OH arrived home and Rodders was busy chewing a cardboard tube on the door mat. OH stood outside and watched him for a moment before opening the door. Rodders leapt up, barked once and then started squeaking with delight. He was desperate to be picked up for a snuggle.
Once Rodders had calmed down a little we all headed upstairs so that OH and I could get changed in to our scruffs - so much easier when there is a chance of playing on the floor with a puppy or being leapt on with wet paws! Rodders had one attempt at raiding the laundry but one word from Oh and he stopped straight away.
I left OH and Rodders upstairs and came down to carry on with dinner. They soon joined me and were happy playing until it was time to eat.
Rodders always seems to ask to go out in to the garden while I am eating and so I am getting quite used to leaping up and down mid meal! OH thinks maybe we should swap sides so that he can take his turn.
After we had eaten Rodders was given his dinner by OH as I was clearing up and he sat and waited nicely while the bowls were put down. He was given the very last of a tin of id diet made up to 80g with kibble. It would appear that he was hungry as it disappeared fairly quickly. I have kept back 2 tins of id diet in case we have any similar problems in the future. Rodders seems to drink more when he is eating kibble which makes me happier, I know the id diet is wet food but I can't see how he can get all his water intake from that, I do like to see the levels on his water bowls decreasing! It is good to see that he is now drinking from the bowl in his crate.
Once he had finished eating he came through for a snuggle on the sofa with OH. OH was lying full length on the sofa and Rodders started off on his chest but soon went exploring. When I looked up he was standing on OH's feet peering over at me on the other sofa. He really is quite funny and very cute!
Once he asked to go down he was happy to snooze on his bed pad or, when he got too warm, on a snuggle fleece. He is still barking quite a lot but OH seems to be able to get him to quieten down easier than I can. Although he doesn't speak Rodders very well and can't tell when the bark means something like I have my toy stuck under a chair or somewhere inaccessible or if it means he wants to go out in the garden. So even when he is here it is still me that is leaping up and down!
At bedtime Rodders was happy to walk out in to the garden as long as I went with him but he took an age before he decided to piddle. As soon as that was done he wanted straight back in the house but had to be lifted in to his crate once I had locked up and switched the lights out. I gave him a few bits of kibble as a treat.
At just after 4am he started to bark the house down and OH shot out of bed (this makes up for not speaking Rodders!) and came downstairs to him. After a quick fuss it was obvious that Rodders was desperate to go out in the garden and he went straight out and pooped. Once back inside he wanted to play but OH wasn't having any of it. He enticed him back in to the crate with some kibble and said goodnight. Rodders wasn't happy and sat with his back to him and his tail out in the hope that the crate wouldn't shut, it did! Rodders gave a few whingy squeaks when OH came back to bed but soon settled back down.
When OH's alarm went off he switched it off and fell back to sleep so there was a bit if a panic when he did wake up. He went straight in the shower and had been in there for a few minutes before Rodders started to bark. I got up and came down to sort him out.
I gave Rodders a bit of a fuss and then he wanted out in to the garden for a piddle. He rushed back in when he heard OH come down and wanted a fuss. I got them both breakfast and made us a cuppa - Rodders doesn't get one of these! Rodders was slightly confused as there was only one bowl with something in it, I should have lifted the other one, silly me.
When OH was leaving for work Rodders went out with him but wouldn't come back when I called him so I had to go out and lift him up. As soon as OH was out of the gate I put him back down and he was happy to follow me inside.
I went up and got washed and dressed ready for a walk around the Rugby field. Rodders was very excited to be going out and it took a couple of attempts to make him sit and wait at the door. He also tried to pull on the lead to start with but we soon sorted that and by the time we got to the road he was happy to sit and wait before we crossed.
As we got to the field he sat and waited for me to swap leads and then he was off sniffing and running about. He stopped to poop and then waited while I cleaned up and we made our way up towards the bin to dispose of it. We finished our run around the field, swapped leads and headed home.
Once home I washed my hands and then made myself a sandwich to take to work, I only got crisps and chocolate yesterday and was so hungry by dinner time so I can't do that again. Rodders ate a bit more of his breakfast, but not all of it, and we had a snuggle on the sofa before I had to take off my jeans and jumper and throw on my dress and boots for work.
We had a quick snuggle on the sofa and checked how OH's journey was going before it was time to put Rodders in his crate, with some kibble, ad head to work. For the first time on my nice short commute I had to deal with queuing traffic! Still did the journey in 5 minutes though.
I popped home at lunchtime and once Rodders had calmed down a bit I gave him his lunch and then we went out in to the garden so I could poop scoop. Rodders came in with me while I went to the bin at the front door and then wanted to go back out. He came running in when the front door went. It was an asian gentleman trying to sell cavity wall insulation and Rodders didn't seem to like him and kept growling. I got rid of him fairly quickly and Rodders went back out for a piddle. Just as I put him back in the crate, with the dental kong full of kibble, the front door went again and it was Bob next door with a parcel for me. I took it off him as I went out the door.
After work the weather was horrid, howling gale and rain, and the traffic awful so it took me almost 15 minutes to get home. Rodders did go out for a piddle when I first got in but hasn't really gone out since. He has stuck his head out three times and I threw him out the fourth time he asked but he just stood on the patio getting blown about for a few minutes and then asked to come back in. He is going to have to go out before bedtime whether he likes it or not.
I cooked and ate my dinner, cleared up and sorted out Rodders supper which he got when he barked for it. He must have been hungry as this is the first meal he has finished all day.
Sue, the dog walker, came round tonight to meet Rodders, pick up a key and drop off the final paperwork for me to complete. She seems very nice and was well prepared for a shy puppy as she came armed with sausage. She will collect Rodders twice a week and he will probably be out of the house for a couple of hours, 1 hour will be spent collecting and dropping off other dogs and he will get a 1 hour walk. She usually has 4-6 dogs with her each time. She knows that he isn't allowed off lead yet and will wait for me to let her know when it is OK. We can drop a day any time we like by texting her the night before and, in an emergency, she can usually fit him in for an extra walk if needed. She doesn't approve of choke chains though so I may need to buy him another collar. She is also happy to out him back in his crate with a kong if I leave it out. We also talked about holiday cover as she does home from home boarding and she has provisionally booked Rodders in for July when OH and I are going to Gibraltar for a friends wedding.
Showing posts with label chewing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label chewing. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 January 2012
Monday, 2 January 2012
A fun evening with Rodders
Rodders snoozed for two hours and woke up full of mischief. He was happy playing with his toys until it was time for his tea. I got him to sit and wait until the bowl were a millimetre from the floor so some progress.
For the first time since the Christmas Tree went up he seems to be fascinated by it and now disappears off behind it with any treasure and has tried to eat some of the lower decorations. He does stop chewing the minute he is told no though.
