dogs are nuts......

[Gabby]

Politics of the last few weeks make me think that we have entered the twilight zone. I'm sick of it.... I want to talk about something fun today.

If you do not recall I had my border collie's baby picture as my avatar. She’s 14 months old now so she’s not a baby anymore. So I’ve changed my avatar a photo of her now. I call her an “American Speckled Fox” . That’s what she looks like.

Thought we could all share some of the nutty things our dogs and other pets do. They really do have personalities. They are a lot smarter than some give them credit for.

I have two dogs. The border collie (Amla) and a Newfoundland/Lab mix (Fesai).

Fesai is the real nut. When he is interested in something he will not give up. He really likes to chase a laser light. Begs for me to play with it every day and will chase it for hours if I (and my family) keep it up. If I shine it on the ceiling and move it in circles he’ll ‘dance’ in circles on his hind legs… round and round and round. If I wiggle while I do this he’ll hop in circles from front legs to back legs… Do you have any idea how silly a 100 lbs stout dog looks doing these tricks? He’s very entertaining.

I’ve actually gotten to the point that on days when I’m too tired to take him for a walk I just stand at our back door and shine the light around the back yard and he’ll run around it like a track. He’ll totally exhaust himself doing this.

He’s as obsessive with the computer. If he hears music or cartoons he likes on the computer he’s immediately on top of it, his nose to the screen watching. It takes every ounce of strength I have to keep him from destroying the computer through his clumsy strength. If objects on the screen appear to run off the computer screen, he will himself run behind the screen looking for the creatures/object. He love talking birds, video games, motorcycle races, cartoons, fireworks display, dance videos……

Fesai is a nut….

So what does your nutty pet do?

[Dual867PowerMac]

Call Cesar Millan.

[Gabby]

call cesar millan.

:)):)) :)):))

[Dual867PowerMac]

:)):)) :)):))
Don't laugh. :naughty: Cesar usually has to convince most of the dog owners he deals with that the root of dogs' problems lie with the dog owners themselves.

[Gabby]

Don't laugh. :naughty: Cesar usually has to convince most of the dog owners he deals with that the root of dogs' problems lie with the dog owners themselves.

I know.. that's part of why I'm laughing... I have no doubt that I (and the rest of the nuts who live in this house) are part of why Fesai is obsessive compulisive.... we drove the poor guy nuts.

[spearmaster]

Politics of the last few weeks make me think that we have entered the twilight zone. I'm sick of it.... I want to talk about something fun today.

If you do not recall I had my border collie's baby picture as my avatar. She’s 14 months old now so she’s not a baby anymore. So I’ve changed my avatar a photo of her now. I call her an “American Speckled Fox” . That’s what she looks like.

Thought we could all share some of the nutty things our dogs and other pets do. They really do have personalities. They are a lot smarter than some give them credit for.

I have two dogs. The border collie (Amla) and a Newfoundland/Lab mix (Fesai).

Fesai is the real nut. When he is interested in something he will not give up. He really likes to chase a laser light. Begs for me to play with it every day and will chase it for hours if I (and my family) keep it up. If I shine it on the ceiling and move it in circles he’ll ‘dance’ in circles on his hind legs… round and round and round. If I wiggle while I do this he’ll hop in circles from front legs to back legs… Do you have any idea how silly a 100 lbs stout dog looks doing these tricks? He’s very entertaining.

I’ve actually gotten to the point that on days when I’m too tired to take him for a walk I just stand at our back door and shine the light around the back yard and he’ll run around it like a track. He’ll totally exhaust himself doing this.

He’s as obsessive with the computer. If he hears music or cartoons he likes on the computer he’s immediately on top of it, his nose to the screen watching. It takes every ounce of strength I have to keep him from destroying the computer through his clumsy strength. If objects on the screen appear to run off the computer screen, he will himself run behind the screen looking for the creatures/object. He love talking birds, video games, motorcycle races, cartoons, fireworks display, dance videos……

Fesai is a nut….

So what does your nutty pet do?

