Caleb 11/30/09
Well, Caleb has grown so much. We got him at about five pounds, he's now about 14. He's also nearly completely housebroken. I only say nearly because he is still so young (a bit over 4 months) and I'm not going to saddle him with my expectations of being 'perfect'.
He was previously still doing very well. He could be left with run of the kitchen for hours with no accidents during the day, but somehow, for awhile he got it in his mind that it was 'ok' to wee and poo in the kitchen over night (after previously being 'perfect'), no matter how short a time it was (we'd set it up so he went out about midnight and we got up at 5 to take him out and still find messes) so he got to use his crate for a week and then I set him up with a small small area right outside his crate so he'd be able to have linoleum under his paws but not likely soil it.
It worked, two weeks was all it took for him to 'remember' that it was not ok to use the floor as a toilet and he's been great since with run of the kitchen.
We don't push him, if we have to be gone for an extended time he goes to my parents to play with Rayne and Tiki and so that he can 'alert' for bathroom duties.
Training wise he's unbelievably quick. Maybe I'm just jaded, my last official 'obedience' dog was a Siberian mix, so it was always work with her. I taught Rayne basic obedience, she's a boxer/pit mix and her pitty side showed lol.
Caleb is stubborn, confident, in charge and high on life. He picks things up most times in a single session and what's more, he retains them perfectly, though with that you have to be so very careful NOT to accidentally teach him something you don't want him to learn.
I've been doing my best to get him out and about and socialized, sometimes it's difficult because there are no doggy playgroups close to us, we can go to Petsmart but that's up in South Bend which is about 45 minutes one way and he gets unbelievably bored on car rides. Nothing quite like hearing loud LOUD sighs and getting 'the look' an entire ride. What's more is that if we don't end up at mom and dads with Rayne and Tiki he grumbles and grumbles and moans. Tiki is his giiiiiirrrrrrrllllllfriend. He loves her.
My baby is due the 8th of December, we've been doing our best to make sure that Caleb is as 'baby safe' as a four month old puppy can be. Luckily I'm not a person to be overly paranoid or protective, we've got a 'puppy plan' for when I go to the hospital so he and the kitties will be properly taken care of while hubby and I are in the hospital.
I really really want to get another corgi as I'm totally in love with the breed and Caleb would go crazy happy for a playmate but we're holding off. New puppy the same time as a new baby? Not too bright, not that I've ever been accused of being smart but still. We'll be waiting for a bit. He's going in in January for the BIG SNIP and for his rabies vac and to be microchipped. Big month for him.
That said, the vet we use is who I used before moving to WA for four years. I liked them, but I ADORED my vet in WA. If I could have brought them back with me I would have. But, now that we're back I just find myself put off by the whole attitude of my vet clinic. There is another that I used before moving as well though it's farther away, I'm seriously considering getting in contact with them and taking him in for a 'checkup' to see about how I feel about them.
Neutering isn't a serious surgery but I don't want to have to worry about his quality of care while he's there and I've found myself concerned with just that while thinking of my current vet.
Well, seems I talked myself into contacting that other vet, amazing what writing a blog will do. :)
I've been lax on my Caleb photos lately. I was really hoping it would snow once before baby comes so I can get some great photos of Caleb and his first snow before my attention is divided but I'm not sure if I'll be that lucky.
He was previously still doing very well. He could be left with run of the kitchen for hours with no accidents during the day, but somehow, for awhile he got it in his mind that it was 'ok' to wee and poo in the kitchen over night (after previously being 'perfect'), no matter how short a time it was (we'd set it up so he went out about midnight and we got up at 5 to take him out and still find messes) so he got to use his crate for a week and then I set him up with a small small area right outside his crate so he'd be able to have linoleum under his paws but not likely soil it.
It worked, two weeks was all it took for him to 'remember' that it was not ok to use the floor as a toilet and he's been great since with run of the kitchen.
We don't push him, if we have to be gone for an extended time he goes to my parents to play with Rayne and Tiki and so that he can 'alert' for bathroom duties.
Training wise he's unbelievably quick. Maybe I'm just jaded, my last official 'obedience' dog was a Siberian mix, so it was always work with her. I taught Rayne basic obedience, she's a boxer/pit mix and her pitty side showed lol.
Caleb is stubborn, confident, in charge and high on life. He picks things up most times in a single session and what's more, he retains them perfectly, though with that you have to be so very careful NOT to accidentally teach him something you don't want him to learn.
