Fred's in the Dog House

In a weird twist of fate Freddie spent the night outside while Rosie got to stay with the Humans last night.

We came home to discover not only did Fred destroy his bed (again), but that he chewed up the hose.

That's the second hose that has succumbed to wolfhound teeth. *sigh*

Welcome to my household which consists of one Chewer, and one Digger.

The consequences of his actions meant that Fred wasn't allowed inside the house (a huge privilege) after dinner. Although I don't think Fred really understood why he was left outside. I mean, shaking a mangled hose thing without the hose isn't exactly revealing to a dog. It's not like we caught him chewing it. In which case, maybe he'd understand.

I think the reason why he did it was because we've been quite busy lately at work, getting home fairly late at night, and haven't had time to walk him. 3 days without a walk makes a dog very bored indeed.

At least I managed to give him a quick walk around the block before we ostracised him.

All my reading of dogs (in forums and dog training books) suggest that our choice to do so probably would've made no impact. It would've been a punishment and not a correctment/learning behaviour technique. But I think leaving Fred out there made the hubby feel better at least. After all it was his hose. Fred ate the one I bought a long time ago.

After we let Rosie in, I don't think she really knew what to do with herself.

She came in and after realising Fred wasn't behind us, wandered around to check and then gave us both a look of shock and awe, as if to say:

"I'm the favourite tonight? Really? Are you sure?"

It's funny because the night before, she knew that she wasn't going to be let in after her shooting range escapade. In fact, she didn't even bother getting up after dinner. Dogs sure get used to routine. Although it says a lot that she already knows that she won't get let in if she's done a runner the day before.

Anyway, let's hope no more nasty surprises greet us when we get home tonight.

what on earth is going on in the world of fred and rosie??

"Where have all the updates gone?" I hear you ask.

Well, see, Fred and Rosie were privy to a special event a few months back. Their parents finally decided to make their doggies legitimate, and tied the knot in January. This was followed by a month of absence as they cavorted around Europe, while the dogs spent time busily getting buzzed by their grandparent's electric wire fence.

Lots of stories to tell you, but not much in terms of photos.

Freddie is still as adorable as ever, and due to Rosie's constant misbehaviour gets to spend most of his nights in our room.

While we were away on honeymoon, the puppies were placed at the inlaws, who live on 1 acre. This meant there was plenty of room for the dogs to run around. I don't know about you, but I'm not a big fan of kennels.

When we went to find doggies, we went to lots of dog shelters, which sometimes also doubled as kennels (i.e. places for doggies to stay while the owners went away). And I must say, no matter how often they get walked, the little piece of concrete that they could call their own just seemed way too small for my liking.

So it was to the in-laws they went. And while they had plenty of space to roam, there was concern that Rosie would dig herself out, or Freddie would jump the fence in search of their parents.

So an electric fence was erected. I am told that Rosie was the first Victim, having run to the fence to greet visitors, only to yelp in surprise. It took a while for her to warm back up to the inlaws for dinner. Which is a feat for a dog who adores food.

When we ended up picking them up a month later both dogs were neither distressed or overjoyed to see us.

Our own backyard is fenced in half, in an attempt to stop Rosie from digging up too much of the established rose bushes and fruit trees in our yard. The night we got back, Rosie managed to figure out how to jump onto the other side of the fence.

And so began Groundhog Day for Rosie. She had figured a way to get onto the other side of the garden, but couldn't seem to get back. This happened almost every night. Rather than just go all the way to the bottom of the garden and let her out, we decided to leave her there, each time a little longer, in an attempt to teach her that it really was silly to do what she was doing. After all, once she got over there, she'd start to whine and howl in despair.

Especially forlorn were the whimpers as she watched Fred get fed, or Fred get taken for a walk.

Rosie is Top Dog in the backyard and has always made a point of eating before Fred. Initially Freddie wouldn't eat whenever she jumped over. But soon doggie hunger instincts took the best of him, and he started eating regardless of her enraged barks.

After a few weeks of this constant jumping we began to realise that:

1. Rosie would never learn to make sure she had an escape route before jumping over the fence

and

2. She was really only doing it for attention.

It was starting to get a little irritating.

Not to mention the fact that she was POOING in my VEGETABLE PATCH! GRRRRRRrrrr

Eventually we relented and took down the fence, just to see if she would still go over, and of course we wondered what was so fascinating abt the other side of the fence.

The minute the fence went down she stopped going over.

