Mommakat 
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Oh! for her energy :)
Reply #81. Mar 21 12, 4:04 AM
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Christinap
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Wouldn't that be good.
Reply #82. Mar 21 12, 8:26 AM
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Christinap
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Training resumed this week after a lay off to ensure everyone was infection free. Susie, I am pleased to report, was keen to impress. So keen in fact that she flattened the trainer within the first 30 seconds by throwing herself at him in a flying leap of greeting. Would have been fine had he not had his back to her at the time! Still, greeting people with affection is a step forward, better than barking at them, and at least it wasn't muddy.
He recovered well and we progresed through the normal settling down exercises. Heeling went well, as did sit and stay. We progressed to off lead work, which Susie isn't fully participating in yet, she is still on a long line after her various escapades with compost heaps and the like. The only problem with the long line is, well, that it is long. In earlier weeks we've had her in a separate field when doing this work, but this week the trainer decided she was being responsible enough to stay in the main field. Well, it was his decision not mine!
First couple of exercises were OK. She stayed, I walked off and she came to me when called with a gentle tug on the line. Third time he told me to go as far away as I could. At this stage Susie thought "freedom" and ran right across the field. Trouble was, the long line. I was still holding it, and it effectively acted as a trip wire as she charged between people's legs. After several calls she eventually decided to come, but all this did was tangle the line up round people even more. All the other dogs joined in the chase and the whole class ended up in this sort of heap of dogs and people.
It didn't help that MOH, the trainer, two kennel hands and the owner of the kennels were leaning on the fence crying with laughter - a bit of assistance would have been nice.
She came and sat in front of me with this big daft grin all over her face, tongue lolling out pretty much saying how happy she was that training has started again.
This afternoon we had a visitor, someone she hasn't met before, but who is a very doggy person. He said just let her out and he'd cope with her. She barked and barked for about five minutes and he just ignored her. Then she ran forward and touched him, backed off and barked again, ran forward again and let him stroke her. Well, it was as if a switch suddenly got flipped. He stroked her, she liked it, he stroked some more, and all of a sudden she was all over him demanding cuddles, he even got a full tummy to rub. She then barked at him if he didn't give her his full attention. It was a sort of "look, I've decided I like you, now pay attention to ME, never mind anyone else"
Given her wariness of strangers and men in particular this was pretty encouraging. It was the first time someone has come into the house and been allowed to fuss her that much on the first meeting. She will usually stop barking after a few minutes and allow them to give her a treat, then lay down some little way off from them, going for the odd pat, then become more confident with them as she meets them for the second and third time. So, another sign that we are getting there with her.
Reply #83. Apr 05 12, 5:20 PM
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Mommakat
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Chris I got up this morning feeling Yuk! Came in the study, switched on, and found Dog Training at the top of the Chat Board Lists, so clicked in. Honey, you made my day, I laughed so much my husband came in to see what was going on. What a joy your dog is, at least she is never boring. Look forward to more anecdotes on her doings and your wonderful way of describing it.
Reply #84. Apr 05 12, 6:04 PM
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Christinap
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Glad Susie and I cheered up your morning.
Having had five GSDs before her I can assure you that life with one of them is never ever dull. They are loyal, affectionate, and very very intelligent with a well developed sense of self and mischief.
When we had Kim, while she was still a puppy I was working and MOH was at home with her. Well, he went to the loo one day and unbeknown to him she followed him in. Next thing he knew her puppy teeth were firmly attached to his manhood and she was hanging from it, all feet off the ground, so pleased that she had found a new toy! He was really careful about shutting the bathroom door properly after that episode! Or the time she got under the bed and screamed to be rescued. Lifted up the bed, got her out, she decided this was so much fun she went straight back under it again.
Then there was the time we had two together and woke up around 1am to the sound of gentle gnawing. One puppy on each leg of the bed doing a bit of tooth sharpening.
Reply #85. Apr 06 12, 4:11 AM
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Christinap
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Training this week was actually uneventful, other than for Susie voluntarily goig to see the owner of one of the other dogs, sitting in front of her and taking a treat from her. This was another step forward that we were pleased to see. She behaved for the entire session and everyone came out of it without bruises, dirt or traumatised dogs.
In a moment of euphoria after this MOH decided to buy her a treat or two. A new squeaky toy - anyone without a dog will have no idea of how annoying these things are. Every time she picks it up it squeaks. She runs round the house with it in her mouth squeaking it. She leaves it under the cushion on a chair or settee so that when you sit down you squeak it. This one's tough as well - usually the squeak breaks within a couple of days - not this one. still going strong as I discovered at 3am when I turned over in bed and laid on the damn thing. Somehow she'd snuck it into the bedroom and buried it under a pillow.
Annoying though this is at least it isn't lethal. He also bought her the largest rawhide chew he could find. This thing is about 3ft long and she loves it. Not as a chew - more as a weapon of mass destruction. She carries it everywhere. To get it away from her involves grabbing it and then forcing her to let go. So far her swinging round with it in her mouth has cleared a coffee table. Dropping it at a strategic moment left me hopping round in agony as it landed on my toes. She has managed to get it in between my legs when I was carrying washing through the house - but fortunately I landed on a chair. Trouble was it was a swivel chair and as I landed it swivelled, she thought this was a great idea and tried to jump on me, spinning it even more - it started to resemble a fairground ride. MOH hasn't been exempt either. He was having a nap on the settee this afternoon when she dropped it on his stomach and then jumped up after it. It's a good job dogs can't pick up and repeat swear words. I tried hiding it - she found it and kindly brought it to me, bashing me across the kneecap in the process, so I could hide it again. Once the pain wore off I did try again. Took her a bit longer to find it second time, charged back to me in high excitement dragging it along by one end, swing it round to give it to me and that time caught me right on the ankle bone with the big knot on the end of it. Hide and seek was cancelled after that. I can only hope she decides to start chewing it soon, but I have a nasty feeling it is much more valuable as a toy.
Reply #86. Apr 15 12, 6:35 PM
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Mommakat
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Another day brightened up, loathe to get back to the kitchen, but needs must. LOL
Reply #87. Apr 15 12, 7:46 PM
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tobyone
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It's a sheer delight to read of Susie's exploits. I'm so pleased that the training is paying off. The bruises will disappear in time.
Reply #88. Apr 16 12, 5:55 AM
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| C30
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It most certainly is a treat reading about Susie's exploits, and what makes it even more hilarious, is that anyone who has ever owned (or been owned by) a dog can identify with it all.
Reply #89. Apr 16 12, 7:07 AM
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Christinap
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I've just put a new photo of Susie, complete with weapon of mass destruction, on the Forums Photo A Day Thread if anyone wants a look at how she is developing.
Reply #90. Apr 20 12, 4:14 PM
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| REDVIKING57
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Well, she seems to be coming on very nicely!
I'm just wondering if your OH will be buying another WMD when Susie has demolished that one?
:))
Reply #91. Apr 20 12, 6:13 PM
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Christinap
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Ah, after thining about it for a whole 10 seconds - No!
Reply #92. Apr 21 12, 1:40 AM
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MikeMaster99
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I'm also loving this blog! As a family of cat lovers, we are seriously contemplating getting a dog in the near future. A German Shepherd has been suggested and the idea has the support of the junior members of the household (boys of 13 and 10). Given that the house is empty during the working day, how well does a Shepherd cope with this - or should we get two? Reading Christinap's great stories here, I'm wondering whether myself and she-who-must-be-obeyed are up for it!!
Reply #93. Apr 21 12, 3:37 AM
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playmate1111
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I am loving this blog too :) Susie is a beauty! Reminds me so much of my 2 - Sascha and Jessica, who unfortunately have left us.
Reply #94. Apr 21 12, 5:30 AM
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Christinap
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Mike, if you are thinking of a pup I wouldn't leave any pup alone during the working day. They need feeding several times a day at first, a pup couldn't go all day without food, or without going to the loo. If an older dog, German Shepherds are active intelligent dogs, left alone all day boredom will set in very quickly and a consequence of that can often be destructive behaviour, as well as other anti social habits creeping in. They need company, they need to be kept "involved". Two would certainly engage with each other, but just remember, double the trouble could be the result. I know a lot of people do leave their dogs all day, but it isn't recommended and most reputable rescue centres won't rehome to a home where this happens.
Reply #95. Apr 21 12, 7:03 AM
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Christinap
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Very wet and windy morning. Susie took one look at it and declined a walk with one of those "are you mad woman" looks that only a dog can do. So, I did a bit of housework, settled down on the settee with a book, put the foot recliner up, and, probably due to the fact I've had a couple of bad nights, dropped off. She was on her bed sound asleep. I vaguely woke up at one stage when she snuck up on the settee and snuggled in for a cuddle.
Was rudely awakened by MOH coming in and yelling Oh No. Well, the room looked like a snow storm had hit it. Madam had decided to chew the end of her bed, finding it was stuffed with fluffy white stuff she then decided to excavate this and spread it around. It was everywhere, it had floated up and got caught in the light fitting,on the curtains, the furniture, everwhere. She jumped off the settee and rolled in a load of it, ended up looking like she was wearing a big white baby grow, covered, head to tail. Started trying to gather it all up, got a big handful, she grabbed it and ran off with it. MOH in full chase. Two laps of the house with this stuff going everywhere as they went. Eventually he grabbed her and she was thoroughly ticked off - decided to show contrition by offering tummy and squirming across the floor, more clouds of stuff going everywhere.
Put her in the kitchen. Started clearing up and trying to stuff it back into the bed as we went. I still don't know how she got so much of this out through a fairly small hole, no more than a couple of inches across. Once we'd got all we could by hand we hoovered up the rest and I sewed up the hole and gave the bed a good shake to get the stuff distributed. Looks like a new bed for her is on the agenda when I go shopping tomorrow.
Went to the kitchen to get her. Sitting there looking like butter wouldn't melt in her mouth, holding a chicken leg, one of two destined for our dinner tonight. MOH and I both accuse each other of not putting it out of reach. She drops it and demonstrates that she has now grown to the extent that she can reach the back of the worktop and up to the shelf above it where the chicken was. To prove this grabs second chicken leg. Memo to self, new safe place needed - maybe just below the ceiling will do the trick.
In the meantime guess who is getting chicken for dinner tonight.
Reply #96. Apr 23 12, 7:09 AM
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| C30
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Oh dear............Quote, "In the meantime guess who is getting chicken for dinner tonight", unquote.
.................and guess who is not! Rofl
Many moons ago, as my birthday loomed, a very good friend had invited my wife and I to Dinner. Knowing my fondness for greengages, she decided to do a greengage pie for dessert.
fruit had been prepared and put in dish, pastry rolled covered, and whilst waiting for cooker to reach required temperature, went into next room to make a phone....................on hearing suspicious noises she hurriedly returned to kitchen.
There she discovered "Miss Isabella" happily tucking into uncooked pie.......Gordon Setter's, like GSD's are quite tall dogs easily able to get at things left on shelves.
Guess who didn't get his greengage pie!
Reply #97. Apr 23 12, 8:22 AM
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Christinap
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Oh no, I have a weakness for greengage pie as well. I'm sure you would have liked it much more than Miss Isabella.
Lets face it, only a dog would eat greengages, or any fruit, in raw pastry.
Trouble is dogs grow so fast. When we first got her she couldn't reach the kitchen worktop without jumping, now she can lay her chin on it easily. When she jumps up she can easily have her front paws on my shoulders and her chin resting on my head and still not be at full stretch.
Virtually nothing is out of reach for her now. If we hung it from the ceiling she could probably get it with a semi decent jump up!
Reply #98. Apr 23 12, 3:47 PM
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| C30
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There is no accounting for some dog's culinary tastes though!
When I was a kid, we lived in a thatched cottage in the wilds of North-Essex, the kitchen had an Aga Stove, fueled by coke.
There was nothing "Sandy", our Cardigan Corgi enjoyed more than nicking a piece of coke, and munching away at it on the rug in front of the stove.
Then again, when she lived on the Gower, in South Wales, another good friend had a King Charles Cavalier, called "Truffle".
One day, walking, the dog had stopped and was busy eating something. "What IS that dog eating"?. our friend asked.
"Sheep Sh*t, by the look of it", remarked my wife.
Reply #99. Apr 24 12, 1:58 PM
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Christinap
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Susie I'm afraid has something of a "thing" for horse poo. Apart from jumping in it and rolling in it she also likes to pick it up. She selects a nice roud, hard piece, picks it up and carries it. She seems to be on a quest for the perfect piece as she will often pick a bit up, carry it for two or three minutes then discard it in favour of a "better" piece. She never eats it, just carries it. It has to be nice and fresh though, she looses interest in any piles over about 24 hours old.
Needless to say licks are not encouraged when we have just come in from a walk down the bridleway!
Reply #100. Apr 24 12, 6:23 PM
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