After seeing your post, Mike, I thought it might be a good idea to at least check in. I don't pretend to be a regular or one of the old timers here but I was certainly more active a while back when we were going through our growing pains with our Maligator, Bailey. Even though we took part in loads of training and sport opportunities here locally, I don't know what I would have done without the help, advice, and support from this fine discussion group. Well, I think i do know actually. She's have ended up getting rehomed or stuck in a rescue somewhere and the thought of that now is beyond comprehension.

Bailey has now settled into middle age, with lots of gray on her face but she hasn't really lost much in playfulness or energy. She's as active as ever and really enjoys when we take her dock diving. We're actually thinking of competing her as a senior in dock diving and rally obedience this spring. At over nine years old now, she still isn't crazy about other dogs but she has settled into being a great friend and companion. I dread the day when she's no longer with us.

Glad you and everyone else are doing well. I honestly don't know why I don't post more. I just recently retired so you would think I'd have more time on my hands. It's actually the other way around. I don't know how folks get stuff done when they're working. Between being more active with Bailey, all the new projects, some work part time, and catering to 7 grandchildren, life is busy. Who has time to get on the computer?

The other thing that occurred to me about the apparent diminished discussions, is that most everything after so many years of this board has been covered. Easy to just read and read, with excellent advice and solutions, without having to bring up new topics for training...the experiences, advice, tips, and such have all been discussed. ? Always interesting life with dogs though, wouldn't have it any other way. And, of course, there is that "other new situation" that still arises...

Yeah. Sometimes like plowing plowed ground.

I took three to the Vet's the other day for their annual checkups and whatever meds were recommended and or needed. Pricey hour and a half. Still and all, they are family.

The tech came in to take Sam back for some tests and I rained on her bubbly demeanor by pointing out that the muzzle was on him as an outward and visible sign she should be careful. As it turned out, Sam was on his best behavior. And he has indeed had a remarkable behavior epiphany from the time he first arrived as a rescue.

All three are rescues. And I think of all the dogs that came through here as fosters, and how many had been considered hard that turned out to have been conditioned by the thoughtless and mean spirited attentions of their previous owners, and how they responded to simply fair treatment and reasonable rules.

All were placed in loving and caring homes, and lived their lives peacefully. I think there is a special place in a warm spot for people who abuse creatures. I choose to believe so.

I look at Sam, who was days from the needle, and the temperament he arrived with, and how he is now. Certainly a dog to be aware of but also my shadow and attentive companion.

The folks who post here have all had a hand in helping the dogs that came through our home, and the ones that stayed.

I think it time for a cup of Lyons Gold Irish tea. My epistles are too long.

"I think it time for a cup of Lyons Gold Irish tea. My epistles are too long."

Yet always a good read!

Checking in!
The Pinker ( a heeler X chihuahua) is 8 going on 9 and THE BEST herding dog you ever saw. Not for trials, or for really hard things like loading cattle into a trailer....he doesn't have enough power for those sorts of things...but for every day, you just can not beat him.

Today, for example, we moved 12 just weaned (600-800 lb) bulls and heifers and he was perfect. Just enough woof to get them going, not so much to scare them and cause a wreck. Then he helped burn brush, checking the piles for mice.

He is going blind. PRA. Nothing to be done.

Some forum members need to get pups. Then we will have more discussions! We are all getting old , like our dogs.

 Quote: Bob Scott

"I think it time for a cup of Lyons Gold Irish tea. My epistles are too long."

Yet always a good read!

Ditto!

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

Checking in!
The Pinker ( a heeler X chihuahua) is 8 going on 9 and THE BEST herding dog you ever saw. Not for trials, or for really hard things like loading cattle into a trailer....he doesn't have enough power for those sorts of things...but for every day, you just can not beat him.

Today, for example, we moved 12 just weaned (600-800 lb) bulls and heifers and he was perfect. Just enough woof to get them going, not so much to scare them and cause a wreck. Then he helped burn brush, checking the piles for mice.

He is going blind. PRA. Nothing to be done.

Some forum members need to get pups. Then we will have more discussions! We are all getting old , like our dogs.

You're right, Betty .... lots of us are getting up there!

I want to say that you have done a great job with your guy. You met every challenge, and between the two of you, you forged a terrific partnership. I remember well how hard you worked with the Pinker. And it all paid off!

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

Checking in!
The Pinker ( a heeler X chihuahua) is 8 going on 9 and THE BEST herding dog you ever saw. Not for trials, or for really hard things like loading cattle into a trailer....he doesn't have enough power for those sorts of things...but for every day, you just can not beat him.

Today, for example, we moved 12 just weaned (600-800 lb) bulls and heifers and he was perfect. Just enough woof to get them going, not so much to scare them and cause a wreck. Then he helped burn brush, checking the piles for mice.

He is going blind. PRA. Nothing to be done.

Some forum members need to get pups. Then we will have more discussions! We are all getting old , like our dogs.

You're right, Betty .... lots of us are getting up there!

I want to say that you have done a great job with your guy. You met every challenge, and between the two of you, you forged a terrific partnership. I remember well how hard you worked with the Pinker. And it all paid off!

I've always looked at Betty and Pinker as one of LB's great successes!!

We are a Leerburg success story for SURE.

When I bought this pup, I knew only "crank and yank". When bit me HARD in his first bath, at 10 wks, I thought, God, am I going to have to euthanize this pup?

I found Leerburg. Someone named Sonya said I needed to feed him treats during his bath. I thought, "are you kidding, reward that snotty behavior?" Well, that was exactly the right thing to do.

Then came marker training. And a one on one email series with Connie. And a solid month of NILIF.
Nothing, not a pet, not a look his way without a "good behavior". Connie said, " he might turn out to be a cuddle muffin." Boy, I really doubted that. I'd just wanted a "nice puppy". He was such a jerk. You could not touch him.

Tonite he had a bath, a blow dry (he smelled like a dirty barn shovel) and he is sitting right next to me here on the couch watching tv. I can vacuum him.

All I can say it thank you guys.

Actually, it was years of NILIF. Years.

I remember at his Canine Good Citizen test hoping that the trainer didn't see Pink bite me when I tried to put his collar on.
We quit going to "dog training" because the trainer told the class that the Pinker was "just the sort of dog that children should be warned not to approach".

It was true, but we were insulted.

Plus, I thought we both might go deaf from the barking agility dogs that were always training at the same time as "beginning obedience" .