He is still barking an awful lot and usually runs straight to the back door. It is difficult to know if he needs to go out in to the garden or not, half the time when I open the door he just sits there and looks out. If he does go out he spends most of his time standing on the patio barking. A couple of times I have made him come back in and another couple I have just gone out there and lifted him up to bring him in, this has backfired as he now runs off when he see's me coming so it is back to calling him in. Sometimes he comes and sometimes he doesn't so I shut the door which usually has him running.
I also found him eating a christmas card which I presume had fallen from the windowsill.
This all sounds like he has been a monkey all evening but he hasn't really. He seemed to play or get up to mischief for a couple of hours and then sleep for a couple of hours. He is so much fun to have around and I love the fact that he can play happily on his own with his toys or in the garden or with you throwing a ball or toy for him. He also talks by barking or squeaking to let you know what he wants (usually up on the sofa) and it can be fun to try and interpret what he wants.
Tonight I was a bad Mummy and it took me a while to work out what he was saying and I was mortified when I realised that he was trying to tell me his water bowl was completely empty. I quickly filled it and he had a small drink, thank goodness he wasn't really thirsty.
He is still putting some of his toys away by himself but can get over excited and take them all out and throw them about the place. When he does that I start to pick them up and drop them in ether for him, he talks to me as I do it and all of a sudden one toy will hardly hit the toy box before he leaps in and grabs it back.
For the first time since the Christmas Tree went up he seems to be fascinated by it and now disappears off behind it with any treasure and has tried to eat some of the lower decorations. He does stop chewing the minute he is told no though.
He is still barking an awful lot and usually runs straight to the back door. It is difficult to know if he needs to go out in to the garden or not, half the time when I open the door he just sits there and looks out. If he does go out he spends most of his time standing on the patio barking. A couple of times I have made him come back in and another couple I have just gone out there and lifted him up to bring him in, this has backfired as he now runs off when he see's me coming so it is back to calling him in. Sometimes he comes and sometimes he doesn't so I shut the door which usually has him running.
I also found him eating a christmas card which I presume had fallen from the windowsill.
This all sounds like he has been a monkey all evening but he hasn't really. He seemed to play or get up to mischief for a couple of hours and then sleep for a couple of hours. He is so much fun to have around and I love the fact that he can play happily on his own with his toys or in the garden or with you throwing a ball or toy for him. He also talks by barking or squeaking to let you know what he wants (usually up on the sofa) and it can be fun to try and interpret what he wants.
Tonight I was a bad Mummy and it took me a while to work out what he was saying and I was mortified when I realised that he was trying to tell me his water bowl was completely empty. I quickly filled it and he had a small drink, thank goodness he wasn't really thirsty.
He is still putting some of his toys away by himself but can get over excited and take them all out and throw them about the place. When he does that I start to pick them up and drop them in ether for him, he talks to me as I do it and all of a sudden one toy will hardly hit the toy box before he leaps in and grabs it back.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Quite a busy day
After I showered and dressed OH called in to see us for an hour. As he arrived I was putting on some washing and Rodders was playing in the conservatory. He didn't hear the back door until almost the last moment but was thrilled to see who it was and wanted straight up for a snuggle. We all ended up having a group hug as I think it was the only way I was going to get to say hello too!
OH and I had a cuppa and a bit of breakfast and then he had a play with Rodders while I brought the bin back in. OH and I then popped upstairs to fit my new cool pad to my bed in the hope that it helps me to sleep better. Finally we all had a snuggle on the sofa before it was time for OH to go. As OH and I had a hug goodbye Rodders was making some strange noises, I think he is getting a bit jealous.
As normal Rodders trotted out to the gate with OH but when I called him back he got halfway and stopped for a piddle. OH managed to get out the gate safely which is the main thing. Rodders stayed out there for a little while sniffing about and squeaking a bit. I don't think he had heard OH's car go as he parked somewhere different today.
I emptied & reloaded the washing machine and Rodders chased his toys about.
Once my hair was dry I put on my dog walking gear and got one of my new hat and glove sets ready so that we could head to Gadebridge Park. Rodders was very excited to be going out and was jumping up. I managed to get him to sit and wait at the door and walked him to the car.
Once parked I got him out the car and put his lead back on. As we were walking to the edge of the park two ladies with three dogs were coming off. Their dogs started barking and so Rodders joined in, they seemed to be giving us a wide berth so I didn't let Rodders say hello to them.
As we got to the park I made him sit and swapped to the extendable lead so that he could have more freedom. He was very happy running about and he got to meet many dogs that were off the lead. Rodders wanted to run off and play with some of them and wasn't happy to be on his lead. Luckily some of them were happy to play with him and he got to run about with a Golden Retriever and a Chocolate Lab amongst others.
Rodders was very good at coming when called and he was happy to just sit and watch what was going on about him several times. We walked our way around the whole park and the only time he was a little nervous was when some children came past us on bikes and scooters. He wasn't bothered by a young lad in a wheelchair, even when he asked if he was Toto from the wizard of Oz. Rodders had a good look at the River Gade and looked as though he might try to go in there at one point but he saw another dog which distracted him. As we got back to where we started he sat while I swapped leads again so that we could walk to the car.
As we were about to get in the car he spotted a Staffie pup and wanted to play. It looked like a smaller version of Molly from Puppy Party and was called Fletcher. They started off sniffing each other but it was obvious that Fletcher wanted to play. When Fletcher got a bit rough Rodders put him in his place by barking at him, when Fletcher tried again Rodders let him play for a little while and then growled at him. The couple with him were not very happy about it but I explained that they were just playing and working out where the boundaries are and both dogs had their tales up. After a little while we parted company and I put Rodders back in his car crate.
Once we were back home I gave Rodders his lunch and after a bit of a play and a trip to the garden he was happy to have a snooze.
He woke up with the devil in him and, as well as playing with his toys, he was up to all sorts of mischief. The door stop kept being dragged across the floor and then he started to take the washing off the radiator. He was found chewing the door mat at the back door when I thought he was playing quietly with his bone.
He was in and out of the garden and it was nice to hear him playing with the stones on the patio again. I don't think he has done this properly for almost two weeks.
He is barking a lot today and it is sometimes difficult to work out why. I really hope my neighbours can't hear him or don't mind too much.
OH and I had a cuppa and a bit of breakfast and then he had a play with Rodders while I brought the bin back in. OH and I then popped upstairs to fit my new cool pad to my bed in the hope that it helps me to sleep better. Finally we all had a snuggle on the sofa before it was time for OH to go. As OH and I had a hug goodbye Rodders was making some strange noises, I think he is getting a bit jealous.
As normal Rodders trotted out to the gate with OH but when I called him back he got halfway and stopped for a piddle. OH managed to get out the gate safely which is the main thing. Rodders stayed out there for a little while sniffing about and squeaking a bit. I don't think he had heard OH's car go as he parked somewhere different today.
