Idle-off-topic-chit chat - Part 2

jgram2

No no @ericnliz He’s waaaay too smart for Your good!

Verna

Well, @ericnliz, I’ve been wanting to say this.....I can’t hold it back.....

Ruger is quite the pistol

dsfdogs

@ericnliz thanks for the laugh this morning. Having two dogs means I'm laughing with you! Unfortunately, mine have gone from simply unrolling, to EATING the roll of toilet paper. I can't leave the tp on the hanger anymore, it has to sit on the tank. 

dragonsdofly

@ericnliz, @dsfdogs, my "world's most perfect dog", also a GS, developed a taste for bars of soap. No mundane tp for him. He would step into the tub, go up on his back legs and take the soap off the shower windowsill (6'). He was a big boy and could reach the 8' ceiling if he stretched. We went through multiple bars daily until we realized what was going on. Figured it out when I saw him doing his "dooty" and blowing bubbles at the same time. Vet said it is not uncommon. We began locking the soap in tubs stored inside latching cabinets. Very smart dog also. To counter our prevention methods he began eating the wash cloths because of the exposure to soap. "Dooty" was accompanied by not only bubbles, but large chunks of chewed bright blue terrycloth. Bath towels went next. Always had to have his soap fix. I would sacrifice infinite amounts of soap and towels to have him back again.  -Denise

jgram2

Lol then cry just a little bit over our lost ones.

ColleenD2

Those ears! I love him. He is going to be a big boy that’s for sure. So happy for you.

ColleenD2

I thought I’d show you all my current T@B, the one we have until we order. I’ve got a nice little stream running behind the place and there is a tire swing and even some bears in the back digging in the trash cans. Ha! Fire pit never got done so we will call that a burn ban for now. There’s a little dog in there somewhere but thanks to the nieces help, he could be anywhere. They love imagining the world and story in there. Whenever I need a reminder what we are aiming for, or a little pick-me-up, I just take a look at this. Our order was delayed because my husband was injured but we should be camping by winter I hope.  Our happy place.

jgram2

So cute! A great focus for your dreams til they become a reality!

Ratkity

ericnliz said:

, It WAS rolled around the back side. he pawed it & flipped the loose end so he could grab it. This little guy is WAY too smart for his own good, but I love it!!!!

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHA!! OMG.. crying laughing tears here. I sooooo know what you are describing.

Just know if he couldn't flip the loose end....here's what would've happened:

He would have taken the roll off the spindle, tossed it around, gotten it into the toilet, accidentally flushed the toilet trying to reach the toothbrush, jumped out of the way to dodge the rising water on the floor and into the bathtub/shower (an old house and a very small bathroom), pull down the shower curtain and spring-loaded rod, then run to you, sliding water/paper mache all over the newly waxed old wood floors and THEN... panting and looking all innocent, do a perfect sit and give you a cute puppy smile (complete with big brown eyes). 

Ratkity

Popper and I went to the trainer today. Popper was in rare form in a bad way. He was a complete maniac and acted like he'd been locked in a barn for 7 months and had never heard a command in his life! *sigh* He's been like that for the last two days. Then, in his excitement, tinkled on the trainer's floor as I was struggling with his collar while telling the trainer I wasn't FINE when asked how I was doing. UGH UGH UGH!

What happened in the next 10 minutes? Trainer said, let's go... we're going to the park (in the rain). He taught my dog to load up in the truck properly in 10 minutes. Something he said takes most dogs a half a day. Then we went to the park with "Mr. Suddenly Compliant" and Pops learned how to stay in the truck no matter how many of the four doors were opened until he was released. Another 2 day training for most dogs. Where'd MY insane puppy go??? Then we did sit/stay duration. I showed him my progress and the major issue I was struggling with - the trainer finally agreed that I have one stubborn pup. No problem for my trainer. Tried a new tactic. Worked!!! Success! Trainer said "let's push the envelope, he's a little tired". We walked 100 feet away called Popper from his Kennel position (Popper has a fabulous Recall). The trainer had him do a Sit beside me and then told Pops "Kennel!" Vroooom! He runs his happy self and plops inside the kennel we set up. I love this pup! Mine must have run off!!! hehe. In the end, the trainer said he could tell Pops and I had been working hard and Popper just had a few teenager days. We have homework. Always will be homework!! Meanwhile, while Popper has learned to ignore the cat, the cat has been mighty brave and has started teasing Popper to play. UGH. Never a dull moment around here.

They're so cute when they sleep!

dsfdogs

They sure are cute when they sleep.

Homebodyatheart

@ColleenD2 what a wonderful campsite you've got set up there! Maybe the puppy wandered off looking for a roll of TP?    

@dragonsdofly I can relate to "re-cycled" stuff in the yard. Reggie has a fondness for fleece and two winters ago was eating small chunks of blue fleece, which would pass, only to be eaten by his older brother, Ryan, who again would "re-cycle" them. When the snow melted we found little chunks of blue fleece everywhere. Still find one here and there!

@Ratkity Pops is SO adorable! We had a purebred GSD when I was growing up and I loved him to pieces. I just want to hug your Popper! I would of course wait to be properly introduced. Thanks for the training laughs, too.

Ratkity

@Homebodyatheart, I can't wait to hear more of @ericnliz's stories! I know the person who owns Popper's sister (a pup who is way more mature and advanced). We share stories, but it's funnier to hear the same thing happening to another GSD owner. I laugh until I cry because I've been there! My friend's pup is so different than Pops. It's funny how such different personalities came out of the same litter!!

One hard rule that I have is that if I'm getting frustrated during training him complex tasks with distractions, I stop. It means Popper is frustrated too and we both need a time out. That rule applies if work has me ticked off about something, I wait until I'm relaxed enough so my intense energy doesn't transfer to him. GSDs are very sensitive to their owner's moods and unintended body language that comes from them. I didn't realize how much so until training the other day and it was pointed out by the trainer.

I'm sure other dogs pick up on their owner's moods just like GSDs (didn't mean to single out a breed), but Popper is with me nearly 24/7 and I'm his only human owner. We go out to pet friendly places and have lots of friends, but Popper is glued to me. I've not had a such a velcro dog ever, even after 30 years of owning different breed pups. Of all of my sweet puppies that have been in my life, Popper has shown he is the smartest dog I've ever owned! 

ericnliz

Well, Our first adventure trip starts tomorrow. My high school friend & I (he has Parkinson's & has had since he was about 35) will be making a trek to Oregon for 5 days of fun & adventure with some other high school friends. I know 2 other dogs will be with the group as well, so this will be a good socializing event for Ruger. My friend will be here today so he & Ruger can get acquainted before the 8 hour drive. So far, he's proven to be a good "traveling" dog, as when my kids brought him to me, that was a 5 hour trip, and they said he did great with pit stops along the way. I will not be taking the T@B this trip (we have rented a cabin on the Oregon coast), but the next one, I will be, so I wanted to do a "test" run. My friend & I tend to make more "pit" stops than other folks, as being confined to minimal positions inside a car, or truck is uncomfortable after a couple hours of driving. I, for one need to get out & do a short "walk-about" to get some of the kinks out. I've traveled with my friend on many occasions, and his needs for getting out & moving around pretty much coincide with mine, so Ruger will have many chances to get out & stretch his legs, do his business, and get a drink.
All in all, I guess we'll see how two disabled well seasoned farts & an overly energetic 3 month old puppy survive the trip! Be good to each other out there, travel safe & I'll report back upon our return!

ericnliz

@Homebodyatheart, ALMOST forgot....I'm takin' the Pit Barrel & guess what we're havin' for dinner?????

Ratkity

@ericnliz, Ruger will be just great! It's wonderful you'll be with someone who understands the needs of bouncing 12 week old puppy. You all will have a wonderful trip . Of course, pictures or it didn't happen!!!

ColleenD2

Have a safe trip!

Ratkity

@ericnliz, you and Ruger have probably already left, but I also wanted to add that this will be an amazing bonding experience. Puppies sleep a lot and you might make him into a lap puppy hehehehehe. I keep a lot of special eyeglass wipes around. GSDs don't normally lick as much as Goldens, but for some reason, Popper wants to clean my glasses his way lol. Safe travels!

Homebodyatheart

@ericnliz now I KNOW what you’re cooking in Junior! YUM! Safe travels my friend. Bring home new stories (‘cause I know there won’t be leftovers!) And pics. You know the rules and I’d hate to have @Ratkity and I gang up on you, plus anyone else who wants to join in. In the meantime, just know I and others have very fond memories of a very tasty Q in April!

Homebodyatheart

PS: Hey @ericnliz what’s this baloney about you and frequent pit stops? I have witnesses to the contrary, including one on your shoulder! 

2Cougs

Tomorrow (June 15) is Homebodyatheart‘s birthday birthday!!!  Have a great day!

dragonsdofly

@Homebodyatheart, happy, happy happy!

Ratkity

Happy Belly Lint Day!! I hope it's a great one

Homebodyatheart

Awww shucks, thank you everyone! So far it's a great day, weather included!

jgram2

Happy BD @Homebodyatheart !

Homebodyatheart

First, Happy Fathers Day to all dads out there! 

Second, there is nothing more fun than meeting up with a fellow Tabber for lunch on their journey home across the state! We connected on a FB Tab page and she called when she was close to town. We could have talked for hours! luckily she has site reservation between here and home so an extended lunch was a perfect stop for her. Tabbers are just the greatest bunch of people! 

ericnliz

I just need to figure out how to keep the Fireball colder than the beer!

ericnliz

@Homebodyatheart, Sorry I'm late to the party, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Homebodyatheart

@ericnliz, dry ice in a cooler on wheels. You could use a harness setup of sorts and Ruger could follow you around with it.

ericnliz

@Homebodyatheart, Not a chance. I found out on my trip how much Ruger likes beer. He'd drink it all, and they won't let him buy more 'cause he's too young!