I've been doing my best to get him out and about and socialized, sometimes it's difficult because there are no doggy playgroups close to us, we can go to Petsmart but that's up in South Bend which is about 45 minutes one way and he gets unbelievably bored on car rides. Nothing quite like hearing loud LOUD sighs and getting 'the look' an entire ride. What's more is that if we don't end up at mom and dads with Rayne and Tiki he grumbles and grumbles and moans. Tiki is his giiiiiirrrrrrrllllllfriend. He loves her.
My baby is due the 8th of December, we've been doing our best to make sure that Caleb is as 'baby safe' as a four month old puppy can be. Luckily I'm not a person to be overly paranoid or protective, we've got a 'puppy plan' for when I go to the hospital so he and the kitties will be properly taken care of while hubby and I are in the hospital.
I really really want to get another corgi as I'm totally in love with the breed and Caleb would go crazy happy for a playmate but we're holding off. New puppy the same time as a new baby? Not too bright, not that I've ever been accused of being smart but still. We'll be waiting for a bit. He's going in in January for the BIG SNIP and for his rabies vac and to be microchipped. Big month for him.
That said, the vet we use is who I used before moving to WA for four years. I liked them, but I ADORED my vet in WA. If I could have brought them back with me I would have. But, now that we're back I just find myself put off by the whole attitude of my vet clinic. There is another that I used before moving as well though it's farther away, I'm seriously considering getting in contact with them and taking him in for a 'checkup' to see about how I feel about them.
Neutering isn't a serious surgery but I don't want to have to worry about his quality of care while he's there and I've found myself concerned with just that while thinking of my current vet.
Well, seems I talked myself into contacting that other vet, amazing what writing a blog will do. :)
I've been lax on my Caleb photos lately. I was really hoping it would snow once before baby comes so I can get some great photos of Caleb and his first snow before my attention is divided but I'm not sure if I'll be that lucky.
Comment
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Comment by Mel K on November 30, 2009 at 9:43pm
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It's definitely not a problem with them being 'country'. The staff these days is just...rude, not the vets so much. That's the best way to put it. Last time I was in I was asking about the blood work to be done before his surgery, I was told quite nastily that they don't bother with it.
When I told them that I would not be getting his rabies shot until he was six months old I got a rude and abrupt "and why not?. Many other little things. I don't know, maybe it's pregnancy hormones but really. The more I think about it the more I'm really sure I'll be contacting my other old vet.
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Comment by Jane Christensen on November 30, 2009 at 9:17pm
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What I really like about our country vets is that I'm right in there helping them! My favorite vet talks to me like I should know all these measurements for dosages like .0257 per # and then I just ask him to translate it into "how much for a 25# dog???? Other than surgery I'm there, I got to watch the tail docking and dew claws...now maybe not everyone gets/wants to see these things and maybe I'm lucky but I want to be there including when we've had to have animals euthanized(sp) as I figure that's the last thing I can do for them is to be with them as they leave this physical world. Sorry if I got off the subject!
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Well, the vet I use currently is small, very small country vet. Both vets are knowledgeable and do their jobs well. It's just that I've found a lack of 'bedside manners' so to speak in the staff and even in the vets. I think I was spoiled by my amazing vet in WA.
Don't worry Bev, we're definitely waiting for a second puppy but it's not going to stop me from drooling over them lol.
I have three cats, so shedding....I'm a goner already.
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Comment by Bev Levy on November 30, 2009 at 8:42pm
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Caleb sounds great but I would definitely wait a while before getting a second puppy. Having babies and young, shedding dogs is really hard! I have done it and do not recommend it. Caleb will probably be great with the baby. Mine have all been wonderfull with my Grandkids. I am fortunate because I am able to make appointments with the vet I like the best at our clinic. The others are nice but the owner of the clinic is the best.
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Congratulations on your soon to be new addition. I would also take a blanket/towel or some item that you can lay your baby on and then bring it home to Caleb to have...that way he will already have the baby's scent!
It's great that Caleb is so fast with training...4 out of my 5 are like Caleb and then we have Rainy! I think part of her is soooo stubborn but also so sweet and needy! She just doesn't pick up on things or doesn't want to!
I understand the deal with vets as I will schedule my visits for when the good vet tech is there! When I call she just tells me her schedule because she knows what I will ask! Our vets are great here but the one-two day a week people just don't have enough experience for me!
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Comment by Beth on November 30, 2009 at 6:25pm
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Good luck with the baby! Caleb sounds like a keeper! LOL My Jack is very quick like that and if he's not "getting it" on the first session with simple commands, and the second with complex ones, I change my approach because I know I'm not presenting it well. He also remembers forever. Not all Corgis are so bright though as my Madison, god bless her, should have been a blond! LOL It takes her ages, but she'll never challenge my authority and she's so sweet and tries so hard, and loves cuddles and kisses.
Let us know how the baby-proofing goes! Lots of luck again.
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