A lot of training needed

I certainly wish the puppy training class had started with the most important behavior problems, jumping and barking.  I think they saved them for last, and will no doubt recommend taking the second series of classes to get the full training for these two obnoxious habits.   Right now he's on my list for an incredibly bad walk, as well as for chewing things he shouldn't.  It's pretty funny because he has that "guilty dog" look that could break your heart it's so cute, except you'd like to beat him for what he's done!  (But you don't.)

After the strong winds the past two days I have mounds of leaves and debris in my yard and driveway that I need to clean up.  I can't do it with the dog around because he makes a game of trying to get the broom.  Of course when I tie him up, he barks.

I wish I'd hear something good in the news for a change - it's been a long time since I've been able to read the news and not be depressed about it.  And I'm almost depressed about the cold coming into the northern plains and even stretching into Colorado, but the far west continues to be warm.  I would like a taste of cold weather now and then.   I haven't had to wear my parka or boots for years, it seems.  (I hope I don't regret saying that!!!)

Maybe the class this evening will be one that I can be happy about.  I'm reminded of the old saying, "Hope springs eternal".   As long as I can hope, I can be satisfied, if not ridiculously happy!

Have a good day!

Such a good dog!

If you can stand one more post about my dog ----

We went out via the side door and down the steps.  It is awkward, to say the least, and I have to be careful and hold the railing when I'm going down the stairs.  Today, Rocky actually went down two steps and then stopped and turned, and then waited for me to continue on down; then he followed me.  It's as if he knows I need to take my time and hold on to the railing, and he was watching to make sure I was ok.  It was a sweet moment and gesture from such a young dog who hasn't been trained as yet to do things like that.  He and I are going to be close partners.  It's also a good thing that he and Jeannie have bonded as they have, because she gives him something that I can't.  It's win-win all the way around. 


I know many dogs are watchful and careful of their owners, and it doesn't take a pedigree to make a dog into a fine and watchful companion.  But of all the different dogs and breeds that I've been around over the years, there is something "extra" with this one.  He and I are on the same wavelength and I've said many times that he can read my mind - literally.

Jeannie drove me to Bel Air this afternoon to pick up a prescription, and while I was at it I did the shopping that I planned to have delivered.  It was so nice to walk and gaze at the shelves, to chat with the pharmacist, and then the cashier.   Before we left my house I put everything up and out of reach of the dog, and if he found a way to get something I didn't want him to have, then so be it.  I didn't want to put him in the crate and then lock the door, as he then barks the entire time.  When I got home he hadn't destroyed anything or found a way to get into mischief, and he barked when he heard us coming but I'll have to ask my neighbor if he barked the whole time I was gone.

Jeannie brought me the new dog food that had been delivered to her house, and it was good timing because I don't have much of the old stuff left.  I fed him the new kibble for large breed puppies and he loves it!  I had planned to mix some of the older stuff with it but will save that to give as treats, and go straight to the new food which will be much better for him.

Rocky at about 8 wks:  (Click to enlarge)

Rocky at 4+ months:

I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day than today, and it looks like the next week will be great as well.  I love the cool breezes although it gets really warm in the sun. 

I'm really tired this evening but have a little longer before going to bed.  Rocky is stretched out on the floor sleeping already.  Have a nice weekend - I just found out today that Monday is a holiday.

My house!

I can only imagine what this place looked like when it was set up in the early 1960's.  Remember the clothes back then, and the psychedelic colors?  Well, I've figured out that this 1963 mobile home was lime green!  I know this from the walls in the laundry area, which is a converted back porch with awful green walls.

I've since discovered that they painted everything in sight with the terrible green color:  the driveway (the green paint is now showing through the black paving); a small concrete patio between the shed and the side of the house, just crammed in there with nothing to look at , and the green paint has mostly worn off but is still visible.  Can you picture a lime green house with driveway, patio, etc. to match?

