Spring at Our House...

Liesel is happy to see snow this morning...silly puppy..



If you see Spring...can you send him our way?

Our Resident Piebald...

Had a weigh-in & vet check up a few days ago. We are happy to report, since last weigh in two months ago, he has gained one pound! Battling terrible bouts of IBS caused the weight drop, but with medications (four of them actually)and prescription diet...he is eating & feeling much better!

He even is enjoying going for walks again, although shorter in duration. And with the snow melting & sidewalks clear..we love to be out & about again. Unfortunately, Mama cannot seem to remember to take her camera!! Dad says he will try & remember it too!

And Liesel is walking so much better on leash..she is still timid of people..but we stop & talk with everyone we meet & introduce her..she is slowing getting more confidence. Vehicles whizzing by don't bother her too much anymore..although the first motorcycle she saw (and heard) got her attention...

Hope everyone is having a super Sunday!!

Tuckered Out...

After a busy day of playing, going for walks, & barking at crows...



It's good to be me...

Rules For Owning a Dachshund

A. Rules Pertaining to leaving dachshund:
1. It shall be considered a pity if dachshund is left alone for five minutes.
2. It shall be deemed punishment if dachshund is left for thirty minutes.
3. It shall be considered abandonment if dachshund is left alone for an hour or more.

B. Rules Pertaining to Food:
1. Any food which falls is deemed property of the dachshund.
2. Any human consuming food must share food with dachshund.

C. Rules Pertaining to Toys:
1. Any toys within reach are deemed dachshund property.
2. All toys must remain in reach of dachshund at all times.

D. Rules Pertaining to Leashes:
1. When using leash, the dachshund is in charge at all times.
2. When in doubt, refer to Section D, Rule #1.

E. Rules pertaining to sleeping:
1. Daytime sleeping allowed on couch, or anywhere else for that matter.
2. Night time sleeping place is at the discretion of the dachshund.

Rules are non-negotiable & must be adhered to at all times.

WHADUUUP?

Oskar here...checking out Liesel's day crate...not too shabby, at all. I'm older & wiser..so when Mama & Dad have choose to leave us home..I get to curl up in my day bed in the family room. Cause Liesel is still a pup and could get into trouble busy..she gets safely tucked in her crate.

Since Mama was busy preparing supper...I hung out in Liesel's crate to watch.

Environment Canada reports it's supposed to go to +12 degrees today...wowsers!! You know we are going to be out & about & then get in some serious sun worshipping!

Have a marvellous Monday!!

On The Boardwalk...

It was a balmy +4 degrees yesterday...a great day to introduce Liesel to the downtown boardwalk..



Buckled up & ready to go..



Oskar sporting his "Bad To the Bone T Shirt"..



Liesel, wearing her "Talk to the Paw" T shirt...having a great time sniffing things out..



Still a lot of ice in the harbour...





Lots of water on the ground...from all the snow melting..our bellies & hoofies got a little wet..but once towelled off..we spent the rest of the afternoon sun-worshipping. Very sleepy from all the fresh air & sunshine!!

Clicker Training-Not for Everybody...

I have come to the conclusion clicker training & I are not a good fit. Leisel & I completed 10 weeks of clicker training, first puppy classes & then basic obedience....and I admit..I really did not enjoy it! I felt compelled to participate in some form of training with her ...and basically clicker training is pretty much all that is available (or that I am aware of). Many years ago...we attended obedience classes with Schatzi & then Oskar..and it was the "old fashioned" type of training...in a ring..with other dogs. We did not use a prong collar or any type of pain method of training...it was all done with our 6 ft. leash, commands & good treats. Schatzi excelled in obedience..she loved it! Oskar...not so much. That being said..we were 12 years younger then too!

I'm not blaming clicker training methods or their success or failure..it just is not a good fit for us, for a few reasons. I'm sure someone with a great deal more knowledge than I... can debunk my observations & feelings...and that is fine. Firstly, I feel very awkward & un-coordinated...after all it's all about the timing of the click..which after all these weeks & months...I still suck at. It all flows & looks effortless...when someone else is instructing or working with a dog...but it was not that way for me. By the time I click...fish around for a treat in the not so handy dandy pouch velcro-ed to my jeans..the moment is lost. My bad...

Working in a closed environment...is much, much different that working with your dog outside...in the real world. Trying getting your dog to "watch" when you have 15 cars whizzing by you at 90 km/hr..and only a few feet from your arse! We are on a sidewalk...but it's still noisy & busy...and with a dog who is going straight out!

Liesel is a "puller"....she has one thing on her mind...getting to where-ever the hell she is going the fastest way possible! No amount of getting her focus with "watch", "sit" "heel"...or whatever is going to make her stop! When I asked, in class what to do about this...I was instructed to "run along with her!". Yeah...an over middle age woman with a heart condition...is going to run along with dog! Nope, that isn't happening!

And when she barks her wire head off at people..I'm supposed to "reward the quiet time" with a click & a treat! Cause that helps so much when she is barking at the guy on the sidewalk coming towards us! Ah..no. But the citronella bark collar she wears does help...she is smart enough to know when she has it on..and will let out a low "woof"...just enough not to set off the sensor of spray! I would have been run out of class had they known I was using a bark collar...as I should be able to "train" her not to bark. Good luck with that I say!

And..the pulling? I'm picking up a Size XS Halti tomorrow...and going to give that a whirl! Cause even though she is only 10 lbs....she is 10 lbs I don't need dragging me down the street. It isn't enjoyable for me...or her! And I want our walk times to be fun..for both of us.

I love this little wire girl with all my heart..and have spent far too much time feeling like I have failed..racking my brain on how to make this training work. I finally decided it isn't. Not for me.

I will take what I have learned over the years & use it where & when I can. And stop putting unrealistic expectations on myself & my 8 month old puppy! She is not perfectly behaved (not that it is expected of her)..and she & I are on an awesome journey.

Sun Worshipping Is Hard Work...

But we're up to the task....

Happy Easter!!

Benson...A Snuggle Bug...

We are sharing a paw some pic of our nephew, Benson (Mama's grandfur-baby)...looking all gorgeous-like in his snuggle sack!!


PS - Mama ordered the snuggle sack(s) from a local lady.