Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Crazy weather lately

Landscaping

Really want to plant my new plants



A week ago I planted a butterfly bush on the side of our house in a small garden we have.  It lasted two days!  It literally looked like she killed it and dragged it away.  If you can picture a bear attack or something like that you can imagine.  She ripped it right out of the ground and dragged it away.  I was really mad, but what can you do.  I bought a small fence to surround the garden, but I'm not naive I know it won't work.  I just keep hoping.  I'm sure all you husky owners know what I'm dealing with.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Turning the tables

I've decided that I need to turn the tables on the dominance in my house.  At present Leloo is the leader of the pack when my husband is gone.  I've known this for a long time, but in the last few days I've been channeling the dog whisper and have been practicing calm, assertive presence.  I want to be the pack leader and I'm not going to quit until I am.  Today Leloo has thrown at least two fits, but I'm learning to stay calm and make her do what I want no matter what.  She has this thing about rolling on the floor like a crocodile if she doesn't want to do something.  The Dog Whisper says not to get frustrated, but to stay calm and stick with it.  No matter how much they fight in the end they will have to do as you say.  I shouldn't feel bad, because she will respect me in the end.  I have to watch an episode or two of the Dog Whisper to remind myself.
We've (I've) been doing great at making sure she gets her exercise everyday.  I think she's getting used to the mile, so I may have to increase the distance.  I can't fall back into the old patterns of just keeping her happy and placate her bad behavior to just get through.  I've always had issues with walking her, because of the pulling.  That hasn't changed, but the last few days as soon as she starts that I pull her back to me and hold her by the collar until she walks a straight line.  It's still a work in progress. 
The reason we've picked up the pace with walks everyday is because there are too many untrained and unruly dogs with clueless owners at the dog park.  It's sad, but I just can't take a chance.  Every once in awhile I may breakdown and take her, but for now we're going to take walks everyday.  I liked taking her to the park more so than walks because of how hard it is to walk her.  At the park she got socialization and she got to run.  Unfortunately because of at least one bad dog/bad owner we just can't have fun there.
The other issue we have is Leloo flipping out when she seeing birds or rabbits.  I don't know what she would do if she actually caught them, but I really don't want to find out.  I've been doing "No" with a small yank on the leash when I see her searching the tall grass.  I'm not sure yet what to do other than pull back when a bunny jumps out in front of us.  All I can do at this point hold onto the reigns.  Other husky owners know exactly what I'm talking about.
Wish me luck on my quest to be pack leader!!!!