I emptied & reloaded the washing machine and Rodders chased his toys about.
Once my hair was dry I put on my dog walking gear and got one of my new hat and glove sets ready so that we could head to Gadebridge Park. Rodders was very excited to be going out and was jumping up. I managed to get him to sit and wait at the door and walked him to the car.
Once parked I got him out the car and put his lead back on. As we were walking to the edge of the park two ladies with three dogs were coming off. Their dogs started barking and so Rodders joined in, they seemed to be giving us a wide berth so I didn't let Rodders say hello to them.
As we got to the park I made him sit and swapped to the extendable lead so that he could have more freedom. He was very happy running about and he got to meet many dogs that were off the lead. Rodders wanted to run off and play with some of them and wasn't happy to be on his lead. Luckily some of them were happy to play with him and he got to run about with a Golden Retriever and a Chocolate Lab amongst others.
Rodders was very good at coming when called and he was happy to just sit and watch what was going on about him several times. We walked our way around the whole park and the only time he was a little nervous was when some children came past us on bikes and scooters. He wasn't bothered by a young lad in a wheelchair, even when he asked if he was Toto from the wizard of Oz. Rodders had a good look at the River Gade and looked as though he might try to go in there at one point but he saw another dog which distracted him. As we got back to where we started he sat while I swapped leads again so that we could walk to the car.
As we were about to get in the car he spotted a Staffie pup and wanted to play. It looked like a smaller version of Molly from Puppy Party and was called Fletcher. They started off sniffing each other but it was obvious that Fletcher wanted to play. When Fletcher got a bit rough Rodders put him in his place by barking at him, when Fletcher tried again Rodders let him play for a little while and then growled at him. The couple with him were not very happy about it but I explained that they were just playing and working out where the boundaries are and both dogs had their tales up. After a little while we parted company and I put Rodders back in his car crate.
Once we were back home I gave Rodders his lunch and after a bit of a play and a trip to the garden he was happy to have a snooze.
He woke up with the devil in him and, as well as playing with his toys, he was up to all sorts of mischief. The door stop kept being dragged across the floor and then he started to take the washing off the radiator. He was found chewing the door mat at the back door when I thought he was playing quietly with his bone.
He was in and out of the garden and it was nice to hear him playing with the stones on the patio again. I don't think he has done this properly for almost two weeks.
He is barking a lot today and it is sometimes difficult to work out why. I really hope my neighbours can't hear him or don't mind too much.
Friday, 16 December 2011
Getting better
Over the course of the day Rodders was improving and I found him sitting in his toy box at one point! The length of time he was playing was getting longer and the sleeping was getting shorter so it is obvious that he is feeling better. A combination of the treatment by the vet, chicken and rice and drinking probably.
My only concerning moment was when he dragged his teddy across the floor and then whimpered as he let him go. He just sat there and looked at me so I called him over and brought him up on to my lap. As soon as he fell asleep I popped him back on his bed pad.
One of my friends called in for a cuppa and to drop some goodies off for me. When the doorbell went Rodders didn't move off the bed pad. She came in and crouched down on the floor and miraculously Rodders got up and crept towards her and let her fuss him. As I made a cuppa for us both he was quite happy wandering between us and when we settled down for a natter he just wanted to chew her shoe laces! I managed to distract him with some toys for a while but then he went back to the laces so we had to try again with another toy, this was a bit more successful.
All too soon it was time for her to go and Rodders came to the door to say goodbye.
My only concerning moment was when he dragged his teddy across the floor and then whimpered as he let him go. He just sat there and looked at me so I called him over and brought him up on to my lap. As soon as he fell asleep I popped him back on his bed pad.
One of my friends called in for a cuppa and to drop some goodies off for me. When the doorbell went Rodders didn't move off the bed pad. She came in and crouched down on the floor and miraculously Rodders got up and crept towards her and let her fuss him. As I made a cuppa for us both he was quite happy wandering between us and when we settled down for a natter he just wanted to chew her shoe laces! I managed to distract him with some toys for a while but then he went back to the laces so we had to try again with another toy, this was a bit more successful.
All too soon it was time for her to go and Rodders came to the door to say goodbye.
Tuesday, 13 December 2011
Putting up the Christmas Tree
As I sorted out lunch OH got the tree in and in to its stand. Rodders was helping as much as he could which involved licking OH's face and ears and jumping all over him when he lay down on the floor to tighten up the stand. So far Rodders doesn't seem too interested in the tree itself.
Once lunch was over OH started to put the lights on the tree. He is trying to make sure we are as puppy proof as possible and so the plugs will all be on top of my bookcases which means that we are starting the lights from the top of the tree rather than the bottom, a little unconventional but hey ho!
By late afternoon OH decided that we needed more lights (600 aren't enough apparently) so I got despatched to B&Q for more. He had also condemned two sets of lights that I have had since I first left home, I was very sad to see these go as my Mum bought them for me. When I got to B&Q it was 3 for 2 on all christmas decorations so I bought another 480 lights, a few more decorations and some gaffer tape.
By the time I got back home Rodders and OH had been out the front to put the twinkly lights on my bush (this phrase always raises a giggle from one of my friends, no idea why ;-)) and the outside lights were laid out ready to go up. He had also set up the lighted Christmas trees on my window sill. We are looking as though Christmas is going to happen in this house now!
As the light was fading we all went out the front to put up the outside lights. Rodders seemed a bit confused by this as he had his lead on but wasn't getting to go anywhere so he just sat and barked at people going past and found some paper to chew.
OH put the rest of the lights on the tree while I peeled potatoes for dinner. At last, it was time to bring down the boxes and start to decorate the tree, my favourite bit :-) As I started to do this I was sure that we were some decorations missing, OH was sure that he had brought down all the boxes and I am sure he hadn't! I carried on decorating the tree as OH sorted out all the wires for the front lights and the tree lights. He has done a brilliant job and if Rodders manages to get anywhere near any of them it will be a miracle.
I managed to convince OH that we were definitely missing decorations and so the ladder went back upstairs so I could check. Sure enough I found them and pointed out where they were so that he could get them down. He then helped me to decorate the rest of the tree and get cleared up before dinner.
Through out all of this Rodders didn't seem too bothered, he stayed close to us but didn't interfere and went off to his bed pad for a snooze at one point. We also lost him for a minute and found him asleep in his crate!
I also had a bit of a silly five minutes and started crying. Not too sure what that was all about, possibly having to get rid of the lights OH had condemned as I am a bit of a soppy bugger. OH and Rodders were both there with cuddles and I managed to pull myself back together.
I also had a bit of a silly five minutes and started crying. Not too sure what that was all about, possibly having to get rid of the lights OH had condemned as I am a bit of a soppy bugger. OH and Rodders were both there with cuddles and I managed to pull myself back together.
