Baffled

OK, I am stumped, and looking for advice from other pet owners.

Wash got a new toy today. A well built, plush toy with squeakers (no stuffing). It's a great toy, and he loves it BUT every time he plays with it he whines like a baby.

My first reaction was "Well shoot, he must have an issue with his teeth. There goes all my $$." But he still chews on his chew bones, he plays tug of war with his rope, I checked out his teeth and mouth, no issue, no sensitivity.

Next I thought "Well, maybe he's constipated and it's uncomfortable to play." I touched his belly and felt no swelling, no bloating, and he had no sensitivity. Also, his next bowel movement was regular and right on schedule.

Now I'm completely stumped. I've done a complete tour of his body. He seems fine. When he plays with his other toys, he's silent. When he sees this one, he whines. He LOVES it and waves it around, chomps on it, drags it  across the apartment, but he whines the whole time.

Any idea why?

-Brandolyn

More dogs!

Today there were more of Wash's buddies at the Dog Park and I'm going to show off these pretty things. Sadie and Spencer were there too but they didn't come by for a picture.

Here are some familiar faces, and some new ones.

Dali the Shepherd cross with Gromit frolicking in  the background

A dopey looking Washburn

Snoopy the Basset hound giving Dali a sniff

Tucker the big Golden Retriever

And last to arrive at the park was Tag, I think he's a Shelti mix

One of the girls was missing; Abby the Chocolate Lab, but most of the other dogs were present which gave Wash a lot of dogs to choose from. He went dog to dog bothering and playing like the silly pup he is. Gromit and Tag are still his best buddies. And believe it or not, Washburn is as tall as Tucker the full grown Retriever, and Wash isn't even done growing.

Tucker saying a nice "Glad you could make it buddy!" to Tag

Wash avoided me when I had the camera out, so I don't have any more new pictures of him, but his friends list keeps growing!

-Brandolyn

Washburn Update:

-6.5 months
-50lbs
-all of his adult teeth
-he's still not sexually mature, so he's not ready to be neutered yet
-he's stopped crying when I leave
-He's in Intermediate Training Puppy classes
-He's big, he's fast and he's STRONG. I'm really glad I started training him when he was really little
-easily distracted by birds and squirrels

Next up:
-learning to walk/run beside a bicycle... Cross your fingers that we don't end up with any broken bones! Any tips and tricks from Pet owners about learning to bike with your dog?

Another friend!

Introducing.... Gromit!

Washburn and Gromit playing tag

Gromit is another of the "blondes" I mentioned in one of my previous posts. Wash has several doggy friends, but there is an abundance of white/ golden dogs in my neighbourhood. Gromit is a beautiful mix, he's a rescue so his parentage is uncertain, but my guess is Corgi mixed with an Eskimo dog. He's energetic, friendly and FAST! Almost every picture I took, I only caught his back end as he whipped by. 

Like many of the dogs in my neighbourhood, Gromit is a rescue. Actually 6 of the 9 dogs Wash sees on a regular basis are rescues, and they wonderful dogs! And we have a new puppy on the block, a little brown Australian Sheppard named Thor. Only 9 weeks old and already a handful :P  

(I'll snag a picture when I can).

Washburn is obsessed with Gromit :) loves him to bits!

Happy Wednesday!

-Brandolyn and Washburn

How I feed Washburn

In an attempt to train my dog that he only eats what I give him (not scraps that fall to the floor), Wash has to sit, and watch as I prepare his food at every meal. He watches me get his food ready, I put it down and he has to wait for me to give him a signal before he can go eat it.

He is very patient, and now will not eat without the signal. Good boy! But lately I've been pushing how long he has to wait. He doesn't move, he doesn't twitch but this is what has started happening. The longer he waits, the more he drools. Look closely.... ewwwwwwww. 

He's cute, but gross. I guess I won't make him wait so long anymore.

The reason I started this way of feeding has 2 reasons: 

1- avoids food aggression: He has to be in a calm, relaxed state before he eats, and he eats when I say so, not when he does.

2- avoids mooching/ food stealing: All food is mine. He can only have what I give him. 

Simple enough.

It works wonderfully for Washburn. Sometimes I take the food away for a moment during the meal to make sure he isn't possessive, or I'll touch him while he eats, or even put my hand in the food bowl. I am very confident that Washburn will be fine, BUT these are all risky, many dogs are territorial about their food, so be careful, start slow, start small. 

:) 

Any questions? 

-Brandolyn and the Drooly Dog

Play time!

There's an unwritten rule in my neighbourhood that everyday at the same time,that there will be at least 1 dog at the dog park and anyone else who has a dog who would like to play is welcome to come and join!

Whenever I get home from work in time, Wash and I walk over and I let him play with whoever shows up that day. Today there were only 3 other dogs, instead of our usual 9; all the other owners thought it might be too muddy.

Wash had a great time, as usual, and I get some social time with my neighbours.

I keep meaning to get pictures of the other dogs, but I always forget my phone, or forget to take pictures. Today, I remembered I had my phone, but only after one of the dogs had already left.

I introduce to you 3 of our 5 blondes:

Washburn

Sadie the Labrador Retriever

Spencer the Jack Russel/ Miniature Poodle cross!

They had a great time today! Look at these sillies!

Caption contest! 
What do you suppose they are saying?

-Brandolyn

More updates to come. (Lots of pictures on my phone!)