It's bedtime and Lisa just took Buddy outside. Oliver is crying by the door. What am I chopped liver? It doesn't take long to develop a bond of friendship and companionship.
It doesn't take long to get attached to our dogs. After four short days Oliver seems like a member of the family, even if we occassionally call him by the wrong name. He has learned to live with our idiosyncrasies and we accept his faults.
We got out this morning for a walk while the high school traffic was in full swing. Oliver is more accepting everyday. No outings today for the OccuPaws puppy in training and to compensate he went for two evening walks to expose him to more strange dogs. Oliver respected a young boxer's puppy permit. Double walks also helped burn off some energy.
"A tired dog is a good dog." - Marlene Morga
Showing posts with label Oliver. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oliver. Show all posts
February 4, 2009
February 3, 2009
Full Crate
Having a new dog in the house re energizes you. My walks with Oliver have been longer, we are looking for more opportunities to get out, and we are just spending more time with our four-legged student. It also highlights strengths and areas of improvement in both the "new" puppy and our primary.
Oliver is a quick study. After our long evening walk, both he and Buddy were ready for dinner. I guess we only need one crate.
Unfortunately for Oliver, he didn't get to stay in the crate. Buddy got to stay and have his dinner served in the crate. Not because we like Buddy better, but Oliver still had work to do (library and grocery). He handles most situations well, he walks great, he has good manners, and he has even become friends with Buddy. We feel better about Echo's connection with Buddy because after only a few days Oliver and Buddy have similarly bonded.
Oliver isn't perfect, he didn't like the traffic around school this morning and he refused to sit by the counter in the library. He also patrols the raised surfaces in the house for food or other chewables. Overall he seems much more comfortable. Lisa is trying to teach him that there are two people in the house - he doesn't have to follow me around as I move from room to room.
We are not perfect either. We still only get his name right about half the time. That might sound bad, but with two dogs our accuracy rate is normally only about seventy percent.
Oliver is a quick study. After our long evening walk, both he and Buddy were ready for dinner. I guess we only need one crate.
Unfortunately for Oliver, he didn't get to stay in the crate. Buddy got to stay and have his dinner served in the crate. Not because we like Buddy better, but Oliver still had work to do (library and grocery). He handles most situations well, he walks great, he has good manners, and he has even become friends with Buddy. We feel better about Echo's connection with Buddy because after only a few days Oliver and Buddy have similarly bonded.
Oliver isn't perfect, he didn't like the traffic around school this morning and he refused to sit by the counter in the library. He also patrols the raised surfaces in the house for food or other chewables. Overall he seems much more comfortable. Lisa is trying to teach him that there are two people in the house - he doesn't have to follow me around as I move from room to room.
We are not perfect either. We still only get his name right about half the time. That might sound bad, but with two dogs our accuracy rate is normally only about seventy percent.
February 1, 2009
Hockey Again
Last night Buddy was away and Oliver was our only dog. He was nervous and timid in his new surroundings which is to be expected. This morning we ran through the park and met Buddy for the first time. It seems to take Oliver some time to warm up to new dogs. Then again Buddy can be overwhelming, just ask Echo.
Oliver wants to go home. Not because he's having a difficult time adjusting to the new surroundings, but rather because he had to endure another hockey game. Before the game we met Don Becker, his law firm is a major supporter of OccuPaws. We offered our mutual appreciation for each others' efforts. During the game, Oliver rested comfortably. He wasn't even bothered by the horn which unfortunately did not sound last night (Badger Men never scored).
He was tempted throughout the game by a half eaten hot dog that was dropped by a rugrat in the row behind us. It was still there as the final buzzer sounded. Good Dog!! After the game, we stayed around for the skate with the Badger Women's hockey team. Oliver was in the front row and met some of the players.
Dinner at a restaurant, a long walk, dinner in his crate, ear cleaning, and nail trimming ended another long day. Oliver is resting comfortably after watching the Puppy Bowl - ready for bed.
Lisa thinks he looks like Archie, I think he looks more like Echo.
Oliver wants to go home. Not because he's having a difficult time adjusting to the new surroundings, but rather because he had to endure another hockey game. Before the game we met Don Becker, his law firm is a major supporter of OccuPaws. We offered our mutual appreciation for each others' efforts. During the game, Oliver rested comfortably. He wasn't even bothered by the horn which unfortunately did not sound last night (Badger Men never scored).
