Romeo's Blog

Romeo Goes to School - Part III

2010-06-10T08:55:00.000-07:00

Poor Romeo had an off day in school on Tuesday. There was an unspayed, possibly in-heat, female in the class that created some tension amongst the manly-men. Another good reason to spay and neuter... and to keep intact and in-heat females at home! But still Romeo behaved in the end. Good boy:)

Tonight was a good night. Romeo wasn't the best in class. He had an off night.

He was growly, had a mind of his own, bored, tired, and ready to rumble.

That means I got to work with him, and he had to learn that he worked when I wanted him to and not just when he wanted to.

Before you think he was horrible, let me tell you only the big Rotty and Charley were better than he. The pup was still a pup, and Molly, the smaller Rotty, is not only a trouble maker but an unspayed female.

The first part of the class Romeo kept testing me to see if he really had to sit. If he did sit, he seemed to think he should be able to lie down. He wasn't happy being forced to sit, but he did it.

On sit/stay he figured he'd decide when he'd come over, and he didn't like the instructor stepping in. Romeo didn't do anything, but there was tension there.

Molly lunges at every dog there and late in the class Romeo decided he'd had enough of that. That's when he got growly and that took a few minutes to settle him down. He never lunged or did anything more than growl, but he was sending the notice.

Except for Molly and the tiny pup, the dogs are all big males. I suspect there may have been some heat in the air that wasn't coming from the weather.

The bottom line is we got through the class with nothing more than the other dogs have done at one time or another, and Romeo did obey, although unwillingly. I think it was a good class because he got to experience right and wrong behavior and the results.

I also should add that he and Missy chased tree rats all day and there's no doubt he was tired. He was asleep on the floor of the truck almost as we got out of the kennel's driveway.

Romeo Goes to School - Part II (and other tid bits)

2010-06-10T08:47:00.000-07:00

Romeo's foster dad sent in the below update on Romeo's second class - as well as some other fun tid bits for your enjoyment!

He got his oatmeal and aloe bath last night. He got his flea/tick and heartworm preventions this morning. About 5:30 this morning I had no more than let them out when an EMT unit with lights going used the drive as a turn around. A bit later a dump truck stopped out front for no apparent reason.

He and Missy have taken up obsessive tree rat watching. Especially annoying to them is a chipmunk who runs along the front of the house causing them to charge from the yard gate into the house to the front door and back and forth and back and forth.

Then there was a thunderstorm which doesn't bother him, but Missy doesn't like them so he had to comfort her. AND, on top of all that, he had class tonight.

Last week's group was there with the addition of a five month old yellow Lab (named Chester and if ever a name fit!). Romeo moved to the head of the class tonight being used as a good example! I had trouble with that - not being used to "good" dogs.

The big Rotty was still a very good dog but he took the "sit - stay" to an extreme. When he was called, he just sat. Romeo was a charm again. I wondered about the "sit-stay" but he never moved as I walked about 20 feet away, waited for the instructor's ok and called him. I simply said a quiet "come," and he did - happily! Talk about rubbing it into the others.

He'd been picked to go first because the instructor thought he'd be the best example, and he was. He was left to sit longer than the others while the instructor explained what was going on.

My experience is that much of these classes deals with what you do with a dog who "won't."

Several times Romeo was referred to as a good dog easy to train. I never said a word!

Of course, Romeo made friends with the Lab and his owner, a small woman by the way but one who knows dogs.

The instructor got in Romeo's face again and got licked - served him right.

There are two old car seats in the room for couches. When the instructor said class was over, Romeo hopped up on one cracking up the place. He was asked if he wanted a television, too. Romeo just smiled and wagged, and we went home for the pack to mug him. The little girl was there again, and Romeo paid no more attention to her than to any of the other people.

He's now passed out behind my chair with Jake curled between his legs. I'd get a picture, but the camera is in the other room, of course, and if I turned it on anyhow, the stupid bells would cause them to move.

Romeo Goes to School - Part I

2010-06-10T08:39:00.000-07:00

Romeo recently started attending obedience classes with his foster dad. Not so much because Romeo needs to learn commands - but because obedience classes offer great opportunities for socialization, confidence building and bonding.

As suspected - Romeo is a quick learner who will do anything in his power to please his person! Here is the update his foster dad sent in from the first class.

I was really going to give you a wild report, but he was so good I just can't. There were two perfectly behaved dogs there, and Romeo was one of them.

