Comment on training..

So.. I've been constantly feeling like Lexx and I have not been progressing in training and that we've accomplished little in his 19 months of time here with me.

Last night, my best friend was over for dinner and i was showing her Lexx's new "back up" trick which he does when i flick my hand at him. He's still learning so its sketchy, but she thought that it was cute.

As we were returning to the kitchen with lexx trotting along side, she said the following:

" So, i've been watching you train lexx for over a year now, and it got me thinking about it, so when i was home at christmas I thought i'd do some stuff with Josie ( her family's lab mix rescue girl). I asked her to sit, and she did. then i told her to down, and she did. Then i asked her to sit again, and she stared at me like i had three heads. Your dog backs up, spins, rolls over, heels, moves laterally... and josie can't even sit-down-sit. It took me 4 days to get her to do it..but then again, the only time anyone ever even asks her to sit is when someone comes to the front door..."

Just got me thinking, maybe we're not doing SO bad and Lexx got an extra cookie, just for being himself.

Finally, just mom and ME

Well, finally everyone has left after the insanity of the xmas visit. Now don't get us wrong, lexx and I, we love company, but it just takes a lot out of me, making sure the kitchen is clean, that lexx has had his proper attention and runs etc. Finally. just back to normal.

Lexx had a great xmas overall, i was impressed with his overall behaviour and except one small jump on a guest, he's had close to perfect manners.

We've taken a bit of a break from training, mostly due to time constraints, but I did manage to squish in a few short 15 minute sessions for which he was quite well behaved.

I hate to admit it, but i enjoyed the break from the routine of training. Maybe i'm not meant to do any major training with a dog, i Like it... but I certainly don't LOVE it, and i certainly didn't MISS it when i stopped.

New obedience classes start next tuesday, so hopefully the new trainer and new atmosphere will get me back into the hype of obedience again. If not, well, maybe i'll just appreciate having a great best friend and forget about all that stuff.

Lexx's neuter is planned for next thursday, hopefully giving him enough time to recover before his next class the tuesday after. I'm nervous for him...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Lexx would like to wish everyone a very merry christmas.

he's currently passed out, stretched out on the floor. He wanted me to inform everyone that entertaining an entire table of holiday guests with may nubbin wiggles and soulful gazes for Turkey is VERY hard work.

have a great holiday!

housetraining reversion. at the end of my rope.

thats it. i've decided. lexx is getting neutered.

if he pees on my floor ONE MORE TIME this week, i am literally going to banish him to his crate 24 hours a day. no. seriously.

this dog is 19 months old. he was perfectly housetrained. inside alone all day no accidents, all night out of his crate, no accidents.

now all of a sudden i can't trust him out of my SIGHT.I feel like i cant trust him anywhere anymore.

honestly last night i just sat down on the floor and started to cry. its just one more thing. can't my dog just be NORMAL and WELL BEHAVED and HEALTHY. just for ONE month.

one month with no extra vet bills, no accidents, nothing...it would be amazing.

dear mommy

Dear mommy

I do not understand why all the humans have suddenly gone crazy. WHY did you bring a tree IN to the house? A tree that i'm clearly not allowed to mark.. even though marking on trees is wonderful. Also, why is there suddenly many new things around t sniff? and why do i get reminded to mind my manners when I try to sneak a small bite out of a garland or knock over a new candle stick? you KNOW that i'm just going my due diligence as a dragon slayer. making sure that things are safe...

Also, why are things being wrapped in pretty shiny paper with "bows". The "bows" look like they would be much more fun to play with and eat than they are sitting still and un noticed on top of those random boxes. They look forgotten and I feel that they should come play with a doberman.

Why are you playing music ALL the time? its quite loud for dober-ears and there are a lot of strange bell sounds in it. Plus, you made me WEAR a bell? how am i supposed to chase kitties wearing a BELL mom! HOW? I don't understand what you mean when you say i look festive... and i don't see how looking "festive" involves having a bath. A waterless bath, but a bath all the same. Did i really smell THAT bad?

Also, mommy, WHY is there so much white stuff on the ground? Why do i have to wear two layers everywhere? Its up to my tummy mom. its wet. and cold. and my paws get full of it. walking just isn't as much fun mom.

mommy... why has the world gone crazy?

Durham region humane society fire

Last night a regional humane society fell victim to a fire. Unfortunately, many of the animals inside could not be saved.

i was in tears this morning listening to the story on the news. What a horrible horrible tragedy.


please spend a minute today to remember all the poor souls that perished in that fire. Hopefully they're in a better place.

RIP

Neurologist

Lexx had his first visit with an OVC neurologist today. After finding out that three members of his mother's line suffered from brain tumors, and since lexx has seizures, i thought the visit to be required.

first of all, the people were all amazing and very very nice. I was really impressed with the whole ordeal and pleasantly surprised at the cost, which was by all means decent.

After giving lexx's entire life story ( really quite long.. it hasn't been an easy road) they smiled and thanked me for such a wonderful history, remarking on how thorough and observant i was about all things lexxington. Normal people just would have said..um.. he has seizures whereas i had everything from puppyhood, every funny movement, refusal of food, shaking, anything. then i had dates, times, how long seizures lasted, when they occured, every test that the vet has ever done, she even typed up a time line and results for me. everything.

They then took lexx ball to do the neurological exam. i was sad that i couldn't observe, but understood and got a coffee.

they then brought me back in and explained that he had passed all the reflex tests ( no wobblers!) but that they had remarked two things. one, his nose is crooked... who knew.. now it will bother me

two, he is strangely calm and complacent for an 18mo intact male doberman. They also mentioned that his manners were close to perfect and that clearly he was well trained.. though.. she couldn't get him to listen to several commands..then she realized that lexx is trained mostly in german after which he responded much better.

he was a bit sleepy today, but we just upped his bromide, plus went for a 40 minute off leash run in the morning then another 35 minute walk before the appointment. Lexx is very comfortable at the vets office and with vet techs/vets. he's spent so much time with them over the last few months, that he settles very well with them and I think that they find it odd. hes just SO trusting.

anyways... recommendation for MRI but not needed immediately. more just for piece of mind...

at this point, i'm still thinking about what to do. its been a stressful day for me