Otter's Puppy Log

[Beanwood]

Trying to have a quiet day with Otter, and encourage her to rest a bit. Easier said than done! Growing pups need to rest, especially after busy days.

Long day yesterday, vet visit, final vaccination, check tooth and finished with a walk with Benson, longer than intended because he buried his ball in the mud and refused to leave without it. Otter spent much of the walk prancing in the muddy pools and playing at the edge of the water. She met a very sweet French pug and owner, who had a walking stick so something new for her to think about. A rather Pongoesque labrador exploded from the long grass at one point (much to the owners' dismay) to say hello. Otter really wasn't bothered though. A rather rude Weimaraner drew a low warning growl from Benson, and a look from Otter that said: "Yeah Benson you tell 'em.... you is a ROOD dog! She then swished her tail, gave a shake and without a backward glance trotted on with Benson.

I naively thought that she would zonk out early, and give me a break in the morning. Nope. 5.30am she is up and rearing to go. Jeez! I take up to the spare bedroom, and stick her in a crate with a kong, hoping she will settle if close to me. Oh yes, she settled alright! I woke with a start, realising that it was just a bit quiet. Glanced in her crate to find she had gone! In my tired, fuzzy state I had left one of the crate doors open, so Otter was happily snoozing on the bed, a very, very happy pup!

Here is a quick clip I took on my iPad this morning.... s'cuse the garbled commentary, I think I was still asleep!!

 

[Beanwood]

So the Voyager Adjustable step in harness arrived today. I don't like it one bit. Scratchy webbing, couldn't get it adjusted properly, either too tight or the chest piece dropped low across her shoulders which I really wasn't happy with. Sigh. Looks like "no harness" again on Saturday and I will have to bear the wrath of the trainer once again....

The good news though is her first "big school" limited slip lead and collar arrived...In bright orange with "Otter" embroidered on both of them Lovely soft webbing by TuffStuff

 

[snowbunny]

That's it, Otter's made it to the bed! Didn't take long at all, did it? Reckon that's you sorted then - the only way for a good night's sleep is to have her on your bed from the get-go

 

[Beanwood]

That's it, Otter's made it to the bed! Didn't take long at all, did it? Reckon that's you sorted then - the only way for a good night's sleep is to have her on your bed from the get-go

Not sure what @Mr Beanwood would think of that! Benson has special dispensation to sleep on the bed, even that means we have to buy a bigger one... he seems to take up the whole mattress!!!

 

[Cath]

Looks like "no harness" again on Saturday and I will have to bear the wrath of the trainer once again....

Can't you go to your local Pet shop and see what they may have for Otter

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Glanced in her crate to find she had gone! In my tired, fuzzy state I had left one of the crate doors open, so Otter was happily snoozing on the bed, a very, very happy pup!

I'm with @snowbunny ...just give into it and get some sleep. It's long since time you invested in a king sized bed anyway. Regardless of the dogs, wouldn't your joints feel SO much better with a new mattress?

That stinks about Otter's tooth. I know she'll be fine but I also know it's probably really worrying you.

For the harness, is it the Puppia one for which she's grown a dislike? Would one of those I brought from Kate's work? There was the black larger Puppia and @snowbunny 's really nice one. Maybe one would work to keep puppy trainer wrath at bay for the duration of your class.

Finally...you got to give it up about calling her ugly. So far I've not seen one ugly photo of her. I agree with the others that she's going into supermodel territory now with those LEGS FOR DAYS.

So if you have a day you think she's ugly, just slap a photo up here and we'll all tell you how wrong you are. How's that for tough love?

 

[Mr Beanwood]

That's it, Otter's made it to the bed! Didn't take long at all, did it? Reckon that's you sorted then - the only way for a good night's sleep is to have her on your bed from the get-go

Love her as much as I do - this is NOT happening

I'm with @snowbunny ...just give into it and get some sleep. It's long since time you invested in a king sized bed anyway.

We already have a King Size - and with clever old Benson, we BOTH end up sleeping right on the edge. It's a 6 foot bed I'm going for next.

