There's No Place Like Home Toto Part II

Agatha Blog Post

Winding down through the mountains, with runaway truck ramps whizzing by I find myself longing for the low country and the promise of 10 days in a small cottage in South Carolina, bliss indeed.

Thinking how nice it would be to get unloaded, I knew poor Agatha was ready to trade her cramped spot in the backseat for a chance to stretch her legs and have supper.  

Mountains on Agatha's vacation

Agatha's vacation view from highway

Siri announces that our pet-friendly hotel is coming up at the next exit and it can’t be soon enough, we’re all starving and in need of dinner and a place to relax for the night after our grueling (read my grueling) trip through the mountains.  It had poured torrential rain for part of our journey, we had crossed enormous mountain ranges, all John & I, and Agatha too wanted to see was a bed that wasn’t moving and a place to lay our weary heads. 

(Note to self: Never use Hotel.com to find “pet-friendly” accommodations.)

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Parking close to the entrance and unloading a ridiculous amount of bags and doggie accruements onto the trolly, we staggered road-weary and looking a bit the worse for wear into the beautiful lobby and approach check-in with a wagging tailed Agatha in tow.  The look of displeasure we received from the official-looking person behind the front desk boded that things were rapidly taking a downward turn.

She stared unhappily at our small wagging tailed dog and as John asked if we could check-in, stopping him in mid-sentence & crisply informed us that (unnamed dog-hating hotel chain giant) absolutely did not allow pets.

Agatha blog post

Ever hopeful and ready to make friends, even Agatha wilted in the atmosphere and sat pondering her empty stomach and the perplexities of travel when one has four feet.

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My pleas of confirmation numbers and pre-paid bookings had no effect and realizing that further attempts were falling on deaf ears,  we loaded a bewildered but hopeful Agatha back into our vehicle. Thus began a fruitless search alternating between looking for a pet-friendly room and trying to wrestle the exorbitant charges off our credit card for the room we’d been promised welcomed dogs but were refused entrance to.

Just to keep things interesting, Siri helpfully led us on a two-hour wild goose chase through the fog-filled mountains looking for a hotel that would accept pets. The last straw was when she steered us giddily on a 20-mile loop, finally depositing us in a remote area that she claimed was the address for a pet-friendly Hampton Inn.  Bewildered we sat looking at a mountainside with not even a street lamp to illuminate the hotel-less isolation.

Finally, after turning Siri off and upon reaching civilization once more we headed desperately to the first hotel that appeared within view.  My hero goes in to plead our cause and comes out in a few minutes trailed by a cheerful young woman with beautiful auburn hair.  He opens the door to the backseat and she peers in at Agatha and announces “Oh she’s adorable!  Bring her in and if anyone asks just tell them she’s a service dog!”  “Just be sure she’s really quiet so we don’t get into trouble.”

Only narrowly resisting the urge to fall weeping and grateful on her shoulder, I followed the little procession into the lobby with proudly wagging newly promoted service dog Agatha in tow. Disaster was averted moments later when I felt the lead tighten and looked down just in time to realize that ever vigilant for possible situations, Agatha had spied her reflection in the glass doors and was on the verge of a barking fit.  Feeling a bit hysterical myself, I pull her abruptly to my side with a frantic whispered SHUSH!  Within a few merciful minutes, we wound our way to a rather musty-smelling room and collapsed on the rock-hard bed for a fitful night’s sleep.

This morning slightly refreshed we had breakfast at a Cracker Barrel, Agatha happily perused the bacon-scented air and was overjoyed that I remembered to bring her a bite of pancake. Things were definitely looking up she said.

Agatha the Apothecary

There's No Place Like Home Toto Part I

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Agatha, like most dogs, enjoys a road trip, but as we are driving southbound on Interstate 77 headed to Charleston SC in search of a bit of genuine sunshine, I begin to wonder if perhaps she wouldn’t rather have skipped this particular trip and stayed in the comfort of her own home.

We start out innocently enough as we wind our way through picturesque farmland and contented cows grazing peacefully along the road.  The miles pass and the slow climb through the heights begins.  As we begin to thread our way through the Appalachian mountains, my better half decides that we needed to “make better time” and I watch with increasing alarm as we begin racing down through the steeply curved roads of the first high elevations.  Ever the backseat driver, I keep a fevered eye on the speedometer as we make the steep climb up the aptly named Big Walker Mountain.  