Sunday, 11 December 2011
An busy afternoon
Once the shopping was all away I sat down with Rodders for a few minutes and then said that I needed to go in to the kitchen. He started to squeak again, telling me he was quite happy where he was I assume!
I put him down and went in to the kitchen anyway. I made the spag bol, unloaded the dishwasher and washing machine and sorted the recycling out. Rodders was pottering about playing or getting under my feet. He then stood at my feet barking and I asked if he was hungry. He went straight to the kitchen door so I picked up his bowl and went to get some kibble for him.
Once he had eaten he wanted to go out in to the garden and was barking so I made him come back in and come upstairs with me while I hung the washing on radiators.
The next time he went in to the garden he was happily playing for a while but started barking again so I went out to see why. I couldn't see or hear anything but did spot where he has been digging in the border. He wasn't very happy when I got the trowel and filled his hole in and even more disgruntled when I cleaned his feet as we came in the door!
I went upstairs to use the bathroom and he came too. By this point he just seemed to be getting more and more naughty. Is he tired or does he need to get rid of some energy?
I needed to move things around in the back bedroom to get to the underbed storage to get out the Christmas Cards, they really need to be in the post this week. While I was doing that Rodders was chewing a roll of wrapping paper, when that was taken off him he found some tissue paper.
Christmas cards found and another load of washing for the machine in my arms I started down the stairs. Rodders followed me with a slipper in his mouth!
It has been drizzly, dark and horrid most of the day so I decided we would do some road walking to try and wear Rodders out. We just went through the estate and up to the shops and back and I was making him sit and wait each time we crossed a road. He was mainly walking to heel and he wasn't pulling much but he does like to bark at people a lot of the time. We were out for over half an hour and, as soon as we got back, Rodders had a mad five minutes.
I then heard him growl, a much different sound to anything he has done before so I went to investigate. He was bring to drag a bag off a chair and it wasn't working! I made him come away and he is now having a snooze on the bed pad at my feet.
I put him down and went in to the kitchen anyway. I made the spag bol, unloaded the dishwasher and washing machine and sorted the recycling out. Rodders was pottering about playing or getting under my feet. He then stood at my feet barking and I asked if he was hungry. He went straight to the kitchen door so I picked up his bowl and went to get some kibble for him.
Once he had eaten he wanted to go out in to the garden and was barking so I made him come back in and come upstairs with me while I hung the washing on radiators.
The next time he went in to the garden he was happily playing for a while but started barking again so I went out to see why. I couldn't see or hear anything but did spot where he has been digging in the border. He wasn't very happy when I got the trowel and filled his hole in and even more disgruntled when I cleaned his feet as we came in the door!
I went upstairs to use the bathroom and he came too. By this point he just seemed to be getting more and more naughty. Is he tired or does he need to get rid of some energy?
I needed to move things around in the back bedroom to get to the underbed storage to get out the Christmas Cards, they really need to be in the post this week. While I was doing that Rodders was chewing a roll of wrapping paper, when that was taken off him he found some tissue paper.
Christmas cards found and another load of washing for the machine in my arms I started down the stairs. Rodders followed me with a slipper in his mouth!
It has been drizzly, dark and horrid most of the day so I decided we would do some road walking to try and wear Rodders out. We just went through the estate and up to the shops and back and I was making him sit and wait each time we crossed a road. He was mainly walking to heel and he wasn't pulling much but he does like to bark at people a lot of the time. We were out for over half an hour and, as soon as we got back, Rodders had a mad five minutes.
I then heard him growl, a much different sound to anything he has done before so I went to investigate. He was bring to drag a bag off a chair and it wasn't working! I made him come away and he is now having a snooze on the bed pad at my feet.
Friday, 9 December 2011
A good night
At 10.30pm I took Rodders out in to the garden for a final piddle which he did after a short sit on the grass and a look about! It was flipping freezing and still very windy.
When Rodders came in he tried to go back to the bed pad by the sofa but OH encouraged him in to his crate and he settled on his bed pad as I gave him his treats.
We locked up, switched out lights and said goodnight. Once we were upstairs Rodders whimpered a couple of times, probably because we were talking and the lights were still on. This is brilliant as it is the first night he has slept on his new bed pad in the crate.
OH had an early start so he came down stairs just after 5am and woke Rodders up. Rodders was desperate to get out the lounge and upstairs to me but OH made him stay in the lounge. They usually have a snuggle on the pappasan chair in the conservatory after Rodders has been out for a piddle but OH was sitting at the dining table this morning. Rodders went and sat by the pappasan chair and made it clear that he wasn't happy! Rodders did also go out in the garden for a poo.
OH says that it won't be long before Rodders is able to jump on to the sofa and he can already reach some of the things I leave on there, like the TV gismo.
When OH was ready to get showered and dressed he let Rodders upstairs and he was soon jumping up at the side of the bed to say hello before disappearing off with one of my shoes, he doesn't seem to chew them and just carries them downstairs.
Rodders also tried to get something out of the laundry but OH stopped him and he never tries again if OH tells him off. If only I had that effect!
We all came downstairs as OH was ready to go and Rodders wanted to go out with him, but came back from the gate like a rocket when I called him. He was then happy to settle down on his bed pad and has been there almost ever since, even when I have been up to the bathroom or outside to put the bin out.
He has had a short play with a yoghurt pot but hasn't shown any interest in other toys or his breakfast and it is almost time for me to get washed and dressed so we can go to puppy school.
When Rodders came in he tried to go back to the bed pad by the sofa but OH encouraged him in to his crate and he settled on his bed pad as I gave him his treats.
We locked up, switched out lights and said goodnight. Once we were upstairs Rodders whimpered a couple of times, probably because we were talking and the lights were still on. This is brilliant as it is the first night he has slept on his new bed pad in the crate.
OH had an early start so he came down stairs just after 5am and woke Rodders up. Rodders was desperate to get out the lounge and upstairs to me but OH made him stay in the lounge. They usually have a snuggle on the pappasan chair in the conservatory after Rodders has been out for a piddle but OH was sitting at the dining table this morning. Rodders went and sat by the pappasan chair and made it clear that he wasn't happy! Rodders did also go out in the garden for a poo.
OH says that it won't be long before Rodders is able to jump on to the sofa and he can already reach some of the things I leave on there, like the TV gismo.
When OH was ready to get showered and dressed he let Rodders upstairs and he was soon jumping up at the side of the bed to say hello before disappearing off with one of my shoes, he doesn't seem to chew them and just carries them downstairs.
Rodders also tried to get something out of the laundry but OH stopped him and he never tries again if OH tells him off. If only I had that effect!
We all came downstairs as OH was ready to go and Rodders wanted to go out with him, but came back from the gate like a rocket when I called him. He was then happy to settle down on his bed pad and has been there almost ever since, even when I have been up to the bathroom or outside to put the bin out.
