4th of July Horror Show...

Seriously, think what you will about this holiday, I have no opinion either way... EXCEPT for the fireworks.  Really?  Is it that important to blow shit up and scare the daylights out of the poor animals?  Doktor Dog is a mess... and I mean A MESS.  He is taking Prozac AND 50mg of Bennedryl, he is wearing his thunder shirt, and I am even putting some calming herbs in his food.  He is shaking, and panting, and drooling.  His tail is tucked tight between his legs, his ears pressed back further than I have ever seen.  He will NOT go outside.  Yesterday Mike had to walk outside with him, and we were able to get him to go out, today, he would not even go out with a leash... he flailed about and cried.  Last night he woke us up trying to fit under our bed, he tore the lining of our box spring so that he could fit better.  He got stuck behind the toilet today.  AND... this is all the time, not just when the explosions happen... sense last friday when people in our area started lighting them off on a regular basis, Doktor Dog has been a mess of a pooch.  What do I have to look forward to on Wednesday????  My neighbors spend NO LESS than 1 thousand dollars on fireworks, they put on a show that rivals the show over lake union.  My house is a house of horrors on the 4th of July.  By the time Wednesday rolls around, I will be picking up his accidents all over the house, trying to pry him out of tighter and tighter spaces, watching him shake like a leaf... and hoping that it will be over quickly.  It never is tho... the 4th of July at my house lasts at least until the 10th or 12th, and there is nothing I can do about it.  I have placed a blanket over his kennel, trying to create a safe space for him... but as soon as a really loud BOOM is heard, he is again trying to squeeze himself into spaces where he does not fit.  I am at a loss.  I would love to take him away for the day, but it does not just stop on the 4th here.  One of the perks of living in un-incorporated Lynnwood is that fireworks are NOT illegal, and they have 3 days before the 4th, and 3 days after the 4th to light them off... and even though it keeps on going after the time allotment, it is difficult to get anyone to do anything about it.

poor scared Doktor Dog                                                                 Trying to find a place for him to    
                                                                                                         hide...




So... needless to say, training has stopped for the moment.  I can not get him to respond to anything, and I think it is best to give him a bit of a break.  He can barely function right now, and I don't think that it is right to try and get him to perform when he can't even go outside to relieve himself.  I can't wait for this month to be over... maybe come August we can have some peace, and Dok can return to his normal self, and maybe then we can make some more improvements to his issues.   Poor kid.                                      

Charmed life...

Well, Doktor dog is doing AMAZING on raw food.  Seriously, nothing has worked as well as switching to raw.  His skin is clearing up, his eyes are bright and shiny, and no goop!  His fur is soft, no  dandruff, and no smell... I have never seen anything like it!  I have been doing research like a mad woman, and it does not have to be as expensive as all that... so, looks like the boy is going to be on a 100% raw diet.  He certainly is worth it!  I'm going to be making friends with a butcher to see if I can get some bones on the cheap, and most likely will be making my own combination of raw mixture... its much cheaper that way, and I can't really afford to do it any other way.  Still on the lookout for some good books on the subject, and will certainly post about them when I find them.  Until then, I am most defiantly a believer in raw food.  I will not get on my soap box about it, but it is just working for me, and for that I am seriously happy.  I know that a lot of vets are not on the raw food diet band wagon... but then, I don't go to my Dr. for nutrition advice.... I feel it is the same for my dog. What I have seen with my own eyes has made a huge difference, and I will stick with what is working.

here's the boys, posing for the camera.  What you don't see is the fact that even tho Dok's ears are back, his tail is going a mile a minute.

As far as training, it is going pretty well.  He is doing great with the wait command, and I even got him to wait in the other room while I went into the kitchen and cut up more treats, then went outside and shut the door before returning to him... he was still sitting and waiting.  I'm very proud of him, he seems to have really become a much better behaved dog.  As far as the Prozac goes... the verdict is still out for me.  I'm not sure that I am all that impressed with it, it seems to make him very sluggish, and that is not what I want.  I did say I would give it some time, and I will, but I am fairly convinced that this is NOT the answer for me and Dok.  The 4th of July is almost here, and the Prozac does not seem to make a difference with his fear of fireworks.  That is a problem, as I hate to see him go through his freak out on the 4th.  Fireworks are pretty horrible around my house, and last year it took us 4 hours to pry Dok out from under the porch... which mind you is only a couple of inches off the ground.
He certainly seems more relaxed to me... maybe that is the Prozac, but I don't think it is the only thing.  He still does not have his ears up, quite often in fact... but I'm not really thinking that is a bad thing.  His tail is up more often, and he genuinely seems like a happier dog.  I am still very worried about his interaction with other dogs, and as of yet, we have not had any.  Mostly that is because I am still a chicken... so maybe someday soon.  I don't know if he will ever be ok with it, and if he is not, then I will just continue to make the necessary precautions so that nothing will happen.

