Dog Club And Bin

(This post was started on Thursday morning.) 

I'm trying to walk Zavi with different dogs, so today Ross was in charge of the baby. We didn't see anything or anybody, but I now need places to take him so he can see lots more. 

Like I said, his behaviour at club was unacceptable, but now to help protect his confidence I need to handle it correctly. The formal fear periods are typically around 8 to 11 weeks, and then during adolescence, often around 6 to 14 months. At 16 weeks (4 months), Zavi is right in that transitional window between the two major peaks. Up until roughly 12 to 16 weeks, a puppy's brain is naturally programmed to accept new things as safe by default (the critical socialisation window). Around 16 weeks, that brain chemistry shifts, and the default flips: instead of "new things are safe until proven dangerous", the brain starts treating "new or unusual things as potentially suspicious until proven safe!" 

Yesterday Zavi decided he was scared of Carrie's Wheelie bin, he has never shown fear of anything likethat before, so I guess it was potentially dangerous until proven safe! I know it wasn't ideal for me to just drag him past it, but I did because I needed to get off the road. On the way out we let him observe it from a safe distance, reward him with treats and let him approach at his own pace. Getting spooked by an everyday static object out of nowhere (a wheelie bin, a sign, a statue etc ) is textbook behaviour for a puppy experiencing developmental fear sensitivity. As I said earlier at this age, a puppy's brain re-evaluates the environment and flags everyday items as potential threats. I have to be really careful how I handle things now, as bad experiences during this developmental phase can leave lasting impressions. 

Zavi has loved going to Ring Craft, give or take the first 30 mins of the first night, he's been happy and confident. This week as soon as we walked in a Doodle something or another from the Obedience class had a right go at him, Zavi unfortunately, responded. My low-value treats were of no interest to him. (Note to self – get high-value treats for next time.) Gladly the Doodle went out, but just as he was settling Margo the Black Russian arrived, and though she did nothing wrong, Zavi got very worried. Again my treats were of no interest, and he grumbled and growled. Zavi had never seen Margo before, and I can understand his concern, a Black Russian is a very different-looking dog and without even seeing her eyes I guess he couldn't read her. Luckily Margo is wonderful and was happy to go round the hall whilst Zavi and I stood in the middle watching. I remember telling him as she walked round, "You see, you didn't die, I don't think she's even noticed your there!" 

Happy that it had gone well and not wanting to ruine things, I was reluctant to hand Zavi over to Eifion whilst I did the class, but I had no choice, and unfortunately, it really didn't go well. Zavi was stressed and loud. A friend went over to try and calm him, he jumped at her for reassurance, but her own bitch took exception to it and came forward towards him. Zavi reacted aggressively, all teeth and hackles! At 4 months I can't imagine this was true social aggression. What looked like "aggression" toward the other dog (barking, lunging, growling) was hopefully no more than a defensive reaction triggered because he felt insecure or overwhelmed. I feel guilty for letting him down; in the future if I'm taking a class he will have to go into the van. 

As I've said before dogs don't need "friends" outside their family; all I will ask of Zavi is that he is confident and happy in the company of other dogs. To be honest, I'd be happier if he ignored them than anything else! 

Great Results.

I'm less than half way through writing about recent events with Zavi, his nervousness of a wheelie bin at Carrie's house and his behaviour at club being the main issues. Whilst I will go back to it, I am going to jump forward and write about today! 

I have decided to walk Zavi with Beti in situations where we could come across people with dogs, bikes, prams etc. I know I call Beti a nut job, but when it comes to going out and about, nothing bothers her, and I feel it would benefit him to feed off her confidence.  

Puppies look to older dogs in their "pack" to gauge whether a situation is dangerous or safe. Walking with a solid adult dog is one of the most effective ways to build a young dog's confidence. (As we did to help Meerah near horses) 

This morning we left a sunny Fron and got a bloody soaking walking in Tremadog. I walked along the narrow "lein - fach" towards the fields behind the chapel. Beti taking the lead and Zavi proudly following his mother figure. We had fun in the fields, but as we got back onto the narrow track, the heavens opened. Two men came flying past on bikes, neither dog reacted. Two people were sheltering under the flyover, no reaction, and then a young lady came towards us with a small dog. To help Zavi feel safe, I put Beti on the outside and put Zavi between her and me. With Beti there, I too was calm and relaxed, I held Zavi's collar and quietly said, "Leave it - Wait." Wow, faultless, bloody wonderful. Well done to the teacher and student. 

I rushed back into Mum's yard to shelter from the rain that was bouncing on the ground like April showers and we sheltered by the shed, only realising then that all three of us were standing by the wheelly bin! 

Beti was delighted to see Mum, and Zavi said a quick hello, she couldn't get over the size of him, and asked why Beti was so small? Small? Small? She's just perfect!

Theoretically, when Zavi encounters a spooky object (like the wheelie bin) or sees a strange dog, his immediate reaction should be to check the other dog's body language. Beti will be his ideal mentor; though she is interested in everything, she remains relaxed and completely unbothered, and that should send a clear signal to Zavi "This is not a threat; no action required!" LOL 

Having Beti there with him right now when he's at an age of seeing new or unusual things as "potentially suspicious until proven safe" provides a safety buffer, which naturally lowers his adrenaline levels and keeps him calm. Of course movement helps diffuse nervous energy, but on a narrow path like this I felt safer moving to the side and controlling the situation at my end. I was delighted with the outcome today, and as we moved off, I gave them both nice gentle praise. Zavi needs to learn to trust my leadership as well as the confidence he gets from Beti, but we don't need to go OTT, he did well, but this is only everyday life!