My lab Brutus enjoys chasing his tail. He'll do it for minutes at a time then he'll rest and go after it again. He also has this thing where he likes pressing his body against the end of my love seat until he actually lifts one end up off the floor. He's a goober.

[spearmaster]

Call Cesar Millan.

I like watching Dog Whisperer, I've learned a lot from watching it.

[bella-day]

This is the newest addition to our family.

Meet Baby. She's a 10 oz. chihuahua.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/bella-day/March212009011-1.jpg

[spearmaster]

This is the newest addition to our family.

Meet Baby. She's a 10 oz. chihuahua.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/bella-day/March212009011-1.jpg

Wow! she's tiny, but I bet her BIG personality will make up for that. ;)

[khigh]

This is the newest addition to our family.

Meet Baby. She's a 10 oz. chihuahua.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/bella-day/March212009011-1.jpg

So cute! I bet you love the puppy breath. We always say at work that people should bottle puppy breath and sell it.

[Gabby]

My lab Brutus enjoys chasing his tail. He'll do it for minutes at a time then he'll rest and go after it again. He also has this thing where he likes pressing his body against the end of my love seat until he actually lifts one end up off the floor. He's a goober.

Tails are always nice built in toys for dogs.. he sounds like a goofball...

My border collie sits on my bed at night to watch me post on Hannity. She digs under the covers and hides her toys that. So we have to empty the bed of dog toys before we go to sleep.

[Gabby]

This is the newest addition to our family.

Meet Baby. She's a 10 oz. chihuahua.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/bella-day/March212009011-1.jpg

oh my goodness that's a small dog. How cute. I'm afraid to have a dog that small.. I'd trip over it can smush it.

What a cutie pie!!

[Gabby]

I like watching Dog Whisperer, I've learned a lot from watching it.

I love that show. But it's no longer on a channel I get. There are videos on youtube though. I've learned a lot watching it.

[bella-day]

Wow! she's tiny, but I bet her BIG personality will make up for that. ;)


She will weigh in at or around 3 lbs. at maturity.

We have 3 other chihuahua. Peanut, who gave birth to a puppy a few years back wants to be Mommy to this one. She climbs into the kennel with Baby and snuggles up to her just like she did her puppy.

She also brings her toys. If Baby is sitting around acting like she doesn't know what to do Peanut brings a toy to her and drops it right in front of her.

It's funny to watch in a very heart touching way.

[bella-day]

oh my goodness that's a small dog. How cute. I'm afraid to have a dog that small.. I'd trip over it can smush it.

What a cutie pie!!


They seem to know how small they are and move fast to stay out from under our feet.

This is our 4th Chihuahua...I told my husband she must be the last. We have a small herd now.

Chihuahua's love toys. Peanut and Button (mother and daughter) fight over one particular squeak toy. It's shaped like a bone and is small enough that they can make it squeak.

Anyway...they will start arguing over who will get to play with the bone and Tate (our male) will swoop in and grab the toy while the girls are busy arguing. He's the only one we have that is tall enough to reach the seat of the chair we use for a toy box. After he snatches the toy from the arguing females he puts it in the "toy box" so nobody can reach it other than him...and those bothersome humans of course.:D

[bella-day]

Border collies are a trip. I had a roommate (many years ago) that had one. He was as bright as a penny.

Had the greatest attitude and was as comical as they get.

Yours is a real beauty Gabby.

[janer]