I never did like the 60's to begin with.  It was an era of turmoil and civil unrest, and I hated rock & roll.  I love just about every kind of music including jazz, rhythm & blues, classical, and hillbilly, but never rock & roll.  Yes, this house would have fit the 60's very well.  I think I recall sewing myself a pant suit of green polyester - I did a darn good job on the sewing and it wasn't quite lime green, but I shudder to think of some of the clothes back then.

I forgot to mention that the outside of the house has long since been painted in a light gray.  Every part of the inside, including ceiling and walls, every room, every closet, etc., was paneled in a cheap wood paneling.  Talk about depressing.  I painted each room a different color with white on all the ceilings.  I probably went a little overboard, but ugly cheap wood paneling was really overboard!

I ordered a big bag of Wellness food for large breed puppies and it is supposed to be delivered today.  I am anxious to see if he likes it and what, if any, changes I notice.  I'd hoped to mix a bit with his dinner but just looked at the delivery schedule which promises that I will get it by 9PM this evening.  He's usually fast asleep by 8 or so, and we'll have to try it out at breakfast.  He is doing so well with the extra feeding at Noon - I had been giving him two meals a day plus a lot of kibble in the way of treats.  Now he gets 3 meals plus the treats, and all I have to do is mention the word "treat" and he knows exactly what is coming!

Enjoy your weekend!  

Back to his old self!

I just got back from walking Rocky and I can say he seems to be fully recovered from the recent injections.  The rain has stopped but the wind is blowing in gusts, and on our walk he seemed to be chasing the wind!  He's a sight to see.

In his exhuberance he just jumped over the computer on my lap and his claws tore the skin on my arm.  It's going to take a long time to heal as he got me in two places.  I avoid clipping his nails (Joe usually does it but he hasn't been feeling well the past few days).   I may just have to try it.  Rocky holds still very well, something a lot of dogs don't like to do or have anyone touch their paws.

I really enjoyed hearing the rain last night.  I haven't heard how much fell overall, but I think we got a good soaking.  Now all the little flowers and buds have fallen off the crepe myrtle trees  and are clumped in  driveways, on the street, and everywhere you look.  I hate that tree even though it's beautiful when flowering, but would prefer it in a large yard away from the house.  It's such a nuisance in a mobile home park and there are a lot of them.  I believe they belong to the park so I  don't think I could cut it down and replace it.  The roots have cracked the small slab of concrete in the front, and is probably causing the house to need re-leveling.

This has been a beautiful day except that my arm hurts so bad where Rocky tore the skin.  I put a large band-aid on it immediately, but have no idea how to stop the pain in it.  I don't have anything for pain except baby aspirin, and that is the main reason why my skin is so thin and tears easily to begin with - that daily baby aspirin.  How I hate it!

Another weekend is nearly upon us and I don't have a date!   Haha, I remember when that was a huge disappointment! 

 

RAIN???

It is unusual for the Sacramento area to get rain this time of year.  It's absolutely pouring down and streaming down the windows.  There is even thunder.   Rocky is staying close by.  Darn, I wish I had my new sod down, but maybe we will get some rain throughout the winter.

This puppy is so funny sometimes I just sit and laugh at him and his antics.  He still isn't back to his old self after the shots, but he's doing well.  And he loves getting 3 meals a day now, plus still gets the treats in between.  He knows the word "treat" very well.  And today he has conned me out of a couple of teaspoons of vanilla ice cream.  I know I shouldn't but I do anyway. (It's the only way I can get ice cream for myself!)  I ordered a large bag of puppy food for large breeds as the vet recommended.  She mentioned it emphatically several times, so I am not waiting.  He has about 3 days left of his regular puppy food, so I'll finish that off.  I don't think it will be difficult to switch him over, as a lab will usually eat anything put in front of them, and make you think it's the best stuff they ever tasted.   

I can't stress enough how happy I am that I got what I wanted in a puppy.  He's a lot of work and hassle, and his independent nature often really irritates me, but he brings me so much joy it isn't even a question of putting up with the problems that go along with raising a pup.  The hardest thing is doing it alone, although I get valuable help from my kids and grandkids.  Being tied down is the most difficult aspect.

