Operation: Chill Out Rumble

[nosemovie]

I think it’s a symptom of country living. We no longer walk to the park. We no longer encounter homeless dudes, kids on bikes or on playgrounds, strange dogs (mostly), mail carriers, PGE workers or cops. We just don’t. Those things and more were fairly common on our walks in Tigard. I AVOID those things the best I could, but both my dogs were made

Comments

[penichops]

Does he like eating horse shit? Apparently it's delicious if you are my dogs. So delicious that you have to grab an extra takeaway mouthful while I'm yelling to leave it alone. I just thought it might help him like the animal part. But then again, he lives with heaps of farmyard animals so what is his issue? Dogs are such weirdos.

I do often wonder how country people walk and socialise dogs. Do you find they get more exercise on the farm?

[nosemovie]

They get a lot of flat out running, and lots of exploring and smells. That part is aces. But they don't run into much unusual stuff.
Oh and Rumble says any kind of animal poo is awesome... He eats it extra fast too! Gross dog.

[sclmarm]

I hope the look see helps Rumble out. Is there a chance his thyroid is wonky? I've heard that can cause a change a dogs personality.

According to my dogs, calf poop is the bomb, cow and horse, not so good and rock chuck poop seems to be like Cheetos. So.very.gross!!

Being around the stock dog people they raise their dogs without all the fancy socialization and puppy stimulation that agility people do. They do very little foundation training besides basics like manners, recall and a down. Very different worlds! Rooster ended up being raised that way and I must say I prefer it. I think there's a lot of pressure put on young agility dogs anymore.

[nosemovie]

As in anything (dog training or not) there's levels. And painting with a broad brush always leaves some spots undone. Socialization is so very dependent on the person doing it and the dog that's receiving it. Rumble (as a tiny pup) got taken everywhere. He was a traveling man! and he and his sibs had tons of new experiences before they started going to homes at 9 weeks. I "know" all but one of them to varying degrees and follow what they're doing. They're all similar in some ways, but they have small differences too. I think they're all pretty social and do well in varied conditions.

Rums is five now. No longer a wee pup... I think this is more about loss of "muscle memory" about what it means to be out and about with things going on. We'll try to build that muscle memory back up.

[winniepoodle]

Yes, I have become more of a homebody since moving out into the country. It is just so nice out here. And so much to do. And so far to go into town. Well psychologically that is. I do like to take a dog for company when ever I go somewhere. Gabriel always benefitted from a pre trial recon to the trial site.

[nosemovie]

it will be interesting to see if that little trip has any effect. Fingers crossed!

[talesofmyboys]

Can you go up to an outdoor mall, maybe like that outlet mall area and "window shop" for a bit? Not that I practice what I preach... Davy finds random encounters with people out on trails to be just wrong, because we aren't around people much anywmore like we used to be with agility and obedience. Slider and Steam ignore people for the most part while Merc and Davy bark their heads off. Sigh...

[nosemovie]

Yes, there's plenty of place we could do this. And it's on my list. Just FINDING THE TIME is a real roadblock. I mean, I have a GREAT agility arena 1 mile away with TURF! and I never go out there, hardly, ever. I just get out of my car after work and change into chicken clothing and never stop until it's time to shower. Seems like that anyway.

We'll work through it. I trust him. He's a good guy (as you know) and he's got it in him to be cool w/ stuff. We just need to work those muscles.

[talesofmyboys]

Oh, I totally understand. I have no weekend anymore, it is just another job I go to at the farm where I am paid significantly less. ;-) Hence, Davy still barks at people like the semi-feral beast he is, and it is totally my fault.

[matildasmom]

Would it be possible for you to take Rumble to work with you occasionally? Would they allow that? He'd get exposure at work and you could take him out in the city on your break?

[nosemovie]

No... that can't happen. When T was a vet tech, she used to take him, and he LOVED! it. Such great socialization.

[matildasmom]

Too bad. Even if he had to be in a crate part of the time I thought that might work.

[nosemovie]

OH! you know what idea this DID give me tho??? Allison! I almost always got visit w/ Allison on Sundays and we have lunch and do some shopping, etc. If it's not hot, he could TOTALLY go on those trips w/ me. I'm going to have to start doing that occasionally. Score!