With all due respect, it is not a very good idea to encourage a dog to get overly excited by chasing a laser light, playing tug of war, or anything that stimulates either frustration or aggression. Dogs don't have a lot in the way of shade or nuance - they are calm or excited. Calm can be anything from sleeping to hanging out to walking on a leash and excited can be any activity - not necessarily a negative one. The problem is, any excitement can turn to aggression on a dime. Border collies are wonderful and very very smart, but without a job they can go nuts. If there are agility classes anywhere around you, you should try them - they always charge to the head of the class. At 1 1/2 it's still a kid. Around 3 he becomes a "teenager", so it's always best to rein them in before then. Not hard because border collies are SMART.
My own dogs? Well, there's Tess, the shep/husky mix, who is a shelter rescue. Got the shep loyalty and the husky sixth sense - if she sees me take out my checkbook and then put it back in my purse, she runs toward the garage because she knows that I'm going to the bank, and at the drive-thru they give out dog cookies. If she sees someone come toward me, she will stand post and keep between me and that person until I give an "okay" command.
And then there's the mischief-maker,Ty Part shep, part (boxer or pit). Extremely territorial, and into his boundaries. He was 9 when we got him last year and had to learn a lot about accepting leadership, appropriate leash walking, "we like the mailman". But the Dog Whisperer is right about one thing - exercise is mandatory, not optional. Every day, unless the dog is ill or there is extremely bad weather (for the box/pit - the shep/husky doesn't understand the concept of cold) we take it easy. But every dog, every day.
And then there was our dear Tyber, the shep/rottie. At the end, he had to be carried to bed, and medicated for the pain and seizures until it was time to put him to rest. If he had spent his first ten years with a family, instead of abandoned and in a series of shelters, he might have done better, but the three years we had him were just great.

[Gabby]

With all due respect, it is not a very good idea to encourage a dog to get overly excited by chasing a laser light, playing tug of war, or anything that stimulates either frustration or aggression. Dogs don't have a lot in the way of shade or nuance - they are calm or excited. Calm can be anything from sleeping to hanging out to walking on a leash and excited can be any activity - not necessarily a negative one. The problem is, any excitement can turn to aggression on a dime.
It’s our Newfie/Lab mix that is obsessed with the laser pointer. I’ve wondered about that with the laser pointer. He gets so excited and focused with it. He won’t even acknowledge hi s favorite treats when the laser pointer is out. He gets like obsessed with things very easily, and once he’s focused on something.. be it the laser, the computer or running around the neighborhood after escaping it’s hard to get his attention.
The collie will play with it for a minute or two. But that’s all. Both dogs know where the light they are chasing comes from. The Newfie will look all over for the dot until he finds it. But the collie, knowing the source, will look at my hand. She seems to understand that she will find the dot based on the angle of my hand. She just looks at my hand and follows the angle to the dot. Smart little girl for sure.
Border collies are wonderful and very very smart, but without a job they can go nuts. If there are agility classes anywhere around you, you should try them - they always charge to the head of the class. At 1 1/2 it's still a kid. Around 3 he becomes a "teenager", so it's always best to rein them in before then. Not hard because border collies are SMART.
I’ve only recently learned that there were agility classes. My son and I are going to start taking the dogs. They both need something like that. Our border collie has taken on the job of setting rules for the Newfie. When he gets too excited about things he’ll stop him. When I call him and he will not come, she herds him to me. Yesterday, when my son was putting both dogs in the car to take them to the dog park, the Newfie pulled out of his collar and went on a run-about the neighborhood. The Border collie helped us by trapping him in a corner and held him there until we could get him. She’s half his size but she’s in charge.
My own dogs? Well, there's Tess, the shep/husky mix, who is a shelter rescue. Got the shep loyalty and the husky sixth sense - if she sees me take out my checkbook and then put it back in my purse, she runs toward the garage because she knows that I'm going to the bank, and at the drive-thru they give out dog cookies. If she sees someone come toward me, she will stand post and keep between me and that person until I give an "okay" command.
That’s a wonderful mix. I love both breeds. Tess does sound like a smart girl and a good protector.
And then there's the mischief-maker,Ty Part shep, part (boxer or pit). Extremely territorial, and into his boundaries. He was 9 when we got him last year and had to learn a lot about accepting leadership, appropriate leash walking, "we like the mailman". But the Dog Whisperer is right about one thing - exercise is mandatory, not optional. Every day, unless the dog is ill or there is extremely bad weather (for the box/pit - the shep/husky doesn't understand the concept of cold) we take it easy. But every dog, every day.
Yep they do need that daily activity. Funny about the shep/husky and the cold. That’s how my Newfie is. He does not like hot weather. In the winter he wants likes to sleep outside.
Since he seldom get rain here, our border collie thinks rain is weird and will not go out in the rain. She’s only now starting to play some in water.
And then there was our dear Tyber, the shep/rottie. At the end, he had to be carried to bed, and medicated for the pain and seizures until it was time to put him to rest. If he had spent his first ten years with a family, instead of abandoned and in a series of shelters, he might have done better, but the three years we had him were just great.
At least he had you for the last few years. Poor baby. It’s hard to watch a pet suffer like that. They do it so quietly, accepting what they are going through. Since they cannot talk we often have to guess at what they need. I had a cattle dog that died of cancer in 2005. He’d been with us for 10 years.

