Canesisters 2023 journal - turning my Disasters into Delights

[Baymule]

I know what you mean about the heat. My LGDs are having a hard time. I carry water to the holes they have dug under the oak shade tree to wet the dirt down. I bring Sentry in the house and put Sheba and Buford in the front yard so they can go under the porch where it is cool.

 

[SageHill]

Confined to my bedroom & bath

Do you think she would do the same if she had the entire house? Guessing yes since she made it outside.

 

[Mini Horses]

I'd suggest a doggie door and screened deck/porch. BUT...if she's taking out ac panels, what's a screen???

You need a dog communicator to ask "why, what".

 

[canesisters]

Oh how I WISH I could hear her story.... and convince her that I'm not going to abandon her.

Between downpours, we got a lot done. It's going to be a 10' box. I still need to tighten up the chain link roof, tie up all the connection points & corners & put a cattle panel across the front.
Then I can test it by finally getting to go to the grocery store.

 

[Mini Horses]

Well, this will be an adventure

Some animals are JUST smart Houdinis. I have a buck goat that is. He's smart and strong! Jumps 4' like a deer, rams anything that doesn't suit him. A challenge. He's being considered for sale . One more fencing option, then.....gone.

 

[canesisters]

Almost done, ran out of steam.
Will have to finish up tomorrow.
Neither of us feeling good tonight. Both skipped dinner.

 

[Baymule]

It looks real good. I get it about not wanting to eat. Y’all got too hot and too tired. Drink lots of water! I made lemonade for us, working out in the heat on the roof. I buy the frozen concentrate at Walmart. The limeade is good too. It sure is refreshing when one is dripping wet, beyond hot.

Be sure to stop, cool off and get something to drink when working outside. Water first, then lemonade.

 

[canesisters]

After looking at it with fresh eyes - I think I'm going to move the cattle panel over to the right some.
If (in my mind) the left corner that will be the gate is more secure because she will be challenging the middle of a panel instead of where two ends meet... then it would make sense to do that at BOTH front corners.
Besides.. those giant hostas are going to get mangled everytime I move the panel to let her in/out. If I move it over so that it just reaches that big pine, I can sill secure the end of the panel & miss the hostas.

 

[canesisters]

Test #1 of Fort K-9nox

I spent a couple of hours working on the front panel/gate. When I was satisfied that I couldn't do anymore, I put her in & went inside to clean up.
Test #1 ‐ if she was still in once I was in non-sweat soaked clothes, I could run up to Dollar General & get a few necessities.

Gotta admit... I was surprised at the passion she put into her escape attempts!!!! Mostly because she is such a relaxed, laid-back un-boxer-like couch potato. But WOW!!! She latched on to the front panel, sat back & YANKED!!! The whole front flexed.... but didn't give. I see now how she made quick work of that crate. Her head fits through the holes in the cattle panel (so collar OFF!) & she repeatedly tried vigorously to force her shoulders through!
I waited until she stopped for a breather & a drink before I went back out. I praised her - because at that moment she was being good. Then I went & got a t-post & drove it in to support the middle of that front panel. Then I left.
Went to the store, grabbed laundry soap, dog & cat food, tuna for a couple days lunches.... and ice cream
I got home 22mins later - and she was still in the pen! HOT.... Stressed.... but safe.
I let her out, I made her go back in (bit of a battle), went in with her. Told her how brave she was. Then out to be in the yard for a short bit while I locked up the chickens & in the house to cool off & have dinner.
Test #1 = success

I believe that as a "training" tool, she might learn more from going in the pen while I make short trips - 20, 30min to 1hr - than she would from going in the pen for an entire day while I'm at work.
Am I right in this??? She'll more likely make that connection that I AM coming back. Then we can work on longer periods alone.

 

[Mini Horses]

I believe that as a "training" tool, she might learn more from going in the pen while I make short trips - 20, 30min to 1hr - than she would from going in the pen for an entire day while I'm at work.
Am I right in this??? She'll more likely make that connection that I AM coming back. Then we can work on longer periods alone.

I would agree with this thinking....

She SURE has a problem with confinement! Not sure if it's THE being confined or not having access to people does she wander when outside with you? Or stay with/near? This is a tough one!

The day she got out of the house, was she then in a fenced yard?? Or out into open space? Will she walk around the fenced area and stay put or jump out?

At any rate, she may be unhappy in there but, safe. I'd put the cam out there so you can see if she settles down while you're gone, or what. Geesh, she was in a kennel at the pound, right??