When I came home at lunch time Rodders was asleep and didn't make a sound until I was almost at his crate. He started squeaking as soon as he knew I was there and I let him out for a quick fuss before letting him out in to the garden. He stood on the patio looking back at me as if to say I'm not sure if you are going to abandon me so I went out with him. He had a quick piddle and was then happy to follow me back in.
I asked if he was a hungry boy and he barked before running towards the kitchen. He sat watching me as I weighed out his lunch and put it in the bowls and he sat until I had put it down for him. While he was eating I made a cuppa and filled his water bowls. He didn't eat all his kibble this time.
Once he had eaten he was happy to play so I got his ball thrower and we went back in to the garden. He loves chasing the ball but doesn't really get the hang of bringing it back. Although the weather was now dry and bright it was freezing so I left him out there happily playing with the ball for a little while.
Once he had got bored with playing with the ball I nipped out and got it and he came back in with me. All too soon is was time for me to go back to work. As his tummy seems to be OK I gave him some of his left over kibble as a treat as I popped him back in his crate.
As part of my job I have to go to the local bank which is about a 5 minute walk away. I looked at my watch at 3pm and thought shall I go now? I should have done as less than 20 minutes later it had gone pitch black outside and it was throwing out down with rain. Luckily it was only a short, sharp shower and by 4pm it had brightened up again so I dashed out then. The temperature had dropped and it was a bit breezy but I got some fresh air and it helps to break up the afternoon.
I left work at 5pm and was home by five past. Rodders seemed to be asleep again! I do hope he has been OK and hasn't barked the house down. He was happy to come out the crate and have a fuss and also went in to the garden on his own for a piddle.
He has been so funny this evening. He has been in and out of the garden playing with the stones and running between the grass, leaping over the edge of the patio, dashing under the table, around a leg and back again. He has also managed to get the duck to quack and had a great time growling at it and he has been playing with his ball and frizzbee.
I also found time to pop him on the grooming table and come him through. He escaped from the noose that is supposed to help keep him still but it wasn't a problem as he still stood there (most of the time) and let me carry on. He even let me sort out his gunky eyes without complaint. When he did try to sit down I put my arm under his back legs and held him up. The only bit he doesn't seem keen on is when I try to get him to stand on his back legs so that I can do his tummy.
OH is on his way and dinner is already underway, good job as I am starving!
Showing posts with label grooming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label grooming. Show all posts
Tuesday, 3 January 2012
Friday, 30 December 2011
A bit of play, a bit of rest and a comb through
Rodders has been in and out of the garden playing for most of the afternoon. As it has been raining a fair bit this has also meant that he has had to be towelled off each time. Luckily he doesn't seem to mind.
He has also played quietly with his nylabone lying on the mat by the back door or he has laid on the snuggle fleece by the front radiator. He has also chased up and down after his ball, played with his yoghurt pot and beaten up his teddy so it hasn't all been quiet play.
He did come up on the sofa once I had put the new fleece blanket on it and he seems to approve as he was fast asleep for a while. When he woke up he wanted his tea and then went out in to the garden for a little while.
Once he was back in and dried off I popped him on the grooming table and combed him through and sorted out his gunky eye. He is such a fantastic puppy, he doesn't complain at all when I mess about with him like that. I really am so lucky!
It is obviously hard work being groomed as after a short play he is actually snoring on his bed pad at my feet!
He has also played quietly with his nylabone lying on the mat by the back door or he has laid on the snuggle fleece by the front radiator. He has also chased up and down after his ball, played with his yoghurt pot and beaten up his teddy so it hasn't all been quiet play.
He did come up on the sofa once I had put the new fleece blanket on it and he seems to approve as he was fast asleep for a while. When he woke up he wanted his tea and then went out in to the garden for a little while.
Once he was back in and dried off I popped him on the grooming table and combed him through and sorted out his gunky eye. He is such a fantastic puppy, he doesn't complain at all when I mess about with him like that. I really am so lucky!
It is obviously hard work being groomed as after a short play he is actually snoring on his bed pad at my feet!
Friday, 23 December 2011
A Christmas Evening with OH
On the way home from work I stopped at the little Tesco so that I could make OH one of his favourite dinners so I was a little later home than normal. OH rang as I pulled up outside the house so we had a very quick chat before I came in to see how my beautiful boy was.
Rodders was very pleased to see me, and barking as I came in the door, but desperate to go out for a piddle. He then came back in for a fuss, a play and his tea.
OH called again, he is having a great journey home so far so I started chopping things for dinner. Usually when I am chopping Rodders gets a carrot top or something but as he is on his special diet I couldn't do this. He just sat beside me barking and no amount of being told no was cutting it.
He was so busy barking he didn't even hear OH arriving home until he was actually in the back door! They had a snuggle and then went upstairs for OH to get changed. Good job as I had just had a calgon tablet crumble all over the kitchen floor and I needed to clear up before Rodders was allowed back in there!
When they came down they both went straight out in to the garden and I couldn't see what they were doing but they were up to something!
Once they were back in today's dinner of Fajita's was out on the table, OH already knew what he was getting as I had forgotten the wraps and had to send him to Tesco for them on his way home so the surprise was spoilt.
Once we had dinner we swapped Christmas cards. I got a special one from Rodders to a No1 Mum, signed with a muddy paw print, and a lovely one from OH. He always finds cards with lovely words and always manages to bring a tear to my eye, this year was no exception.
As we don't spend Christmas together we always swap presents before Christmas and tonight was the night. I was a very spoilt girl as I got Red Hunter Wellies, a grooming table for Rodders and I to use and a cool pad for my bed. Rodders also bought me a yummy box of chocolates :-) All things that I need and I am one happy girl, well maybe chocolates aren't needed but they were very much appreciated! Rodders wasn't left out and he opened a new fleece and some special dog bubbles which he and OH played with straight away, Rodders seemed to like them! He also has some more presents to open on Christmas day.
Once all the presents had been unwrapped OH set up the grooming table in the passage for me while I sorted out the wrapping paper and cleared up the rubbish.
Rodders then got put up on the grooming table so that could comb him through before giving him his first bath at home as we want him clean and lovely for Santa. I also trimmed his bottom to make him a bit more hygienic. It is important that he has all tangles removed before he is wet as this makes them impossible to remove.
