Category Archives: Dogs

Dog Obedience

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Everybody knows one of the first things you’re supposed to teach a dog is how to come when called.

It’s hard to do that when you have a fenced backyard and never take your pooch outside the yard off-lead.

Sure, I realize the “Come here” lesson could save my dog’s life one day; at the very least, it could save me a lot of frustration and time.

But I failed to insist my Sheltie learn it, and I paid for it yesterday.

We’ve been having lots of wet weather — melting snows, freezing fogs, etc. — and the backyard, frankly, looks like a muddy mess. We normally have the spaces between our shrubs covered over with mulch, but mulch doesn’t last forever. You have to keep adding it, or you wind up with bare spots — that become wet dirt.

And wet dirt sticks to puppy paws and fur.

Yesterday, my Sheltie went outside and found all sorts of interesting things to do. He chased birds and squirrels, he raced from one corner to another, he danced through the melting snow, AND he refused to come in when I called him.

I watched as his fur became filthier and his white paws became a nasty shade of brown, yet there was nothing I could say or do to convince him to give up his fun.

Eventually, we lured him inside with a cookie. Then I began the lengthy process of throwing him in the bathtub, washing him down, shampooing, blow-drying, and brushing his fur.

None of which had been on my planning schedule, of course!

So I’ve done a bit of research on this “Come here” command and guess what? I’m as guilty as the next person for actually teaching my dog that “fun times” don’t include me!

Yikes, what have I done?

According to Perfect Paws, my Sheltie thinks:

1) I’m ruining his fun by calling him in, or

2) I’m going to punish him for turning into a mud-dog

Perfect Paws advises that I should never let my dog off-lead (and I suppose this includes his own backyard) unless and until he can reliably come when called.

I have my work cut out for me — he’s become lazy and spoiled, and I can just imagine him looking at me and saying, “You want me to work for a kibble, when all I have to do is look cute and somebody will feed me people-food?”

It promises to be a fun-filled experience.

Sheltie beautification

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OK, don’t all jump on me at once, but I finally broke down and hauled my Sheltie to a professional groomer.

I know what I said (Nov. 10, 2009) about doing the grooming myself. It still holds true.

However, I found myself in an unforeseen situation and needed a “lifeline.”

You see, the dog I was “boarding” for my friend had a rather maddening habit of yanking on my dog’s ruff, slobbering on his furs, and making him less than presentable. She went home on Friday, the day I was planning on leaving for South Bend to pick up My Favorite Domer. I wanted my dog to be at his prettiest when MFD came home, but I didn’t have time to groom.

For less than the price of a pair of jeans, I had my fur-kid shampoo’ed, blow-dried, nails trimmed, anal glands expressed, etc.

It was worth it.

When I arrived at the groomers’, my Sheltie was in a clear-enclosed “box,” with a strong drier blowing out his furs. He’d already been bathed and trimmed, and his heavy undercoat had been helped out.

He was sweet-smelling, and the white portions of his markings fairly glistened.

Of course, I still need to take my thinning shears and even him up a bit, but that’s a task I don’t mind. I’ve learned how to do it, it doesn’t take long, and I want him to remember who’s his primary groomer!

Now all I need is for his nails to grow out a bit. I purchased one of those battery-operated dog-nail filers, and I’m eager to give it a spin (get it? ha!)

Tell me — one dog or two?

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I told a friend of mine that I’d “board” her dog for a week while she was out of town, so I’m playing “mom” to two dogs right now.

It’s an interesting experiment, really.

Ever since I got my own dog, I’ve worked hard to train him in model canine behavior. He’s housebroken, of course, and he doesn’t bite or scratch when we play. He’s on a schedule, dozing while I work and following me around the house when I’m doing something interesting (like laundry!).

But sometimes, I feel bad about not giving him as much attention as he’d like.

“He needs a playmate,” my friend suggested.

Playmate? Hmm, maybe she’s right.

After all, if one Sheltie is adorable, then two would be double-adorable.

Or would it?

Asking around of folks who already have two dogs, I’ve encountered a mixed bag of replies.

“Two is twice the trouble,” said one.

“Two is more expensive,” said another.

“Two can keep each other company and entertain themselves without forcing their neediness on you,” added a third.

Yeah, that‘s what I’m looking for. Dogs who will entertain themselves — at least for a little while to let me work and write.

So I’ve got this little “entertainment machine” for a week.

Is it working? Well, let’s see.

She’s already pee’d and pooped in the house, scratched and nipped me when we were playing, and “picks” at my dog while he’s trying to nap. She’s commandeered his bed and his toys, follows him around like a sticktight, and refuses to eat the food my friend brought for her, preferring to eat “people food” that my dog can’t have (or he’d pork up!)

Sometimes the two of them get on my last nerve, so I grab one and toss it in a crate, just so I can have a bit of peace.

I admire folks who have multiple kids and dogs, I really do. They must be bucking for sainthood.

For sure, their patience is not as fleeting as mine.

While it feels wonderful when these two dogs finally settle down for a nap or curl up beside me and “play nice,” those times are few and far between.

Maybe there’s a reason why I only had one child and one dog!

Dog Beautification 101

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Most people I talk to are genuinely surprised when I tell them I groom my Sheltie.

Some are probably of the opinion that only professional groomers should “dabble” in grooming; others probably wonder why I’d “waste” my time on something like this; still others probably never thought a Sheltie would need grooming.

In case you don’t know, a Sheltie (or Shetland Sheepdog) is a breed of dog with two coats — a long, straight, outer coat, and a short, fluffy, dense undercoat. Think about it for a minute, okay? You brush your hair; why shouldn’t a Sheltie want his hair brushed? Besides helping distribute the skin’s natural oils, brushing removes old hair and helps with the shedding process (yes, Shelties do shed!)

And just as people need haircuts every so often, Shelties need to be trimmed. I trim the fur from between the pads on his paws (so he won’t bring mud or snow into the house). I also trim excess hair around his face and ears, thin out his kilts (the bushy part of his backside by the tail), thin the fringes on his front legs and hocks, and shape up his paws so they’ll be tight and rounded. No “house shoes” around here; the pretty little “cat foot” is a much more desirable look!

And speaking of paws, a dog’s toenails need regular trimming, or they’ll turn under and basically make him crippled (not a pretty thought). Since it’s nearly impossible to determine where to cut on black nails — you don’t want to cut into the quick or you’ll inflict pain and see a lot of bright, red blood — I always start on one of my dog’s white nails. Then I use an emery board to file each nail after I’ve cut it, so he doesn’t accidentally scratch me later! Some people swear by those battery-operated nail filers (like the Pedipaws advertised on TV), but I haven’t tried one yet. Anybody know if they work?

Which brings me to another question. Why do I do it? Obviously, the first reason has to be financial. I probably don’t groom as often as I should, but I try to do it every other week. Look how the costs would add up for something like that! I’m guessing I save a couple hundred dollars a year.

Then, too, I do it myself because it gives my dog and me a special time of “bonding.” Most dogs hate being handled, bathed, nails trimmed, etc., but mine is as docile as a lamb. He trusts me; he knows I won’t hurt him and he’ll get a special treat when all’s said and done! One “traumatic” trip to a groomer — I don’t care how careful he or she is — and all that foundation would be for naught.

It takes about an hour for this task, but the results are so worth it — don’t you agree??

a groomed Sheltie

my Sheltie all prettied up