Prozac Dreams...

Ok, so we bit the bullet and put Doktor Dog on puppy Prozac.  He has been on it sense Saturday, and the verdict is still out.  Of course, it will take about a month to notice any results, and currently he is still in the side effect stage... about 2 weeks of lethargy and decreased appetite.  Well, he certainly is lazy... but his appetite is still the same... ravenous.   The only difference with his appetite is that he won't get off the couch to beg for food... but if you are sitting right next to him, he certainly wants a bite (which of course, he does not ever get).   I have also noticed that it seems to give him crazy dreams... this  may be anthropomorphic of me, maybe he does not dream like we do... but it sure seems that way.  Last night, after several kicks in the face from the Doktor (he has become quite the bed hog, and seems to always wake me up with kicks to the face), he started making the most ridiculous noises, almost as if he was under water, then whining like he wanted something.  This continued for quite sometime until Mike and I's laughter probably woke him up!  Maybe dogs get drug induced dreams as well.
Along with the lazy has come a pretty strong aversion to work.  He will do what I ask of him, but he does not seem to think its the best idea I have ever had... I think he would rather curl up on the couch with a good book (but of course he deserves a treat for this).

Ummmm... Prozac and Bunny food, what a good combo

The other bullet we bit (and quite a bite is is going to be)... we have decided to put the dogs on a raw food diet.  Doktor Dog has SO MANY allergies... and his hair is always falling out, his eyes are always thick with goop, and he itches like crazy!  We have tried grain free, we have taken him off chicken, we have fed him the best premium dog foods on the market... from blue buffalo, to origin to California natural's... you name it, we have tried it... all except raw.  The thing about raw is, well, its expensive.  I mean REALLY expensive.  When you are looking at a dog that weights around 70lbs, which Dok does, you are looking at almost 200$ a month.  THAT IS SO MUCH MONEY!!!!  So, to get around this money pit, we have decided that we are only going to feed him 50% raw, and the rest a good grain free, chicken free commercial dog food.  (Pip, being the less than medium dog that he is, gets to be on 100% raw... which he will love!)  I would like to eventually make the move for the Doktor, and get him on all raw, but we have to see how this goes.  I have decided in order to make this a little easier on us, I'm going to pick up the dog food every week.  I feel like if we do it in smaller increments it will be a little easier on us.  Currently we are spending 80$ every time we buy a bag of food... that lasts us about a month... but 80$ all at once is kind of difficult for us sometimes, so I feel like if I spend 40$ every week, then it will be a bit easier.  I know this is more money in the long run, but I do feel that both dogs  are worth it, and if I can get to the bottom of Dok's health issues, as well as his insecurities his quality of life will be much better, as will mine.  Wish us luck.

Yesterday... and today...

So, yesterday we worked really hard, and I feel like he did pretty well.  I'm going to post a video from yesterday... but no giving me grief about my fat belly!!!!  (ugh... its about the dog, not me... right?)  He waited for quite some time, even when I left the room, he was pretty good with his ears and body language.

HA!  For some reason the video will not upload... no fat belly for you guys!  I'll try again later.

Today however, not such a good day.  Walking with Doktor Dog is a nightmare.  He slinks when he walks, won't look at me even once... cars freak him out, people freak him out, dogs barking freak him out, fireworks freak him out, I think even Pip freaked him out!  I really REALLY don't know what to do about this.  I want to take him on a short overnight camping trip this Saturday, but I don't want to make things worse.  I put in an email to the vet/behavior specialist, and I'm still waiting to hear back from her on whether or not she thinks I should take him.  I do really want to go, but we will have to see.