We were the first there so Romeo had a few minutes to sniff things out. The next two dogs came together and they were a male (Romeo's size) and female (3/4 Romeo size) Rottweiler. The male was the other well behaved dog. The female was hyper, but Romeo introduced himself and was a perfect gentleman with both of them - even when the female did a little wrestling. He just stood and took it then came and sat by me. The next dog was an almost 3 month old puppy. Do I need to tell you who became her best friend there? The trainer brought out one of his big male Rottweilers and that was the class.

He pretty much ignored the people. That's not surprising since we were there to work. If one of them spoke to him, he'd wag and go back to work. The family with the pup had a preschool little girl with them, and Romeo ignored her completely even when he passed her as we walked. I don't think he avoided anyone, even the little girl; he just accepted that he was there to work so he did.

The trainer spent some time with him and even got in his face. At one point Romeo looked down, the trainer moved his face back, ruffled Romeo's ears, and Romeo just wagged and stretched his head up for more.

We worked on heeling and sitting tonight. Romeo and the male Rotty already knew the drill and just did it. We returned to a raucus homecoming from the pack and a complete sniffing from stem to stern.

Beyond the perfect behavior, I was most impressed with how well Romeo followed commands, especially when we would sit them for an extended period while something was explained. He would watch me like a hawk waiting for what he was to do. When we walked, I very quickly was able to give him a relaxed leash and only had to remind him once in awhile.

He was like a little kid let out of school when we left, however. At that point, more power to him.

Nice job Romeo!

2008-11-10T12:21:00.000-08:00

He's in here. I know it. Stupid squirrel sits on the stump when I'm in the yard, calls me names, and knows I can't get at him.

2008-10-25T04:40:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile since I've checked in. I just wanted you to know that I've come along so well with my "you don't chase cars" training that I no longer wear a choke chain. I still love to play, and a good thrash with the pack is a staple of my day. I like to play the rabbit. I tease the others into chasing me and away we go. Every once in awhile we'll stop and wrestle. It's great exercise, but we've worn quite a path in the turn around the big oak tree. That's all I have to tell you for now since most days just sort of slide by.

2008-08-29T16:43:00.000-07:00

The first bed was tooooo small, but the second bed was just right!

2008-08-03T13:17:00.000-07:00

I'd make a great farm dog! I really would. I haven't written recently because most days are the same, but, now, harvest is here. I've dug a doghole under the deck (I refuse to call it a foxhole), and I can lie in it with just my eyes above ground. It's my root cellar. On hot days I take root in it for the coolness. It's the only hole I'm allowed so I make the most of it.

Beans started coming in today, and that meant a new game. I lay on the deck and try to reach any ends that don't make it into the bucket. There are rules: no getting up, stretching without moving is the main strategy, but if I have to move, I can only pull with my front legs. Snapped beans in the metal bowl are off limits (I found that out in a hurry). Unless - UNLESS - one bounces out of the bowl and skitters across the deck, then I'm free to pounce and bounce and mash it into mush. It's good to be a dog with something important to do.

2008-06-12T04:42:00.000-07:00

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, I've got my pool! Round and round and up and down I go. No still picture could ever do my show justice. Draining the pool for cleaning isn't a problem. Of course, having a clean kitchen floor may be a thing of the past.

2008-06-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

Missy and Jake were visiting, it was raining, so the old man had been winding us up by wrestling, chasing, and generally trashing the house. You see, even he gets bored once in awhile. I suddenly spotted a squirrel on the deck, and Jake and I went to the door to threaten him. The next thing I knew Bone, Missy, and the old man were all there just cranking things up that much more. I don't know how I got there, but there's a butcher block table near the door with a toaster oven, a knife sharpener, a food processor, and a blender on it leaving an 8" x 20" space open in front of the oven. Did I mention the top is 34" off the floor? Anyhow, to everyone's awe, including my own, I was suddenly perched on that space - all four feet. Everyone stopped and looked. The old man told me to get down from there and I did. The real shock was that I never disturbed a thing. Anyone looking for an agility dog? Of course, I did fall off the bed later while teasing Missy.

2008-05-24T06:14:00.000-07:00

I think humans spend too much time warning adopters about our weaknesses. Well, if you've read about me, you know all those. There's a lot more good. I get along with dogs and cats. If I trust you, I'll let you give me a bath, clip my toenails, and administer any medicine I might need. I'll go on walks with you or play with you as much as you want. If you stop to talk, I'll sit on your foot until we move on. Once I've bonded with you, I am happiest when I'm with you, and I'm happy to lie by your chair or across your lap or sit at your feet. If you leave me alone for awhile, I'll bring a piece of your clothing to my spot to lie on. I never chew it-just lie on it. I take happily greeting you in the morning as a serious part of my job. I'll let you know if anyone is about to visit. I'm not afraid of thunder. Vacuum cleaners don't give me a problem (unlike Bone!). If you teach me the rules, I'll follow them because making my human happy is what I'm about. I'm sensitive and will gladly share your life if you care for me. That's just the kind of dog I am.