OH and I took him up to the bathroom and I made sure that we had everything we needed to hand before getting the temperature right on the shower head. OH tried to take off Rodders choke chain but it would appear it is now too small to come over his head so we had a bit of a panic, worst case scenario we would have to ask the vets to cut it off in the morning.
We put Rodders in the bath and I soaked all his body before shampooing him and rinsing him off. I then moved on to his head and he really didn't like this bit and was trying to escape from the bath. OH was doing a sterling job of keeping him in there and calm. He also managed to get the choke chain off, yippee!
Once all the soap was out OH picked Rodders up in a towel and brought him downstairs to dry him off a bit whilst playing. I followed them down with the hair drier and Rodders got put back on the grooming table to get him dry and make sure he looks smart. He wasn't so sure about this bit and OH had to keep hold of him while I dried. We then swapped over and OH was using the slicker to fluff up Rodders legs as we dried. He really does dry quite quickly. The last bit was to try and cut the hair between his pads. I managed to get his front feet done but he was a bit fed up by the time I got to his back feet so we gave up for the night, it is not worth upsetting him if we don't have to and they can wait for another day.
We found Rodders puppy collar and OH extended it so I can use that until I get to training school to buy a bigger chile chain.
After a busy evening it was time to sit down, relax and watch a bit of TV before bed. Rodders came up on the sofa with me until I got too warm and moved him to the bed pad.
Rodders was very pleased to see me, and barking as I came in the door, but desperate to go out for a piddle. He then came back in for a fuss, a play and his tea.
OH called again, he is having a great journey home so far so I started chopping things for dinner. Usually when I am chopping Rodders gets a carrot top or something but as he is on his special diet I couldn't do this. He just sat beside me barking and no amount of being told no was cutting it.
He was so busy barking he didn't even hear OH arriving home until he was actually in the back door! They had a snuggle and then went upstairs for OH to get changed. Good job as I had just had a calgon tablet crumble all over the kitchen floor and I needed to clear up before Rodders was allowed back in there!
When they came down they both went straight out in to the garden and I couldn't see what they were doing but they were up to something!
Once they were back in today's dinner of Fajita's was out on the table, OH already knew what he was getting as I had forgotten the wraps and had to send him to Tesco for them on his way home so the surprise was spoilt.
Once we had dinner we swapped Christmas cards. I got a special one from Rodders to a No1 Mum, signed with a muddy paw print, and a lovely one from OH. He always finds cards with lovely words and always manages to bring a tear to my eye, this year was no exception.
As we don't spend Christmas together we always swap presents before Christmas and tonight was the night. I was a very spoilt girl as I got Red Hunter Wellies, a grooming table for Rodders and I to use and a cool pad for my bed. Rodders also bought me a yummy box of chocolates :-) All things that I need and I am one happy girl, well maybe chocolates aren't needed but they were very much appreciated! Rodders wasn't left out and he opened a new fleece and some special dog bubbles which he and OH played with straight away, Rodders seemed to like them! He also has some more presents to open on Christmas day.
Once all the presents had been unwrapped OH set up the grooming table in the passage for me while I sorted out the wrapping paper and cleared up the rubbish.
Rodders then got put up on the grooming table so that could comb him through before giving him his first bath at home as we want him clean and lovely for Santa. I also trimmed his bottom to make him a bit more hygienic. It is important that he has all tangles removed before he is wet as this makes them impossible to remove.
OH and I took him up to the bathroom and I made sure that we had everything we needed to hand before getting the temperature right on the shower head. OH tried to take off Rodders choke chain but it would appear it is now too small to come over his head so we had a bit of a panic, worst case scenario we would have to ask the vets to cut it off in the morning.
We put Rodders in the bath and I soaked all his body before shampooing him and rinsing him off. I then moved on to his head and he really didn't like this bit and was trying to escape from the bath. OH was doing a sterling job of keeping him in there and calm. He also managed to get the choke chain off, yippee!
Once all the soap was out OH picked Rodders up in a towel and brought him downstairs to dry him off a bit whilst playing. I followed them down with the hair drier and Rodders got put back on the grooming table to get him dry and make sure he looks smart. He wasn't so sure about this bit and OH had to keep hold of him while I dried. We then swapped over and OH was using the slicker to fluff up Rodders legs as we dried. He really does dry quite quickly. The last bit was to try and cut the hair between his pads. I managed to get his front feet done but he was a bit fed up by the time I got to his back feet so we gave up for the night, it is not worth upsetting him if we don't have to and they can wait for another day.
We found Rodders puppy collar and OH extended it so I can use that until I get to training school to buy a bigger chile chain.
After a busy evening it was time to sit down, relax and watch a bit of TV before bed. Rodders came up on the sofa with me until I got too warm and moved him to the bed pad.
Sunday, 18 December 2011
Another good night! But he has found the Christmas Tree
At 11.30pm it was time for bed. When I told Rodders he got up from the bed pad by the sofa and moved in to his crate. No way was he going to go out in to the garden. I locked up, switched out the lights, gave him his treats and said goodnight.
Not a peep out of him, even when I needed to use the bathroom at 2am but I did try to be very quiet. I woke up at 6.45am and came downstairs. Rodders was very pleased to see me and was happy to come out of his crate for a fuss and soon wanted out in to the garden for a piddle and a poop.
Once back in he wanted to come up on the sofa with me and slept for another two hours. When he woke up he wanted to play with his toys and then I spotted that he has managed to get a decoration off the tree. It got taken away from him with a firm no and out back. He tried to get it again and was told no.
I let him play while I got his breakfast and next few meals ready and he came in to the kitchen with me after a little while to see what I was doing, chopping up chicken. He was squeaking so I threw some kibble down for him, just a small handful. I put his breakfast down and he has eaten a little chicken and rice.
We then got the comb out and groomed him. He hasn't been done for a few days and is a little knotty so we didn't do all of him in one go, we will go back to it later. He got a treat for being a good boy and has now gone back to playing. He was spotted trying to get at the Christmas Tree but came away when asked.
Not a peep out of him, even when I needed to use the bathroom at 2am but I did try to be very quiet. I woke up at 6.45am and came downstairs. Rodders was very pleased to see me and was happy to come out of his crate for a fuss and soon wanted out in to the garden for a piddle and a poop.