I'm really trying not to feel discouraged... he really does do well in the house, but outside, not so much.  He is just so insecure.  I do think that we will probably have to go with some meds for a little while, I hope it is not permanent.  I'm really hoping that he does not always look like this when we walk him... this was a hike a couple of months ago, his ears are always so far back, but I just don't have the heart to leave him behind.  I don't know when it started being like this, he used to love to walk and hike.  ugh.  Its amazing how behavior can start to change, and we don't seem to notice.

The long and winding road...

Well, I have not written in a while... mostly because I have nothing new to tell.  Dok is getting better, and that is a very good thing, but I do feel like we are kind of at a stand still.  I got him a gentle leader, which does fit under his muzzle, so walking him is a bit easier, but as always when he is wearing it, his ears are pressed back and he is feeling more stressed out.  The doctor asked me if I felt we needed some anti-anxiety meds, and I really REALLY don't want to go there.  I don't know if I need to, or if I just need to work harder.  I feel like I have been working, but lets be honest, I have not been working hard enough.  There just never seems to be enough time.  I have worked with him once already this morning, and I will be working with him again once I finish this blog... then when Mike gets home, we are going to try a walk... Its just a very VERY long process, and I am hoping one that will end in success.  I would at least like to be able to take him hiking, something which I have always done, but now I'm just not so sure.  I will always keep him on a leash... Dok will never be one of those dogs that get to run ahead of me on the trail, I just don't know what he would do when faced with another dog.  He seems to be stressed out the most by puppies, but he does not like very many dogs at all.  I wish there was something I could do to make him more comfortable, but I just don't know how to do that.  He looks relaxed and calm when I have a treat in my hand, and as long as it is only Mike and I... maybe one or two more people that he knows well, but if there are more people involved, then he is all over the place and concentrating is very difficult for him.  I know that the 4th of July is coming up, and for Dok that is like hell on earth... maybe meds until we are through with the stupid holiday?  I'm thinking on it.  I've tried the pharmone collar, and I'm not certain it has made any difference at all, but then I am not certain that it hasn't.  Its just really, really hard to tell.  The only option I have is to keep on trucking along, and hopefully soonish, we will be able to go out with our friends AND our dogs for a nice weekend adventure!  (boy, I'll drink to that!)

silly dog, looking all kinds of stressed out.

Also, I'm looking for people who are willing to come over and help me work on getting the dogs over the door knocking thing... what I need are people who are willing to come over and knock on my door repeatedly while I'm in the house getting the dogs calm from the door.  I'm trying to get them to react better when people come over to visit or someone delivers something.

Proud Momma!

Ok, so I got some video... but there is no dancing about!  He is doing so well right now, and I am extremely happy!  He is a little more distracted in these videos because His friends Flavia and Chris are over (they are Hamlets parents!).  Over all, I count the day as a huge success!!!

Dok is doing pretty well in this video... as you can see he is still a bit distracted, but he did great right until Pip was pretty much right next to him.  This is a huge success.  I'm going to try on leash tomorrow.

slow and steady wins the race...

So, things have been going pretty well.  Nothing too new to report, until today!  Today Doktor Dog did AWESOME!!!  We had him in the back yard with Pip (Pip was on leash), and Dok was doing very very well.  His ears are still sometimes not all the way forward, but for the most part they were.  He was concentrating on me while Mike was bringing Pip closer and closer and even crossed behind Dok.  Dok was off leash, as he still acts a little skittish while on his leash, but this is still a HUGE improvement.  I was able to have him wait while I walked all the way to the back fence and back before I gave him the treat.  I am using a clicker to work with him, mostly because I want him to associate the correct behavior with the treat... and with a clicker I can click AS SOON as his ears perk forward... it buys me time to treat him.  I really see a vast improvement with him, and I am looking forward to working with Hamlet later this week.  I don't expect such amazing results with Hamlet, but we have to start somewhere.  This is going so much better now that I am less stressed... its amazing how much I rub off on my dog!  We are going to work with him again today after dinner again, just to keep reinforcing such wonderful behavior.  I also want to start working with him when people come over to the house.  I would like for him to lie down and wait while people come in... he just gets so excited.  Although my main concern is his behavior toward other dogs, there is no reason why we can not get him some better manners while we are at it!  ;-)

So, no video today, maybe later this evening.  (I'm not sure how excited I am to have the whole world watch me dancing around to distract my dog while he sits so happily!)