He was tempted throughout the game by a half eaten hot dog that was dropped by a rugrat in the row behind us. It was still there as the final buzzer sounded. Good Dog!! After the game, we stayed around for the skate with the Badger Women's hockey team. Oliver was in the front row and met some of the players.
Dinner at a restaurant, a long walk, dinner in his crate, ear cleaning, and nail trimming ended another long day. Oliver is resting comfortably after watching the Puppy Bowl - ready for bed.
Lisa thinks he looks like Archie, I think he looks more like Echo.
January 31, 2009
Our New Dog - Oliver
Echo has been sent away for a few weeks. Puppies need exposure to all kinds of situations and environments so as part of the training program Echo will be travelling to other puppy raiser homes for the next few weeks. We welcome Oliver into our home for the next week.
Oliver has had a long day spending the better part of the day at the Pet Expo in Milwaukee, then a long dinner at a restaurant, and finally a hockey game. All this before he got to eat his dinner. At the restaurant, he sat under the table. No one knew he was there, but I felt like I was being stared at throughout dinner, because I was. Two brown eyes were focused on my every move.
He was initially a little nervous at the hockey game with the band playing. After we got to our seats he settled down and watched Bucky and the players on the ice.
Eventually he settled down and was bored by the whole experience.
Oliver has had a long day spending the better part of the day at the Pet Expo in Milwaukee, then a long dinner at a restaurant, and finally a hockey game. All this before he got to eat his dinner. At the restaurant, he sat under the table. No one knew he was there, but I felt like I was being stared at throughout dinner, because I was. Two brown eyes were focused on my every move.
He was initially a little nervous at the hockey game with the band playing. After we got to our seats he settled down and watched Bucky and the players on the ice.
Eventually he settled down and was bored by the whole experience.
November 9, 2008
Dog Fair 2008
Echo met up with his canine and human teammates at the 2008 Dog Fair for a demonstration of their abilities. All of the OccuPaws puppies were there and on their best behavior (View 2008 Dog Fair Photos).
The demonstration was an abbreviated training class followed by two of our working teams moving through an obstacle course. Here are Archie and Oliver discussing strategy before the demonstration:
After the demonstration, Echo walked around the arena "visiting" other dogs. He also performed his ambassador duties in front of the OccuPaws booth soliciting pets and pats. Being deserted by his blond pals he cavorted with the dark side for a few hours.
Just before closing time the OccuPaws dogs put on an encore demonstration. Everyone was put in a DOWN STAY. They all did very well with the constant procession of dogs and humans. The dogs drew rave reviews from passersby on this encore performance.
Was that a DOWN STAY or SLEEP command?
The demonstration was an abbreviated training class followed by two of our working teams moving through an obstacle course. Here are Archie and Oliver discussing strategy before the demonstration:
After the demonstration, Echo walked around the arena "visiting" other dogs. He also performed his ambassador duties in front of the OccuPaws booth soliciting pets and pats. Being deserted by his blond pals he cavorted with the dark side for a few hours.
Just before closing time the OccuPaws dogs put on an encore demonstration. Everyone was put in a DOWN STAY. They all did very well with the constant procession of dogs and humans. The dogs drew rave reviews from passersby on this encore performance.
Was that a DOWN STAY or SLEEP command?September 8, 2008
Yellow Mall Walkers
Echo attended training class at the Janesville mall today. He met some of the OccuPaws pack members: Oliver, Archie, and Slick. We walked the mall experiencing all the sights and sounds.
The puppies olfactory senses were tested in Bed Bath & Body Works. Everyone rode the elevator and calmly greeted the many well wishers. Echo has an issue maintaining a calm demeanor when the greeter is overly excited with a high pitched voice.
The trio of Yellow Mall Walkers and Slick only experienced one "minor" potty malfunction - no one was harmed. However, all the Puppy Raiser are now packing Bed Bath & Body Works fragrance spray, not to be confused with Mace.
The puppies olfactory senses were tested in Bed Bath & Body Works. Everyone rode the elevator and calmly greeted the many well wishers. Echo has an issue maintaining a calm demeanor when the greeter is overly excited with a high pitched voice.
The trio of Yellow Mall Walkers and Slick only experienced one "minor" potty malfunction - no one was harmed. However, all the Puppy Raiser are now packing Bed Bath & Body Works fragrance spray, not to be confused with Mace.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)