(I was overjoyed at the summit to read a small sign proclaiming we were at 3405 feet elevation).

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This picture was not taken from an airplane.  

(Anyone else see The Long Long Trailer?) 

John in typical fearless husband fashion rockets blissfully over the top of the first mountain and we begin our descent.  

As we hurtle down the steeply curved interstate I try to enjoy the view that’s unfortunately liberally sprinkled with alarming warnings of dangers on the road ahead. 

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My glazed eyes see the speedometer hovering near 80 mph, my darling husband is singing happily along with an old favorite “Ghost Riders In The Sky”.  He reaches the line “their horns were all on fire and their hot breath I could feel” while I peruse YouTube videos of recent spectacular automobile mountain crashes in the vicinity.  

(To say I’m not having a relaxing journey would be a vast understatement).  

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We race down Big Walker Mountain, an aptly named behemoth that is peppered with these charming scenes, the need of which I try not to entertain at any great length.

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Agatha overhears several rather heated exchanges about speedometer readings.

John tells me to put the iPad away.

As they say, all’s well that ends well, and we eventually make it through the heights none the worse for wear to reach our halfway point and to what we were hoping was a good night’s rest.  Pulling off the exit and peering through the fog and dimly lit signs pointing to our hotel destination, I had an uneasy feeling our adventure was just about to begin…

That my dear readers is for the next blog post and indeed is just the beginning of this three-part doggie tale!

Agatha of Agatha's Apothecary

Happy Birthday Carter!

Every morning I open my Inbox to a wide assortment of mail, many of them from some of my past puppy people with tales of their much-loved puppies now doing the job I raised them to do,,, bring PUPPY JOY!  Here's "Carter" an exceedingly handsome puppy all grown up into a really beautiful adult doggie with a fan club of people who love him, I love to see amazing dogs living their lives with families who are completely head-over-heels in love with them!

"Hey Terry,  Her is the beautiful pup you called Foxfire, we call him Carter!  Celebrating his birthday weekend!   As you predicted, he is the hit of any puppy gathering.  No matter where we go, a walk, tricks class, groomers etc everyone asks what kind of dog he is and just adores him!  He is the love of our life,,, thank you!!!

Having a great dog and putting the energy into educating that dog and helping him be a beloved member of the family will add so much enjoyment to a family.  Kids that grow up with dogs like Carter are blessed to have learned to care for and learn responsibility at a young age, dogs like Carter make us laugh and get out and take walks, meet the neighbors, engage with strangers who admire our cool looking dog, the list of good things the "Carters" add to our lives is endless.

"GOOD DOG CARTER!!!"

Snow Bunny

Ohio gives up on winter rather slowly, just as the birds begin to sing and a few warm days tempt us winter-worn northerners into thinking that finally we can put away the woolies and start afresh with some spring things for a change.Agatha, on the other hand, loves snow with all her canine heart.  As I look out the window and alas, see yet another unseasonably late snowfall drifting down from what should be sunny skies.  I realize that at least some of the little people on the place will be exceedingly happy.  The snow accumulates quickly after all this IS Ohio, that's what snow does here.  I bundle into a warm jacket and head out to get a bit of fresh air and let Aggie do her favorite thing, roll around in the white stuff until she resembles a small dog shaped snow creature.First she stands trying to catch each flake as it falls from the sky, the icy crystals begin to frost her long coat liberally, I see a bath in her very near future.  Agatha says I am definitely no fun.   She races back and forth, happy and unaware while I plot bath-time revenge.She rolls luxuriously, rubbing her shoulders happily from side to side, I try not to run to the house for towels, I see visions of that fluffy coat melting liberally onto my clean kitchen floor.  How can I resist that joy-filled face?  Oh well, what's a bit of melted snow between friends?Uh oh,,, did somebody mention a BATH???  

Download your "A Puppy's Christmas Wish" eBook here!

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Thank you for you for downloading this ebook! I pray it is a blessing and joy to you and your loved this Christmas season.Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Puppy Diva!