Notes from the Peanut Gallery

Well, today was the first day that Doktor Dog had visitors sense our training has begun.  Dok's friend (and my best friend) Richard came over for dinner tonight.  Richard knows Dok very well, and is used to Doks behavior.  He said that he can see a difference in Dok's mannerism, and does in fact see that he seems more at ease than normal.  He noticed that Dok seems to have his ears forward more than normal, and this is a start for me!  I know that I have been pushing very hard, and I think that maybe I am attempting to see an end result as apposed to taking things one step at a time.  The Doctor that I am working with told me last night to just keep working, and that I will do.  When I get frustrated, so does Dok, and I need to remember that this is fun, and I need to keep it that way.

Tonight Doktor Dog was nice and relaxed for Richard, and that is a GIANT step in the right direction!  He is the best dog ever, and I never want him to feel any less than!

YIKES!!!!

So, today did not go so well.  We tried to do some desensitizing exercises with Dok and Pip, and Dok could not pay attention AT ALL.  He was breathing hard, ears pressed back and looking everywhere but toward me.  I switched with Mike to see if maybe he had more luck, and same problem.  Finally we decided that we would take him back into our room and work with him alone... I think he was still to wound up from the previous working, and we did not get very much accomplished.

We are going to try again tonight before bed, and I think that we will keep Dok off his leash with Pip on his leash at the other end of the hallway.  Also, I'm going to make sure that Jennifer is in her room with Hercules so that he is not whining.  Hopefully this will produce better results.  I probably will not be able to get video of it, as I can't hold the camera and work with Dok at the same time!  Hoping for some better results!  Tomorrow I will put Dok on his leash and just focus on him being relaxed while wearing it.  I'm not sure that I am a huge fan of the easy walk harness with him, but I can not use his Halti while he is wearing a muzzle (and for now, hopefully not forever, he will be wearing his muzzle while outdoors).

By George he's got it!

Well, it seems that maybe the problem in this situation is, well, me... Doktor Dog is doing fine, its me who is having the freak out!  I've been moving very slowly, and he is ready to move on, I'm pretty sure.  So, tonight we are going to start the actual work... I was kind of thinking that I should have his ears forward and his confidence up before I started working on the behavior modification, but that is not the case.  Tonight is a late night for me at work, but we can do it for a bit in the front yard.  I think that the only way for us to be successful is for me to stop putting so much pressure on "perfect" ears and "perfect" relaxed face, and just start to acknowledge that he is making progress, and that is a good thing.

I did get a pharmone collar for him, but I'm not sure if it is really doing anything... don't really think its hurting, but I'm not sure its an amazing thing either.  I may try the plug in's as well, but we shall see.  In general, I think that best thing for him is going to be time dedication, both of which I have in abundance... well, maybe not the time thing, he will have to work around my schedule... ;-)

I will try and post a video of tonight's adventure, if the lighting is ok, then I'm sure it will work out, otherwise I will have to wait until it is light outside.

This video is from the other night when Mike did some work with Dok on his happy relaxed face.  These will probably be the last videos of this kind as we will be moving on to bigger and better things!  woo-hoo

Holy smokes Batman

Ok, seriously, I don't know what I'm doing.  I feel like there is not change in Dok, and I feel like I am working my ass off.  I know he is doing the best that he can, I wonder if I am not doing enough.  I feel like the whole thing is way bigger than the two of us (or three if you count Mike).  I've read all the paperwork that the Doctor gave me, I am plowing through the book (which by the way is excellent), I just don't feel like there is much change.  I know that currently I am supposed to ask him to do these things with treats as motivation... but its so difficult, I feel like I am starting over, and I feel like its never going to change.  Its much more difficult to do behavior modification on your own animals... just sayin.

Today we have worked together only once, but I will do another session after dinner, and I will make sure that Mike does one as well.  I would like if if we both worked with him at least 4 times a day... but that has not happened the way I want it to.  I feel like I can not make people understand how important this is to me... I really wan't him to get better.

