I tried to teach Oliver about running a bit last week when we were alone, but I have a bad ankle, it's been cold, and he wasn't interested in it anyway. For the past few days I've kept them up in the halfyard pen I made to keep them out of the workers (tree cutters) hair and out of harm's way.
Today I through up an ex pen for Bitty (she is missing the sanctuary of the trees) and opened the other gate-and gave them free range of the yard. Then I sat down and watched.
When the dogs ran out, Oliver was most befuddled. He didn't like being left behind. He protested and called. Then he figured out he could go through the gate too. The rest of it was learning if he wanted to be where they were, and they were there-well, he had to go there. And, if he wanted to play the games they were playing, and it involved running, he was going to have to run. So he did.
When the pack saw he was trying to work it out, they involved him in chases. Greta and Cody delighted in full on runs with hairpin turns. They seemed to enjoy it when Oliver tumbled during his turns, but it wasn't in a ugly way. No, it was like "look at that young whippersnapper, better run a few more times...."
Cody is rolling around in the grass like a furry little playball. He loves a good game of chase better than anyone, and has decided that one more is just merrier.
I started to get the camera, but decided just to stay and watch and enjoy. Humans want to mark moments and relive them over and over...dogs just learn to run....and then they run.
Showing posts with label dog therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label dog therapy. Show all posts
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Friday, August 3, 2007
Greta Report
I have to drive down to Lewisville tomorrow so I took the 2 spotties and Cody to board. Greta is riding shotgun-she's the only dog that truly enjoys riding in the car.
She was a bit nervous when we all left without her, and when I got back she looked for the rest of the pack. But, once we went for a walk down to Mom's she settled into the only dog spot with great enthusiasm. She let Mom feed her and insisted that they both hold her and rub her belly.
This was a dog that snapped at everyone when I first got her. When the male vet walked in for her first visit she huddled in the corner and peed from fright.
After I got her she was spayed and then had extensive hip surgery a week later. So you might say this year has been tough on Greta, as well as whatever happened before I got her.
This was also the dog that napped under my wheelchair while I recovered from surgery. Greta just happened into my life at the one time when I couldn't put an animal down for being crippled.
Greta's hip won't allow her to walk far, but that's ok because I can't either. Today I have real hopes for her as a therapy dog-she's young, she's enthusiastic, she isn't afraid of wheelchairs and she likes to be touched.
Once Greta understood I was pack leader, she never offered to bite me again (night one) and with a little work (mild correction) she came to firt tolerate people and now enjoys them. This is August, Greta came in late January. I would say that is remarkable progress for a remarkable little dog.
She was a bit nervous when we all left without her, and when I got back she looked for the rest of the pack. But, once we went for a walk down to Mom's she settled into the only dog spot with great enthusiasm. She let Mom feed her and insisted that they both hold her and rub her belly.
This was a dog that snapped at everyone when I first got her. When the male vet walked in for her first visit she huddled in the corner and peed from fright.
After I got her she was spayed and then had extensive hip surgery a week later. So you might say this year has been tough on Greta, as well as whatever happened before I got her.
This was also the dog that napped under my wheelchair while I recovered from surgery. Greta just happened into my life at the one time when I couldn't put an animal down for being crippled.
Greta's hip won't allow her to walk far, but that's ok because I can't either. Today I have real hopes for her as a therapy dog-she's young, she's enthusiastic, she isn't afraid of wheelchairs and she likes to be touched.
Once Greta understood I was pack leader, she never offered to bite me again (night one) and with a little work (mild correction) she came to firt tolerate people and now enjoys them. This is August, Greta came in late January. I would say that is remarkable progress for a remarkable little dog.
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Poidogz Progress
The electric wheelchair gods smiled on me and I got a “ride” in Target. So I was able to actually look about and not only get Greta’s exercise ball but some sterlite and weights for the snakes and a few other things. The dynamic duo comes home tonight and we’ll start on therapy.
I think right now we are just going to work on the ball and see how that goes. The theory is that it will “force” her to put her foot down to remain stable. Another thing I want to try is to train her to step up on a step; keeping her back feet down. I didn’t want to spend 20 bucks on a step when a cardboard box will do the trick or even some boards, anything to put her on a slope. Standing her on an a-frame might be a good idea too, but I wouldn’t want her climbing it. Well, shoot, we can just work on the wheelchair ramp outside my house-synergies!
Right now I am committing to 10-15 minutes a day-I know that doesn’t sound like much, but I don’t HAVE much time to give. My own body is causing delays in almost everything I do, but we well all cope together.
I think right now we are just going to work on the ball and see how that goes. The theory is that it will “force” her to put her foot down to remain stable. Another thing I want to try is to train her to step up on a step; keeping her back feet down. I didn’t want to spend 20 bucks on a step when a cardboard box will do the trick or even some boards, anything to put her on a slope. Standing her on an a-frame might be a good idea too, but I wouldn’t want her climbing it. Well, shoot, we can just work on the wheelchair ramp outside my house-synergies!
Right now I am committing to 10-15 minutes a day-I know that doesn’t sound like much, but I don’t HAVE much time to give. My own body is causing delays in almost everything I do, but we well all cope together.
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