He has had a short play with a yoghurt pot but hasn't shown any interest in other toys or his breakfast and it is almost time for me to get washed and dressed so we can go to puppy school.
Monday, 5 December 2011
A noisy morning
At 10.40 last night Rodders got up and went for a bit of a play in the conservatory and then asked to go in to the garden for a piddle so I took the opportunity to go to bed.
After I had locked up and switched out the lights he had to be shown his treats before he would climb in to bed. Once I locked the crate he didn't make a sound.
I took ages to get off to sleep and was woken by Rodders at about 5.40am. I left him for five minutes but he wasn't quietening down so I got up and came down stairs, After a fuss he went straight to the lounge door to try and get upstairs but I had closed it. As I went to put the kettle on he asked to go in to the garden for a piddle. He came back in for five minutes and then asked to go back out again. He has been in and out quite a lot so far today and has obviously been digging by the amount of mud on his feet and beard.
He has played inside with his toys, chasing them up and down the lounge but has also tried to chew things he shouldn't.
As more people are now out and about outside he has started barking at the noise of them scraping the ice off their cars.
Rodders hasn't shown any interest in his breakfast at all today yet.
After I had locked up and switched out the lights he had to be shown his treats before he would climb in to bed. Once I locked the crate he didn't make a sound.
I took ages to get off to sleep and was woken by Rodders at about 5.40am. I left him for five minutes but he wasn't quietening down so I got up and came down stairs, After a fuss he went straight to the lounge door to try and get upstairs but I had closed it. As I went to put the kettle on he asked to go in to the garden for a piddle. He came back in for five minutes and then asked to go back out again. He has been in and out quite a lot so far today and has obviously been digging by the amount of mud on his feet and beard.
He has played inside with his toys, chasing them up and down the lounge but has also tried to chew things he shouldn't.
As more people are now out and about outside he has started barking at the noise of them scraping the ice off their cars.
Rodders hasn't shown any interest in his breakfast at all today yet.
Sunday, 4 December 2011
I am not even going to tell you
Five minutes not paying full attention to Rodders could have turned in to a disaster.
I thought he was chewing his lead at my feet, but when I checked it was something far worse and it could have had devastating results and I feel sick. I am not even going to tell you what it was.
He does have the devil in him, the curtains have been getting some attention and he is now in the conservatory and has been giving Teddy hell. Right now he has his crisp packet in his mouth and is kicking his ball about with his feet just to prove that he can multitask!
We have had a sudden downpour and he has been barking at the noise it makes on the conservatory, he hasn't done this before.
I thought he was chewing his lead at my feet, but when I checked it was something far worse and it could have had devastating results and I feel sick. I am not even going to tell you what it was.
He does have the devil in him, the curtains have been getting some attention and he is now in the conservatory and has been giving Teddy hell. Right now he has his crisp packet in his mouth and is kicking his ball about with his feet just to prove that he can multitask!
We have had a sudden downpour and he has been barking at the noise it makes on the conservatory, he hasn't done this before.
Saturday, 3 December 2011
A day in London
The plan was to meet at my niece Louise's flat in Shepherds Bush where Pete, Ailie's boyfriend, was going to look after Rodders. We had already heard that Ailie was poorly and that Pete had been dispatched to the shops for some Imodium before he headed over to meet us.
It was quite an easy drive in to London and we found a free parking spot quite close by. Rodders walked really nicely to Louise's and managed up three flights of stairs without too much bother. Louise told us that Ailie was on her way with Pete, brave girl, not sure I would fancy the tube with a dodgy tummy.
Louise was out of milk so I carried Rodders downstairs and we all walked to the local supermarket for some. Rodders and I had to stay outside and I got him to go down and stood over him like we do at training school. He was so good, we were there for about 15 minutes and he only moved when a man approached him. Rodders tried to get behind me but did go back in to a sit between my legs. This man did seem to know about dogs and he spent about 5 minutes gently talking to both Rodders and I and did manage to fuss him. Rodders wasn't so impressed when a local drinker (the alcohol fumes would have knocked you out and it was only 10.30am) stopped to talk to him!
We walked back to Louise's and he climbed the stairs again. Ailie and Peter arrived as we were drinking tea. I had got a couple of toys out for Rodders to play with to try and stop him from chewing the Reindeer Rug. We all sat about chatting and decided that Pete would join us for lunch so he and Rodders went off to my car to bring back the crate. Once they returned, and Rodders had climbed the stairs again, I made sure that Pete knew what Rodders could and couldn't do and we went off to Westfield shopping.
Poor Ailie really wasn't well and kept going very pale over the day, how she managed to shop at all is beyond me. I think we now know where all the loo's are in the shopping centre though. Even at lunchtime she could only manage water.
When Pete joined us for lunch he said that Rodders had slept for most of the morning but he was planning a trip to the park for the afternoon.
After lunch we hit the shops again and Sue finished her Christmas shopping and I made a start on mine. It wasn't our most successful shopping trip! We wandered around for hours and the girls tried on a fair bit but just not the right bits!
We walked back to Louise's and Rodders was very pleased to see me. The report from Pete is that he has been really good but I am not sure that he would tell me if he hadn't!
I nipped off to get the car, much to Rodders disgust, and then said goodbye to everyone before heading downstairs with Rodders. Lucky me, Pete carried the crate and Sue carried my shopping!
It was quite an easy drive in to London and we found a free parking spot quite close by. Rodders walked really nicely to Louise's and managed up three flights of stairs without too much bother. Louise told us that Ailie was on her way with Pete, brave girl, not sure I would fancy the tube with a dodgy tummy.
Louise was out of milk so I carried Rodders downstairs and we all walked to the local supermarket for some. Rodders and I had to stay outside and I got him to go down and stood over him like we do at training school. He was so good, we were there for about 15 minutes and he only moved when a man approached him. Rodders tried to get behind me but did go back in to a sit between my legs. This man did seem to know about dogs and he spent about 5 minutes gently talking to both Rodders and I and did manage to fuss him. Rodders wasn't so impressed when a local drinker (the alcohol fumes would have knocked you out and it was only 10.30am) stopped to talk to him!
We walked back to Louise's and he climbed the stairs again. Ailie and Peter arrived as we were drinking tea. I had got a couple of toys out for Rodders to play with to try and stop him from chewing the Reindeer Rug. We all sat about chatting and decided that Pete would join us for lunch so he and Rodders went off to my car to bring back the crate. Once they returned, and Rodders had climbed the stairs again, I made sure that Pete knew what Rodders could and couldn't do and we went off to Westfield shopping.
Poor Ailie really wasn't well and kept going very pale over the day, how she managed to shop at all is beyond me. I think we now know where all the loo's are in the shopping centre though. Even at lunchtime she could only manage water.
