Middle-Aged people 35-54 - Part 2

[rave]

I got her in February of this year, so we haven't known each other very long.

The biggest problem we had was in the beginning when I first brought her home. She was used to taking the lead and doing everything her way whenever she wanted to. I had to make it clear who was in charge. That's not easy when you're a gimpy old fart that uses a cane to navigate and has other obvious physical signs of weakness. She seemed to figure that she was stronger and should take the lead. When I first took her for walks she almost turned me into a human sled a couple of times. I had to hang on to trees for dear life! I will never punish a dog, but I did make it clear through body language who the alpha was in this pack. Now she's an angel, and much happier.

I'd love to hear more about Lukas AND other folks' fur-friends. Or feather-friends!

 

[dlsw]

I got her in February of this year, so we haven't known each other very long.

The biggest problem we had was in the beginning when I first brought her home. She was used to taking the lead and doing everything her way whenever she wanted to. I had to make it clear who was in charge. That's not easy when you're a gimpy old fart that uses a cane to navigate and has other obvious physical signs of weakness. She seemed to figure that she was stronger and should take the lead. When I first took her for walks she almost turned me into a human sled a couple of times. I had to hang on to trees for dear life! I will never punish a dog, but I did make it clear through body language who the alpha was in this pack. Now she's an angel, and much happier.

I'd love to hear more about Lukas AND other folks' fur-friends. Or feather-friends!

I'll tell you, big dogs definitely need an alpha or they turn into wild things! *Trying NOT to laugh at rave becoming a "human sled"* *Attempt unsuccessful*

 

[rave]

I'll tell you, big dogs definitely need an alpha or they turn into wild things! *Trying NOT to laugh at rave becoming a "human sled"* *Attempt unsuccessful*

It's pretty funny now, but not so much at the time. She heard a gun shot, and took off like a rocket! There are always folks shooting off guns out in the sticks - including my son. He doesn't hunt, but he and his gal like to shoot targets. She'll get used to it.

 

[dlsw]

Mr. Mellow's story:


OK, this is Mellow, my mini lop. Mellow is super sociable and sometimes accompanies me to school. He, as you can see in the pic, adores the kids and loves to get into their stuff and throw it around. If you look at the pic closely, you'll see that I actually have to place boxes in front of the door to keep him from sneaking out and racing down the hall. Oh, and Mellow's "trick" is to stand on his hind legs and twirl around. My kids taught him that.

 

[rave]

Ohmygosh! He's so adorable! Now - I've gotta ask this: Is Mellow paper trained? Or does he leave "gifts" all over?

I had a bunny too. He was paper-trained because he had the run of the apartment that I lived in. It just wasn't possible for me to keep a wild cottontail rabbit in a cage. Buns had been brought to me by some co-workers because I was known for bein' a sucker for animals. He was sooo tiny and had been the victim of literal junkyard dogs. They didn't hurt him badly, but he had some scratches and was obviously too young to be weaned.

I force fed him baby formula mixed with baby food spinach until he began to eat on his own. It wasn't long before he was on regular bunny food. Buns had the run of the apartment and loved to chase my cat around. They would slide all over the hardwood floors playing tag. It was hilarious to watch!

 

[sandybeach]

Mellow is so cute!
I use clicker training with my pets. Sheeba knows "Go to bed", "Take a bow", "Sneeze" and a few others......LOL on the sneeze. She sneezes when she wants something so I taught her the command

 

[rave]

Mellow is so cute!
I use clicker training with my pets. Sheeba knows "Go to bed", "Take a bow", "Sneeze" and a few others......LOL on the sneeze. She sneezes when she wants something so I taught her the command

Is Sheeba one of your beautiful kitties? Clicker training is amazingly effective! LOL on "sneeze"!

 

[sandybeach]

Sheeba is the black doggie
I wanted to clicker train the kitties to pull one another on a little cart. My daughter owned them at that point and put the kabash on it. But now that they are my cats...... hmmmmmm

 

[sandybeach]

Take a bow was real easy. You know how when dogs get up from sleeping, they go down on their front paws, .... in the air? That's how we did it, from that. Eventually I got it so that I take a bow, and Sheeba bows back.

