- Buddy McCluskey
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
These dryer sheets are supposed to keep the mosquitoes away.
But it is just making me horny for you. How about we sneak us each a beer from that cooler behind us and get busy in the woods while we are unleashed? - Sam to Shanti
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The BIG dog did THAT one, really!
Don't look at me.
Gawd, can we stop the truck and roll down some windows back here? I am dying! - Buddy Love
Monday, February 25, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Alpha dog and pack leader....
Opps. Wrong picture.
Here:
Shanti- leader of the pack and household. Crazy skinny biotch.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Friday, February 22, 2013
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
This way Sam. I will show you the way out of this Southern Blizzard.
And home to the cabin. - Maisy Moo without a clue where she is, or where she is going.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Sunday, February 17, 2013
My First Snow. Yellow Snow That Is...
-Buddy Love
(Quick mom, get my picture! Never mind, I will pee everywhere for you)
Saturday, February 16, 2013
Shout Out to Ryan Newman and Wife Krissie
for their Ryan Newman Foundation. They have rescue dogs of their own here at Lake Norman and recently raised $340,000 to help educate and encourage people to spay and neuter their pets and adopt from shelters (along with scholarships for racing). Combine the two passions, use your "star presence" and educate the masses.
Good job Ryan.
Good job Ryan.
Well, that space heater is not going to turn on itself.
And slide it a little closer to me and run get my dog bed. - Maisy Grey
Friday, February 15, 2013
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Yeah, yeah, yeah. Happy Valentine's Day to you too Luscious.
- Now can you leave me alone so I can sleep this off?- Shanti Baby
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
I sure FEEL like a parent.....
Having dogs makes me a parent. While I do not have any human kids, I do have 4 dogs that I love unconditionally. When they hurt, I hurt. When they cry, I come running. I feed them, bathe them, give them meds, put them in bed, train them, discipline them, love them, and protect them. I keep up with their vet appointments better than I do my own doctor appointments. No dating unless they like my dogs. They are mine and I am theirs.
I gotta say, I never thought I would do some of the things I have done for my pets. Just as you would for a family member. For older dogs, I have helped them up and helped them hold so they can go potty. I have learned to go slow, talk loud, and practice patience. Maisy is getting senile so I have learned to repeat myself, and use tricks to get her to understand where to eat, where to sleep, etc. Maisy has a ramp so she can easily get into my vehicles with her arthritis. And of course she takes supplements and meds to keep her comfortable.
My counter top today (not including belly bands, special foods and maxi pads for Buddy):
But I never imagined I would be:
1. Diapering my male dog (belly band) for indoor peeing. Basically I change diapers while he learns to control himself. BUDDY LOVE the Boston Terrier.
2. Pampering a dog with different foods and mixes just to get them to eat. Spoon feeding. SHANTI SUPERMODEL the lab/chow mix.
3. Checking their poop to see how their food allergies are doing. SAM I AM the male Boxer.
4. And now, using a Q-Tip to pick out large "boogers" from a dog's nose that has dry eye/nostril so she can breathe. MAISY MOO the older female Boxer.
I have cleaned up pee, poop and vomit. Held dogs through the night. Taught them how to better get along in this world. Took them with me to run errands for them - food, treats, vet. Bought an extended cab truck to accomodate all my pups. Exercise around their needs. Wiped their eyes and noses. Cleaned their paws and ears. Doctored their wounds. Rushed them to the ER for a snake bite wound. TWICE.
How do I know I have parenting skills? I have dog love. And they have me.
I gotta say, I never thought I would do some of the things I have done for my pets. Just as you would for a family member. For older dogs, I have helped them up and helped them hold so they can go potty. I have learned to go slow, talk loud, and practice patience. Maisy is getting senile so I have learned to repeat myself, and use tricks to get her to understand where to eat, where to sleep, etc. Maisy has a ramp so she can easily get into my vehicles with her arthritis. And of course she takes supplements and meds to keep her comfortable.
My counter top today (not including belly bands, special foods and maxi pads for Buddy):
But I never imagined I would be:
1. Diapering my male dog (belly band) for indoor peeing. Basically I change diapers while he learns to control himself. BUDDY LOVE the Boston Terrier.
2. Pampering a dog with different foods and mixes just to get them to eat. Spoon feeding. SHANTI SUPERMODEL the lab/chow mix.
3. Checking their poop to see how their food allergies are doing. SAM I AM the male Boxer.
4. And now, using a Q-Tip to pick out large "boogers" from a dog's nose that has dry eye/nostril so she can breathe. MAISY MOO the older female Boxer.
I have cleaned up pee, poop and vomit. Held dogs through the night. Taught them how to better get along in this world. Took them with me to run errands for them - food, treats, vet. Bought an extended cab truck to accomodate all my pups. Exercise around their needs. Wiped their eyes and noses. Cleaned their paws and ears. Doctored their wounds. Rushed them to the ER for a snake bite wound. TWICE.
How do I know I have parenting skills? I have dog love. And they have me.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
House Breaking Tips for Dogs
If you have any to offer me, I welcome them from my readers. I often foster adult dogs who were never house broken and they can be the hardest to train. I also find hound breeds pretty slow to learn but all dogs can!
1. Kennel them and use the same one word command to take them out to "pee". Take them straight out when it is time to go "Potty" and show them the spot/area. Once they do pee/poo, have a small treat ready. Most dogs will respond to treats (positive reinforcement). And say "good dog". I use the same command for pee and poo. Basically means go to the bathroom HERE.