2008-05-20T05:54:00.000-07:00

NEW GAME! NEW GAME! Bone and I got our yard mowed today. A yard, I might add, I keep well stocked with various toys: a rope, sticks, balls, bones. Here's the game: As the old man mows by a toy, he kicks it out of the way. My job is to chase each and every one, retrieve it, and put it back in his way. He then kicks it out of the way again so we can do it all over. It's amazing how easy it is to train a human.

2008-05-10T13:25:00.000-07:00

I know I love to play, but sometimes I just like to sit and watch the world go by. Today the old man was making an agility jump for us in his shop, and I just lay by the double glass door while he used the power tools and hammered things together. Noises like that or vacuum cleaners don't bother me at all, and I really like just being part of the pack.

2008-05-01T10:50:00.000-07:00

How was I supposed to know the screen wouldn't hold me? It held the squirrel. I could have strained myself. The old man says I should tell you my issues. He says being a rescue isn't an excuse because most of my problems are breed related (shepherd/Lab). Ok, I really like to play, and, well, I'm a big dog, ok? I want to herd cars and bikes and things, but that's pretty much under control. The old man speaks to me and breaks my concentration. I can get really excited and have to be ignored until I quiet down. When I get excited, I want to jump on people. I'm learning to sit and wait for scratches. I bond really closely to my human. The old man says I'm like the boy who really wants to be good but his energy gets the best of him sometimes. I really like to wait until the house is very quiet at night, Bone is asleep, the old man is reading, and I get bored, then I let out a "boof" and stare at them. I know they really love me and don't mean the things they say.

Sweet dreams

2008-04-27T05:33:00.000-07:00

All my visitors have gone home. Missy and Jonesy are headed to forever homes. Maybe someday it will be my turn, but until then I can dream.

2008-04-24T04:52:00.000-07:00

I thought you might like to meet us heathens. That's Bone in the front. Where else would His Lordship be? The little guy is Jake, who thinks dachshund is spelled D-O-B-E-R-M-A-N, and I'm the demure one. Actually, I am comfortable with a strong pack leader. I like to play too much to be a good leader because I get too excited. I didn't put Missy in the picture because she doesn't play fair. The game is whoever has the toy runs and is chased by the others. She chases us even when she has the toy. Women! Who knew?

I can do cute

2008-04-22T03:37:00.000-07:00

Little dogs think they're so cute. Well, I can do cute, too. Just grab the end of the blanket and roll. His lordship, Bone, won't stoop to such things for attention, but with two more vying for attention, I don't mind a bit. It isn't easy being big and wanting to be a lap dog. Is it my fault I sort of overwhelm a lap? I can stand under the idle hand of a standing human and get scratches. Let them try that!

New friend Missy

2008-04-21T09:20:00.000-07:00

Jake's come for a visit, 16 pound Chihuahua/dachshund mix, and he's brought a friend, Missy, an Aussie mix. The four have settled nicely into the pack with Jake and Romeo wrestling happily. That's a sight to see a 16 pounder thrashing an 85 pounder with no one getting hurt even by accident. Missy is a much quieter dog and seems content hanging with Bone or the old man although she is more than capable of holding her own when she feels like it. She's a foster dog, too, but she won't be for long. Romeo is always the first to be introduced to a new dog because while he is rambunctious, his good nature is just obvious to even shy dogs.

Spring Has Arrived! Let the Games Begin

2008-04-21T08:29:00.000-07:00

Someone out there is really missing out on a great playmate! Romeo came here the end of October, and since winter began in November, I never really got to know him as an outdoor dog. That situation is changing daily. I don’t even know where to begin. We’re getting more exercise now which keeps him from being bored, and the world around him just keeps him inventing games to play.

Games invented in the last week (to qualify, he has to have done it intentionally more than once):

1: See how far out on the ice you can go before you crash through and then play drowning dog by thrashing around awhile before climbing out. Now the ice is gone he just jumps in and thrashes.

2: Solve the frog mystery. Pretend to be baffled by the sounds, search the trees, be amazed that they’re in the bog, jump in the bog and thrash around just to be part of the noise.

3: Stand in the ice cold, swollen trout stream, pick your feet up and let it sweep you along, then thrash about to get your feet under you and play submarine by sticking your head under the flow. Follow up by running in the stream.

4: Find Bone after any of the above and shake all over him while bugging the hell out of him.

5: Play with everything and anything the rake turns up while cleaning the yard. Constantly be on the look out for any item thrown which could be retrieved for a good chase.