The Road to Rio......... :)

Buffythedebtslayer

I am having one of those nights when I am wondering why there is so much pain in the world.

And wondering why things can't just work out right?


I know it is childish and I know all the cliches............I just feel really really bad tonight and I am so tired of it all.

I want my friend's little girl to get better.

I want a decent kind man who loves me and who I love back.

I am tired of men hurting me. SO !!!!ING tired of it.

I think generally I am tired.

bedtime. things will look better in the mornign right?

Buffythedebtslayer

So it's the morning,

Things look the same. There is still illness in the world and it would appear men can still be hurtful gits. And these aren't even our biggest problems!

I am aware I should put something about women being capable of being hurtful gits too but frankly I not in my experience :P

Anyhow today I am in waiting for news mode. This means I have to keep busy whilst periodically checking my phone.

I hate days like this. There have been so many of them. She was doing better. COME ON!

The list

1. pull up the lino/underlay thing in the bathroom.
2. Clean out Piggies and gerbils.
3. hoover.
4. let in shower man
5. Sort out dog groomer
6. ring Ikea people
7. eat lunch
8. do some washing.
9. maybe go on a date. depends. I am feeling a bit desperate and vunlerable and am worried about my friend's little girl so it doesn't feel right at all.

and if anyone has any dog advice I would be most grateful.

xxx


4.

Shoe_Gal

Thinking of you Buffy, and your friends :A

Kepp

Buffythedebtslayer wrote: »

and if anyone has any dog advice I would be most grateful.

xxx


4.

Thinking of your friends little girl xx

What sort of dog advice were you after?

chevalier

So sorry to hear that little one isn't pulling round as you had all hoped. Hope some of these can look down on her and give her strength :A:A

Just do your best and if you have to be vulnerable then that is what you have to be.
chev

Buffythedebtslayer

Hi Beccie,

Essentially, we have two dogs, coming up to a year in December.

One is a fab little boy - well behaved, but seems to "fear wee"? and isn't fully house trained. generally comes when he is called etc.

THe other one thinks he is in charge, everytime we eat he begs for food after we eat he wants to lick my hands and he whines if we shut him (and his brother) away. he also sometimes wees in the house and doesn't do what he says.

It is really hard with two of us trying to look after them. I sort of think they are too much for Mum and I am barely here between work and going out.

They are being groomed today (they are Shih tzus) as they have got in such a mess.

they don't seem massively secure or happy and I am getting quite worried.

Kepp

All sounds like signs as you have said of being insecure and unhappy.

My little rescue jack russel came with a ton of issues when we got her and while they do improve, it will take time. She also 'fear wee-d' as well. That problem we overcame by working on her general nervousness and obviously not telling her off as then she produced more!

A lot of dogs who are insecure also suffer from dominance issues, such as wanting your food. Comes from not knowing their position in the pack. Surprisingly enough, dogs are happy enough to be at the bottom as it were, but they need to know this. Ignore them when they beg (as hard as it is!). Also, giving them their food after you have had yours helps as the lower members of the pack eat last. Seems mean sometimes but honestly, dogs are a lot more secure when they know where they are.

Whining when shut away can be separation anxiety - another security issue my dog had too. There is training you can do - going out and coming back in after 30 seconds with a treat and building this up and up so they learn to trust that you will come back.

Are they getting plenty of exercise? Lots of behaviour problems stem from having too much energy.

It is all very hard work and time consuming though. In the nicest possible way you have never sounded like you thought it was a good idea to have them and you don't have a huge amount of spare time. (Sorry if I have got that wrong!)

Would it be better to find another home for them?

Buffythedebtslayer

Honestly as much as now I love them I do think it was a mistake mainly because we are both the owners. I know this sounds a bit nuts but with a boy/girl friend relationship someone is always dominant whereas with Mum and I it changes..........They should have been Mum's dog or my my dogs. the pack thing should be clear - well from what I have read anyhow.

Further to that Mum doesn't believe in the pack thing..they have food all they time - on the floor (this I don't get our old dog got fed and then the bowl was taken up) and she thinks alot of the begging and weeing etc they will grow out of or is because they aren't very smart. Interestingly they don't often beg from her. The drive me nuts!

Really the things we have taught them = crate, sit, down. all very good.

And Mum wouldn't give them up now. I think really I need to put more effort in. They definitely need more exercise and a better routine.

lots to think about cheers Beccie

xx

RosaBernicia

Errr Buffy it sounds to me like you need a dog walker. You don't have a lot of time. Even every other day might help.

I don't understand leaving them food all the time - dogs aren't grazers, and they're likely to overeat - and it is odd that they still beg. Though if they only beg from you, I suspect that implies they think of you as pack boss rather than your mum.

Of course ideally you should agree on a plan about how they will be handled and stick to it... but that may not be realistic given what you've said about your mum in other areas.

Still thinking of your friend's little girl.


Rosa xx

Buffythedebtslayer

Thank were groomed today and I can honestly say I was mortified.

My lovely boys were so matted they had to have a very close cut


It took the poor dog groomer HOURS.:o:o:o:o:o:o

I thought Mum was brushing them and I think she thought I was. turns out neither of us were! :o:o:o

I just feel so bad. The guinea pigs get groomed and bathed regularly, the gerbils get healthchecked. EVERYONE goes to the vets. I love my animals ( I live in fear of turning into Liz Jones) and can't believe this happened.

So yeah things are changing, Mum will just have to give the responsibility to me.

I have already taken the food up, took for a good long walk just now. I am going to put in some rules about where they are when we eat and generally how they behave.

If any reading can recommand a good website that would be cool.

xx