Once back in he wanted to come up on the sofa with me and slept for another two hours. When he woke up he wanted to play with his toys and then I spotted that he has managed to get a decoration off the tree. It got taken away from him with a firm no and out back. He tried to get it again and was told no.
I let him play while I got his breakfast and next few meals ready and he came in to the kitchen with me after a little while to see what I was doing, chopping up chicken. He was squeaking so I threw some kibble down for him, just a small handful. I put his breakfast down and he has eaten a little chicken and rice.
We then got the comb out and groomed him. He hasn't been done for a few days and is a little knotty so we didn't do all of him in one go, we will go back to it later. He got a treat for being a good boy and has now gone back to playing. He was spotted trying to get at the Christmas Tree but came away when asked.
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Monday night/Tuesday morning
Rodders was so dopey late evening that I managed to comb him and sort out his gunky eyes with very little trouble. He looked so smart by the time I had finished.
We had a bit of a problem with the timers on the Christmas lights as they hadn't gone off by the time we thought they should have but OH sorted them for me. I do love having a man about the house, especially this one!
By the time we got to bed time last night the wind had got up and it was throwing it down with rain so I needed shoes and a coat to take Rodders out. He was very good and walked out by himself, piddled quickly and we came back in.
I locked up, switched out lights and got his treats ready. OH and I said goodnight to him as he climbed in to the crate. He did have a bit of a whinge as we were moving about upstairs but settled fairly quickly.
OH and I were talking in bed. He thinks that I sometimes expect too much of Rodders and need to remember that he is a 4 month old puppy. That's me told then!
He heard OH's alarm go off this morning and was making a bit of noise as if to say "come on, don't forget I am here".
We had a bit of a problem with the timers on the Christmas lights as they hadn't gone off by the time we thought they should have but OH sorted them for me. I do love having a man about the house, especially this one!
By the time we got to bed time last night the wind had got up and it was throwing it down with rain so I needed shoes and a coat to take Rodders out. He was very good and walked out by himself, piddled quickly and we came back in.
I locked up, switched out lights and got his treats ready. OH and I said goodnight to him as he climbed in to the crate. He did have a bit of a whinge as we were moving about upstairs but settled fairly quickly.
OH and I were talking in bed. He thinks that I sometimes expect too much of Rodders and need to remember that he is a 4 month old puppy. That's me told then!
He heard OH's alarm go off this morning and was making a bit of noise as if to say "come on, don't forget I am here".
Friday, 9 December 2011
We have had a nice afternoon
After his fairly long snooze Rodders woke up and wanted to play. I was just about to take him for a walk to use up some of the surplus energy but it was chucking it down with rain so we stayed home.
We played fetch with his ball and hide and seek with his crisp packet for a while and I used this as a training exercise to get him to stop playing and to sit and wait before we started again. I then combed him through without too much messing about so Rodders got a treat for this.
We then had a snuggle on the sofa before he went off to play with his yoghurt pots. He heard Bob and Pat next door going out so wanted to go in to the garden and bark. When he wouldn't stop barking I made him come back in.
I spotted that he had a gunky eye so we had a bit of a battle while I sorted that out. I think he is learning that if I want to do something like his eyes or coat it is easier not to fight me too much because I am going to do it anyway.
He has been back out in to the garden a couple of times and the wind is getting up so he has been standing with his head in to it so his ears go flying out behind him, he looks so funny!
About 5pm he went in to the kitchen and barked and barked so I asked if he was hungry and he started prancing about so I let him have his supper. He has eaten about two thirds of his kibble so I may put it back down again later of he asks for it.
When I was in the kitchen peeling potatoes for my dinner he obviously thought it was carrots and just stood and barked at me. I was telling OH about this and he told me I was being mean and should let him have a carrot. So nice Mummy I am I went and got him the last carrot top and he ran off to the conservatory munching it.
As I sat down to eat my dinner Rodders settled on his snuggle fleece and fell asleep. He has now moved through to his bed pad by the sofa but he won't be there too long as OH is calling in on his way past.
After another play with me and his ball he decided to play with the curtains but did stop when asked.
We played fetch with his ball and hide and seek with his crisp packet for a while and I used this as a training exercise to get him to stop playing and to sit and wait before we started again. I then combed him through without too much messing about so Rodders got a treat for this.
We then had a snuggle on the sofa before he went off to play with his yoghurt pots. He heard Bob and Pat next door going out so wanted to go in to the garden and bark. When he wouldn't stop barking I made him come back in.
I spotted that he had a gunky eye so we had a bit of a battle while I sorted that out. I think he is learning that if I want to do something like his eyes or coat it is easier not to fight me too much because I am going to do it anyway.
He has been back out in to the garden a couple of times and the wind is getting up so he has been standing with his head in to it so his ears go flying out behind him, he looks so funny!
About 5pm he went in to the kitchen and barked and barked so I asked if he was hungry and he started prancing about so I let him have his supper. He has eaten about two thirds of his kibble so I may put it back down again later of he asks for it.
When I was in the kitchen peeling potatoes for my dinner he obviously thought it was carrots and just stood and barked at me. I was telling OH about this and he told me I was being mean and should let him have a carrot. So nice Mummy I am I went and got him the last carrot top and he ran off to the conservatory munching it.
As I sat down to eat my dinner Rodders settled on his snuggle fleece and fell asleep. He has now moved through to his bed pad by the sofa but he won't be there too long as OH is calling in on his way past.
After another play with me and his ball he decided to play with the curtains but did stop when asked.
Thursday, 8 December 2011
A lazy afternoon
Once we were back home Rodders was happy to snooze on his bed pad and sit on my knee but wasn't very active until about 4pm when he started playing and wanted to go in and out of the garden several times.
While he was being fairly quiet I gave him a chew. These take him about half an hour to get through and he only gets about one a week, they are supposed to be good for his teeth.
I did manage to get him to sit still on my knee for about half an hour this afternoon and comb him through. He wasn't ever so happy about it but seemed to realise I wasn't going to stop until I was done.
I have put his toys in to his old plastic bed and put the new bed pad in his crate. He can't work out why the toys are in the bed and keeps taking them out one by one, especially if he is around when I put them back!
He has been running about the house with his yoghurt pots and ball and beating up teddy but most of his toys did get played with a little today.