 

[Beanwood]

or the harness, is it the Puppia one for which she's grown a dislike? Would one of those I brought from Kate's work? There was the black larger Puppia and @snowbunny 's really nice one. Maybe one would work to keep puppy trainer wrath at bay for the duration of your class.

Yup, great minds think alike! Otter has been wearing Bramble's old black Puppia harness. It is a much bigger size, plus much softer than the smaller orange one. Popped it on this morning, no problem at all... can you believe it? Will let her wear it for the majority of tomorrow and Friday. It seems to be a much more comfortable fit for her too.

'm with @snowbunny ...just give into it and get some sleep. It's long since time you invested in a king-sized bed anyway. Regardless of the dogs, wouldn't your joints feel SO much better with a new mattress?

Oh, a new bed sigh! That would be heaven! Just loved the bed in Cornwall, lovely soft mattress.... luxury!.. I guess tomorrow I am just taking her back upstairs when she wakes up and let her sleep where she likes...

Can't you go to your local Pet shop and see what they may have for Otter

I very nearly did! I just have so many at home it seemed a bit daft to buy another, especially at her age, considering the Voyager harness was a complete failure! We have ruffwear, Puppia, Perfect Fit, Haqihana, and one from @snowbunny (need to figure what you would like me to do with that one!

 

[snowbunny]

The harness just goes on to its next home when needed, wherever that may be. A shelter, a friend, a forum pup ... it matters not

 

[Beanwood]

Otter seems quite happy in Bramble's hand me down harness ( black puppia...) Will try and get a photo at class tomorrow

In the meantime we have been doing a little of work on recall well not really work, Otter thinks it's the bestest game in the world, just love her joyous wee face as she rushes back!




And running back to @Mr Beanwood as fast as her little legs with carry her with Benson....c'mon little pup we gotta run, run run like the wind!





Finally with her new pink piggy...

 

[Stacia]

Love the one of her with the pink piggy, just look at the expression And the back view of them doing a recall

 

[Charlie]

Brilliant photo's! xx

 

[Cath]

Really lovely

 

[Emily_Babbelhund]

Such a happy pack! They are ALL the luckiest dogs! Otter is already such a gorgeous hunk of puppy, can't wait to see her through all her stages.

Love the photo with the piggy. Better hide that one the next time Carbon comes calling, though.

 

[Lab_adore]

Beautiful pics

 

[Beanwood]

Gosh having a read through this thread. The angst of puppy class - with approaching newbie puppy owners...Otters tooth...clueless vets...partial cruciate tear... good vets...Operation... restricted crate rest....it is not surprising we have a pupster who is a bit "wobbly" when it comes to people.

On a more positive note, it looks like we have made considerable progress with Luna's old harness. Today we were working on Otter accepting the harness on her terms. So she is rewarded for not wearing it, as well as wearing it. Getting a reinforcement was not therefore contingent on her wearing the harness. I then tested this choice by resting the harness on my lap, Otter could chose to pop her head in or not...she would get a treat anyhow. The choice was hers

 

[Stacia]

Drift was in a similar situation to Otter, though he had to be confined to house until he was nearly 8 months and remained reactive and nervous. That is why I wish I had taken him out in the car and parked at playground, train stations, supermarket car parks, just so he could get used to the outside world.

 

[Beanwood]

Did Drift remain a wee bit reactive when he matured? Forgive me I can't seem to remember!

With Otter we did a lot of work with habituation when she arrived. Sounds, sights, textures, cars, even a trip to Cornwall and all that entailed in terms of motorway services, strangers, beach...other dogs, another house complete with sounds and novel smells. I am hoping we have paid enough money into her resilience bank to help get through rehab and fear of strangers. I am also waiting on a date from a clinical behaviourist - maybe they can see something I have missed.

 

[Beanwood]

Meant to add, as well as cashing in on her resilience bank, one thing she loves is play, so I am hoping to build on this innate love of play she has

 

[Stacia]

Yes, Drift did remain reactive for the rest of his life! There was an element of genetics though, which Rourke also had, however, with all the carers coming in and out of the house has made Rourke much more confident.

You probably have put 'paid enough money into the bank' with Otter, but I feel that needs to be maintained and don't forget the later 'fear period'. The earlier socialisation will be there within her ready to emerge later with luck.