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- #621
Canesisters 2023 journal - turning my Disasters into Delights
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Ridgetop
Herd Master
Sounds like over time barking and howling in the kennel when left alone has just become a bad HABIT. She obviously is not suffering so I think you should just relax about it and accept that her episodes of barking/howling in the kennel are a bad habit she has established/learned over the years. You are not home during the day and have no neighbors close enough to be disturbed, so ignore that behavior.She was fine. She was SO not overheated that she had the zoomies when I let her out of the kennel.....geeze boxer-mom... maybe I need the anxiety meds instead of her.
Sounds like you are having fun with her in the obedience training. She is well-behaved in the house with you and the cats when you're there. You are going great with her. You have a routine and she is comfortable with it.
RELAX! YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB AND BIRDIE IS OBVIOUSLY HAPPY WITH YOU! ENJOY!
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- #623
canesisters
Herd Master
I don't think I mentioned that I had to run a loop of hot wire around the bottom of the chicken yard. A fox snatched a couple of hens over several days. Seems to have worked since I've not only not lost any more hens but am getting more eggs too! Probably kept an egg munching possum out too.
Anywho - I'm wondering if that MIGHT be something to consider in all this Birdie drama....
The chicken yard makes up 1/2 of the back yard fence. This morning I left Ms B. in the yard - more of the passive conditioning ("alone" in the yard but can see & hear me. I can praise when she lays down & she can wander the yard when she feels restless).
WELL!.... it seems someone stuck her nose where it didn't belong! She had spent an hour or so laying on the porch, then got restless & went wandering around the yard. She was JUST out of my sight in the back corner. All of a sudden she came FLYING back towards the house, up on the porch & pressed up against the sliding glass door. She was frantic for a bit - thought about pawing the glass, paced, stared.... eventually laid down again.
I'm now considering running a line around the yard & possibly leaving her loose in the big yard. Now that it's got enough 'bite' to Really make an impression.
10 mins later she is again resting on the porch.
Anywho - I'm wondering if that MIGHT be something to consider in all this Birdie drama....
The chicken yard makes up 1/2 of the back yard fence. This morning I left Ms B. in the yard - more of the passive conditioning ("alone" in the yard but can see & hear me. I can praise when she lays down & she can wander the yard when she feels restless).
WELL!.... it seems someone stuck her nose where it didn't belong! She had spent an hour or so laying on the porch, then got restless & went wandering around the yard. She was JUST out of my sight in the back corner. All of a sudden she came FLYING back towards the house, up on the porch & pressed up against the sliding glass door. She was frantic for a bit - thought about pawing the glass, paced, stared.... eventually laid down again.
I'm now considering running a line around the yard & possibly leaving her loose in the big yard. Now that it's got enough 'bite' to Really make an impression.
10 mins later she is again resting on the porch.
Baymule
Herd Master
Remember my psycho Great Pyrenees, Paris? Escape artist extraordinaire! She would climb, dig or squeeze herself through a tiny hole to get out. Finally put up a hot wire. Problem solved. I see no reason for you to not add a few strands of hot wire to the yard. Miss Smartypants won’t be so eager to do battle with the fence!
Sounds like a good day, she is learning it’s ok to take a nap and act like a normal dog. Progress!
Sounds like a good day, she is learning it’s ok to take a nap and act like a normal dog. Progress!
Ridgetop
Herd Master
I had an acquaintance who raised Afghan Hounds. She wanted her yard to look picture perfect so she ran a hot wire around all her flower beds about 2' off the ground. It worked great although the dogs could have easily jumped over it. One day her stud dog peed on the hot wire. As you all know liquid conducts electricity . . . .
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- #626
canesisters
Herd Master
I'm going to put the game cameras out again.. I THINK she may have had a breakthrough.
Every morning I put her out for about 30 mins while I get dressed. Her usual response has been to do a quick snuffle around the yard and then wait on the back porch whining. Today her almost immediate decision was to come around to the utility room (my 'front' door) and start clawing at the storm door.
NOPE!
I went out the back door in my PJs, opened up the chicken coop and then put her in her kennel.
By the time I had gotten ready for work and come back into the back side of the house (less than 30mins) ... there was no barking. I peeked out a window.. couldn't see her! Peeked out a closer window and she was QUIETLY LAYING DOWN.
Of course she pitched a fit as I walked to the car. But I'm hoping to 'catch' her doing nothing for long periods during the day. Maybe I'll offer her some chews again and see if she will use them to pass the time.
Every morning I put her out for about 30 mins while I get dressed. Her usual response has been to do a quick snuffle around the yard and then wait on the back porch whining. Today her almost immediate decision was to come around to the utility room (my 'front' door) and start clawing at the storm door.
NOPE! I went out the back door in my PJs, opened up the chicken coop and then put her in her kennel.
By the time I had gotten ready for work and come back into the back side of the house (less than 30mins) ... there was no barking. I peeked out a window.. couldn't see her
! Peeked out a closer window and she was QUIETLY LAYING DOWN. Of course she pitched a fit as I walked to the car. But I'm hoping to 'catch' her doing nothing for long periods during the day. Maybe I'll offer her some chews again and see if she will use them to pass the time.
Mini Horses
Herd Master
SageHill
Herd Master
OH yeah --- putting on a show for Mom!
Playing the guilt card.
Baymule
Herd Master
Birdie ain’t stupid. Spoiled brat, but not stupid. You keep on doing what you are doing. It’s getting through to her!
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- #630
canesisters
Herd Master
That was odd....
There is a feral Tom that has lived in my barn, back yard & porch off & on for years. I call him Havoc.... because he was brought here by my big cat Chaos.
Anyhow, he's been a typical feral for YEARS. Seen skulking around the edges, not letting me within 10'.
Since the day Birdie arrived he has barely left the porch. They play some sort of weird stalking/chase/play fight game and he suddenly let's me within inches. Still gives me the side-eye glare but doesn't run anymore.
Well this AM I find that he had left 1/2 a rat on the porch.
That's supposed to be considered a gift... right?
I'm just not sure if it was for me.... or for Birdie.
There is a feral Tom that has lived in my barn, back yard & porch off & on for years. I call him Havoc.... because he was brought here by my big cat Chaos.
Anyhow, he's been a typical feral for YEARS. Seen skulking around the edges, not letting me within 10'.
Since the day Birdie arrived he has barely left the porch. They play some sort of weird stalking/chase/play fight game and he suddenly let's me within inches. Still gives me the side-eye glare but doesn't run anymore.
Well this AM I find that he had left 1/2 a rat on the porch.
That's supposed to be considered a gift... right?
I'm just not sure if it was for me.... or for Birdie.