Out in the garden he seems to love sitting or lying facing in to the wind and his ears get blown backwards. He just barks at it! He has also been digging and has been running between the tree and the patio.
OH called to say he was on his way and typically Rodders had just settled on my knee after two hours of activity when he came in through the back door. Rodders stood straight up on my knee with his front feet on the arm of the sofa barking like mad but with his tail wagging. He then changed from barks to whimpers of delight at soon as he realised who it was and wanted to get down. Just before I went to lift him down he decided he could do it himself and jumped from the sofa to the bed pad and then hopped off there and ran to OH. He jumped up to be lifted and was squeaking with pleasure as he gave OH a wash and nibbled his ears and beard.
Once Rodder settled they both went upstairs and Rodders appeared back with one of my slippers. When I took that off him he went back to get the other one! Once OH was changed they both came back down for a snuggle and play in the conservatory before OH helped me finish off dinner.
While he was being fairly quiet I gave him a chew. These take him about half an hour to get through and he only gets about one a week, they are supposed to be good for his teeth.
I did manage to get him to sit still on my knee for about half an hour this afternoon and comb him through. He wasn't ever so happy about it but seemed to realise I wasn't going to stop until I was done.
I have put his toys in to his old plastic bed and put the new bed pad in his crate. He can't work out why the toys are in the bed and keeps taking them out one by one, especially if he is around when I put them back!
He has been running about the house with his yoghurt pots and ball and beating up teddy but most of his toys did get played with a little today.
Out in the garden he seems to love sitting or lying facing in to the wind and his ears get blown backwards. He just barks at it! He has also been digging and has been running between the tree and the patio.
OH called to say he was on his way and typically Rodders had just settled on my knee after two hours of activity when he came in through the back door. Rodders stood straight up on my knee with his front feet on the arm of the sofa barking like mad but with his tail wagging. He then changed from barks to whimpers of delight at soon as he realised who it was and wanted to get down. Just before I went to lift him down he decided he could do it himself and jumped from the sofa to the bed pad and then hopped off there and ran to OH. He jumped up to be lifted and was squeaking with pleasure as he gave OH a wash and nibbled his ears and beard.
Once Rodder settled they both went upstairs and Rodders appeared back with one of my slippers. When I took that off him he went back to get the other one! Once OH was changed they both came back down for a snuggle and play in the conservatory before OH helped me finish off dinner.
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Tuesday morning
Rodders and I spent Tuesday morning mooching about, me having a shower & drying my hair and packing for our next adventure.
Rodders spent a lot of time in the garden but we also found the time to go for a walk round the neighbourhood and rugby field - we gave the Nicky Line a miss as it seems very muddy at the moment.
For once I found the need to have a cooked breakfast, not sure if it is because the weather has turned colder or just because I was hungry!
Rodders ate most of his lunch, amazing what an added bit of chicken can do to the taste of kibble!
I also gave Rodders a good comb through and sorted out his gunky eye and dirty bottom. He wasn't very impressed and was trying to bite me a little so he earnt a telling off.
While I packed the car Rodders stayed by the door of the lounge and only barked once. It doesn't matter if I have been away for two minutes or two hours, I still get an amazing greeting from him.
Rodders spent a lot of time in the garden but we also found the time to go for a walk round the neighbourhood and rugby field - we gave the Nicky Line a miss as it seems very muddy at the moment.
For once I found the need to have a cooked breakfast, not sure if it is because the weather has turned colder or just because I was hungry!
Rodders ate most of his lunch, amazing what an added bit of chicken can do to the taste of kibble!
I also gave Rodders a good comb through and sorted out his gunky eye and dirty bottom. He wasn't very impressed and was trying to bite me a little so he earnt a telling off.
While I packed the car Rodders stayed by the door of the lounge and only barked once. It doesn't matter if I have been away for two minutes or two hours, I still get an amazing greeting from him.
Monday, 5 December 2011
A short nap and lots of play
Rodders started to play as soon as we got back home and soon wanted in to the garden.
I made myself something to eat and was keeping an eye on him. He played with the stones and seems to be fascinated with the drain. At one point I lost sight of him and I was just getting concerned when he came back out from behind the tree.
Once he came back in he was happy to come and have a lie down with me for a short while but soon wanted to be up and playing again.
He has spent most of the afternoon in the garden playing so I joined him a couple of times to poop scoop and to chat with Pat next door to see how Bob is.
OH rang to say that he was on his way home. Yippee an early day, we don't get too many of these and I am sure Rodders will be very happy to see his play mate!
I did manage to comb Rodders through and de-gunk his eyes. He wasn't very impressed and had to be told off a couple of times.
I made myself something to eat and was keeping an eye on him. He played with the stones and seems to be fascinated with the drain. At one point I lost sight of him and I was just getting concerned when he came back out from behind the tree.
Once he came back in he was happy to come and have a lie down with me for a short while but soon wanted to be up and playing again.
He has spent most of the afternoon in the garden playing so I joined him a couple of times to poop scoop and to chat with Pat next door to see how Bob is.
OH rang to say that he was on his way home. Yippee an early day, we don't get too many of these and I am sure Rodders will be very happy to see his play mate!
I did manage to comb Rodders through and de-gunk his eyes. He wasn't very impressed and had to be told off a couple of times.
Thursday, 1 December 2011
The lady that does
When Skevi arrived this evening I was just combing Rodders through and he wasn't happy about it. As she and I chatted he settled down and let me finish him off so no more tangles and no more gunky eyes :-)
Once Skevi started work Rodders was happy to follow her about barking at the mop and swiffer, he is getting so much more confident with her. She talks to him like she talks to her little one but I think she is a little un-nerved by the barking.
As she tidied up his toys to clean the conservatory Rodders was darting around but didn't take them like he does when I tidy them up. He wasn't sure what to make of her moving the furniture either!
While she was upstairs I started to cook dinner and Rodders brought his ball to me so, in amongst chopping and stirring, I was stopping to throw his ball for him.
As OH called I kicked Rodders' ball and in bounced off the wall and straight in to his bowl on top of his kibble, bet I couldn't so that again if I tried! He was very confused by it and didn't even try to lift it out.
I am still working on the freezer but it is taking a while to defrost. I had hoped to get everything back in it before bed, this may be optimistic!