I got an email from Costco notifying me that they deliver groceries, so I will check out exactly what is available for delivery.  I knew they were working on it but I haven't ordered from them yet - I'll let them get their system worked out.  I will repeat that home delivery is a great thing for someone who can't get out to the stores.  I would far rather shop in the actual store, but since I can't I'm so grateful for this service being available.  Costco has a lot of items in large quantities, so if it's something you like to eat and have the space to store it, the price is really worth it.

It sounds like the rain is slowing down so maybe I can open a few windows again.  It's good to not have to use the fan or cooler, and not have the electricity costs that go along with them, but we will be back up into the 80's in a few days and that will require some cooling.

I have a hungry puppy so I will close and go feed the mutt!

Got the rabies shot! & Update

Donald drove me to the vet this morning so Rocky could get his rabies shot - the last thing necessary for him being able to go to the dog park.  I didn't know it would take so long to take complete effect, but the vet said to wait 2 weeks, so that's what I'll do.  It's tempting at times to give him a run in there when there are no other dogs, but I can't rush it and take a chance on his health.

The vet also said I should start feeding him more, so that will make him ecstatic!  He gets so excited whenever I start to pour his food into the bowl that he leaps up in the air in excitement.  

I  knew Donald and the gang wore Rocky out a couple of days ago when Jeannie & I went to Costco and they took Rocky to the park.  Two men and 3 or 4 kids wore that poor baby out, and I noted that he was tired all the next day.  Donald told me this morning that the kids ran him around the park and finally he pretended to not hear what they were saying or see them trying to coax him back into the "game".   I wish I was young enough to run with him, but since I'm not I am lucky to have family that will play with him.  We all have our special place in the chain of life.

I'm tired and think I will grab a little nap as long as Rocky is snoozing. 

UPDATE:  After a nice nap Rocky is awake but not feeling very well.  He really doesn't want to  walk which is totally out of character.  I gave him a big treat that he can chew on for a little while and he's happy, but he seems to have a small fever, not unusual for having the shots.  I told the vet today (and have told them every time) that I don't want them to give him two major injections at the same time.  So what did they do?  He got the next in a series of shots for the usual - leptospirosis, etc. - plus the rabies.  No wonder he's not his usual self.

A few hours to myself!

I really needed some time away from Rocky and was so happy when Jeannie suggested we go to Costco, Target, etc., while Donald and a friend of his took their children and  Rocky to the park to play.  I love the little guy but sometimes I just need a break.

Tonight is the 3rd of 6 sessions in the puppy training class.  So far I haven't been impressed at all.  I think this evening is going to be about either barking or jumping, but I'm not looking forward to it being any more productive than the previous two classes.  I will say that Rocky is doing better on our walks but it is no doubt just his getting a little more used to it.  When we meet someone, especially men who seems to want him to jump up on them, then it all goes to hell in a handbasket (saying, courtesy of my mother-in-law).   These wonderful guys just want to play with the dog and Rocky loves it.  But it's too rough and he doesn't discriminate when he's jumping up whether it's a middle aged healthy man, or an older woman who nearly gets knocked over by the exhuberance.  It's difficult for me to control him and I know everyone means well, but it's not easy for me and it certainly isn't easy for Rocky to become a well-behaved dog that anyone would love to be around.

I've been having a very rough time the past few days and I know it will get better eventually.  I may eventually hire a private trainer to work with Rocky.   I've been told over and over that it's his age and that he will outgrow it.  But in the back of my mind I wonder, "what if he doesn't outgrow it?"

On another note, I don't recall if I mentioned it, but my son Steve is going to help me do something with my back yard, tiny postage-stamp size that it is.  We will move the rocks to the side of the house, build a small patio with paving stones, plant grass everywhere else, and install fences on both sides making a grassy enclosure for Rocky to enjoy.  I already see myself sitting at a patio umbrella table sipping a beverage of my choice and enjoying being outside with the dog.  I'm also thinking about some planter boxes for growing tomatoes and a few other vegetables. 

I need to get busy and do some laundry today.  I've been putting it off but it's piling too high to let it go any longer.  

Have a good day, wherever you are!