When I got home I told Steve about the morning, he said "Rain? What rain? We haven't had a drop!"My coat is on the line and I even had to change my hoodie!

Happy Walks

4 Months Photos

              

My little man is visiting on his 4 months birthday day ... if there isn't such a thing, well there is now!

I feel I have a little bit of work on him in the company of other dogs. Last night at club there were a couple of incidents that really were not acceptable ... I have to sort it now before it escalates. 

4 Months

Hopefully I'll get some individual photos later, but I wanted to get this done. 

Zavi is 4 months old today – and I think his weight and measures are on the money for his age. 

He is 51cm and 19.8 kg, and Orin was also 51cm and 19.2kg. Couldn't be any closer. By 5 months he should be roughly 5kg heavier and 5 cm taller.

Just out of interest, I should have realised it was going wrong with Meerah, she was 49.5cms and weighed 17.8kg at 4 months. In comparison, Siska was 15.8 kg and 46.5cms at the same age. 

No Lunch!

At 4 months something always happens at Blanik. The recent girls didn't care, but Orin was mortified .... I fear a greedy Zavi will be equally disgruntled! At 4 months, lunches go off the menu. It really won't be a popular decision in Zavi's world. .

To meet their growing needs, puppies need a large quantity of food daily, but by 4 months old they are big enough for that quantity to be reduced to three meals a day. Here I continue to feed three meals till a minimum of 6 months old, and depending on the individual, sometimes beyond! 

Zavi loves food, he shovels it down. I am glad, there's not a lot more frustrating than a puppy/dog who doesn't eat ... is there Meerah!!!!

Reminiscing - The Boys At 4 Months

 

Orin

Having a puppy gives me the perfect excuse to reminisce – OMG - Look at them! 

Mikey's ears were up and down, Loki lacked strength in his head. Ross, well, always the clown ... and My Orin, just stunning. I was and still am so proud of all of them, who they were and who they became. 

Puppies

I appreciate that most of can't read this, but this lovely little pup is missing, presumed stolen from Rhosgadfan. The how it happened is not for me to question or judge, the fact is the pup has been removed from her home. How heartbreaking.

Rhosgadfan is the next village across from us, so yes, I'm pretty scared about it all. I know Zavi is never out on his own, and if Beti's overprotective nature of him at the last show is anything to go by, well, no one will get near him, but the ifs and buts continue to float around my mind. I can't think of much worse to be honest!

Anyway, what do you think of this chap? No, he's not anyone I know. If I had a 6-month-old puppy that looked like this now, I'd be devastated, but my purpose of this post is not to belittle anyone's dog. When I look at this dog, I see exactly what Blade looked like at this age, just legs and head, actually his head is very similar to Blades ... I know this chap is sable, but honestly I just see a young Blade, and at the time I thought he was perfect. The guy who owns the dog has shared the post as he hopes to show him. (He lives in America I think) What can you say? Well I just said, I look forward to seeing him when he fills his frame. I really hope he does exactly what Blade did and becomes a strong, unexaggerated, beautiful male. Buying a dog knowing what I know now, would I go to Blade's breeder? Hell no, but I'm glad that at the time I did! 

I suppose we all start somewhere. Blade was a little older here, maybe going on for 18 months, just starting to fill out, but as I said, all head and legs. I guess he had a little more length in his loin as he got older, he certainly wasn't short-coupled. A GSD needs a little bit of length; a short loin can restrict the reach of the hindquarters, meaning the dog cannot extend properly at a trot. To compensate for this lack of reach, the dog will often resort to pacing as a more energy-efficient gait. Dexi was just a little short in the loin and would pace at times too, and because his underline was short, he had a tendency to raise his overline. Not pulling my dog to bits, he was one of the best, better constructed than Blade, but there is no perfect dog out there! (Well, Louis was perfect in my eye... LOL)

Fencing

I'm glad to say the sheep haven't been back since they were chased, but of course they probably will be back! Ian helped me untangle the mesh on Saturday, I could never have done it alone, and Steve and I put the mesh up yesterday. It's only one wall, and we were short of about about 8 ft at the top of the field near the boncan. I feel we have done a pretty decent job, but there are still places to strengthen along this wall. I've ordered more of the metal bars, they are only £16 for 10 and they really do a great job. Whilst the sheep will never get over this fencing, strengthening it to stop twat sheep and her lamb breaking through it will be imperative. Then we start on wall two! 

A freshly brushed Orin now watching sheep in the photo, something he never did! Honestly I've had buckets of hair from him - but he still looks fab. 

Appointment Made

I've bit the bullet and done it - Meerah is booked in next month to have her hips x-rayed. If they are good, then she'll be scored; if they are not, she'll be spayed on the day! Please don't ask me the date; for my own sanity, I won't tell you ... but I'll write about it later! 

Whilst I'm writing about Meerah, I'd just like to say she has a lot of faults, the obvious being unmissable, but she is not unsound "going away". Actually, though she is leggy, she is very sound! Moan over.