Woof! Bark! And also Whiiiiiiiiiine.

106 watchers

PenW Nov 2020 8:30pm, 26 Nov 2020 2,023 posts	0 PenW But he does now sometimes go to the back door and look out just before he needs a wee. Not reliable yet (sometimes it just means he wants to run round the garden)
Wobbling Nov 2020 8:58pm, 26 Nov 2020 6,439 posts	0 Wobbling You sound happier Pen. We found talking to a trainer really helpful, even if only to silence the worried voice in our head and assure us we were going in the right direction.
PenW Nov 2020 9:05pm, 26 Nov 2020 2,024 posts	0 PenW The magic of getting out for a run. My friend (a fetchie) came round for 2 hours this evening so I could go for a run, have a longer shower, have a moan and cry, and cook my dinner. This has been one way to lose weight... 2.5kg down in 6 days Still feeling emotional with many thoughts of “I can’t do this”. I know it’s the shock to the system and sudden life change/transition. I know it’ll get better but it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Arranging a session with a trainer helps me feel more hopeful and positive. (In some ways it’s a good experience for me to go through. I work as a clinical psychologist specialising in physical health. Everyone I work with goes through tough transitions and life changes!)
shyfire Nov 2020 12:21pm, 27 Nov 2020 192 posts	0 shyfire After a few relatively stress free years of just me and a cat I am running on nervous energy now PenW. Almost end of 2nd 'working' week with Callie. Won't use her crate, chews everything she can get her jaws near, at the bitey stage and has mad sessions running up and down the hall between 'her' room and my office. Still having to pick her up to go outside into the garden since her wee legs are too short to do the steps and still only seeing the cat through the gate/door. 2nd jag today so it'll be another week or 2 before I can start getting her out to meet other dogs. On the plus side she can, when she chooses to, respond to her name and come and has mastered sit. First blissful hour where she was sleeping by my feet whilst working this morning (well we had all been up since 4.30!!). Need to go I think she's chewing the puppy gate now ...
PenW Nov 2020 12:44pm, 27 Nov 2020 2,028 posts	0 PenW I can so relate shyfire! I’m exhausted and also running on nervous energy. Just had a video call with the trainer/behaviourist and have a new routine of crate and puppy pen training to follow plus some socialisation goals. It’s going to be hard work but hopefully worth it. First task - go to pet shop and get some more kongs!!
PenW Nov 2020 12:45pm, 27 Nov 2020 2,029 posts	0 PenW I’m currently in the puppy pen with him while he falls asleep, then he’s going in his crate.
Wobbling Nov 2020 1:08pm, 27 Nov 2020 6,441 posts	0 Wobbling Kongs are brilliant! All sounds promising.
SjohnA Nov 2020 1:25pm, 27 Nov 2020 220 posts	0 SjohnA Only one thing better than a Kong and that's a frozen Kong! I have 4 for rotation. Not sure why they are so expensive though for a bit of rubber!
SjohnA Nov 2020 1:28pm, 27 Nov 2020 221 posts	0 SjohnA Little tip for freezing them. Plug the bottom with something more study like peanut butter and then you can fill them with chicken broth etc as long as you stand them upright. A mug is a good holder for them although they may freeze to the bottom, but nothing a little hot water won't fix.
Wobbling Nov 2020 3:05pm, 27 Nov 2020 6,442 posts	0 Wobbling Kongs need a hole through them if it’s going to be frozen or when the dog licks at the content, it can create a vacuum which sucks & traps the dog’s tongue inside the Kong. We have metal straws we use for this. Boots has LF natural yoghurt (no sweetener) mixed with a bit of peanut butter in his, plugged with a treat. He loves them, empty Kongs are carried ceremoniously to his bed where they get covered in fluff & fur.