 

[dlsw]

Ohmygosh! He's so adorable! Now - I've gotta ask this: Is Mellow paper trained? Or does he leave "gifts" all over?

I had a bunny too. He was paper-trained because he had the run of the apartment that I lived in. It just wasn't possible for me to keep a wild cottontail rabbit in a cage. Buns had been brought to me by some co-workers because I was known for bein' a sucker for animals. He was sooo tiny and had been the victim of literal junkyard dogs. They didn't hurt him badly, but he had some scratches and was obviously too young to be weaned.

I force fed him baby formula mixed with baby food spinach until he began to eat on his own. It wasn't long before he was on regular bunny food. Buns had the run of the apartment and loved to chase my cat around. They would slide all over the hardwood floors playing tag. It was hilarious to watch!

Mellow is litter box trained, so most of the pellets and all of the urine ends up in the box. I occasionally find one or two around ,but it's not too bad, really. Now, the fur...

 

[dlsw]

Mellow is so cute!
I use clicker training with my pets. Sheeba knows "Go to bed", "Take a bow", "Sneeze" and a few others......LOL on the sneeze. She sneezes when she wants something so I taught her the command

Love the sneeze!!

 

[rave]

I'm working on clicker training "freeze". There is a method to my madness. I want to be able to walk through the woods with her, and have her stop in her tracks and not move when I see a deer or other critter. We're starting with just balancing a pillow on her head for a few seconds. If she holds still enough for the pillow to stay in place, that's a good enough "freeze" for me. Click. Treat.

 

[sandybeach]

I'm working on clicker training "freeze". There is a method to my madness. I want to be able to walk through the woods with her, and have her stop in her tracks and not move when I see a deer or other critter. We're starting with just balancing a pillow on her head for a few seconds. If she holds still enough for the pillow to stay in place, that's a good enough "freeze" for me. Click. Treat.

That's excellent!
I say "wait" but it works 50/50

 

[sandybeach]

My dog ain't the sharpest crayon in the box, but for some reason, she really gets hand signals. I've put a hand signal to everything we do.

 

[rave]

That's excellent!
I say "wait" but it works 50/50

"Wait" is for when she wants to go out, or something else, but I'm in the middle of things.

 

[rave]

My dog ain't the sharpest crayon in the box, but for some reason, she really gets hand signals. I've put a hand signal to everything we do.

That's really smart. I'm trying to do that with Lexi too because frankly, my hearing is better than hers. I worry about deafness. Had a friend whose dog went deaf. It's a lot easier to teach them hand signals when they can still hear.

 

[sandybeach]

I love clicker training!!!

 

[priorities]

Hello everyone..and oh your stories and photos of and about your pets are first just so touching and precious..and then oh my..so funny! You guys are just too much ha! loved reading all about them ..from the flies..so sorry Rave..to the drooling and training ! And love the bunny too..oh too cute! Mul love the songs..great classics and now you found that one I never heard and it's beautiful...as well as the video ..thank you so much...Glad to see you all here..I had a bad day yesterday ...I didn't get back on ECF until very late..and ha I am still here...making 'rounds'...I wanted to wish you all and your darling pets a wonderful day..take good care..hope everyone is feeling well also... Pri Here's a bunny and cat and dog and hmm I think a mouse..gerbil not too sure but so sweet..and then a funny one for you.....ttyl*

 

[dlsw]

Good morning, ECF! I am interested in learning about what you like to do in your free time. (Besides frequent ECF ) I'm a handspinner, weaver, knitter. Last year, I learned to spin on a Russian spindle and I learned to knit with beads. Here is something that I made from that yarn.


Now, I challenge you to post a picture or description of something that you have created or something you've done that makes you feel proud.

 

[sandybeach]

Good morning peeps!
I like your lace, Diana. I have way too many hobbies. I am an Amtrak addict. I play guitar and piano. I garden and do landscapes. I paint landscapes and still lifes in oils and acrylics. I am learning to draw people. I take pictures incessantly and sometimes PhotoShop them and put a lot up on online albums. I repair the really old black & white family photos and put them up online. I do all kinds of needlework. Knit, crochet, sew, embroider. Only when I am in the mood though.

Here's another trick my dog can do.