Papillon Kisses

Thanks Snook, and how awesome is it that you can expand your walking times! Malcolm's coming completely off Trazodone. Each time we've reduced the dose he's improved, so it looks like it isn't for him. Not sure what's to follow at this stage but I think it might be Clomicalm pending clearance from his Addison's Disease specialist.

My Daughter just moved to a townhouse with a small yard and owners were happy to Allow her Greyhound.. That is awesome! Unfortunately many schemes will flatout refuse larger dogs, not taking into account the individual breed and their general traits, the temperament and age of the dog in question, and most importantly responsible ownership. Meanwhile there are little dogs who would rather not be locked up in units for many hours without mental and physical stimulation. It's a one size does not fit all approach.

Housing is being downsized and there are more strata properties. The strata schemes which allow dogs tend to restrict size at up to 10kgs, because dogs under 10kg don't bark and have low energy requirements, while anything larger would automatically be a nuisance. Eye roll, eye roll, severe sarcasm, etc etc.

Do you think she may have been stressed by the property damage too? I have a tendency to blame myself when Malcolm worsens but there's usually more to the story. Please don't let a bad day/days get in the way of seeing how much progress you've both made. Remember this? That's your girl only five days ago .

Thank you, TSD. I appreciate your feedback and support. Malcolm has since had two better days in a row, and better days mean the protocol is more manageable too. I also took him back a number of tasks, but I don't think that was the trigger as on his bad days he can't even sit for more than a couple of seconds without shaking and having an intense, wired looked about him. Perhaps the med adjustment is kicking in. I'll try to work out how to record us both. I've recorded some trick training and CC/DS by hand which was insightful, but you miss out on a chunk of data when the camera's only pointed at the dog.

FYI that article is behind a paywall.

I'd reduce Scottie's energy intake now, as if you do nothing he may continue on the same weight trajectory. Any increased exercise when the weather fines up will help him reach and maintain his healthier weight in conjunction with the new eating plan. When Malcolm first went on Prozac he gained weight due to not jumping up and running around barking at every little thing; being constantly wound up burns a lot of energy. Perhaps Scottie is generally moving around less to his blindness, CCD and/or treatment — I seem to recall that pre-Vivotonin he was barking and pacing a lot at night? That would have an impact on his weight. I'm still trying to get a handle on Malcolm's new energy needs; he keeps gaining and losing the same 200-400g. I'm sure we'll get there eventually. Edited to add that sweet potato is starchier than pumpkin, so you could also exchange that.

It's so much fun.

I'm really struggling with the protocol of late. Malcolm seemed to be going from strength to strength and we completed Task 6, but since then he's been brilliant one day and falling apart the next. We're currently adjusting his meds so hopefully that will help. I feel like I'm somehow screwing it up though, and impeding his recovery in the process.

Pleased to hear it Taliecat. I hope you soon feel better, too. -- Malcolm's Nosework class went well last night. My goodness does he get excited. He was scratching at the car door to get out, when usually he'd be fixating on his reflection in the car windows and launching into a tirade. I think practicing being in the car at night around such an exciting activity may be helping him, in addition to his medication and everything else. He gives the odd anxious look and starts seeking out his reflection if I'm too slow putting on his calming cap, but he's able to be redirected instead of getting stuck. The other two dogs had big metal buckets in their field, and we modified it for Malcolm by having a little tin with a black lid that did not reflect too much light. He found the food on it straight away and zoomed on by. :) He is funny to watch. He makes these little snorting sounds when he's close to finding the source. :laugh:

Sonya Bevan is another behavioural trainer who doesn't run classes but can make recommendations. :) http://www.dogcharming.com.au

How are things going Stitch?

Bless. :) Do you have a name picked out yet?

Oh Swain she is gorgeous.

One might say they're not just welcome, but mandatory. :D

Here's some excerpts from a beginner's class: I set up some boxes in our living room tonight (thanks Bunnings!) and I was amazed at just how much more difficult it was for Malcolm to complete a search with the gas heater on. I wasn't sure whether it would be easier or harder, it was definitely a lot harder!

We kept our papillon's bed as a backup when Malcolm came along, but the backup quickly became the bed of choice! Or at least the choice when sharing mine wasn't on offer. :laugh: I felt a little weird at first? Perhaps a touch of sadness. But I moved on quickly when it came to the bed. It wasn't a treasured keepsake by any means and to be honest, Malcolm responding negatively did not occur to me. It is sweet that you thought of that for your puppy. To be honest what terrified me the most was the idea of Malcolm desecrating our old boy's grave, however he has never even walked over it. I am sorry for your losses.

Oh that's an awesome update Thistle! And thanks for sharing the BAT stuff too. Is it just me or does it get a bit confusing when you get into the finer details? Anyway, I'm always a sucker for Lili Chin's graphics. :) Thanks Snook. I'm very proud of him. I'm going to email the instructor, as she gave out her details. They are good with modifying things for anxious dogs, I just need to help them better understand and speak up if I don't think something will be ok.

Oh look

Love the head snap. :D

Not my dog guys!! My parents' puppy. I have no problem remembering when to give MY dog his plethora of pills and potions, I just have recurring calendar events on my phone with alarms. Anyway, my parents have decided to go with the tablets/chews instead of the injection, but Dad is going to set reminders in his outlook calendar and ensure it gets done. If Mum were in charge she'd probably hit snooze/stop and forget about it as she's a goose that way. I like the sound of that app though, angry red reminders may do the trick. :D

Hmmm, no I think I understand, they don't have a Noseworks class and you're just waiting until you can do tracking with the teacher you want? I only know of one place that regularly runs Noseworks classes in Vic, Helping Hounds in the Mornington Penninsula. The Spotted Devil might know more. It looks like Scent Dogs Australia run workshops in Melbourne. Once you have the basics you can play Nosework in your house or anywhere you go.

Haha, thanks for the clarification. I was going to say that I have a lot of difficulty telling apart very young puppies of different breeds. He's a cutie. I love a good butterfly mask. :D

Perhaps they have some sort of generic scent detection class that is neither noseworks or tracking, because imposing eligibility criteria and banning dogs is not Noseworks at all. One of the main premises (?) of Nosework is that it is open to ALL dogs whether young, old, reactive, mobility impaired, psychologically impaired, etc. For a lot of reactive dogs, mine included, it's the only regular dog training class they can do — and these are the dogs who stand to benefit the most from doing Nosework. It makes me sad that dogs who would benefit from Noseworks are being needlessly prohibited from it.

He is 13 weeks. The vet said something about giving him a shot now and then a booster at 6 months... something about puppies outgrowing the vaccine. I just have several calendar reminders in my phone for Mal's heart and intestinal worming. What is the name of the app you use?