When Pete joined us for lunch he said that Rodders had slept for most of the morning but he was planning a trip to the park for the afternoon.
After lunch we hit the shops again and Sue finished her Christmas shopping and I made a start on mine. It wasn't our most successful shopping trip! We wandered around for hours and the girls tried on a fair bit but just not the right bits!
We walked back to Louise's and Rodders was very pleased to see me. The report from Pete is that he has been really good but I am not sure that he would tell me if he hadn't!
I nipped off to get the car, much to Rodders disgust, and then said goodbye to everyone before heading downstairs with Rodders. Lucky me, Pete carried the crate and Sue carried my shopping!
Friday, 2 December 2011
My big sis
Once Rodders calmed down he went and lay on his bed pad for a snooze which enabled me to potter about and tidy up a bit before my big sister arrived for the night - we are off out with my nieces tomorrow for our annual Christmas Shopping trip.
When Sue arrived and rang the door bell Rodders barked but didn't bother to move off the bed pad until she was actually in the door when he came to the end of the sofa and peeked around then end. Rodders barked and barked at her, and it has taken about three hours for him to be confident enough to go anywhere near her. When he did it was to try and chew her slipper or to bite her cardigan!
He settled back down for a snooze and only really became active for about an hour and a half. In that time we played tug and he played fetch with his ball, played in the conservatory with his toys on his own and has been out to the garden for a piddle and a play. He did go in to the kitchen and bark for his dinner and actually ate almost all of it in one sitting.
When we sat down for dinner he settled down on snuggle fleece at my feet.
When Sue arrived and rang the door bell Rodders barked but didn't bother to move off the bed pad until she was actually in the door when he came to the end of the sofa and peeked around then end. Rodders barked and barked at her, and it has taken about three hours for him to be confident enough to go anywhere near her. When he did it was to try and chew her slipper or to bite her cardigan!
He settled back down for a snooze and only really became active for about an hour and a half. In that time we played tug and he played fetch with his ball, played in the conservatory with his toys on his own and has been out to the garden for a piddle and a play. He did go in to the kitchen and bark for his dinner and actually ate almost all of it in one sitting.
When we sat down for dinner he settled down on snuggle fleece at my feet.
Sunday, 27 November 2011
The devil woke up
So, after a very nice snooze on his new bed bed, the puppy that woke up appears to be a different one to the one that fell asleep!
Instead of the lovely, well behaved puppy that I started with I seem to have a little devil! But the little devil can be quite funny too!
He woke up and sneakily started to bite his new bed pad and when I stopped him from doing that he tried to bite me :-( His lead has been put back on for a while to see if we can stop that. I have put the bed pad back in the crate for now.
He then saw his yoghurt pot and went bouncing off after it and played for a while with that. Next he tried to get the bed pad out of the crate, luckily he can't do that as it is quite a good fit. But we do have to stop him biting it.
We have played fetch with his ball until he got bored, he has tried to bite me and been checked a few times, he has tried to eat cables and been given a firm no and he is still bouncing off the walls. I do hope he is still like this when OH gets here!
So it would appear that sleeping on snuggle fleece or on my lap does not give him a proper rest and this new bed pad is very much needed. Maybe even his bed itself is now too small, honestly I haven't seen him this lively in a couple of weeks.
Instead of the lovely, well behaved puppy that I started with I seem to have a little devil! But the little devil can be quite funny too!
He woke up and sneakily started to bite his new bed pad and when I stopped him from doing that he tried to bite me :-( His lead has been put back on for a while to see if we can stop that. I have put the bed pad back in the crate for now.
He then saw his yoghurt pot and went bouncing off after it and played for a while with that. Next he tried to get the bed pad out of the crate, luckily he can't do that as it is quite a good fit. But we do have to stop him biting it.
We have played fetch with his ball until he got bored, he has tried to bite me and been checked a few times, he has tried to eat cables and been given a firm no and he is still bouncing off the walls. I do hope he is still like this when OH gets here!
So it would appear that sleeping on snuggle fleece or on my lap does not give him a proper rest and this new bed pad is very much needed. Maybe even his bed itself is now too small, honestly I haven't seen him this lively in a couple of weeks.
Playing in the garden
Rodders wasn't sure what to make of the wind as it was lifting the cover off the patio table. A couple of times he asked to go out and, once the door was open, just stood there looking. It was flipping freezing and a battle to keep the door held open while he made his mind up.
He has been in and out of the garden all morning though, he seems to be spending quite a lot of time on the patio near the gate and I can almost see him through the tree now that the wind has made the leaves drop.
When he hasn't been outside he has been playing with his toys and yoghurt pot and there has been no chewing or biting which is fantastic!
I was in the kitchen for a while sorting out a casserole for the slow cooker. He came through to collect a carrot top which got taken to the rolled up carpet and last about 5 minutes! He happily trotted back through for another.
He has been in and out of the garden all morning though, he seems to be spending quite a lot of time on the patio near the gate and I can almost see him through the tree now that the wind has made the leaves drop.
When he hasn't been outside he has been playing with his toys and yoghurt pot and there has been no chewing or biting which is fantastic!
I was in the kitchen for a while sorting out a casserole for the slow cooker. He came through to collect a carrot top which got taken to the rolled up carpet and last about 5 minutes! He happily trotted back through for another.
Breakfast and getting dressed
Rodders has started to go in to the kitchen and bark when he is hungry! I fed him his breakfast and he ate it in two go's with a short play in the middle.
He came upstairs with me while I got washed and dressed and had a little of the kibble from yesterday's Kong but wasn't really too interested.
I trapped him in the bedroom with me so that I didn't have to retrieve slippers from the stairs. He now rounds up both mine and OH's slippers to play with (and have a bit of a chew) if they are lying about.
When I came downstairs he stayed on the landing. I just carried on and left him there and went to make a cuppa. After a few minutes I called him and he came to find me wagging his tail.
He came upstairs with me while I got washed and dressed and had a little of the kibble from yesterday's Kong but wasn't really too interested.
I trapped him in the bedroom with me so that I didn't have to retrieve slippers from the stairs. He now rounds up both mine and OH's slippers to play with (and have a bit of a chew) if they are lying about.
When I came downstairs he stayed on the landing. I just carried on and left him there and went to make a cuppa. After a few minutes I called him and he came to find me wagging his tail.
Saturday, 26 November 2011
Rodders and the sofa
Rodders seems to like being up on the sofa with me and I am trying to discourage him but I know how cold my floors are. Yes, I know he has a furry coat and a snuggle fleece but even I feel a draft around my ankles if I sit with my feet down.
He has been up here a few times today and I have moved him to the floor (most times) once he is asleep. When he wants up he stand with his paws on the sofa cushion and squeaks at me, if I say no he squeaks louder!