I had a bit of a battle trying to get the worm & flea treatment on Rodders this evening but it is done for another month. I will need to get him weighed at the vets as I think he will need the bigger dosage next month. They are happy to swap it out for free so that is OK.
Once Skevi started work Rodders was happy to follow her about barking at the mop and swiffer, he is getting so much more confident with her. She talks to him like she talks to her little one but I think she is a little un-nerved by the barking.
As she tidied up his toys to clean the conservatory Rodders was darting around but didn't take them like he does when I tidy them up. He wasn't sure what to make of her moving the furniture either!
While she was upstairs I started to cook dinner and Rodders brought his ball to me so, in amongst chopping and stirring, I was stopping to throw his ball for him.
As OH called I kicked Rodders' ball and in bounced off the wall and straight in to his bowl on top of his kibble, bet I couldn't so that again if I tried! He was very confused by it and didn't even try to lift it out.
I am still working on the freezer but it is taking a while to defrost. I had hoped to get everything back in it before bed, this may be optimistic!
I had a bit of a battle trying to get the worm & flea treatment on Rodders this evening but it is done for another month. I will need to get him weighed at the vets as I think he will need the bigger dosage next month. They are happy to swap it out for free so that is OK.
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Ooops, got it very wrong
Rodders was happily snoozing on his new bed pad and I thought it would be a good opportunity to see if I can comb him through while he is dopey. I did try earlier but there were bits I couldn't get to. He was very good and I managed to get to most bits of him without too much trouble.
As he seemed so comfy and happy on his new bed pad I thought we should swap it for his plastic bed and bed pad in the crate so, while I took him out to the garden for a final piddle, OH swapped them over. When we came back in Rodders seemed confused and wouldn't go in to his crate. We both tried to encourage him in but it wasn't working. OH lifted him in and we locked the crate and said goodnight.
As soon as we were upstairs Rodders started to whimper and carried on for ages. OH thinks that we have confused him too much by trying to change his bed at night so he went back downstairs and swapped them back and put Rodders back to bed with some more treats.
About midnight Rodders started to bark and OH got up with him. They went in to the garden and Rodders was still barking, OH was trying to keep him quiet so they didn't wake the neighbours. Once inside Rodders wanted upstairs to me but OH wouldn't let him, he then wanted to play and lick his yoghurt pot. Eventually OH managed to get him to settle down on his chest and got him off to sleep, two hours later he came back to bed after putting Rodders back in his crate.
Rodders heard OH's alarm go off this morning and started to bark so he got up and came downstairs fairly quickly. Rodders was happy to see him but went straight to his bowl, it would appear he is hungry.
OH let him out in to the garden for a piddle and then filled his bowl up with Kibble. When Rodders came in he wolfed down half of it straight away before going back to the garden for a poo. After a bit of a play and a snuggle they came up to wake me.
OH was exhausted and lay back down on the bed while Rodders jumped all over me and then him. He also has a knack of finding tissues, I took two off him before I even got out of bed.
As he seemed so comfy and happy on his new bed pad I thought we should swap it for his plastic bed and bed pad in the crate so, while I took him out to the garden for a final piddle, OH swapped them over. When we came back in Rodders seemed confused and wouldn't go in to his crate. We both tried to encourage him in but it wasn't working. OH lifted him in and we locked the crate and said goodnight.
As soon as we were upstairs Rodders started to whimper and carried on for ages. OH thinks that we have confused him too much by trying to change his bed at night so he went back downstairs and swapped them back and put Rodders back to bed with some more treats.
About midnight Rodders started to bark and OH got up with him. They went in to the garden and Rodders was still barking, OH was trying to keep him quiet so they didn't wake the neighbours. Once inside Rodders wanted upstairs to me but OH wouldn't let him, he then wanted to play and lick his yoghurt pot. Eventually OH managed to get him to settle down on his chest and got him off to sleep, two hours later he came back to bed after putting Rodders back in his crate.
Rodders heard OH's alarm go off this morning and started to bark so he got up and came downstairs fairly quickly. Rodders was happy to see him but went straight to his bowl, it would appear he is hungry.
OH let him out in to the garden for a piddle and then filled his bowl up with Kibble. When Rodders came in he wolfed down half of it straight away before going back to the garden for a poo. After a bit of a play and a snuggle they came up to wake me.
OH was exhausted and lay back down on the bed while Rodders jumped all over me and then him. He also has a knack of finding tissues, I took two off him before I even got out of bed.
Monday, 28 November 2011
First walk of the day
For our first walk of the day we went up to the local shops to use the Post Box.
This isn't very far and is all on pavements so I used it as an opportunity to get Rodders to walk nicely to heel. He was brilliant until we needed to walk past a bus stop with a lady in it when he just sat down and refused to move! We did eventually get past that and we got stopped by another lady asking where we sent him to be groomed, she was amazed when I said I did it myself :-)
Rodders sat and waited before we crossed roads and sat and waited at the door as we went in and out, a successful walk!
This isn't very far and is all on pavements so I used it as an opportunity to get Rodders to walk nicely to heel. He was brilliant until we needed to walk past a bus stop with a lady in it when he just sat down and refused to move! We did eventually get past that and we got stopped by another lady asking where we sent him to be groomed, she was amazed when I said I did it myself :-)
Rodders sat and waited before we crossed roads and sat and waited at the door as we went in and out, a successful walk!
Sunday, 27 November 2011
Muddy puppy
When Rodders came back in from the garden it looked as though he had been making mud pies with his chin and his beard was covered! I have taken a photo and must try to remember to come back and add it later.
The muddy puppy also wanted up for a fuss. While he was in my arms I started to comb through his legs and face but couldn't get under his chin. I put him on the floor on a snuggle fleece and managed to get through the worst of it, he wasn't too happy though as I had to tug a bit in places.
ETA Not a great photo, but you get the idea!
The muddy puppy also wanted up for a fuss. While he was in my arms I started to comb through his legs and face but couldn't get under his chin. I put him on the floor on a snuggle fleece and managed to get through the worst of it, he wasn't too happy though as I had to tug a bit in places.
ETA Not a great photo, but you get the idea!
