Working on separation anxiety issues is a test of patience. When Cane failed obedience class, he couldn't stand to be by himself for 30 seconds. Little by little and thru individual classes, Cane has been working on his "stay" and his ability to be alone for a given time without going completely crazy.
Several months ago, a 20 minute trip to the store resulted in a wrecked house. A month ago, Cane howled so loudly at the vet that he had to be picked up early.
In the beginning the only thing that could bring sanity to the house was the crate. The crate was a life saver. Quite bluntly, it kept Cane from going back to the pound. But the goal is to have a good balanced dog that can be trusted alone. Over the course of the past few weeks Cane has had the run of the house. It began with 5 minutes here and 10 minutes there. Soon the elusive 20 minute trip to the store was possible.
Eventually Cane was able to be all by himself for a few hours. In fact, his new record is 4 hours with no destruction. He almost hit 5 hours but an accessible leftover Easter basket ended the new streak.
More practice and “Cane-proofing” to come.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Seatbelts taste good
I need a new seatbelt in my truck. What seemed like a quick and painless trip into Lowe’s will probably end up costing a couple hundred bucks.
I went in for a few small items and was in and out in less than 15 minutes. As I walked back out to the truck, I could see Cane was in the front driver’s seat. As I opened the door, he opened his mouth and my seatbelt fell out. It was only connected by a thread.
Needless to say, it was probably the closest Cane came to going back to jail since we had him. It happened back in December and Cane has since learned to keep his butt in the back where he has a bone to chew on and water if needed.
I did what I believe is a pretty dang good job of sewing the belt back together, but for safety sake I really need to get a new one. Maybe soon…
I went in for a few small items and was in and out in less than 15 minutes. As I walked back out to the truck, I could see Cane was in the front driver’s seat. As I opened the door, he opened his mouth and my seatbelt fell out. It was only connected by a thread.
Needless to say, it was probably the closest Cane came to going back to jail since we had him. It happened back in December and Cane has since learned to keep his butt in the back where he has a bone to chew on and water if needed.
I did what I believe is a pretty dang good job of sewing the belt back together, but for safety sake I really need to get a new one. Maybe soon…
Have a seat.
Cane knows he’s not allowed on the couch. Just laying down would be too much to ask, so to rest his legs he just backs his butt up to the couch and sits like the humans do.
If you tell him “off”, he just looks around to figure out who you’re talking to. “It can’t be me” he says. “My front feet are on the ground."
If you tell him “off”, he just looks around to figure out who you’re talking to. “It can’t be me” he says. “My front feet are on the ground."
Springer
You can walk a husky for miles and miles. They will use just enough energy to calm them down for a little while. If you don’t have the time for a usual walk or you want a thoroughly exercised husky you may have to resort to exploiting the most common breed trait – pulling!
Anyone who has ever walked a husky knows they WANT to pull. Why not give them what they want? We put a pretty good amount of research into what would be the safest and most durable set-up for Cane to pull a bicycle.
What we found was http://www.springeramerica.com/
Cane loves going for bike rides now. He will pull the bike almost as fast as traffic. He Springer works great and he took to it like a natural.
So now for those times when Cane needs a little extra exercise or we’re pressed for time, we have an alternative to the usual walk.
Anyone who has ever walked a husky knows they WANT to pull. Why not give them what they want? We put a pretty good amount of research into what would be the safest and most durable set-up for Cane to pull a bicycle.
What we found was http://www.springeramerica.com/
Cane loves going for bike rides now. He will pull the bike almost as fast as traffic. He Springer works great and he took to it like a natural.
So now for those times when Cane needs a little extra exercise or we’re pressed for time, we have an alternative to the usual walk.
Friday, April 9, 2010
"What a pretty dog!"
If I had a dollar for every time I heard that, I could afford a lot more obedience classes! Fortunately Cane loves people and attention. He especially loves kids. During walks, we’re constantly stopped and someone says “what a pretty dog”. Most kids these days seem to have watched enough TV shows about dogs that they know to ask permission before petting a dog. When they do, Cane is happy to oblige. He generally falls over and expects a belly rub.
