Anyone else have to put up with tantrums like I do? Holy moly Leloo throws a tantrum over everything. If it's not "I want a treat" it's "chase me". She is currently throwing one outside, "I want in, so I can go back out in 20 mins." My favorite is the "I'm tired, but don't want to go night night"
I do feel bad for her. We had one inch of snow over the weekend and it melted by Sunday. We didn't even have enough time to practice the mushing.
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Sledding this winter
Does anyone know what kind of harness and sled I could use with Leloo this winter? She loves running around the yard, but doesn't get to go for walks really during the winter. We think it would be fun for her to pull us around the yard in a little sled. Leloo does quite well in dragging me down the street on our walks, but has never really pulled anything. I'm worried about doing it half-assed and hurting her. I've thought about using her seat belt harness, but it's doesn't have padding for her shoulders. I think it would hurt and then not be fun. I've looked online and found a variety of harnesses and sleds for real sledding, but I've got no clue what to get. I also considered adding padding to her set belt harness since we use it for walks anyways.
I think a kid's sled would be ok since it's just for running around our yard. I thought about starting out with weights in the sled first and once she got the hang of it I would sit in the sled. I have a number of other concerns that once we do this she'll pull me even harder on walks.
Does anyone have suggestions or warnings? ie. this is a stupid idea or a great one!!
I think a kid's sled would be ok since it's just for running around our yard. I thought about starting out with weights in the sled first and once she got the hang of it I would sit in the sled. I have a number of other concerns that once we do this she'll pull me even harder on walks.
Does anyone have suggestions or warnings? ie. this is a stupid idea or a great one!!
Huskies that need homes
Does anyone else feel intense sadness when they see dogs in shelters? I keep seeing twitter feed about dogs that need homes all over the country. Made worse when I realize they aren't that far away. Then there's the "save the animals" type commercials. There is part of me that wants to save them all and another part telling me Leloo is all we can handle right now. With no fence and both of us working it just wouldn't be feasible.
I'm not naive to think it would be easier with two dogs. Over the summer we dog-sitted for a friend. The first day, I took both dogs for a walk. It was going well until we started heading back. I tripped and dropped Leloo's leash. It was like watching slow motion. I started to do the running man to get to the leash before she noticed, she turned back realized I was quite a bit behind her and then she looked down saw the leash on the ground and took off into the corn field. Fortunately I had my cell phone and my husband came to help find her. It took an hour and a stroke of luck she got caught up in a row of hedge row trees. The next day I thought I had gotten more clever and looped both dog's leashes through my belt loops. Leloo took off in a weird direction and sliced her leash on a mailbox pole. I just can't win! Fortunately I was able to tackle her a few houses down. I wised up and gave up on the walking both. On the other hand they did wear each other out wrestling and arguing over toys. It was super cute watching them argue with each other.
It's hard to say how it would go with two. Right now it's not on the plate. I wish still that there wasn't a need for shelters at all. Unless your a breeder or plan to keep all your puppies' puppies get your dog neutered!!! Be a responsible owner!
I'm not naive to think it would be easier with two dogs. Over the summer we dog-sitted for a friend. The first day, I took both dogs for a walk. It was going well until we started heading back. I tripped and dropped Leloo's leash. It was like watching slow motion. I started to do the running man to get to the leash before she noticed, she turned back realized I was quite a bit behind her and then she looked down saw the leash on the ground and took off into the corn field. Fortunately I had my cell phone and my husband came to help find her. It took an hour and a stroke of luck she got caught up in a row of hedge row trees. The next day I thought I had gotten more clever and looped both dog's leashes through my belt loops. Leloo took off in a weird direction and sliced her leash on a mailbox pole. I just can't win! Fortunately I was able to tackle her a few houses down. I wised up and gave up on the walking both. On the other hand they did wear each other out wrestling and arguing over toys. It was super cute watching them argue with each other.
It's hard to say how it would go with two. Right now it's not on the plate. I wish still that there wasn't a need for shelters at all. Unless your a breeder or plan to keep all your puppies' puppies get your dog neutered!!! Be a responsible owner!
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Summer time
You know what stinks about summertime (because so very little does)? It's hard to want to take walks or do much outside when it's 90 + degrees outside! Even less easy when your dog is addicted to air conditioning.
The last week or so has been awesome it's now in the 70's & 80's. Leloo and I have finally started taking walks and going to the park again. Leloo still doesn't trust me that it's cool outside so it's a stand off every time with me standing with the door open trying to convince her to come.
The last week or so has been awesome it's now in the 70's & 80's. Leloo and I have finally started taking walks and going to the park again. Leloo still doesn't trust me that it's cool outside so it's a stand off every time with me standing with the door open trying to convince her to come.
Silly silly puppy. Anyone else got a dog addicted to air conditioning? It's seriously ridiculous. She'll howl at the register if it doesn't kick on. I think she thinks it's voice activated. So glad it has cooled down!
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Landscaping
Really want to plant my new plants
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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.
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!!!!
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!!!!
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