Shopping
Rodders and I went off to the pet shop at St Albans to see if we could find him a bean bag but they don't sell them. We did come home with a nice squishy bed pad that just fits in his crate though :-) Lets see if he likes it!
While we were there we met several dogs and Rodders was happy to say hello.
First it was a lady and her daughter with a small black and white Lhasa Apso, they were a bit surprised that it was so friendly towards another dog.
Then a family with a year old Westie (Bailey) and a Mini Schnauzer (Harley) that is two weeks older than Rodders and about a third bigger! Apparently he was the biggest puppy in the litter, he is huge compared to Rodders and already taller than the Westie. We talked for a while about our grooming experience as she thought Rodders looked beautiful and wanted to take pictures to show her groomer how she would like Harley to look! She takes them both to a groomer in Bushey apparently.The Westie looked OK, but not a patch on Finnan, so I wonder what she will do to a Schnauzer! The good news here was that Rodders was happy for them and their children to fuss him and did not back off or try to hide behind me.
Rodders then found a loose biscuit on the floor and was desperate to get to it. Once he picked it up he was very proud to walk around with it in his mouth for a while before stopping to eat it up.
The final dog was a Springer Spaniel who was in for a coat fitting. Rodders had a good sniff at him but didn't seem too impressed with the coat!
We paid for our purchase and made our way back to the car to drop it off. We then had a walk about to see what else was in this small shopping area and let Rodders get a bit more used to people.
Then it was back in the car and home via the hole in the wall for some cash. He is very good in the car but he doesn't like me getting out and back in. Think I am going to have to remember this and go to the crate and talk to him before I get in and drive off - he is probably angling for another treat!
While we were there we met several dogs and Rodders was happy to say hello.
First it was a lady and her daughter with a small black and white Lhasa Apso, they were a bit surprised that it was so friendly towards another dog.
Then a family with a year old Westie (Bailey) and a Mini Schnauzer (Harley) that is two weeks older than Rodders and about a third bigger! Apparently he was the biggest puppy in the litter, he is huge compared to Rodders and already taller than the Westie. We talked for a while about our grooming experience as she thought Rodders looked beautiful and wanted to take pictures to show her groomer how she would like Harley to look! She takes them both to a groomer in Bushey apparently.The Westie looked OK, but not a patch on Finnan, so I wonder what she will do to a Schnauzer! The good news here was that Rodders was happy for them and their children to fuss him and did not back off or try to hide behind me.
Rodders then found a loose biscuit on the floor and was desperate to get to it. Once he picked it up he was very proud to walk around with it in his mouth for a while before stopping to eat it up.
The final dog was a Springer Spaniel who was in for a coat fitting. Rodders had a good sniff at him but didn't seem too impressed with the coat!
We paid for our purchase and made our way back to the car to drop it off. We then had a walk about to see what else was in this small shopping area and let Rodders get a bit more used to people.
Then it was back in the car and home via the hole in the wall for some cash. He is very good in the car but he doesn't like me getting out and back in. Think I am going to have to remember this and go to the crate and talk to him before I get in and drive off - he is probably angling for another treat!
Friday, 25 November 2011
Such a good boy!
Rodders was so good today, although OH was here he was busy working on the house but Rodders didn't seem too bothered that he couldn't stop to play. He would go over to him every now and again to say hello and get a quick fuss and would then go off and amuse himself, either in the conservatory or the garden.
While he was quiet and calm I took the opportunity to give Rodders a comb through. He was a little knotty but was very patient and only got bored when I was on the final leg.
Once OH had finished wiring up the lights and cleared everything away he started to clear out the dreaded under stair cupboard. This has needed doing for a long time and he is good at making this particular hoarder agree to throw things away. I now have to do a trip to the tip this weekend. While we were doing this Rodders stayed as close as he could and, at one point, curled up for a nap in the smallest space you can imagine.
Once OH was finished he made time to play with Rodders and give him lots of fuss and took him upstairs with him when he went for a shower. Rodders repaid him by stealing his slippers are bringing them downstairs!
When it was time for OH to go home he needed some help to get everything back in the car. I slipped Rodders lead on and helped to carry his bags out. Once we said goodbye and shut the gate I let Rodders off for a run around in his new, illuminated, garden.
While he was quiet and calm I took the opportunity to give Rodders a comb through. He was a little knotty but was very patient and only got bored when I was on the final leg.
Once OH had finished wiring up the lights and cleared everything away he started to clear out the dreaded under stair cupboard. This has needed doing for a long time and he is good at making this particular hoarder agree to throw things away. I now have to do a trip to the tip this weekend. While we were doing this Rodders stayed as close as he could and, at one point, curled up for a nap in the smallest space you can imagine.
Once OH was finished he made time to play with Rodders and give him lots of fuss and took him upstairs with him when he went for a shower. Rodders repaid him by stealing his slippers are bringing them downstairs!
When it was time for OH to go home he needed some help to get everything back in the car. I slipped Rodders lead on and helped to carry his bags out. Once we said goodbye and shut the gate I let Rodders off for a run around in his new, illuminated, garden.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Cleaning
Skevi, our lady that does, turned up about 4.30pm and Rodders was already awake and was letting me comb him through. He barked as she came in the front door but went running to the back door, wonder if he thought it was OH coming home. He let me carry on and finish combing him but he wasn't happy about the slicker so I did two legs and stopped.
Rodders quite enjoys following Skevi around as she cleans, she is used to a toddler and just treats him the same, talking to him and explaining what she is doing. He does like to chase the mop and swiffer so she shut him out of the kitchen while she mopped and while the floor dried, he just sat at the baby gate and barked anyway. But it was a please let me play bark, totally non aggressive!
He ate most of his supper while she was working upstairs and then asked to go in the garden.
Once Skevi left he wanted up on my knee for a snuggle and snooze. I let him have a short rest as we need to go out in about an hour for puppy party.
Rodders quite enjoys following Skevi around as she cleans, she is used to a toddler and just treats him the same, talking to him and explaining what she is doing. He does like to chase the mop and swiffer so she shut him out of the kitchen while she mopped and while the floor dried, he just sat at the baby gate and barked anyway. But it was a please let me play bark, totally non aggressive!
He ate most of his supper while she was working upstairs and then asked to go in the garden.
Once Skevi left he wanted up on my knee for a snuggle and snooze. I let him have a short rest as we need to go out in about an hour for puppy party.