Just now, when he was told he wasn't coming up he tried to eat the power cable to the laptop! He got a loud no and it got moved out of reach fairly quickly. He has now gone off to sleep with his head on my feet.
I nipped up to the bathroom a little while ago and he was fast asleep. You should have heard him when he came upstairs to find me, lots of squeaky noises!
I must download some photo's and add them in to the blog. Some of them show the funny positions he gets in to when sleeping.
He has played for a further hour this evening so I think we are up to about 6 hours activity today. I hope that is enough to get him through to a reasonable hour tomorrow.
He has been up here a few times today and I have moved him to the floor (most times) once he is asleep. When he wants up he stand with his paws on the sofa cushion and squeaks at me, if I say no he squeaks louder!
Just now, when he was told he wasn't coming up he tried to eat the power cable to the laptop! He got a loud no and it got moved out of reach fairly quickly. He has now gone off to sleep with his head on my feet.
I nipped up to the bathroom a little while ago and he was fast asleep. You should have heard him when he came upstairs to find me, lots of squeaky noises!
I must download some photo's and add them in to the blog. Some of them show the funny positions he gets in to when sleeping.
He has played for a further hour this evening so I think we are up to about 6 hours activity today. I hope that is enough to get him through to a reasonable hour tomorrow.
Not very active
Rodders hasn't been too active today, he did some running about for a couple of hours this morning and then almost three hours this afternoon and evening but he has now collapsed in a heap at my feet on snuggle fleece. So is five hours activity in a day enough? Will he have me up at the crack of dawn tomorrow?
That said, when he has been active he has been very active (and very vocal today). He has run about the rugby field and the garden, played with the stones on the patio, chased toys up and down the house, run up and down stairs several times and jumped up me many times. He has barked, woofed and squeaked all day. Sometimes I know what he is saying, other times I haven't a clue.
We had a bit of a battle earlier over him chewing the carpet but generally he has been very good.
That said, when he has been active he has been very active (and very vocal today). He has run about the rugby field and the garden, played with the stones on the patio, chased toys up and down the house, run up and down stairs several times and jumped up me many times. He has barked, woofed and squeaked all day. Sometimes I know what he is saying, other times I haven't a clue.
We had a bit of a battle earlier over him chewing the carpet but generally he has been very good.
Slippers!
Rodders slept for almost two hours this morning and I think the only reason he woke then was because I was on the phone to my sister. He wandered through to the conservatory as I was talking for a bit of a play.
Once I hung up it was time to go upstairs to get washed and dressed and I filled the Kong with what was left of his breakfast kibble. Rodders was not interested and wandered off to the bedroom to get OH's slipper which he started to carry down the stairs. When that one was half way down he went back for the other one! Cheeky monkey, looks like OH may need new slippers for Christmas!
Once I went in to the bedroom he followed me in and walked off with one of my slippers. He was happy playing and he doesn't actually seem to be chewing them (too much) but he does like to carry them about. He does love to help you put on socks but the rest of the time he now seems happy to let me get dressed in peace, this is a huge improvement from trying to chew everything as you valiantly tried to out it on while he was trying to tug it off.
Every morning as I throw back the curtains Rodders comes running. I lift him up so that he can see out of the window and say good morning to Pentland! Just a silly part of our morning routine!
I retrieved the slippers from the stair and threw them back in the bedroom shutting the door behind me. I came down stairs and expected Rodders to follow me. He stayed at the top of the stair for a while but eventually followed me down.
He talks much more now, little squeaks, huffs and woofs. Sometimes I know what he is trying to say and sometimes I don't. He does always like to have the last word so if you say no to him he now comes away but has a bit of a huff. Or he will stand at the lounge door and bark, this usually means he wants to go upstairs to check if OH is there. He has a different bark for going out and coming in the door to the garden to that of there is someone about that you need to know about. More lessons in dog speak required!
Since he came downstairs he has been out in to the garden twice. It is a bit windy out so I am not sure how he will feel out for a walk but the garden does shelter him a bit.
For now, he is happy chasing yoghurt pots around the conservatory.
Once I hung up it was time to go upstairs to get washed and dressed and I filled the Kong with what was left of his breakfast kibble. Rodders was not interested and wandered off to the bedroom to get OH's slipper which he started to carry down the stairs. When that one was half way down he went back for the other one! Cheeky monkey, looks like OH may need new slippers for Christmas!
Once I went in to the bedroom he followed me in and walked off with one of my slippers. He was happy playing and he doesn't actually seem to be chewing them (too much) but he does like to carry them about. He does love to help you put on socks but the rest of the time he now seems happy to let me get dressed in peace, this is a huge improvement from trying to chew everything as you valiantly tried to out it on while he was trying to tug it off.
Every morning as I throw back the curtains Rodders comes running. I lift him up so that he can see out of the window and say good morning to Pentland! Just a silly part of our morning routine!
I retrieved the slippers from the stair and threw them back in the bedroom shutting the door behind me. I came down stairs and expected Rodders to follow me. He stayed at the top of the stair for a while but eventually followed me down.
He talks much more now, little squeaks, huffs and woofs. Sometimes I know what he is trying to say and sometimes I don't. He does always like to have the last word so if you say no to him he now comes away but has a bit of a huff. Or he will stand at the lounge door and bark, this usually means he wants to go upstairs to check if OH is there. He has a different bark for going out and coming in the door to the garden to that of there is someone about that you need to know about. More lessons in dog speak required!
Since he came downstairs he has been out in to the garden twice. It is a bit windy out so I am not sure how he will feel out for a walk but the garden does shelter him a bit.
For now, he is happy chasing yoghurt pots around the conservatory.
Friday, 25 November 2011
Tired puppy, lively puppy
Once we got home from School Rodders said hello to OH and then went for a nap on snuggle fleece for a while and I cooked lunch.
OH had fallen over while we were away and has hurt his knee, hope he is OK.
Once Rodders woke up he went to play in the conservatory and then asked to go out in to the garden. He had a piddle and then was happy sniffing about, playing with the stones at the end of the patio. It is amazing how determined he is to dig to the bottom and I went out and kicked the stones back in a couple of times much to his disgust. He also barked at Pat next door as she took in her washing so I went out to say hello. She says that he ignored her when she was out earlier as he was too busy chewing a twig.
Rodders has only eaten about half of his lunch, I thought he would be hungrier after a busy morning.
OH had fallen over while we were away and has hurt his knee, hope he is OK.
Once Rodders woke up he went to play in the conservatory and then asked to go out in to the garden. He had a piddle and then was happy sniffing about, playing with the stones at the end of the patio. It is amazing how determined he is to dig to the bottom and I went out and kicked the stones back in a couple of times much to his disgust. He also barked at Pat next door as she took in her washing so I went out to say hello. She says that he ignored her when she was out earlier as he was too busy chewing a twig.