Pandora Radio Is Making The Puppies Cry

I had decided it was time to change my much-loved fall theme to my even more beloved Christmas one.  Since the stores are full of Jingle Bell pillows and early Santas, I find the longing to bring in some of Christmas, perhaps a bit early this year.As I brought out my favorite little snowy bits, the tiny reindeer prancing, a wooly grey fox in a bright red jacket, I decide that of course it’s time to turn on the Christmas music.  Fiddling with the dial on our rather too complicated radio system, I was rewarded with the sweet strains of Silent Night, violin and cello achingly sweet.  Sudden tears sprang to my eyes, Christmas music always makes me sad, I’d forgotten.I drift back to my bright laundry room where the puppies were half dosing, waiting for me to do their Christmas photos so they could get back to the more important business of life. PLAYTIME!!!No one does Silent Night better than Manheim Steamroller, and as I slowed my pace to catch that poignant old melody, I heard it, a small plaintive “Woooo Woooo Woooo!” “Wooo Wooo Woooo!” Obviously, I wasn’t the only one who gets sad listening to Christmas music.I peeked around the corner of the hallway, and sure enough, there was a furry little bundle, his nose tipped to the ceiling doing his best to sing along.  ‘Woooo Woooo Woooo WOOO!” he wailed.  “Ooooo Wooooooo Oooo!”  There’s nothing more adorable and yet heart wrenching than the sound of a tiny Cavachon puppy mournfully wailing along with Silent Night.  It was that cello that did it I’m sure.After laughing rather unkindly at his little woebegone face, I scooped him up and told him that all was well, but that sometimes the sweetest things can touch our hearts and make us cry.He gave me a kiss with his flannel puppy tongue and was soon back at the business of being a puppy, paws waving in the air, trying to make off with one of Santa’s reindeer, he’s only a puppy and can’t stay sad for very long.  Besides, Santa will be here soon and everyone knows Santa always shares his Christmas cookies with any little puppies who happen to be waiting up for his arrival. 

Why I’m Not A Fan Of Rawhides

(It’s not the obvious answer to the question)Most pet owners have heard of the dangers of giving your dog a rawhide bone or treat. You don’t have to search very long on Google to realize that not only are the average rawhides on the market laden with everything from heavy metals to toxic glues and dyes, but that ingesting them can cause impactions and worse. Yikes! No wonder they are strictly on the off-limits list for your beloved dog.There are other several other problems with offering your puppy the wrong kinds of treats and my concern today is to discuss the behavioral aspects of giving your puppy something that could make her forget all her puppy manners in an instant. Perhaps more importantly, how to use treat time to help reinforce your position as leader of her tiny pack.

The average pet store has a dizzying array of dog goodies, pet food manufacturers have happily supplied our desire to give our dogs rewards and created a multimillion dollar industry devoted to rewarding and yes, sometimes spoiling our pets.So, you ask, what’s wrong with bringing home a wonderful chicken-basted delight for your new puppy? I’m glad you asked, there are actually several problems that might arise when you unpack that yummy smelling bag from the local pet emporium.

“I gave my puppy some new treats and now she's got loose stool and her tummy seems upset. She even had an accident in the house and she almost never does that. What did I do wrong?”

• Your puppy's tummy is sensitive and upsets can occur when she ingests heavily flavored treats and biscuits. Best to keep things basic and simple for immature puppy tummies.“My husband brought home a huge beef basted bone and now Lily runs away with it when I try to get it away from her. Currently, she is under the couch gnawing on it & she growls when I reach in!”

• Giving your puppy an amazing bone to chew on might seem like a good idea, but it’s easy for her to become so excited about her new prize that she decides to keep it from everyone at any cost.

It’s like giving your teenager who just got her learning permit, the keys to your new SUV & telling her to go have a great time!Lily isn’t a terrible puppy, but the heady aroma and delicious taste of her new treat have made her forget herself It’s NEVER ok for our dogs to growl and guard their doggie treasures, don’t set yourself up for a confrontation with your new puppy over something that could have easily been avoided. More about potential guarding behavior and what to do about it in another post.For now, help baby Lily stay out of trouble by keeping her treats simple and not too wonderfully delicious until she’s older and able to be a responsible driver : ) For now, boring treats and teething pacifiers are puppy perfect! 

Who is Your Puppy Learning From?

Remember, your new puppy is like a sponge, she’ll absorb and learn from everyone she associates with, so keep an eye on her four footed role models!

Just like with children, puppies quickly pick up behaviors and begin to imitate the older more mature friends they spend time with. If your neighbor wants their barky Jack Russel Terrier “Bosco” (who loves to run off, ignores their shouted commands, and is more than a little on the disobedient side of things), to spend lots of time having play dates with your little angel, be aware that your baby could quickly begin to display some of the same hard to correct behaviors if she spends too much time with Bosco on a regular basis!

