Marshall on Main Street

Marshall had a busy week! Because of his adventurous soul at home, I was permitted to bring him to work and crate in the car while the weather holds out. He came with me to my work downtown from Wednesday through Friday. I park on the 4th floor of a parking garage so he is secure from the street. This was the first time Marshall was introduced to stairs...big scary stairs. The first day, adorned with prong collar, he was refusing the stairs. A little pop and a scream got him started...right into the sights of the security guard! Not to worry, I work for the owner of the building and the security guard had met Marshall on a previous occasion when I brought him to work and kept him in the car for the afternoon on class day. But out of respect and not having Marshall's uniform, I don't want to exceed my privileges of "no animals in the building." Marshall and the security guard are now good friends. Instead of slinking throught the lobby to get back to the stairs, a little wave to the guard gets us in the back door.

On our way down four flights of stairs with lots of encouragement and treats. On Marshall's second break of the day a few hours later, stairs were no longer of concern. With instructions on prong collar use, several coworkers helped give Marshall breaks throughout the day. On my lunch hours, I would walk Marshall up Main Street and around the block...lot's of comments. I can't wait for him to get his uniform.

Also, hopefully these daily excursions have helped his car sickness. I noticed he immediately lays down curls up and settles in once he gets in the crate in the car. I no longer notice any little drools of stress. Tomorrow we go to Charlotte, so that will be a good test. But just to be cautions--no breakfast until we arrive!

I may have thought of a way to layer some babygates to keep him confined, but also feel that little weekly excursions to downtown may still be in the cards. He gets more attention and interaction during his daily "breaks" than he would at home. Now at least I know he can have some variety and a little more safe excitement in his life.

Dinner time

Lucy can never get enough to eat, she often begs for more. You have to love that face, she gets an "A" for effort.

Blame it on the Rain

Partners in Crime, they just can't be trusted.

From McBee to Mauldin...

Okay so....originally we were fostering McBee but Julie has him for the time being so now we have Mauldin. I just want to say these two dogs are the COMPLETE opposites! Poor Mauldin is probably confused as to why these crazy people keep their shoes on a shelf 5 feet in the air! Well that is because McBee would "attack" them if they were on floor! I am sure he also thinks we are poor because we have no furniture in our kitchen....again because McBee would eat anything, so we thought it was just easier to remove everything from the kitchen so he has some play space where we didn't have to monitor him every second! McBee hated his crate it was his daily goal to get out of it. Mauldin will hang out in the crate. McBee loved toys, he had about 15 of them in the kitchen, he would put them all on his "place" (a big dog bed) and roll in them! All you would see is dog legs and toys flying in the air. I have yet to see Mauldin interested in any of them.

Mauldin is fitting in well though. It is just funny because he is so GOOD! He will lay by my feet and sleep or chew on a bone. I can also let him free in other rooms of the house and not worry about him chewing the furniture! I used to bring McBee in the living room with me and make him sit on "place" but I had to leash him. Well one day he got tangled around the end table so I let the leash go. Well he took off! I ran upstairs cause I thought that is where he went! I heard silence,...not good. Then I heard a crash downstairs! When I get in the dining room he is head first in my labs food tub (which was moved from the kitchen because he broke the top off). So all I see is two black legs sticking out of this tub. I reach in, grab him by the scruff, stick my hand in his throat and take out handfulls of food. He would have eaten all 40 lbs I am sure!

Mauldin is just much more mellow. We gave him a bath today and I think that helped him become more comfortable with us. He seems to like Steve better where Bee liked me better. Also Mauldin takes naps, and other than two times when McBee was 8 weeks old, I never saw him sleep!

These two dogs do have one thing in common, we love them both very much and they are a pleasure to be around and I wish nothing but the best for both of them!

Karen

Marshall "Mind Me"

After our emergency on Monday and the purchase of a prong collar, Marshall seems to be making strides on "leave it." His favorite hole in the yard, he will look at it and I'll say "leave it" and he comes running and sits and looks up.

