Quote:
Originally Posted by DamSweet  I realize my situation is different because Bridget and Greta have a gated room to spend the day in - but none the less, were less than willing to go in when I have to leave the house. This is the time I give them their Kongs filled with apples, carrots, beans. It gives them something to do and they look forward to the treat. Now when they know I'm leaving they do the "happy dance" and run to their room when they see their Kongs in my hand. |
That was kinda what I was going for. Since their residence is on the small side, the xpen could be construed as Bdog's 'room'. It could become a haven she enjoys going to. That would eliminate crate and kennel.
The water bottle is like the kind you use for hamsters and guinea pigs. I laughed too when I first heard of it. But it is wonderful. I can't remember for certain where I got mine, (Mom to Hot Rod?) Please someone jump in here? It is a double nozzle one, that came with its own little bottle. Nozzles inside and outside the pen so they can grab a drink either way. The reason is so there is no tipping or fouling of the water bowl. The water stays clean and their beards don't get wet and yeasty. Works great.
The nozzles are, of course, much bigger than for a hamster... I have mine hooked to the xpen, some YTers have really cool setup floor models. Feeding on a schedule is a personal choice and depends on your dog. Whatever the case maybe, your dog needs to always have fresh water available. If you feel that she cannot hold her bladder through the night, then some people remove liquids after a certain hour at night, just remove the bottle. But, during the day, water should always be available.
I've never done the roll. I think it is a deeply ingrained instinctive thing. But I do lightly curl my fingers and cup my hand over the back of their neck and upper back and ever so
gently press when I say a stern no. I've done that once in a great while to get their attention when things have gotten seriously out of hand. That was when they were young and I thought they were going to kill each other and thought I had to calm them down. LOL. I know better now. They just wrestle and play very hard. I learn more from watching Bear discipline them. When they first came into the house and they annoyed him horribly and they were 3mths old, he would air bite a foot above their heads. Now he gets along with them great. But once in awhile, they do get on his more mature nerves, as when he's trying to nap and they want to examine his nostrils and I have witnessed him actually do the same thing with his mouth. Gently place it over their back and neck and push down at which point he releases they rollover, get up and walk away. They know and he goes back to napping. Fascinating.... Way different breeds, sizes....still dogs!!!!