Today I got the happy face most of the time... except when I make him change positions, or if I change position.  He seems to have difficulty with movement.  I was able to have him sit and wait while I went into the front room and grabbed my phone to take a picture of him... so that is good.  I guess I will just have to keep it up.  I know there will be good and bad days, I just wish I had more help.  I also wish I had more good days!  I know I can do this, I'm just feeling pretty low about it right now.

Dog Dayz...

Ok new day, new discovery.  I'm trying to find something to keep Dok more entertained while in his Kennel... currently we are not allowing Pip and Dok to be out at the same time if Mike or I is not home... that means a bit more time in the kennel than he is used to.  (poor kid)  He is so destructive with his toys, its difficult to find one that will keep his interest AND stand the test of time.  His favorite, of course are the stuffed toys with the squeakers.... I just can't afford to go through those, he will kill them in under a minute.  He also loves his Kong, and it keeps him busy, especially if I stuff it and freeze it with all the right goodies!  (he loves banana and plain yogurt frozen).  Yesterday I picked up for him an everlasting treat ball... its made out of some squishy blue rubber stuff, and I thought for sure he would tear it to pieces, but it seems pretty durable.  I did throw away the treat it came with because all it is is wheat and bi-product crap.  But, here is the deal... I don't want all of his enrichment to be about food.... I want him to have something to play with that will last and has nothing to do with food.  Is that too much to ask?  Does he even really need that?  So, to try and get away from the food toys I bought my first ever Nylabone... so far he does not seem all that interested, but here is for hoping.  I'm trying to rotate their toys a lot more frequently so that maybe he will find them more interesting (and then maybe, just maybe I can actually buy him another dog bed with out having to worry about him eating it).
As far as training today, we are off to a slow start.  (or should I say I am off to a slow start!)  I'm about to go to a movie, and then when we get back I'm thinking of doing a short walk and seeing how that goes.  I'm not sure at what pace I'm supposed to be doing this, its all kind of trial and error at the moment...

OH, and I almost forgot... THEY MAKE TIKI DOG!!!!!!  Seriously, it gotta be like crack for dogs as Tiki Cat is crack for cats!  I bought 3 cans!  I think I"m going to freeze some in a kong for tomorrow!  SUPER COOL!!!!!

2 steps forward... 2 steps back...

Well, I have been observing Dok's behavior today, and I think HOW did I not notice that he is so insecure?  Even while laying on the couch his ears are pressed to the back of his head.  I can get him to give me his happy face.... but only when I'm working with him.  Mike has worked with him once today, and I have worked with him twice... and we WILL keep on trucking... but we have a VERY VERY long way to go.

This is Dok lounging on the couch... look at those ears!  Oh well, it will only make it that much more wonderful when he turns into the dog I know he can be.

Blame it all on my roots...

So, tonight I was able to have Doktor Dog give me his happy face while outside.  This is a good thing, but it is still a process.  I was not able to do it with Pip outside as well, but it will come in time.  Just keep trucking ahead, its hard work but certainly worth the effort.

Going back to my roots now... I have decided to comprise an ethogram to observe both dog's behavior.  I think it will be easier to get their behavior down pat, and what better way to know my own dog's behavior then to do what I did in college.  I wish I could say that I came up with this bright idea all on my own, but I would be lying... I'm reading "how to behave so that your dog behaves"  and she said something about it.  Duh... I did it all during my internship at the Woodland Park Zoo, why not on my own dogs.  So in addition to working with both dogs several times a day, I'm going to be observing their behavior in different situations for 30 minutes at least once a week.  This will also help to understand the dynamics in my own home and help me to prevent further mishaps.  It will also help me keep track of everything that is going on with BOTH dogs, and that is important to me.

So, I'm going to try and put the video from tonight up here, that way everyone can see his behavior.  In one part of the video he had one ear forward and one ear back.... and to be honest, I'm not sure what to do with that.

...And we're off... to a great start!

This morning working with Dok was wonderful!  Still only doing short spurts of work, don't want to overwhelm him, but he did happy relaxed face WHILE sitting and laying down during our whole exercise this morning!  I'm pretty excited!  When I get home from work, I'm going to work with him outside and see if I can get the same reaction!  I also did  a video, but I can not for some reason retrieve it from my phone... I guess I will have to work on that.
Tonight's plan is to work with him at least 2 more times (15 min each) outside and then possibly with Pip in the room.  I"m hoping to add more distraction by the end of the weekend, but I don't want to back slide at all...  we will see how it goes!

