Steve came over yesterday and finished replacing door knobs on all the hallway doors plus the side door to the house. It's amazing to be able to open and shut them easily and firmly. Joe also showed up, and the three of us took Rocky to Petsmart as I needed more of the special high-priced food that I am trying to wean him off of. So far I give him one cup of the expensive prescription stuff to 1/2 cup of the original kibble I bought for him (expensive enough as it is). This weekend I will up the ratio to half & half and hope he does well with it.
While there we tried a prong collar on him - oooh it was ugly! Also tried the easy leader (or is it gentle leader?). I can't remember the name and he found the box and instructions while I was in the shower - nothing is left of it except the plastic box and the DVD that accompanied it.
I bought the easy gentle leader and what a difference it makes! He doesn't like it much and sometimes tries to shake it off, but he walks like a real gentleman. I'm hoping that after a week or two of discomfort he will settle down and walk nicely. We have yet to pass close by a person or another dog while he is wearing it, and that could be the acid test. Something has to happen because my control over him is about 50-50 now and that won't do. Every bone in my body aches - I feel like my left knee is coming out of the socket sometimes, and that is no doubt from bracing while trying to hold him back from something or someone he wants to get close to. To say I've been depressed doesn't come close, but this gives me hope I can finally get some cooperation from him. I don't want to break his beautiful puppy spirit, but I can't let him break me, physically or emotionally.
Several times a person has driven by us today while we were walking, opened the car window, and complimented me on how beautiful and well-behaved he is! That's the collar working!
I'll be happy when December is past. It was my favorite holiday until my dad died in 1978 when all the joy went out of Christmas (and every other celebration). I often thought my dad actually still believed in Santa Claus, or maybe he was the real Santa Claus!
So, looking forward to better times, with a well-behaved labrador retriever walking gently at my side, and possibly living in a house with a big back yard for this lab to run and have fun, I'll get through December.
I hope you are all enjoying the lead up to the holidays, as well as ignoring much of the hype associated with trying to sell you stuff you don't need or want.
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A few of your posts back I posted about the PetSafe Easy Walk Harness which I found to be the best for discouraging pulling when my large dogs were young. Perhaps you didn't see my post. It is around $20 at Petco and online at amazon. Look it up because I think it would work for you. From their website:The Easy Walk Harness gently discourages your dog from pulling on the leash. When your dog pulls, the harness steers your dog to the side and redirects his attention toward you. The harness rests across your dog's chest instead of his throat, so there's no choking or gagging.
ReplyDeleteI tried the easy gentle leader but did not like it personally because it seemed to pinch my dog's nose too harshly. I am glad it works for you.
So far I've only used the easy leader a few times and thought it worked beautifully. He tries to shake it off now and then, but it doesn't seem too tight for now. I'm hoping it will get him to calm down on walks to the point where he doesn't need it.
DeleteI forgot to add that the 1-1/2 cups of food is given to Rocky 3 times a day! It's getting really costly, and when I go to the pet store to buy him food, I always buy him a toy and/or treats.
DeleteI don't celebrate holidays anymore. It seems that every year it takes longer and longer to get into the spirit and finally I just gave up.
ReplyDeleteThat's the way I feel about it too. I have to try to keep a happy face on when I'm around the younger kids, though.
DeleteGlad you are finally getting solutions that work for Rocky.
ReplyDeleteWe celebrate our Thanksgiving and Christmas in October for the sake of the Kids and the Grands but have learned to look past all the Commercialism.
Be Safe and Enjoy!
It's about time.
October would be a great time to celebrate these two holidays! I remember the music and hype when I was a child, but it never started until after Thanksgiving. Not even a photo of Santa could be seen. The commercial aspect of both holidays really ruins any sentimental or traditional values.
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