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4,169 Posts
Things have been so busy around here, between Brownies (why, oh why did I agree to be a leader this year??) studying for finals, trying to decide what to take next term, working with Chi and Christmas shopping, I feel like I've not had nearly enough time here!!!!
After much thought and consideration, I bought a prong collar the other day. I had to drive to every single pet shop on this island and finally found one small enough and even it has only 4 prongs on it! Evidentally the Japanese think that only bears and lions need these collars
Many of you know that this is not a decision that I made lightly but now that I've made it, I am very comfortable with it.
The problem is that she heels beautifully but since we don't have a fenced yard, her only excercise is walks and jogging. I hate to keep her on a heel but she's regressed in her loose lead walking and gets wicked excited and jumps and just acts like a fool when we jog. The prong collar really seems to be helping on both. We were able to jog a cool mile yesterday without her acting like a nut!
I've only walked her with the leash attached to both rings and what a difference it has made. Now I can concentrate more on her reactions to people and other dogs than getting her to not pull. I think it was Carrie that referred to Dobes as sled dogs, there is so much truth in those words
It was almost as hard to put it on her as it was to give her her first bone (you know how we've been told forever to never, ever, ever give bones). BUT, she has responded so well to it. Yesterday Jordan wanted to know how it worked, so I told her to get it and bring it to me. The second Chi saw it, she got wicked excited and wanted to put it on and head out the door. If it was causing her any pain or discomfort, I doubt she would have lit up like she did.
Yesterday on our walk, we stopped and did a little obedience training at the dog walk section of the vet clinic, there were many people and unruly dogs. Chi did not react once to any of them and kept her attention dutifully on me
We also stopped and worked for a few minutes in front of the people health clinic, many people and slamming car doors, again, she stayed focused on me and not the evils around her. WOOHOO! I plan on walking the same course with her again today.
When we got home from our walk, I realized she was in bad need of a nail trim. Every time before, I would have Mark hold her and give her treats while I clipped. Since Mark was at work I thought I'd try it alone. Unfortunately, she jumped at the last milli second I was clipping the first nail and I quicked her bad!!! I couldn't find the corn starch or the styptic powder but stopped it with bar soap and then put a bandaid on it. She kept the bandaid on and didn't bother it at all. I wish I hadn't broken my camera, it was very cute. But even with the nick on the first nail, she was wicked sweet and allowed me to trim the rest without any resistance. She's such a good girl. I really need to get a dremel.
I also got jingle bell collars for her a Petri the other day. Am going to borrow my friends camera and get pics of them in front of the tree. They are just too cute! Petri seems humiliated by his, but Chi LOVES hers! She wants to wear it all the time. Such the girl in love with her jewelry!!!
So that's us in the a nutshell for the past few days
It's so good to see so many new and active members! Isn't this just the best forum ever??? 
~Tracy:3dbiggrin
After much thought and consideration, I bought a prong collar the other day. I had to drive to every single pet shop on this island and finally found one small enough and even it has only 4 prongs on it! Evidentally the Japanese think that only bears and lions need these collars
The problem is that she heels beautifully but since we don't have a fenced yard, her only excercise is walks and jogging. I hate to keep her on a heel but she's regressed in her loose lead walking and gets wicked excited and jumps and just acts like a fool when we jog. The prong collar really seems to be helping on both. We were able to jog a cool mile yesterday without her acting like a nut!
I've only walked her with the leash attached to both rings and what a difference it has made. Now I can concentrate more on her reactions to people and other dogs than getting her to not pull. I think it was Carrie that referred to Dobes as sled dogs, there is so much truth in those words
Yesterday on our walk, we stopped and did a little obedience training at the dog walk section of the vet clinic, there were many people and unruly dogs. Chi did not react once to any of them and kept her attention dutifully on me
When we got home from our walk, I realized she was in bad need of a nail trim. Every time before, I would have Mark hold her and give her treats while I clipped. Since Mark was at work I thought I'd try it alone. Unfortunately, she jumped at the last milli second I was clipping the first nail and I quicked her bad!!! I couldn't find the corn starch or the styptic powder but stopped it with bar soap and then put a bandaid on it. She kept the bandaid on and didn't bother it at all. I wish I hadn't broken my camera, it was very cute. But even with the nick on the first nail, she was wicked sweet and allowed me to trim the rest without any resistance. She's such a good girl. I really need to get a dremel.
I also got jingle bell collars for her a Petri the other day. Am going to borrow my friends camera and get pics of them in front of the tree. They are just too cute! Petri seems humiliated by his, but Chi LOVES hers! She wants to wear it all the time. Such the girl in love with her jewelry!!!
So that's us in the a nutshell for the past few days
~Tracy:3dbiggrin