Success! In comes slowly...

So both Mike and I did a few more sessions with Dokter Dog today.  Mike had really good luck while I was still at work, was able to get him to sit with ears relaxed and mouth closed... then I came home... duhdudhduh....
Aparently Dok did great unless he heard me going about my buisiness in the front room, then Dok would do nothing for him.  I think distractions are very hard for him at the momment, and it think it is just going to take time.
I did have some luck with him this evening, so I think that things will start to fall into place.  As long as I can get him to be reliable with the relaxed posture in the house, I will try and take him for a short walk tomorrow... we may not make it out of the driveway, but it will be a start.

Although a bit blurry, this is closer to how we want him to look... ears forward, mouth close, eyes focused on us.  Not the greatest picture, but you get the idea!

Behavior Mod for Doktor Dog "Dok"

Ok, so as it goes, we have had some behavior (dog aggression) issues with Doktor Dog sense he was attacked by a couple of dogs when we lived in Los Angeles.... well, it has kind of come to a head, and has not been a very fun experience.  We finally got in touch with a behavior specialist... who also happens to be a vet, and now begins the long road to recovery for the Doktor!  So, I'm going to be blogging about his progress so that I can keep tabs on what I am doing.

First off, Dok is a very insecure dog, and shows signs on a regular basis.  He is the dog that is always trying to get your attention by leaning into you, by forcing his head under your hands and arms, by licking you constantly.  So, first step, try and help him become more confidant.  I'm working with him several times daily for short periods of time.  This morning we worked on "look at me", which he obviously knows, but now we are trying to get him to do it in a relaxed fashion.  Dok is very submissive to me, so for him to look at me with out his ears back is difficult.  Its difficult for me too, as I want desperately for him to have more confidence.  So, this mornings session was only 5 min, and in that time I WAS able to get him to look at me with his ears forward and his mouth closed.  I was not able to do it while he was sitting however.  So currently I'm going to take what I can get.  I'm hoping by the end of today I can get him to be more reliable with this, but it may take more time, and that is ok.  We ended on a good note today, with Dok looking at me, mouth closed and ears relaxed.  I must say, this is going to be difficult work, but in the end it will be so worth it!  I'm off to work now, giving him a Kong filled with mashed banana, peanut butter and a tiny bit of cheese, all mushed together and frozen.  Hoping this will help with some of the boredom while I'm at work.

In the picture, Dok has his ears back, very un-relaxed... this is what I'm trying to get him away from.  It will take some time.

Puppy LOOOOVE!

So, I have this friend, we have been through hell and back together... and always there to lean on each other.  He had a dog... a great wonderful sweet amazing dog.  Lets call him Mo.  Mo was a huge part of my life, but like all dogs, Mo got old, and last year my friend had to put Mo down.  It was sad and we all cried like crazy.  Today my friend... lets just call him E... called me up because he has some questions about puppy training and shots and such.  "why do you ask?  Did you get a puppy?"
YES!!!!
So today I got to spend some time with a wonderful sweet amazing dog.  Can't wait to watch this girl grow... she is so cute!  I brought her lots of toys and good treats... E is happy.  I am happy.  Mike and L are happy.  Life is good when you have a puppy to love!

Moving right along... and such.

Happy Chinese New Year to all!!!

Things have been stagnant this past year, and I am determined to make that not the case in 2012!  So... I'm moving right a long, and will not look back!

Things on my list of WILL HAPPEN:
More Hiking with Dr. Dog and Professor Pip!
     Mike and I agree, its good for both pooch and us!
Get control over my student loans... holy cow that's a lot of money
Reduce our carbon foot print... we've already got a pretty good start
Eat healthy... the weight will fallow!
Find a new job... one worthy of the massive amounts of student loans that I am currently trying to control
Organize this house!... its small, but its ours, we can make the room
Go on vacation... even just to the beach... just take some time for us
Lay off the Diet Coke... seriously, that shit will kill you!
Find 30 minutes each day to do something just for me... like read a book!
Remember that life is beautiful, and I have a lot to be thankful for!

Here's to a New Year, bring it on 2012!