Obviously the novelty of the jumping was simply because she was jumping into the forbidden.

But does Rosie's little defiances stop there? Oh no.

The dogs went for a walk on the weekend. Husband came home with only one dog. *sigh*

Rosie wandered off during her walk, and couldn't be found no matter how hard he looked. Good thing I got those dog tags, right?

I got a call yesterday morning to discover that she had wandered off to the shooting range.

We ended up driving down a 7km winding dirt road with lots of potholes last night in pitch black through state forest to pick her up. The guy who found her lived out in the middle of woop woop, and to be honest, I wasn't really appreciative of having to spend an extra 30 mins to pick her up. It had been a LOOONG day.

There was no contrition as we went to pick her up. She had been chained up, and the minute I took her collar, she was intent on running away. Husband grabbed hold of her and made sure she got in the car safely.

We dropped her off at home, and I was amazed to watch as she pranced, yes, pranced to the gate, wagging her whipping tail up high as Freddie watched from the other side of the gate. As if to say, 'check me out. aren't I clever? i made them drive out to get me". Usually whenever she wanders off on a walk, she comes home, covered in cobwebs and stinking of some unknown animal poo. But not this time. This time she was smart enough to get US to get HER.

Anyhow, we're kind of at our tether in terms of Rosie. Not only does she wander off on walks, refusing to come when told, but she's a helluva digger. There are craters the size of a moon in our backyard the husband just does not appreciate. Refilling the holes do nothing. She's cleared out entire garden beds. We even went to such desperate measures as putting dog poo in the holes. Which seems to stop her a little, but all she does is find another place to dig.

The other day our next door neighbour came knocking, warning us that Rosie was digging another Escape Route at the fence.

I'm starting to think I might need the assistance of a dog behaviouralist. Because at this rate, I'm not sure if we can really keep her. Her constant disappearing act makes me think that

1. our yard is too small for her, and
2. we don't have enough time for her.

We had hoped that the dogs would keep each other company, but the more we watch them together, the more it looks like that Rosie isn't really interested in Fred. If anything, they pretty much ignore each other until dinner time, when Rosie starts up her growl at Fred to make sure that he remembers she eats first.

And I'm sorry to say that she doesn't really endear herself to anyone. Sure, she's the prettiest dog you'll ever meet. But affection? Sure, give it to me if you want, but don't expect me to want it or ask for it. She's more like a cat in that regard. And I'm sorry, but I signed up for a dog, not a cat.

If you give her a cuddle or a scratch she will accept it. But the minute you stop she just wanders away. Goes and sits under the table, or wanders off into the study, curls up in a ball and sleeps.

Fred, on the other hand, if you give him a cuddle and stop? God forbid. He'll put his head on your lap and look up at you begging for more. If you're tickling his tummy and stop, his paws will start waving in the air, trying to grab hold of you to try and encourage you to keep tickling.

Maybe if we had Rosie on her own, we would never really think twice of her behaviour. But when you put her beside the affectionate and docile Fred who only ever needs to be told once not to do something before he stops, it's a different kettle of fish.

I know it's bad to compare dogs - each personality is different. But when he is just so .... doggie.... he just makes Rosie look all the more worse for what she is.

You may consider me petty, and perhaps her 'crimes' so to speak arent' all that bad on their own in isolation. But trust me, this has been a buildup of over a year or so. It's not the first time she's run away on a walk. It's not the first time she has refused to come when called, and it's not the first time she's dug the backyard into oblivion or done things she knows she's not allowed to do (eg, go over the fence).

There are moments when I feel like a very bad dog owner. I guess I'm just despairing at ever being able to get through to her. Let's just hope that a dog behaviouralist is all I need to get Rosie back on track.

The Fred Swim and other interesting chronicles

As promised, here are pictures commemorating Freddie's First Swim.

C'mon Freddie, It won't be as bad as you think y'know...

Yeah Dad, I guess you're right...

Whoa... water's cold, dad!

Fred: Ok, I don't like this, I wanna go back to shore now. Dad: "NOT. SO. FAST. FRED."

C'mon, little boy...

Fred: I'm not too sure, Dad. That shore really looks beckoning..

..and off they go. look at that huge wake that Fred leaves behind him...

As I turn around, guess what swims past my camera lens?

Harry: "wait for me, guys!!!"

"Hurry up then, Harry!" Dad says with a bemused smile

and a little while later....

See the red circle? They're allll the way over there...