[Lady Liberty]

This is the newest addition to our family.

Meet Baby. She's a 10 oz. chihuahua.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/bella-day/March212009011-1.jpg

Awww.... hello, Baby! What a little cutie!
~

[Lady Liberty]

I love animals. I talk to all the neighborhood critters and know them by name.

A couple days ago I was visiting a girlfriend I hadn't seen in about 3 years and, while we were walking in her garden, her old cat came scampering down from her hiding places and meowed hello and asked me to pet her. It was a warm fuzzy that she remembered me and wanted to say meow.

My dog, Kenzie, is a Shetland Sheepdog. She's been a companion animal from 8-weeks and is extremely well-socialized, so she's blessed with a thoughtful temperament instead of being hyper. She does, however, think she's in charge of the whole Universe. Especially my routines.

When it's time for me do do something, or she just wants her 'sheep' to move, she has a habit of coming up, standing just behind my shoulder where I can't see her and 'harumphs' at me. I have to turn to see her and -presto- I've stopped what I'm doing and focused on her. Ooohhh, she's good. "Go be a dog" will just get me a one-sided furry nose wrinkle as if to say "you suck".

My husband will just shrug and say "you wanted a smart dog!" sigh.
~

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq124/LittleLadyLiberty/SurfBeach16.jpg

[mysticbeauty_nbeast]

This is the newest addition to our family.

Meet Baby. She's a 10 oz. chihuahua.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/bella-day/March212009011-1.jpg

Ohhhhhh! My God...how cute is she! What a dollie! I want another chihuahua...to keep our almost 6 year old Pom/Chihuahua company. Prin...what a trip she is. She's more girl then I am! lol

I love giving her a bath...we bath, towel off...put her 'jewelry' (collar with bling) back on, and let her loose. She goes nuts! She runs around super fast, doing near cartwheels on the furniture, rubbing her face and ears on anything with material...runs around some more...dropping her bum and tail...ears back...doing quick circles round and round. It makes me crack up every time she does it. My daughter says we should video her and put it on You Tube...it really is pretty funny.

I love her to death...she's the perfect dog. She's a toy size dog...weighs about 4 1/2 pounds...soaking wet. Spoiled too..rotten. lol. She's not a biter though...no snarling or much barking either...I won't have a dog like that. She's not your typical small dog.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d153/mysticbeauty_nbeast/DCFC0056.jpg

Hope this image comes up right...this is Prin at Pismo beach. We call her "coast to coast Prin" She is well traveled...From East Coast (N.Y trip) to West Coast...lol. she loves to go bye bye with Mom... Loves the beach too...like any well raised Cali girl should. :mrgreen:

~Mysty

[khigh]

This is the newest addition to our family.

Meet Baby. She's a 10 oz. chihuahua.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/bella-day/March212009011-1.jpg

Two things with a dog that small. Make sure when they get older (like 3 or 4) that you request an ultrasound of her heart. Most of the really, really small Chi's have congenital heart defects due to inbreeding. Chihuahuas are supposed to be 20lbs.

Also, it may sound scary, but don't let them outside by themselves. We have had two customers already this year see their dogs get taken by hawks. Last year it was an owl problem. They can't distinguish between a small dog and a rabbit.

And be sure to give a lot of kisses! That is the most important thing!

