imported_nea

Thanks for the advice.. Hopefully next time something like this happens I'll be able to think more rationally. :) I've started working more on Web's down. Ever since I taught him to bow he's been leaving his rear end in the air for a while before sinking down into a down position so its gone to give that a bit of a brushup anyway. :) One problem though- he spins around and lays down facing me. :-? How can I get him to stop that? Walking in front of him won't work, he likes being ahead or at least by my side except for when he stops to sniff. And I don't want to use a flexi because usually he IS very good off leash, there are only 3 times (counting this one) that I can remember him running off. When I was gone and my mom took him for a walk he even came when there was a deer there! I wonder if part of him reacting so strongly to the cat today could have been his mood? The morning was very strange and I think he was slightly worried... Once before he started chasing a cat (differnt one though) and did stop when I said "no". Do you think him being a bit stressed could have contributed? I do use a long rope somtimes on walks, and that seems to work but not while I'm out on the lawn. We do play lots of frisbee (thats what he's doing in my avatar :wink:) and also some retrieving. You're right, Cassie, Web wasn't being bad. :oops: If this happens again I hope I'll be able to realize that right away. :oops: :D

The past few days Web's been fantastically good and I am starting to be able to let him be off-leash most of the time. :) This morning I took him out, on leash, checked to see if there were any other dogs close by and then let him go. He was excellent. We went to the big lawn/playground in the center of the buildings, where he usually gets to run around to get rid of some energy. I stood at watched him and he acted perfectly normal. Then he went behind one of the sliding boards. A grey streak started moving away, and Web followed. I saw it was a cat and whistled, then yelled "Webster, NO!!" which he ignored. I tried throwing the leash on him to get his attention which sometiems works when he is being "deaf" (the leash is soft, it doesn't hurt! :wink:) but he was too far away. So I started running after them, calling Web's name. Finally I heard Web bark, the cat had gotten up to a balcony and he was below. I went over to him, scolding, then grabbed his skin (quite roughly, I'm affraid :() and told him "bad dog", and leashed him and briskly walked home ignoring him. When we got home I didn't pay any attention to him either, I was too shook up. I'm still trembling, but Webby did come up to me and butted my arm with his nose so I have forgiven him. At this time a day there is no traffic whatsoever on the roads here so I wasn't scared that he'd be hit, or anything like that. But what if it had been later in the day? I guess from now on I'd better check for cats before I let him go. :( I know its my fault, but I still can't help but be irked at both the cat and its owner. There are so many cats here who are outdoor cats, even though there ARE roads that sometimes cars and buses go by on. An outdoor cat here could get hurt, and no one picks up after outdoor cats so there is cat dirt all over in the sandboxes and gravel. And the cat, it should have had the sense to stand its ground and fight instead of fleeing. Idiot cat. :x (just had to get that out. I know very well that it was my fault and I'm not trying to blame the cat or its owner) I don't think I reacted very well, if this were to happen again what do I do?

Next time I will make SURE to bring my camera, I promise! :wink: It is definatly great experience, and Web is noticably better around other dogs after a day of being around them, but next time I think we ought to try with another smaller show. Less confusing then! :) I've taken a look in SKK's magazine and there are about 9 shows in the next to months that I can choose from. :D And maybe next year we can start going to obedience and agility trials too, now THAT will be FUN!!! :D Yes, isn't it amazing that he's a year old allready? It seems like just a few weeks ago that he came home... :o

The two beagles I've known have seemed alot like "country dogs", I think they would not be happy being cooped up inside all day. And like the others say, they do make nosie! :lol: The location of the appartment is important, I don't consider an apartment in the city to be the same as an appartment close to the country. For example, I live in an appartment, but its right across the street from a woods, stream and fields where I can let my dog run free every day. If I lived in the city, whithout access to those places for him to run, I probably wouldn't have a flatcoated retriever since they need lots of excersize. In some cases I think living in an appartment near the countryside can be better than living in a house with a yard in the middle of a big city. :) In addition to physical excersize, there is the thinking part. How much time are you going to be spending on training and stuff to get the dog's mind tired? Maybe if the dog would get alot of both physical and mental stimulation it would be able to be live in an apartment without much trouble...? :-? A border terrier used to live across the hall from me, she was a wonderful dog who didn't bark much except for when she was a puppy and her people left. I've met a few other border terriers too, all of which have been nice dogs that weren't yappy or overly sensitive. Maybe thats a breed to consider? :)

Hope your stomach feels better soon. :) And you must admit that it is cute too! :wink: :lol: Webby does that sometimes, he leaps on me to wake me up then springs off does some zooms around the house before taking another jump. :lol: And when he decides to step on me, ugh. :P He has absaloutly no respect for people's bodies! :lol:

Today went to his second show, but unlike the last one with 29 dogs in total this show had over 1000! :o Needless to say it was quite different. There were several rings, the flatcoated retrievers were judged in ring 11. Before they are let into the show area, all dogs have to have a vet check them out and they need to have had some vaccination. Webby turned 1 year old about a week ago and dogs over a year of age have to have a new vaccination. So yesterday I took the poor dog to the vet for his shot, which he didnt even flinch at. But he didnt llike the smell of the vets place. :( And today the vet didnt even ask to see the papers, so yesterdays excitment felt a bit uneccissary, although I am glad its done so I dont need to think about it again for 2 years. :) We were pretty early so we got a good seat right by the ring, and Webby had a chance to get used to the surroundings and figure out that it wasn't going to be a big party were all the dogs could run around joyfully playing and leaping in the lake. :roll: At 9AM the judging began. The puppies went first. As they were beign judged we started talking to the person who has Webby's father (the most gorgous dog ever :loveu:) and I didn't notice that it was time for Web's class to begin. :-? So I went in feeling flustered, and then Webby decided that he wasn't interested in the hotdogs I had brought and promptly sat down. So I don't think we made a very good first impression. :oops: After the dogs had run around the ring once it was time for the induvidial evaluations, so Web and I had a few minutes to compose ourselves (or more like I did, while he sat and panted looking slightly devilish! :wink:) Then Web's moment arrived... He started off with jumping up at the judge, who laughed. :D He licked her face and was very sweet, she thought so too. But he didnt want to stand. :roll: After that we were supposed to run back and forth, then around. Back and forth went ok except Web did a few bounces. Then I started going the wrong way in the circle so Web was blocked. After I was halfway around I realized that (with some help from Web's Dad's person :oops:) and turned around and went the right way. Then when he was going to stand in front of the judge's table while she wrote the critique I stood to close, the ring secretary pointed that out so I moved. And the little brat refused to wag his tail. He stood perfectly, but that durn tail did not move! :lol: We ended up getting a 2. So he didnt get to compete against the others who got 1s. But I am proud of my boy, he did well considering my mistakes! :D His dad's person seemed pleased with him too, and pleased that he was entered in the show, and that makes me happy. :) After that he got to take a dip in the lake. He enjoyed that immensly! Then we went to McDonalds, he behaved perfectly. At the show he was pretty good too after he realized he couldnt play with the others but he did pull some... :( I really need to work on that! Anyway at McDonalds he didnt pull at all and lay down nicely until the food came then he sat with his nose politely resting on the table. I reached down to give him a french fry but he thought I was planing on giving him my quarter pounder and delightedly grasped it with his mouth. I said "hey!" indignatnly and he let go right away though! Smart dog! :D On teh way home we stopped at an old burrial mound and he was pretty good there too, he pulled some but then stopped, I let him drag the leash around some and he came wehen called and all. There was a stream nearby and he almost pulled me in, but I guess he deserved another soothing dip. Now at home he is spralled out snoozing. My silly puppy!:iloveyou: Oh yeah, I forgot my camera so unfortunatly no pics. :wink:

I had several breeds that I was considering, I guess it was part by chance that the flattie became the one. I'd known a flattie when I was really young who was a wondrous dog, so thats what initially made me think of them. And I wanted a breed that was biggish, playful, silly, relatively quiet, trainable, intelligent, good with small animals, and hardy. Flatcoated Retrievers are all of those things. I dont regrett my choice of breed, although I do feel that flatties aren't really "my" breed. A flattie (and especially Web!) was the perfect choice for me now.

What an awful, hard situation. I'm so sorry. :(

:lol: :lol: Cute pictures everyone! :D

[quote name='Lilwiljill']My dog is 2 years old he was bought from wizard of claws he is very sociable and friendly. Not to mention he is 2 pounds.. I dont think wizard of claws is a bad site i thing its a great site that sells great dogs!! :lol:[/quote] I hope that laugh at the end implies that you're joking... :o

In one of the classes Webby and I went to there was a rottie. He was such a darling :) He didn't seem to be aware of his own strenght though- once he leaned against his person affectionatly and she fell over! :lol: There's a pictures of him here: [url]http://www.hundkurs.se/galleri.htm#lydn_u[/url] Zoey looks very sweet :D.

Could someone tell me what they are saying? :x My speakers don't work. :(

[quote name='courtnek'] the theme song is a country tune. dont know the real name :oops: :oops: but it talks about "Rosemary's granddaugther"... [/quote] The song's name is "Who I Am" sung by Jessica Andrews. :) It must be nice to have dogs that appreciate your singing. Webby has on occasion left the room when I sing. :oops: :lol: And he never sings along, he is a very quiet dog. Most of the time thats nice, but it would be fun to teach him to "speak" or if he'd sing... :)

Congratulations! :) She looks very sweet! :D

great pictures! :D

Since Webby is a retriever I think he grabs toys because he is never quite as proud as when he has something in his mouth. When people come home he grabs something and then "weaves" around looking pround and thrilled. Then he wants to collaps in your lap. :)

Peeves: walking and stepping on me, ALWAYS having to lick my face, klanking his foodbowl, grabbing arms to carry, being excited in the mornings. Funny: does summersaults (sp?), sticks his nose in peoples butts/crotches (not encouraged of course but it is funny when guests jump suprisedly or try to pretend nothing is happening while discretly nudging his nose away :lol:), has a food obsession and will eat anything.