So this is a huge thing, because in the last 18 months that we've owned Freddie, he has stayed away from the water. The last few times we tried, he just stood on the shore and refused to go in. And his weight and size being what it is, we couldn't convince him otherwise. But somehow or other we managed to trick him in, and since it was such a hot day, it ended up that I think he rather enjoyed his little swim.

Here are some earlier pics taken before the Freddie Swim.

Here he is with my nephew-to-be.

I like the second pic when Fred is getting patted, and he looks up as if to say 'Oh gee, that's really nice! Thanks!'

That or he's asking if he can have a sip of that glass of champagne on the bench.

OOooo.. pebbles....

All these pics of Fred's tongue hanging out makes me wonder if he's just super thirsty.

Fred-a-goin-a-huntin'

 

I really like this pic too, because his fur just kinda blends into the grass.

And finally, here is Freddie wishing you a very good Seasons Greetings*:

Fred: "I look so stupid..."

* NB: I am not held responsible for this pic.

Long time no update, doggies!

With a little more time on my hands during the Christmas/New Year break, I got around to getting my camera out more often to show you guys what my little beloveds have been up to.

Fred and Rosie had a fairly quiet Christmas, although we spent the day after Boxing Day down on the South Coast.

In typical fashion, I've left half my photos at home so I can only show you some of the pics I took. However, I must tell you some super exciting news - Freddie finally went swimming!!! I will post up pics soon. Promise!

The pic below is after Freddie went swimming. Sitting on the back deck he certainly looks like a big mass of a dog.

Freddie the Big Dog

As you can see, he's slowly growing into his looks. To me he looks more like a teenager now. Here is a full body shot:

What a handsome boy!

Here is Rosie ignoring us again:

Rosie: "I wonder where all my minions are"

And here is a pic of the dog pack...

Rosie: "can we come in yet, mum?"
"

The little jack russell is called Harry. He is the fiance's mum's dog.
You may (or may not) recognise him from other posts. Harry's a very
sweet and brave doggie. Harry's only small, but he is always wanting to
play with our dogs. In the pic below, Harry is showing doggie affection
by whispering sweet nothings into Freddie's ear. Or maybe he's just
giving Freddie a little lick.

Harry: I wish I was strong enough to open this door...

Rosie: "Gosh, rolling under the house into cobwebs was fun"

Can you see the cobwebs around her face and on her shoulders?

Fred: "So I was thinking, my right side is my Best Side. What do you think?"

Here is Fred on the way home from the Coast. I happened to look over, and got some of The Cutest pictures...

Below is my absolute favourite:

Fred: "I wuv you mum"

Back at home, I was greeted with two very exhausted puppies:

Rosie: "Oh gosh I'm SO BORED"

Rosie: "Is there a fly on my head? Can you get rid of it for me? I'm too tired..."

Fred: "Hey Rosie?" Rosie:" Ssh, sleepy time now Fred"

Fred: "mum, what you doing?" Rosie: "man, I'm sooo bored"

Now this is a really sweet pic of Rosie:

Hiding Rosie

Overexposing Rosie

She's been super affectionate lately. I've been trying to give her a bit more attention, since I usually just lavish attention on Fred. Fred was actually quite put out the other night when I gave Rosie lots of cuddles. He just lay there on the carpet looking confused. As if to say "what on earth are you doing mum? Rosie NEVER gets cuddles. Only *I* do. That's the RULE."

And on the right here is just a pretty artistic shot of Rosie. Since she's so black when you overexpose the picture the effect is pretty cool. You get to see all her markings a lot clearer. These closeups just make you think she must've been SUCH a cutie when she was a puppy.

Fred: "Huh? I think I just heard something!"

And here are some very cute actions shots:

"oh"

Fred: "Ok mum, what are you doing now?"

Mum: "Now stick your tongue out..."Fred: [obliges] This is silly, mum"

I promise to put up the rest of the pics soon. Meanwhile, here's something to keep you entertained while you wait:

I am a Lion - hear me roar!

What a big tongue you have Fred...

All the Better to Lick You With!!

I'm pretty sure I caught that pic while he was yawning.

If you look at all the dirt around him - that once used to be a garden bed. This was before it had met Rosie of course...

We have started laying down old railway sleepers in an attempt to stop her from digging.

Most amusing, I was told by the fiance that after he put down the latest batch of sleepers, Rosie had been walking through the garden and was quite perplexed at his handiwork.

Apparently she had stopped, and looked carefully, head turning, following the sleeper with a puzzled look on her face. I'm imagining her thought processes went something along the lines of:

"... but I just dug that bit of garden up yesterday! WHY is there a sleeper there now? Where's all my digging gone?"

Poor girl. We're just out to ruin all her fun, aren't we?

Pulling on the heart strings....

How come you're never always home, mum?

This is one of my favourite photos of Fred. In fact, so much of a favourite, that he is currently residing on my desktop. Every morning I come to work, and I see his little face looking at me.

We're pretty sure he's full size now and won't be growing anymore. And that's ok.

We were watching Jane Eyre last night, and spotted Pilot, played by a real wolfhound. So much skinnier with a much longer nose. I think I prefer Freddie with his rounder nose and cute expression. The boy is so solid too. You thump him along his ribs, and all you hear is 'thwump' 'thwump'.

Who'd ever believe that I'd ever become so besotted with a dog.

Rosie has gotten a bit more affectionate lately.

Last night when they got let in, they both came up to me and licked me on the knuckles before settling down in front of the tv.

And at one stage when I happened to get up and look at Rosie, her tail half wagged! That's a historic moment for Rosie, The Indifferent Dog.

Course this could just be the calm before the storm as she lulls us into a sense of complacency before she tries her next dastardly dash out the door.

I had to replace her pretty dog tag a month ago, after she managed to somehow lose the old one. I was lucky to get an exact replica, except this time the engraver put a little dog paw on it as well. And just in time too, because a few days afterwards, she went off on one of her little jaunts again. I got phoned up by a neighbour a street away.

When I went to pick her up, he commented about how pretty she was and asked me what type of breed she was. I did the usual, "not sure, but there should be some staffy or great dane in her somewhere", but in the back of my head, I admit to thinking "that's so great that you think she's beautiful. Would you like her?"

LOL.

The Good Morning Freddie Kiss

I came home last night to be greeted by the news that Rosie had run off during her walk again. *sigh*

It's not the first time it's happened, and I'm not sure it will be the last. Fiance is getting a bit frustrated/annoyed at the whole situation, and I don't blame him. She just doesn't seem to listen. She just does what she feels like. Not what we tell/ask/request her to do.

She's like a cat. Except that we didn't buy a cat. We bought a dog. If I'd wanted a cat, I would've gotten a cat.

I'm starting to wonder if we are in fact the right parents for her. Does she need someone who will give her errands to run everyday? Does she get bored, and is that why she keeps on running away? Most times she's not bad. But if she gets it into her head not to come when called, there's nothing you can do =/

So whenever Rosie mucks up, Freddie gets preferential treatment.

The biggest treat of all was that he got to sleep in our room last night as opposed to sleeping outside.

Rosie ended up sauntering home around 9.30 am. I heard this scratching against the front door, followed by frustrated whines. We open the door and in she dashes. To which we expelled her back outside the back door. No dinner for someone who doesn't listen or come when she's called. So to emphasize what she had done wrong Freddie got to spend the entire night inside. And from what I can tell, he also got to spend this morning inside (fiance is at home).

Anyway, I got woken up this morning by a lick straight across my nose and mouth. LOL. I had just rolled over onto my side, before I got the Freddie Morning Kiss. It was 5.30am. *shakes head*

I muttered something unintelligible along the lines of "give me another hour, Fred" and went back to sleep. Except I never went back into deep sleep because I kept on getting paranoid that Fred had woken me up in order to tell me he needed to go outside for his morning pee.

But every time I forced myself up to peek at him over the covers, he was just lying beside the bed, either sleeping or licking his fur.

I was especially chuffed that he decided to sleep with his back against my side of the bed. When I went to sleep, I noticed he decided to settle at the foot of the bed. But somewhere through the night he must've decided that it was more fun to sleep as close as he could beside me.

It was funny too because he followed me EVERYWHERE last night. He's such a sweetie. Every time I got up to get something, he'd get up and follow me too. I probably need to teach him how to 'stay.' I must say though, I don't really have much time to teach him tricks. The only thing I did end up teaching both of them, was to sit before I let them inside after dinner. I must admit, they caught onto that one pretty quick.

Overall, it was nice to be woken up by a Freddie kiss. Although I'm not sure I want to be woken up like that every morning. Especially not at 5.30 in the morning. Well, that and the fact that there is now a whole cubic metre of Fred Fur now covering our bedroom carpet. LOL.