Try to tactfully keep interaction with dogs who are not good role models to as much of a minimum as possible,

or you’ll have a little Bosco of your own before you know it! “Bad company corrupts good morals” be they canine or no! That being said, playtime is important for dogs of all ages, there’s no better way for your puppy to learn how to be a stellar canine companion than to observe the great dogs in your circle of family & friends and have them help her learn the doggie ropes. Rather than wrap your puppy in cotton wool & never allow her to put a paw to the ground when other canines are around, just be a good observer and if you think things are heading in a direction you prefer your puppy not go, don’t be afraid to scoop her up for a bit of a time-out until the rough housing ends or the less than well behaved Fidos head to greener pastures! Let her practice a bit of patience and either pop her in her crate for a nap or hold her out of harms way until calm reigns.

Never forget, your puppy is always learning, you decide what you want her to learn and more importantly, not learn, no apologies!

Agatha Goes Camping

We decided to take a much-needed mini-vacation, it’s been a couple of years since we’ve really taken a break. With Christmas fast approaching and it’s typically rather frantic pace, now was the time to get away for a bit. Before the annual pleas from parents besieged with cries for a puppy and letters from puppy craving children begin to fill my Inbox.Ohio outdoes herself as fall begins to wane, the trees have been amazing, and I know that they’d best be enjoyed for the first snows are not far away.Agatha loves a road-trip, especially since we usually take an assortment of things along to make meals in the evenings, a few snacks that catch her attention the moment they come out of the bag.The first night we decided on a movie and, of course, popcorn. I try to keep our diet reasonably healthy, but occasionally, we all need popcorn. Agatha so agrees...To make up for our evening caloric excesses, we decide to try some exploring. The little farm where our cabin is situated borders a state forest, perfect for a hike and Agatha dances happily, ever ready to check the perimeter of any dwelling for possible intruders. She’s already been patrolling the interior, watching carefully out each door just in case she has to deal with a situation.Suddenly, in the midst of our getting jackets on for a much-needed bit of exercise, we realize that taking Agatha along might be a problem.The problem with this plan is that that our charming cabin comes equipped with it’s very own resident outdoor cabin cat.A very capable looking cabin cat, complete with very sharp dog dispatching claws. An exceedingly fierce cat who we watched dispatch the little dog from next-door with cat-like efficiency.Agatha has never seen a cat. I don’t know how we’ve missed this part of her canine education, we had a cat years ago, but he went to cat heaven long before Agatha arrived as a puppy.Sure enough, as we try to sneak out through the back door to avoid Agatha meeting the cat face-to-face, the inevitable happens and our plan begins to fall apart in several very important ways.First because cabin cat (who has begun to grow in my fertile imagination into a small panther), spies us coming innocently out the door. (Skulking out his door is how the cat termed it I’m sure).Agatha see’s her first glimpse of a real live cat.Agatha wants to see the cat, close up, very close up.Little does my small dog realize that this particular cat is perfectly willing and able to dispatch one small Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog with the greatest of cat ease.Husband and I retreat to the kitchen to decide our next plan of action while aforementioned Cavalier stands at the screen door hurling insults at the now snarling cabin-panther-cat.My Hero, (also known as my husband John), decides to do a bit of dispatching of his own, and sends cabin cat off the deck in a cloud of dust. After all, he reasonably reminds me, we are paying a rather exorbitant amount to enjoy this cabin, not wrangle dog hating cats.With the cat happily off hunting dogs in greener pastures, we managed a rather brisk hike up the gigantic mountain (hill) behind the cabin. Agatha did a lot of pulling us strongly along at the end of her lead, scouting behind every tree for her new enemy.Thankfully, we were able to complete our hike and get back to the safety of our cabin with no serious cat/dog encounters for which I was exceedingly thankful.Agatha is napping, in her favorite position, with head on her paws, so she won’t miss a possible snack event. A large leaf hangs off her ear, a reminder of her victorious afternoon.She snores loudly, dreaming I’m sure of tomorrow and another chance to show that cat what a real dog looks like.I turn on the porch light and there sits her nemesis with a satisfied look on his feline face. He’s been washing his paws daintily, obviously pleased with himself after a hard day’s work. After all, tomorrow is another day he says.

Puppy Potty Training Blues

(“Or I thought she was trained, what happened?”)