2. Take them to the same spot each time, ideally where other dogs go. You can use a spray to encourage them to a certain area. You can find these sprays at pet stores and Walmart.
3. I am not crazy about pee pads but hey, they work for some people. I prefer doggie doors, yards, walks, etc. But if someone can give a good dog a good home, and this is the way they can allow them to do their business without suffering- then ok. But you are teaching the dog to go "pee" in the house. To later break the habit can be hard.
4. If you catch them in the act and reprimand them. Just say "leave it" or shake a can with some rocks in it. You have to be sneaky and follow them around. Learn the signs before they go. Once you see them sneak around to pee, catch them and they will quickly learn not to pee in the house.
5. Boy dogs will obviously try to mark their territory and corners especially. Have them neutered. That helps. And you have to wait a couple of weeks for that to "take" and for them to settle down. So give them time and keep working the steps.
6. Using the word "no" means almost nothing as we say "no" to a lot. Be specific. "Leave it". "Out". "Drop it", for example.
7. For girl dogs they make pads for when they are in heat and you can use those for peeing issues. They may get a rash so never leave a wet diaper on them.
8. For boy dogs they make "belly bands". They look like a weight belt around their middle. You place a maxi pad in the middle, strap it on, and they can pee in it while being trained. They can also get a rash so never leave a wet pad on them.
9. Be careful not to let your dog go out in a pad as they will pee in it outside and then will do the same inside. You have to teach them not to pee in the pad they have on when inside. Just take it off when you let them out each time.
10. Cover the pee smell by cleaning with disinfectant, then wiping down with white vinegar thoroughly. It helps cover the smell. You can also use bleach but it is not really safe for humans or dogs long term. They will pee again if they can smell pee so you have to treat carpet, furniture, floors and walls if they pee there. Vinegar does not bleach things out.
11. I learned that dogs pee if they have separation anxiety, even if you are just leaving a room. They pee when alone to almost comfort themselves. It is not always about dominance in the house. Understand that, keep the dog close while in training and be supportive if it has an accident. Yelling makes the dog more nervous and have more issues.
12. If you dog is still peeing, especially in certain areas, I recommend the spray below. You can find it at any Walmart. You do have to spray it daily as per directions but when you do, seems to break the dog of peeing in that spot and so far, the spray has not affected any of my wood, carpet, metal or floors. I use it outside too. Try it!
1. Kennel them and use the same one word command to take them out to "pee". Take them straight out when it is time to go "Potty" and show them the spot/area. Once they do pee/poo, have a small treat ready. Most dogs will respond to treats (positive reinforcement). And say "good dog". I use the same command for pee and poo. Basically means go to the bathroom HERE.
2. Take them to the same spot each time, ideally where other dogs go. You can use a spray to encourage them to a certain area. You can find these sprays at pet stores and Walmart.
3. I am not crazy about pee pads but hey, they work for some people. I prefer doggie doors, yards, walks, etc. But if someone can give a good dog a good home, and this is the way they can allow them to do their business without suffering- then ok. But you are teaching the dog to go "pee" in the house. To later break the habit can be hard.
4. If you catch them in the act and reprimand them. Just say "leave it" or shake a can with some rocks in it. You have to be sneaky and follow them around. Learn the signs before they go. Once you see them sneak around to pee, catch them and they will quickly learn not to pee in the house.
5. Boy dogs will obviously try to mark their territory and corners especially. Have them neutered. That helps. And you have to wait a couple of weeks for that to "take" and for them to settle down. So give them time and keep working the steps.
6. Using the word "no" means almost nothing as we say "no" to a lot. Be specific. "Leave it". "Out". "Drop it", for example.
7. For girl dogs they make pads for when they are in heat and you can use those for peeing issues. They may get a rash so never leave a wet diaper on them.
8. For boy dogs they make "belly bands". They look like a weight belt around their middle. You place a maxi pad in the middle, strap it on, and they can pee in it while being trained. They can also get a rash so never leave a wet pad on them.
9. Be careful not to let your dog go out in a pad as they will pee in it outside and then will do the same inside. You have to teach them not to pee in the pad they have on when inside. Just take it off when you let them out each time.
10. Cover the pee smell by cleaning with disinfectant, then wiping down with white vinegar thoroughly. It helps cover the smell. You can also use bleach but it is not really safe for humans or dogs long term. They will pee again if they can smell pee so you have to treat carpet, furniture, floors and walls if they pee there. Vinegar does not bleach things out.
11. I learned that dogs pee if they have separation anxiety, even if you are just leaving a room. They pee when alone to almost comfort themselves. It is not always about dominance in the house. Understand that, keep the dog close while in training and be supportive if it has an accident. Yelling makes the dog more nervous and have more issues.
12. If you dog is still peeing, especially in certain areas, I recommend the spray below. You can find it at any Walmart. You do have to spray it daily as per directions but when you do, seems to break the dog of peeing in that spot and so far, the spray has not affected any of my wood, carpet, metal or floors. I use it outside too. Try it!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
Did I gain more weight or did I just crawl into the wrong kennel again?
- I am perplexed to be sure, but too tired to move. - Maisy Moo
(Help, a little help here)
Friday, February 8, 2013
Of COURSE I can hear you. Can't you see I have my ear up?
However, I am not really listening. - Shanti Baby
Thursday, February 7, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
SEE! I told you something was wrong. Maybe next time you will listen.
Sam I am, headed to the vet.
Yep, that is right. Take a picture for your vet and your precious blog while I suffer.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
I feel sick. Can you turn your music down and stop to get me some ice cream?
Sam I am...in the truck.
Monday, February 4, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
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