Hopefully he doesn't forget what happened yesterday tomorrow.

Always a challenge :)

Milliken and I have been working on "Platz" (lay down) today. He's so sweet when he sits and looks up at me and has this look on his face that says "how can I please you?" or "well...what do you want me to do? " So, the training continues...

Everyday Improvements and a Question for the Group

McIver is making great strides much like his brothers and sisters. He is enjoying his eternal playtime with the boxers, Calhoun and Lucy. They teach him so much including some things that I wish they wouldn't! He enjoys chasing Lucy with her tennis ball. She is a petite boxer and very fast. On the serious side, he is understanding that he must "leave it" when it comes to the cats. Which is a very good thing for the future of his pretty brown eyes! He got his first bath from us this weekend and well it was a state of panic sort of. He calmed down especially when I swaddeled him up in his towel like a baby (with huge ears). Lucy and Calhoun had theirs Saturday also. My poor bathroom. We also installed a new toilet this weekend which gave us an opportunity for McIver to venture into Lowes. He did really well of course. Those automatic sliding doors were a surprise!

Does anyone else experience that look from your puppy when strangers approach? It seems as though he is asking for permission to accept that person. I need some input on that because I am not used to it. My boxers NEVER asked for permission because they simply assumed the world is a happy place where EVERYONE wants to meet them. Is this need for reassurance a shepherd thing? I certainly don't think it is a bad thing. I just want to react the correct way.

Mighty Milliken

I gave Milliken a bath today. He didn't really like it, but he tolerated it. I towel dried him, and then brushed him. He liked being brushed. A lot of his puppy hair came out, and he is so shiny. He's going to grow up to be one handsome fellow.

Jan 24th Group Pic

McBee, Mackey, Naomi, Nikki, Logan & Marshall @ Southside Park

Lucy at her best...

Milliken Minds...

We have really had an "attitude adjustment" after getting a pinch collar for Milliken. He is learning now more than ever that it's not going to be his way. We're seeing some real improvement in his behavior. Sometimes, what a pup needs is tough love.

From Mercedes

I heard today that my brothers are STILL biting people. Oooohhhhhhh! That is SO, like, DISGUSTING. I just knew something like this would happen when they didn't have me around to help. Brothers are just TOOOO much. Just wait til Mom gets hold of them, 'cause I'm TELLING.

Tucker's Twilight Zone

Poor Tucker had a "Twilight Zone" moment yesterday! The only ball he's ever seen is the one that dispenses kibble when he rolls it around. So yesterday my son was cleaning out the hamster cage and put the hamster into one of those clear balls so they can be safe roaming around the house. When Tucker saw that ball rolling all over the living room by itself (he was in his kennel), the look on his face was priceless! Where's my kibble? Total confusion, and looking like his little brain was going to explode! It was soooo funny. Wish I had had the video camera ready. I have to say I was proud of him that he didn't bark (I was ready with the spray bottle).

More Marshall News

Since this is the first time I've worked with shepherds, I am finding it very interesting to watch Marshall "guide" his golden retriever brother back into the house when Marshall feels the golden is dallying too long in the yard. Twice I've watched Marshall go toward the other dog and distract him from day dreaming with a little bark and some bowing, then go on the other side of him and move him toward the house. Quite amazing!

Another Milestone for Marshall

I almost hate to post this update. It seems once you 'brag' about an accomplishment, your pup does something else to quickly humble you! This weekend, Marshall showed great response on his recall. He was consistent most of the time--still work to do. But I was readily impressed several times when he was running with the other dog, stopped dead in his tracks and returned to me. And, better yet, he got lots of practice being called off the cats and he responded every time; unless of course I'm conveniently remembering the times he didn't. But this accomplishment alone, will pave the way to learning other things as now what may have been the largest distraction is becoming "boring."