[bella-day]

Two things with a dog that small. Make sure when they get older (like 3 or 4) that you request an ultrasound of her heart. Most of the really, really small Chi's have congenital heart defects due to inbreeding. Chihuahuas are supposed to be 20lbs.

Also, it may sound scary, but don't let them outside by themselves. We have had two customers already this year see their dogs get taken by hawks. Last year it was an owl problem. They can't distinguish between a small dog and a rabbit.

And be sure to give a lot of kisses! That is the most important thing!


This is our 4th Chihuahua. The other 3 have been exceptionally healthy dogs.

The largest of them weighs in at a healthy 6 lbs. Our other 2 girls weigh in at 4 1/2 and 5 lbs. All healthy as little horses.

This one was a surprise gift from my husband. This week we have been battling cocsidiosis. The good news is that we won! She tested free and clear of the organism this past Friday.

She is having blood sugar issues. That is something we have never dealt with in any of the other ones. The vet says it is an offshoot from the cocsidiosis and as she regains her strength she will outgrow the blood sugar stabilization problems.

Funny you bring up the hawk situation. I was leaving for work a couple weeks ago when I heard a loud ruckus from the birds in the tree across the street. I looked over to see what the noise was all about...just in time to see a hawk swoop down to snatch a squirrel who was playing under the tree. The poor squirrel never knew what hit him. The hawk flew to a very tall pine tree just a few doors down the street. It made me wonder if she has a nest there.

So yes, we are very careful about letting our little guys out. We sit on the patio and watch over them while they take care of business.

[bella-day]

Ohhhhhh! My God...how cute is she! What a dollie! I want another chihuahua...to keep our almost 6 year old Pom/Chihuahua company. Prin...what a trip she is. She's more girl then I am! lol

I love giving her a bath...we bath, towel off...put her 'jewelry' (collar with bling) back on, and let her loose. She goes nuts! She runs around super fast, doing near cartwheels on the furniture, rubbing her face and ears on anything with material...runs around some more...dropping her bum and tail...ears back...doing quick circles round and round. It makes me crack up every time she does it. My daughter says we should video her and put it on You Tube...it really is pretty funny.

I love her to death...she's the perfect dog. She's a toy size dog...weighs about 4 1/2 pounds...soaking wet. Spoiled too..rotten. lol. She's not a biter though...no snarling or much barking either...I won't have a dog like that. She's not your typical small dog.

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d153/mysticbeauty_nbeast/DCFC0056.jpg

Hope this image comes up right...this is Prin at Pismo beach. We call her "coast to coast Prin" She is well traveled...From East Coast (N.Y trip) to West Coast...lol. she loves to go bye bye with Mom... Loves the beach too...like any well raised Cali girl should. :mrgreen:

~Mysty


What a beauty Prin is!

The toy breeds have a way of holding your heart. Ours are so expressive.

They are an energetic but relaxed little group. They are so playful and loving.

[ressurectedUltraSaiyanUSA]

I just like to squeeze the cheeks of that stupid. that's a compliment btw. that puppy is cheek-squeeze worthy.

This is the newest addition to our family.

Meet Baby. She's a 10 oz. chihuahua.

http://i76.photobucket.com/albums/j1/bella-day/March212009011-1.jpg

[spearmaster]

Tails are always nice built in toys for dogs.. he sounds like a goofball...

My border collie sits on my bed at night to watch me post on Hannity. She digs under the covers and hides her toys that. So we have to empty the bed of dog toys before we go to sleep.

He is a big goofball. Goofiest dog I've ever had.

Gotta love it when dogs "bury" their chew toys in your bed or couch. My dog brings his toys to me drops it at my feet and just stares at me until I toss them for him so he can bring it right back to me. :))

[spearmaster]

She will weigh in at or around 3 lbs. at maturity.

We have 3 other chihuahua. Peanut, who gave birth to a puppy a few years back wants to be Mommy to this one. She climbs into the kennel with Baby and snuggles up to her just like she did her puppy.

She also brings her toys. If Baby is sitting around acting like she doesn't know what to do Peanut brings a toy to her and drops it right in front of her.

It's funny to watch in a very heart touching way.

