be able to afford it. [b][color=red]"Can't afford it?" I can not tell you the anger that I am feeling right now. If she can't afford the training, then she should have NEVER allowed this dog to be brought into the family, period! I still say, ACD's should NOT be sold to PET families. This girl is going to pay the ultimate price for her devotion to these idiots. [/color][/b] Anyone have any ideas in how to curb this in the butt before it gets to far? [color=red][b]This should have been stopped a long time ago. She does need to attend an obedience class, but since they are not willing to sacrifice their beer and cig money to spend on the dog ---- read the posts from Googeydog on the "Aggressive" dog thread and how to introduce her to situations (it is good advice). I received an email regarding the same type of situation from another lady and her grandchildren. The ACD was an older dog and she was told to muzzle her by her friends. Here is my response to her: She said it is working for her situation.[/b][/color] [i][color=blue]Muzzling will not correct the behavior. You are right, this is instinct and since this is genetic there is nothing you can do to stop this --- but you CAN redirect her behavior and teach her what she can heel and what she can not heel. This actually should have been done many years ago. Has she ever had any obedience training (professional, at a class, or by someone that is experienced at training)? If not, you will need to put her on a leash and teach her to "down" (lay down) on command. The other command she will need to know is the "off". To teach the down. For now (until she knows her command) go to a quite place without any other animals so she can focus on you and not be distracted. If she is food oriented, this is good. ALWAYS be sure and call her name prior to any command. While she is sitting in front of you, show her the treat, and hold it a few inches from her nose (don't give it to her) and then move her hand directly down and slightly back toward you and call her name and tell her to down. She may do it and she may just stand up. If she stands up, put her back in a sit and try again. You may need someone to assist you until she understands. Have your assistant stand behind the dog and when you drop your hand with the treat, she'll follow it with her head, give the "down" command, have your assistant push on her shoulders. She should lay down. Praise her if she does. As soon as she eats her treat, she'll stand up. This is okay. Do it several times and always praise her. Quit when she is in the down position after lots of praise. Do this several times a day for short periods of time (like ask her to down 3 or 4 times). Be consistent and repetitious. Increase the length of time that she stays down. Incorporate the word, "stay" in there while you are making her stay down. Only let her get up when you give her the release command (okay, get up, whatever you want to use). If she gets up before being released, put her back down. Make the training fun not a punishment. Use a firm, low tone voice. You know, say it like you mean it and not like you are playing until she understands what down means. If she isn't treat (food) oriented, then you can use the leash. While she is sitting, call her name and tell her to down while you are stepping on the leash (while pulling underneath your foot, like a pully --- it will pull her to the ground). Do it slowly, don't hurt her. Praise her when she lays down. Take her walking and do this several times, always calling her name first. And always praise her for downing. Always quit on a positive note and never get mad at her. After she has this command down. Have someone else hold her and you tell her to down, while standing a few feet from her. If she tries to come to you, have your assistant hold her --- you call her name and say, "no stay" then tell her to down again, and have the assistant step on the leash to down her --- while you are saying her name and giving her the command. Again, gradually lengthen the time you make her stay down. As soon as she will down without thinking about it, try it off leash. Hopefully, she will down. Then.....the instant she goes after the Lab to heel her.....call her name and tell her to down. If she doesn't down, go to her and make her down and stay down for a few minutes, then release her. Do not be surprised if she goes right back to the Lab to heel her. Just call her name and tell her to down. She will get the connection. Just be persistant, repetitious and always use the same command word. Don't lose your temper, that would be counter productive. No hitting, kicking or slapping.....even if you want too. I know how aggravating they can be, trust me! haha. Next the "off" command. It's going to be hard to explain --- I will try, tho: Have her to sit in front of you. Show her --- her favorite treat. Hold the treat in front of her nose and when she tries to take it, lightly poke her in the nose with the treat and say -- "OFF" (keep your hand in the same position throughout the entire command -- only move it to poke her in the nose). You may have to do this several times. The second she stops trying to get her treat, say "GOOD GIRL" and without moving your hand, tell her "Okay, you can have it, take it" and let her come to the treat and take it (don't move your hand to her). Be sure and not to move your hand, in otherwords, don't take the treat to her, let her come to the treat. Understand? Some dogs will walk off when you poke them in the nose, just call her back and try again (don't poke her hard, because their nose is very sensitive). As soon as she has this command down, you can tell her to "off" anything. Like, when she starts to heel the Lab. Call her name and tell her, "get off her". She should look at you, really praise her for stopping to look at you. This will NOT happen over night. It is a continuous process and will be something that you'll have to do for the rest of her life (tell her to "get off" and "down" her). It's genetics and you can't undo what is a part of their breeding or characteristic. They play by heeling each other, they fight by heeling each other, they work by heeling livestock. It's just a part of the way they act. The only thing you can do is to manage it. She can be taught when it's okay and when it's not. [/color][/i] The son loves the dog with all his heart and the dog loves him but mom is thinking that this is getting a little too out of control for her taste. [b][color=darkred]Dear mom --- the situation is OUT of control because YOU allowed it to be, NOT the dog. She is doing exactly what she was bred to do and YOU, YOU, YOU should not even have this dog as a PET in the first place and YOU, should have done YOUR research, then YOU, YOU, YOU would know that this breed needs a firm but respectful hand when it comes to obedience! Am I pi$$ed, YES I AM! [/color][/b] [b][color=indigo]BREATHE HOBBIT, BREATHE ............[/color][/b] I don't want her to think her only option is to have the dog put down. [color=red][b]It's NOT. [/b][/color] And I'm not so sure the dog should be placed in a new home on a ranch because the dog is a house dog now. [color=darkred][b]The dog CAN adjust to farm life. Not all working dogs are kept outside, many are kept inside the house as part of the family. She would get the mental and physical stimulation that she needs. An *experienced* herding dog owner would be more appropriate than euthanasia or the shelter.[/b][/color] All advise is greatly appreciated. [color=red][b]Please do not take anything that I am about to say as personal towards you, it is not meant to be.[/b][/color] [/quote]

Just a little trivia --- Dolci means "Dessert" in Italian. K -- I know that your day is now complete with bit of information! :lol: