Here we are at 6 months old, Bruno weighing in at 52lbs Maxi at 47.5lbs. They are now down to two meals a day with a mere snack in the middle of the day. Looking back to the endless schedules of bottle feeding and potty training it would seem as thought things should have quietened down somewhat. Not so really, things have switched up a notch in the exercise needs of the pups rather running around carrying them to their toilet area.. For the most part they are using their elimination area in the yard, only occasionally do they go elsewhere in the garden. The culprit there is usually Bruno. Maxi as always is much more obliging than Bruno.To be fair to Bruno he has a stronger territorial instinct than Maxi which makes it hard for him to resist marking the perimeter of the garden. Now that they are older and stronger they really need to run and have serious exercise. So we run together in the mornings, at high speed I might add, and they have a play with other dogs in the dog park. Just when they seem to be tired out they are ready to keep on going. However, the great thing with Boxers is that when they are tired they are very very relaxing and calming to be around. The perfect qualities of a therapy dog. Our ultimate goal for these fabulous animals. They crave attention and love to be stroked.They love having their faces massaged and will sit forever quietly by you side while being petted. Of course this is only possible after adequate exercise as they are still young and prone to excitement when full of energy. Bruno also loves to swim which makes him relaxed. His snout is so short though it makes him panic in the water a little as he can't get enough air so we bought him an Outward Hound life jacket which gives him a more enjoyable and safe experience. It means we can let him swim in the lake also. Maxi is not so keen but likes the life jacket also.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Lessons learned dog chews and septic tanks.
So here's the thing, having a septic doggy tank has pointed out the horrors of rawhide chews-----------yuck!! What you can't see when you pick up your dog's mess is the undigested chews which swell up in the tank with the potential for clogging it. Ousted--all raw hide chews and pig ears etc. Oh the horrors of fishing out raw hide from a septic tank!! I can only imagine what went on in their digestive systems. Nylabones are the only chews these guys are having from now on. Expensive a little but they last a long time. It may take a little while for them to accept these types of chews so I have bought flavored ones and also put some peanut butter on them so as to make them really tasty. We are having a little summer break from formal training although I am keeping up what they have learned so far.Our runs are great now after the first five minutes or so to get their 'wiggles out'. The three of us run together well once we are in the zone. These high energy dogs need high energy workouts---great for keeping me fit:)
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Some updates.
The septic tank is certainly not for the fainthearted but preferable to the piles of poop bags cooking in the summer heat. It took some digging to place it in the ground--four feet deep and two feet wide. It also requires a gallon of water each time you use it so unless you have a hose close by it could be a little tedious. Using the pooper scooper is not much fun either---again unless you have a hose close by it would be irksome to have to take it indoors to rinse. With these considerations I am glad we have it. Another update Maxi;s green stick fracture on his toe has greatly improved although it still is a little swollen. He is able to run and is not having pain. It has been a couple of months now, a long time healing.
As with all things exceeding moderation has consequences as I discovered to my dismay. Bruno suffers greatly in the heat as I have mentioned before so------------I allowed him to drink way way too much-----he just loves water in any way shape or form:- from the paddling pool, the hose, the main pool and from his bowls. So I was not monitoring just how much he was consuming--the result was a long trail of pee all through the kitchen to the sun room and out the door!!! His bladder was so full he was totally unaware of leaking. Lesson learned my lack of monitoring could very well have ended in tragedy. Fortunately he was not drinking due to illness ----he just loves the sensation of water all round his face in the heat. He is back to drinking normally and is fine. His snout is roughly half the size of Maxi's which explains why he is less tolerant of hot weather. Poor boy he suffers more than Maxi in all situations. Friday, June 10, 2011
Brave Puppies? Alice in Wonderland
Help Maxi, we must be shrinking a giant drinking bowl and now look at our fetch ball!!!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Bruno in class week 6.
Bruno learning to spin in class. Also learning to leave his favorite toy even when I put it on his paw---a very difficult feat for a young puppy to accomplish yeah go Bruno! Congrats you passed all the tests. Happy Graduation:) LOL!!
Bruno in class week 6.
Bruno being tested. Staying on command in the middle of the pet store with dogs, children and forklifts etc around.
Friday, June 3, 2011
Garden Mischief
So, we almost I say almost have the digging to the center of the earth issue under control, but now, blossoming flowers and plants seem to be an irresistible treat. It does seem to be an issue with Boxers. In all the years I have had dogs I have never known any to love plants the way these guys do. It does test ones resolve to stick with the ideology of positive reinforcement training techniques when you see the destruction of beautiful flowers. However, I will resist the temptation to punish and try to stop the behavior using a deterrent like bitter apple spray. Still waiting for the doggy septic tank:) It should be here some time today--hoping so.
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