Monday, 21 November 2011
Both been groomed!
Rodders came up with me while I had a shower. He had only eaten half his breakfast so I put that in his Kong and he only ate half of that while I was showering, washing and conditioning my hair. He was too busy barking at me, licking the water under the shower door and chewing the bathmat!
He did come in the shower when I was finished to lap up some water.
Back downstairs I changed his water in the bowl as it had gone brown - chocolate custard I think! - and he came up on my knee for a snuggle and got transferred to snuggle fleece on the floor once he was asleep.
We then went up so I could blow dry my hair and he settled on the bed very quickly. I was able to amble about sorting out my clothes for the day & get dressed without any bother.
Once we were back downstairs he wanted to curl up on snuggle fleece so I took to opportunity to comb him through and get rid of the eye bogies. He was very good and only had to be checked a couple of times so he earnt a puppy treat.
We have been out in the garden to poop scoop and he played chase with me when that was done. He did bark a bit when I went to the bin at the front door.
He is now playing in the conservatory but I think he knows that I am about to go out and leave him soon.
He did come in the shower when I was finished to lap up some water.
Back downstairs I changed his water in the bowl as it had gone brown - chocolate custard I think! - and he came up on my knee for a snuggle and got transferred to snuggle fleece on the floor once he was asleep.
We then went up so I could blow dry my hair and he settled on the bed very quickly. I was able to amble about sorting out my clothes for the day & get dressed without any bother.
Once we were back downstairs he wanted to curl up on snuggle fleece so I took to opportunity to comb him through and get rid of the eye bogies. He was very good and only had to be checked a couple of times so he earnt a puppy treat.
We have been out in the garden to poop scoop and he played chase with me when that was done. He did bark a bit when I went to the bin at the front door.
He is now playing in the conservatory but I think he knows that I am about to go out and leave him soon.
Saturday, 19 November 2011
Bit of a lazy morning
Rodders and I had a little while on the sofa this morning after he had been running around playing before going upstairs for me to get washed and dressed.
Having the lead on him seems to make him so much better behaved and I have not had to check him at all.
Once we came down he went for a play in the garden while I grabbed something to eat and then I decided to have a go at grooming him. I managed to comb him all over and do two legs with his slicker before he started to get bored and mess about. Even then, he was only checked twice when he was trying to bite the comb or brush. Before I let him go I did manage to clean the eye bogies and he was really good. He got a puppy treat for being so brilliant!
We may try to do the other two legs later but I think it is time we went for a walk.
Having the lead on him seems to make him so much better behaved and I have not had to check him at all.
Once we came down he went for a play in the garden while I grabbed something to eat and then I decided to have a go at grooming him. I managed to comb him all over and do two legs with his slicker before he started to get bored and mess about. Even then, he was only checked twice when he was trying to bite the comb or brush. Before I let him go I did manage to clean the eye bogies and he was really good. He got a puppy treat for being so brilliant!
We may try to do the other two legs later but I think it is time we went for a walk.
Thursday, 17 November 2011
A small success
Yesterday at Pets at Home we bought a flew comb (good for getting out eye bogeys) and a medium tooth comb (good for any tangles).
Rodders had settled down on snuggle fleece while I was talking to OH on the phone and I got down on the floor with him. He let me comb his beard, legs and tummy without too much fuss so I got out the flea comb to sort out his eyes. He was so good and let me sort them out, I was very gentle so that it didn't hurt him.
Lesson for the day, try grooming when he is tired!
Rodders had settled down on snuggle fleece while I was talking to OH on the phone and I got down on the floor with him. He let me comb his beard, legs and tummy without too much fuss so I got out the flea comb to sort out his eyes. He was so good and let me sort them out, I was very gentle so that it didn't hurt him.
Lesson for the day, try grooming when he is tired!
Sunday, 13 November 2011
An incredible opportunity
Today Rodders and I were lucky enough to attend a Schnauzer Grooming Workshop run by Linda. Dannie and the Team at Mister Groom in Harlow, organised especially for the Schnauzer Forum members.
Rodders and I set off at 8.45 and got there just after 9.30, for once I managed to follow the directions I had!
We could see Linda unloading her van but I wanted to try and get Rodders to have a piddle before we went in. I failed dismally as there were so many distractions as other Schnauzers turned up, we ended up with 2 standard schnauzers and 5 Mini's to groom plus Linda brought 1 demo mini and two others and Dannie brought 2 mini's and a American Cocker Spaniel Puppy. It was a bit chaotic getting everyone in and settled and Rodders was most unimpressed to be placed in a crate (as were all dogs) for most of the first hour while Linda demonstrated how to prepare your dog for a bath, bathing and drying on her demo dog. Rodders wouldn't settle, even with two of the team fussing him so Dannie put Finlay, her American Cocker Spaniel, in with him. Finlay wanted to play, Rodders shut up and went and sat in the corner. He eventually settled.
We were then let loose on our own dogs under close supervision. It was much easier to brush Rodders on a proper grooming table where he has to stay still and is tied up so he has to stand and cannot move far. - but you need to know how to do this so that he can wriggle as much as he likes but can't get loose but, if you need to release him quickly (if he fell off the table and you needed to stop him being strangled for example - eeeek). We had to make sure that he didn't have any tangles using his slicker and a wide toothed metal comb. Linda came over and helped as Rodders would not stand and he got a telling off but lots of fuss when he did as he was told, he did get a smack when he tried to bite though.
Next came bath time and I washed and conditioned him myself with minimal help and was shown how to make sure I had rinsed him properly. Just so I don't forget, we used a scrunchy to put the shampoo on and you leave their head until last. You know when the soap or conditioner is out if the water runs clear when you squeeze their coat. I then rubbed him down with something very similar to a chamois which soaked up a lot of the water before wrapping him up in a towel to try and get some more off and to make sure he wasn't getting cold while we queued for the first dryer. When drying you need to make sure the back is smoothed down so the way of the hair growth but the legs are fluffed up against the hair growth.
Once the worst of it was off him it was back to the grooming table for a different dryer to use with a brush to make sure that Rodders was completely dry. Here he is before any trimming started.