Once kids get their fill of petting Cane, they usually tell their parents that they want a dog “just like this one”. I laugh inside and just shake my head to let the parents know that this might not be an easy dog to care for. Don’t get me wrong. Cane can be sweet as honey and although he growing on me, he’s still a HUGE time commitment and patience tester.
Cane attracts so much attention that cars have actually pulled over during walks to ask about him. Some ask if he’s a white shepherd but a few recognize him as a husky. Occasionally when people comment on how awesome he is, I joking ask if they want him. That’s usually met with puzzled looks so I say” just kidding” even though in the early days I probably wasn’t.
We’ve had a couple people say that he’s so pretty that they want to steal him. I’ll show them where I live and tell them that one day with him and they’ll be bringing him back tomorrow. Since we’ve had him just over six months now, and he’s made tremendous progress, I guess I should knock off that joke.
As I sit here typing this, he just ran past the back door with a clump of grass in his mouth. So much for contemplating his endearing qualities. I’ll be back after I check for new holes dug and the obligatory evening walk.
Once kids get their fill of petting Cane, they usually tell their parents that they want a dog “just like this one”. I laugh inside and just shake my head to let the parents know that this might not be an easy dog to care for. Don’t get me wrong. Cane can be sweet as honey and although he growing on me, he’s still a HUGE time commitment and patience tester.
Cane attracts so much attention that cars have actually pulled over during walks to ask about him. Some ask if he’s a white shepherd but a few recognize him as a husky. Occasionally when people comment on how awesome he is, I joking ask if they want him. That’s usually met with puzzled looks so I say” just kidding” even though in the early days I probably wasn’t.
We’ve had a couple people say that he’s so pretty that they want to steal him. I’ll show them where I live and tell them that one day with him and they’ll be bringing him back tomorrow. Since we’ve had him just over six months now, and he’s made tremendous progress, I guess I should knock off that joke.
As I sit here typing this, he just ran past the back door with a clump of grass in his mouth. So much for contemplating his endearing qualities. I’ll be back after I check for new holes dug and the obligatory evening walk.
Vampiro
Cane gets an evil look when he plays. We call it “Vampiro”. He’s finally learned a little bite inhibition but when you have this looking at you, it’s still freaky…
Boat rides and Cactus
Cane’s family loves boating. So he has to adapt and grow his sea legs. His first boat trip in St. Aug was a little shaky. He couldn’t really balance and was enamored by the splashing water at the back of the boat. Not an ideal vantage point but he was almost hypnotized by the boat’s wake.
We finally find what is believed to be a small island near some condos. Still skeptical of letting Cane off-leash at this point, we head around to see if it connects to the mainland or not. Too bad this doesn’t matter. Cane slips the leash and off he goes. He heads thru the marsh and up to the condos. He is found on a back patio biting at his underside. Closer inspection reveals that he ran through a cactus patch and is covered in prickly pears.
Daddy tries to assist him in removing them but it’s incredibly difficult when Cane is biting you and the thorns are sticking in you as well. With the situation finally under control, the leash is tightened and the return trip begins. Althought short-lived, it was another fun and exciting day with Cane.
As mentioned before, Cane has come to love the boat. He even attempts to climb on it while trailered in the backyard. Can’t wait for summer so Cane can really get the chance to become a “boat dog”. Just have to remember to recon the area for cacti.
We finally find what is believed to be a small island near some condos. Still skeptical of letting Cane off-leash at this point, we head around to see if it connects to the mainland or not. Too bad this doesn’t matter. Cane slips the leash and off he goes. He heads thru the marsh and up to the condos. He is found on a back patio biting at his underside. Closer inspection reveals that he ran through a cactus patch and is covered in prickly pears.
Daddy tries to assist him in removing them but it’s incredibly difficult when Cane is biting you and the thorns are sticking in you as well. With the situation finally under control, the leash is tightened and the return trip begins. Althought short-lived, it was another fun and exciting day with Cane.
As mentioned before, Cane has come to love the boat. He even attempts to climb on it while trailered in the backyard. Can’t wait for summer so Cane can really get the chance to become a “boat dog”. Just have to remember to recon the area for cacti.
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