I read something today about this that makes sense. I read it in swedish so I can't give a direct quote (well actually I can but I doubt most of you could understand it :wink:) but the general idea of it was that showing isn't just to find dogs sutible for future breeding, but also to evaluate the breeding done to get that dog. Or something like that. Sorry I can't explain better :oops:. And if that is so then it really shouldn't matter if the dog is spayed/neutered.

Web has done many cute things today, ranging from "bad" cute to nice cute. He found a dead, half decomposed bird today I do admit that he did look cute running around proudly with two feet sticking out of his mouth... :o Otherwise he has gotten away with getting out of a stay because he did a somersault (sp?) which of course was adorable, and he looks cute when he comes up with a toy begging to play, and doing most other things.. :roll:

Hey...! :x Thats mean! :lol:

I can't believe I didn't see this thread sooner! :o This is my flattie, Web: [img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A9676323232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2329%3D444%3D637%3DXROQDF%3E232353385734%3Aot1lsi[/img] And showing that he really is a water-loving retreiver :wink: [img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A9676323232%7Ffp45%3Dot%3E2329%3D444%3D637%3DXROQDF%3E23235528%3B52%3B3ot1lsi[/img] Is being licky something most flats are? All of the ones I've met have ben. :) Webby licks the guinea pigs when he meets them, they don't seem to mind that much but do look a little suspicious. :lol: After Tizzy bit Web's nose once he has gained some respect for that end of Tiz and now just licks Tiz's rear end. :roll:

:lol: Web used to be quite gassy but thankfully has gotten less so when he's gotten older. :wink:

or whoever you got your dog/dogs from? :) I don't have that much contact with Webby's breeder, but fairly much I guess. We went to a puppy-meet in January and met her at a show last month. But if I have any questions I can email her and get a good answer, often pretty soon after I email her. :)

I hate it when little dogs get away with acting like spoiled brats :evil: A couple years ago in a pet shop almost got bitten by a little evil, dumb dustmop thing of a dog. The pet store's owners have two pekingeses (sp?) and I crouched down and extended my hand a little towards one of them who then started barking/growling insanely and rushing towards me. I ended up knocking into some other people and I have no idea what the dog did, cause then I was totally shocked when the woman proceded to give me a lecture about "you should't pet a dog without asking permission first". Sure, thats very true. BUT I never did pet the dog, or in any way threten it- it was several feet away from me when I bent down. And also, in a pet store I'd expect the dogs in it not to be agressive, since so many people (including very young kids) pass through it. :x That same dog has also attached itself to my leg (I pushed it off) and last time I was in that store if followed me around sniffing at my shoes the whole time. :roll: There's a little dog who lives close by that Web's gotten to great a few times. Its pretty nice, I think. Once it bit/nipped Webby's nose though, but that I can understand seeing as Web can get very exhuberant and wild when he meets other dogs. But that dog was simply telling Web to quit it, and is otherwise perfectly civil and friendly. :wink:

Webby: [img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A9344%3B23232%7Ffp46%3Dot%3E2329%3D444%3D637%3DXROQDF%3E232354%3A52%3A53%3Bot1lsi[/img] The pigs: [url]http://www.geocities.com/tizzytubby[/url] Pep:[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A9348723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2329%3D444%3D637%3DXROQDF%3E2323493726%3B%3B8ot1lsi[/img] Boot and Dulles:[img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A9348723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2329%3D444%3D637%3DXROQDF%3E232348%3B39%3A%3B45ot1lsi[/img] AJ: [img]http://images.snapfish.com/33%3A9348723232%7Ffp54%3Dot%3E2329%3D444%3D637%3DXROQDF%3E23234%3A888%3C846ot1lsi[/img] [quote name='Mutt_Lady'] Nea..Flatties are sooo awesome in my books! I have yet to meet one in person. But my sister, who lives in China (before that Sweden and soon she will be living in Ireland) has one and sends me pix weekly now. They also have a Airedale Terrier. Their names are Munchie & Gordie. I would love to pick your brain about your flattie in order to help my sister. Do ya mind?! Webster is a great name, btw. :) [/quote] Flatties ARE awesome! :D :lol: Where did your sister get her flattie? Do you have any pictures you could show? :wink: