Chance twisted one of his back toes a couple of weeks ago and the vet prescribed 2 weeks of rest and a recheck if needed. He's going pretty cabin crazy and the short walk I took with him to see how things were going was proof of a bad idea. Pacing around the house and games of 'catch it' try to fill his day up but he goes to the door constantly asking for a walk, or to play outside, poor guy. Not the same dog I put through heartworm treatment, that's for sure. ( this post has been interrupted by a 70 lb lap dog. )

Duke and I got to attend a mock trial about a month back, it was eye opening for sure. We continue our slow, slow progress in training. Working on amping up his engagement when we're away from familiar areas. Working on my tug game to allow him to enjoy the chase and catch but no pulling allowed.

Big milestone today in integrating my pups in with my parents pack. Everybody was off-leash together and allowed playtime for the first time. It went so well that my mom went ahead and let them out together again while I was at work. They played long and hard. One of my parents dogs is NOT a fan of puppies and just sat in her lap(all 65 lbs of him!) but everybody else had a very good time. She said once my pups were good and tired that they started asking to be let back into my room so they could nap in their crates. They love their crates. It was so nice to come home to two puppies with relatively normal energy levels rather than them bouncing off the walls.

Note: My parents have a lot of experience with integrating foster dogs into their pack and are very familiar with exactly how each dog reacts to strange puppies. I've also been living in this house since August. The dogs have all met several times on leash and been allowed to play in smaller groups/pairs. We did not just throw 2 puppies in with an existing 4 dog pack and hope for the best.

I really noticed how neutering has improved Mavericks social skills. Last time they all met he was crotch obsessed to the point of being rude. He still does an occasional inspection but it's normal dog level now.

Just got back from spending some time in your neck of the woods, Mike. CNY = Central New York, right? Was there and in Vermont. We were a little disappointed that the trees were only just starting to turn to their Fall colors. Guess we missed the change by only about a week or so.

You can tell it's turning to Fall around here because it appears our hummingbirds have finally left for the winter. The males left a few weeks earlier but now even the females are gone. Had lots of fun photographing them this year and can't wait until next year to work on my technique. Getting better each time.

We had a little bit of a breakthrough with Bailey. For the first time, we let another animal, a cat, approach her and, to our surprise, they both just sniffed each other, quickly lost interest, and went on their merry ways. A couple of years ago, Bailey would have been shaking like a leaf and probably would have eaten the cat. At almost 7 years old now, I guess she's finally mellowing with age. She's also become much more tolerant with other dogs in close proximity.

Hope everyone has a great Fall.

Go Packers!

Greg,

Still a few weeks before the colors are at their peak of Fall foliage, here in Central New York.

Sam, my most recent rescue, has been here for a year and a half, and I'm pretty sure he would execute a cat in a heartbeat. I know he is anti squirrel. He's OK in the pack, finally, but not at all welcoming of other dogs. Still a work in progress but eyes wide open and no assumptions.

I think Spring and Fall, followed by Winter, and then Summer are my season favorites ranking.

I think the dogs like Winter best. Anyway, everything really seems to revolve around the dogs.

Enjoy.

Hurricane Rogue hit my room today. It was trashed. Food, cardboard, and my clothes all over the place. Not sure how she got out of her crate but she flails around on her back and I think she just managed to lift the door that way. Maverick got out the other day and didn't do anywhere near the amount of damage that Rogue did. Going to buy a few packs of carabiners or bolt snaps in the morning.

Just bought a DVD from a trainer based on the articles they've written. DVD is very different. Still going to finish watching it.

That must have been a nice welcome home for you!

I had crates that needed replacing as the mastiffs got bigger, they would brace their legs against one side while putting their backs against the other, and the metal just bowed; I tried zip ties and they didn't work, so I think carabiners are a good idea.

Naughty puppy

Maverick is the ACD, right?
For what it's worth, my ACD never chewed up or wrecked a thing.

He might bite you, though!

I'm beginning to think that him and Pinker must be cousins or something. I love his little butt but there's definitely been some fun times with him. I'm pretty sure he would have been a biter in the normal pet home.