Rodders has only eaten about half of his lunch, I thought he would be hungrier after a busy morning.
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Puppy Party number one
Rodders was a bit concerned when I put my boots back on but was a bit happier when I put on my dog walking coat as he knows he gets to come too then. I grabbed his bed and slipped his lead on and walked him to the car.
He barked a couple of times in the car but settled very quickly on the short journey to the vets for Puppy Party.
There were four puppy's including Rodders, seven owners and three staff. The staff introduced themselves and then it was our turn. Appa the Westies owner went first, then Molly the staff, then Rodders and finally Marley the Staffie/Husky cross.
Nicci, the head nurse, asked if we were having any problems and we all mentioned any concerns. Biting and chewing seemed to be the main problems initially but as we all talked other issues came out such a car sickness, separation anxiety, training, crate training and toilet training. Nicci was brilliant at explaining why dogs do what they do and how we should react. Not sure I want to do what she suggested when he is chewing my carpets - apparently I should ignore it! Praise positive behaviour and ignore the bad is all very well most of the time but damaging something he shouldn't or chewing something dangerous like a cable cannot be ignored. Maybe I should just clarify that next week.
Nicci asked if we were happy to let our puppy's off the lead to see if they would play together. I didn't have a problem, I have been longing for Rodders to have someone to play with! He wasn't bothered about walking away from me, especially as Nicci was throwing toys around and he spotted a Kong - shame it didn't have kibble in it! Once the puppy's started playing together Rodders was straight in there and was holding his own until Molly and Marley got a bit rough and he was in the middle. Nicci got him out of there very quickly and kept him with her. She was making sure that I knew how to deal with it and that I didn't praise him until he settled back down. Seeing how boisterous Molly and Marley were she suggested that we keep Rodders and Appa out of it and then let them play together later.
Molly and Marley were really playing roughly and throwing each other over but you could see it was play and not aggression. They were quite loud though! Once they sorted each other out they started to play better together and Rodders was desperate to go back down but I kept him on my knee.
Once Molly and Marley had been given their turn we put Rodders and Appa down on the floor. Appa was so funny, he was happy trotting around the edges of the room behind the chairs and only ventured in to the middle after he had been down for a while. He did go and climb up on one of the nurses knee though! Rodders was happy following him about and then he went to play tug with Nicci while she explained how important it is to let them use their teeth in this way but that they should never win the game.
We were there for an hour and a half and Rodders was quite happy to come away. Back home he had a piddle on the front lawn and followed me upstairs when I used the bathroom. He sat at the top of the stair making squeaky noises until he realised the bedroom door was open and rushed in there. I called him and he came back with OH's slipper in his mouth looking very pleased with himself! I took it off him and shut the bedroom door. For the first time today he followed me back down the stair.
I grabbed something to eat while he went and curled up on snuggle fleece. I think we have a tired puppy!
He barked a couple of times in the car but settled very quickly on the short journey to the vets for Puppy Party.
There were four puppy's including Rodders, seven owners and three staff. The staff introduced themselves and then it was our turn. Appa the Westies owner went first, then Molly the staff, then Rodders and finally Marley the Staffie/Husky cross.
Nicci, the head nurse, asked if we were having any problems and we all mentioned any concerns. Biting and chewing seemed to be the main problems initially but as we all talked other issues came out such a car sickness, separation anxiety, training, crate training and toilet training. Nicci was brilliant at explaining why dogs do what they do and how we should react. Not sure I want to do what she suggested when he is chewing my carpets - apparently I should ignore it! Praise positive behaviour and ignore the bad is all very well most of the time but damaging something he shouldn't or chewing something dangerous like a cable cannot be ignored. Maybe I should just clarify that next week.
Nicci asked if we were happy to let our puppy's off the lead to see if they would play together. I didn't have a problem, I have been longing for Rodders to have someone to play with! He wasn't bothered about walking away from me, especially as Nicci was throwing toys around and he spotted a Kong - shame it didn't have kibble in it! Once the puppy's started playing together Rodders was straight in there and was holding his own until Molly and Marley got a bit rough and he was in the middle. Nicci got him out of there very quickly and kept him with her. She was making sure that I knew how to deal with it and that I didn't praise him until he settled back down. Seeing how boisterous Molly and Marley were she suggested that we keep Rodders and Appa out of it and then let them play together later.
Molly and Marley were really playing roughly and throwing each other over but you could see it was play and not aggression. They were quite loud though! Once they sorted each other out they started to play better together and Rodders was desperate to go back down but I kept him on my knee.
Once Molly and Marley had been given their turn we put Rodders and Appa down on the floor. Appa was so funny, he was happy trotting around the edges of the room behind the chairs and only ventured in to the middle after he had been down for a while. He did go and climb up on one of the nurses knee though! Rodders was happy following him about and then he went to play tug with Nicci while she explained how important it is to let them use their teeth in this way but that they should never win the game.
We were there for an hour and a half and Rodders was quite happy to come away. Back home he had a piddle on the front lawn and followed me upstairs when I used the bathroom. He sat at the top of the stair making squeaky noises until he realised the bedroom door was open and rushed in there. I called him and he came back with OH's slipper in his mouth looking very pleased with himself! I took it off him and shut the bedroom door. For the first time today he followed me back down the stair.
I grabbed something to eat while he went and curled up on snuggle fleece. I think we have a tired puppy!
Tuesday, 22 November 2011
Talking to OH
Today has been a weepy day for me, which is a bit unusual. First the TV Programme and then an email from my sister to let me know that she now has broadband and a telephone. Why on earth would this make me cry?
She has managed to get my Mum's old phone number, a number we have had as long as I can remember and all our friends and family will know the significance of it. I miss my Mum every single day, just some things bring it closer to the surface and I burst in to tears.
So what is a girl to do at a moment like that, she gets her OH on FaceTime! Once he had calmed me down he had a chat with Rodders who, at the time, was chewing snuggle fleece. He told him no and Rodders stopped chewing and came to look at the phone. He could see it was OH and he kept walking behind the phone to try and find him! He then got bored and walked off so OH and I carried on talking. When OH hung up Rodders started crying so I called him back. Rodders was going mad, trying to eat the phone!
She has managed to get my Mum's old phone number, a number we have had as long as I can remember and all our friends and family will know the significance of it. I miss my Mum every single day, just some things bring it closer to the surface and I burst in to tears.
So what is a girl to do at a moment like that, she gets her OH on FaceTime! Once he had calmed me down he had a chat with Rodders who, at the time, was chewing snuggle fleece. He told him no and Rodders stopped chewing and came to look at the phone. He could see it was OH and he kept walking behind the phone to try and find him! He then got bored and walked off so OH and I carried on talking. When OH hung up Rodders started crying so I called him back. Rodders was going mad, trying to eat the phone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)