My grandparents had a chihuahua when I was a kid and it would "chase" their German Shepherd over the yard. It would bark and nip at that German Shepherd but he never once offered to hurt the chihuahua. I think he enjoyed being chased. :))

[skittles1]

She will weigh in at or around 3 lbs. at maturity.

We have 3 other chihuahua. Peanut, who gave birth to a puppy a few years back wants to be Mommy to this one. She climbs into the kennel with Baby and snuggles up to her just like she did her puppy.

She also brings her toys. If Baby is sitting around acting like she doesn't know what to do Peanut brings a toy to her and drops it right in front of her.

It's funny to watch in a very heart touching way.

Awww....that is so sweet!

[Gabby]

I love animals. I talk to all the neighborhood critters and know them by name.

A couple days ago I was visiting a girlfriend I hadn't seen in about 3 years and, while we were walking in her garden, her old cat came scampering down from her hiding places and meowed hello and asked me to pet her. It was a warm fuzzy that she remembered me and wanted to say meow.

My dog, Kenzie, is a Shetland Sheepdog. She's been a companion animal from 8-weeks and is extremely well-socialized, so she's blessed with a thoughtful temperament instead of being hyper. She does, however, think she's in charge of the whole Universe. Especially my routines.

When it's time for me do do something, or she just wants her 'sheep' to move, she has a habit of coming up, standing just behind my shoulder where I can't see her and 'harumphs' at me. I have to turn to see her and -presto- I've stopped what I'm doing and focused on her. Ooohhh, she's good. "Go be a dog" will just get me a one-sided furry nose wrinkle as if to say "you suck".

My husband will just shrug and say "you wanted a smart dog!" sigh.
~

http://i440.photobucket.com/albums/qq124/LittleLadyLiberty/SurfBeach16.jpg

Is that a picture of Kenzie? She's a beauty. The herders are so smart it's almost scary some times. Our border collie has trained my husband very well. He works from home most days. She wakes him up... than walks him through the morning routine... when it's time to go out, when it's treat time (he spoils them with treats) she talks to him and takes him to the treat cabinet to get it. When it's time for their eggs she talks to him while walking him to the fridge. She's definately in charge.



I can just see her sya 'harumphs' an that nose wrinkle... my border collie does that sort of thing too. They are

[Gabby]

Border collies are a trip. I had a roommate (many years ago) that had one. He was as bright as a penny.

Had the greatest attitude and was as comical as they get.

Yours is a real beauty Gabby.

She is a pretty girl, thanks. As a puppy she was pure white with just a few large black spots. As she got older she got the black 'ticking' so now she has the feckles on her face and a lot of ticking in her white. In reading around the net I've found out that border collies with a lot of white often get ticking as they grow up. Her markings are 'typical' border collie markings but I like her looks. She's also very slender and graceful... sort of has a snappy hop to her walk. It's all the border collie energy... and there is so much of it.

[Wookinstien]

I have a 2 and a half year old Border Collie named Katie. I rescued her after my beloved Quinn died of cancer. Katie has learned over 70 words of english. She know all the sit, stay, down, off, leave the postman alone, stop eating the couch, etc. She also know phrases like " Sorry you have to stay"--that elicits a lick attack.

Katie goes everywhere with me. I work the graveyard shift and she comes to work with me. She protects, well alerts me of anyone entering the TV station. She is never hostile, just howls when someone she doesn't know comes around.

I always wondered why Katie would jump up on the bed and lay down on me while I was sleeping, until the other day when I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. Katie wakes me when my breathing stops.

She is a great dog.
http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj241/Wookinstien/KATIEONCATS.jpg

She also loves to chase cats... :)

[ISYairio]

A member of my (extended) family has a lab named Sandy or Sandra or Sandra K etc (varies). She recently had 13 puppies in my house. The dog and her owner have been over here for a while.

She recently abandoned me for a several hours with them (strange for her) then crapped everywhere (even stranger).

:doh:

Hopefully she won't do that again, we gave away 11 of the puppies fast after that... mercy!!!