Linda then got her demo dog out again to show us how to do their feet and ears. It was then back on the grooming table for Rodders as I was let loose to cut the hair from between his pads. This was much easier once I was shown how to hold his leg properly and easier still when someone held him while I did it. The scary bit was cutting his nails, luckily I didn't go too far and there wasn't any blood.
Linda and Dannie took over to do his ears as little puppies really don't like it the first time, they put powder in his ears first which help to make it easier and Linda hugged him to her while Dannie used special Tweezers to get the hair out. Rodders made some awful noises, even when they were not doing anything to him. They both assured me that he was fine and a lot of this was tantrum - he threw a few of these over the morning but was much better behaved as the day wore on.
We stopped for lunch and the dogs went back in the crates, Rodders cried for a while and then fell asleep with his nose poked through the bars.
After lunch Linda and her demo dog showed us how to use clippers and where to start and then how to finish off with scissors. We used a 7FC Head on the clippers for the head and back and 10 for the face.
With Rodders being a puppy it was important to make sure he was used to the clippers and how they felt before actually using them on him. So with Linda beside me we switched them on and just rand the body up and down him. Once he seemed OK it was time to actually remove some hair. I was so frightened of him ending up with bald patches or cutting in to his skirt or going too far that I was over cautious and had to go back over him a few times and then Linda came over to make sure that I was OK and to help tidy him up a bit.
And then it was time to do his head and face. Change of clipper head and we were off. I can't tell you how scary this is. I was dreading removing his eyebrows & beard by accident or getting too close and catching his ear, luckily I didn't do either. I am so glad that I could stop and ask if I was doing this right and to double check if I had gone far enough (I usually hadn't). It was also quite difficult to make sure I took the same off each side to keep him symmetrical, poor Rodders was going dizzy with me turning him around to check.
By the time I had done this I could see such a huge difference in Rodders and I was quite emotional already, but we hadn't finished yet. It was now time to take the scissors to him. Linda did the legs on his left side to give me a pattern to work to as I did his right. Linda also cut his face and put in his eyebrows for me and she tidied up his chest and the right legs (don't think I did too well really!).
Anyway, the finished result:
Rodders and I set off at 8.45 and got there just after 9.30, for once I managed to follow the directions I had!
We could see Linda unloading her van but I wanted to try and get Rodders to have a piddle before we went in. I failed dismally as there were so many distractions as other Schnauzers turned up, we ended up with 2 standard schnauzers and 5 Mini's to groom plus Linda brought 1 demo mini and two others and Dannie brought 2 mini's and a American Cocker Spaniel Puppy. It was a bit chaotic getting everyone in and settled and Rodders was most unimpressed to be placed in a crate (as were all dogs) for most of the first hour while Linda demonstrated how to prepare your dog for a bath, bathing and drying on her demo dog. Rodders wouldn't settle, even with two of the team fussing him so Dannie put Finlay, her American Cocker Spaniel, in with him. Finlay wanted to play, Rodders shut up and went and sat in the corner. He eventually settled.
We were then let loose on our own dogs under close supervision. It was much easier to brush Rodders on a proper grooming table where he has to stay still and is tied up so he has to stand and cannot move far. - but you need to know how to do this so that he can wriggle as much as he likes but can't get loose but, if you need to release him quickly (if he fell off the table and you needed to stop him being strangled for example - eeeek). We had to make sure that he didn't have any tangles using his slicker and a wide toothed metal comb. Linda came over and helped as Rodders would not stand and he got a telling off but lots of fuss when he did as he was told, he did get a smack when he tried to bite though.
Next came bath time and I washed and conditioned him myself with minimal help and was shown how to make sure I had rinsed him properly. Just so I don't forget, we used a scrunchy to put the shampoo on and you leave their head until last. You know when the soap or conditioner is out if the water runs clear when you squeeze their coat. I then rubbed him down with something very similar to a chamois which soaked up a lot of the water before wrapping him up in a towel to try and get some more off and to make sure he wasn't getting cold while we queued for the first dryer. When drying you need to make sure the back is smoothed down so the way of the hair growth but the legs are fluffed up against the hair growth.
Once the worst of it was off him it was back to the grooming table for a different dryer to use with a brush to make sure that Rodders was completely dry. Here he is before any trimming started.
Linda then got her demo dog out again to show us how to do their feet and ears. It was then back on the grooming table for Rodders as I was let loose to cut the hair from between his pads. This was much easier once I was shown how to hold his leg properly and easier still when someone held him while I did it. The scary bit was cutting his nails, luckily I didn't go too far and there wasn't any blood.
Linda and Dannie took over to do his ears as little puppies really don't like it the first time, they put powder in his ears first which help to make it easier and Linda hugged him to her while Dannie used special Tweezers to get the hair out. Rodders made some awful noises, even when they were not doing anything to him. They both assured me that he was fine and a lot of this was tantrum - he threw a few of these over the morning but was much better behaved as the day wore on.
We stopped for lunch and the dogs went back in the crates, Rodders cried for a while and then fell asleep with his nose poked through the bars.
After lunch Linda and her demo dog showed us how to use clippers and where to start and then how to finish off with scissors. We used a 7FC Head on the clippers for the head and back and 10 for the face.
With Rodders being a puppy it was important to make sure he was used to the clippers and how they felt before actually using them on him. So with Linda beside me we switched them on and just rand the body up and down him. Once he seemed OK it was time to actually remove some hair. I was so frightened of him ending up with bald patches or cutting in to his skirt or going too far that I was over cautious and had to go back over him a few times and then Linda came over to make sure that I was OK and to help tidy him up a bit.
And then it was time to do his head and face. Change of clipper head and we were off. I can't tell you how scary this is. I was dreading removing his eyebrows & beard by accident or getting too close and catching his ear, luckily I didn't do either. I am so glad that I could stop and ask if I was doing this right and to double check if I had gone far enough (I usually hadn't). It was also quite difficult to make sure I took the same off each side to keep him symmetrical, poor Rodders was going dizzy with me turning him around to check.
By the time I had done this I could see such a huge difference in Rodders and I was quite emotional already, but we hadn't finished yet. It was now time to take the scissors to him. Linda did the legs on his left side to give me a pattern to work to as I did his right. Linda also cut his face and put in his eyebrows for me and she tidied up his chest and the right legs (don't think I did too well really!).
Anyway, the finished result:
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