So things have been going fairly smoothly in the house training department with your new little puppy love. Then out of the blue, your little fluffy bundle starts to slip in her faithful adherence to the house rules. As you come through the family room you almost tread in a puddle that shouldn’t be there, or so you thought!You can tell by the guilty look on little miss’s face that she knows better, (or you think that’s what she looks like) and you try not to overreact but what’s a puppy owner to do you ask?

• Should you correct her?
• Why is she suddenly having accidents?
• Is it your fault?
• DOES she know better?

For pity’s sake, let’s get this house training part of puppy-hood over already, you sigh...

Probably one of the most frustrating parts of house training a new puppy is thinking you both are getting it, only to find your puppy seems to have forgotten all her training and has gone back to step one of the process.When I’m asked what the quickest way is to resolve this sort of misstep in the process, my first thoughts are what the puppy owner may be inadvertently doing to confuse their puppy.It’s so important to go slowly in the amount of freedom you allow your new puppy to have in the early days after her arrival. It’s always better to prevent accidents that to have to back up in puppy training to eliminate bad habits. Here are a few tips if things have been going swimmingly and suddenly taken a turn in the wrong direction.

Make sure everyone is watching carefully for “Pre-Potty Behavior”.

If she’s playing energetically with the kids in the family room and pauses to sniff the floor, perhaps walking in a small circle while looking bewildered, scoop her up quickly and out she goes. During playtime it’s easy for puppies to get distracted, then suddenly realize they have to GO! You only have about 3 seconds to scoop her and prevent an accident.

• It may help if you see her begin to squat to clap your hands sharply or speak her name loudly “Bella, NO! Potty outside!” to hopefully stop her long enough for you to scoop her up and get her outside.

• Keep a few Cheerios in your pocket, give her one or two along with praise in a couple of key areas. When you get to the door to go outside, stop and praise. “Good Bella! Potty Outside! Gooooood giiiiiirl”! Give her a Cheerio to help layer going to the door with a reward. Cheerios or a similar small easy to swallow treat can be a big incentive. Timing is everything: give her one as you open the door, with a “Good girl Bella, go potty outside, goooood girl”

• Don’t forget, when she wakes up from a nap or comes out of the crate, that you scoop her up immediately and ferry her outside.

Once you’re outside, if you find that she want’s to play and not potty, is it because she’s been cooped up for a long while and simply needs more time to romp and expend puppy energy? Try playing with her for a while, then after she’s had a chance to vent puppy energy, steer her over to the potty spot. Puppies simply have to settle a bit before they are ready to “go”. Don’t make the mistake of taking her back inside because she’s just playing and not doing her business. Take the time to exercise her.

Remember,

• After she’s had some exercise and begun to slow down a bit, stand or walk slowly near the potty area, ignore her efforts to engage you in further play. Tell her quietly “Bella, go potty, gooood girl go potty outside”. (Dogs love long vowel sounds, stretch out praise to appeal to your puppy’s keen sense of hearing).

• Be careful not distract or interrupt as she’s going, but do praise happily once the deed is done and layer praise with a few Cheerios. A few more minutes walking and letting her romp will ensure that she’s empty and ready to go back inside.

• If she doesn’t go to the bathroom and you are fairly certain that she needs to? Bring her back inside and pop her in her crate for 10 minutes. Then take her back outside and repeat a short playtime and opportunity to potty.

• OR Try “tethering”. Often tethering is very effective with the puppy that has the basic idea but is still having occasional lapses. Simply keep Bella’s leash on when you bring her back inside. Slip the handle over a doorknob or a willing child’s wrist or some other safe area where she can be watched. Put her in a comfortable spot, with something to lie on and a toy. Do the dishes or work on dinner while she ponders life and her lack of house privileges. After an hour or so, take her back outside to try again to earn some of those Cheerios and your praise.

IF in spite of all your efforts, Bella has an accident what should you do?

• If she has been doing fairly well and this is simply a lapse. It’s OK to tell her off a bit. Use tact, don’t yell, do not lose your temper. Upon finding the evidence of her misdeed, carry her back to the scene of the crime.

• Scold her while pointing at her “accident’ Your tone should be disapointed, slightly growly “Bella, baaaaad dog,,, nooooo, baaaad girl”.

• DO NOT rub her nose in it.

• A tiny swat on the bottom won’t mar her for life and sometimes is a good reinforcement to your correction.

• It can be helpful if a bit difficult to hold her while cleaning up the spot, so carry her outside to the safe zone. Begin the walking routine adding a bit of quiet praise, even before she potties since obviously she’s empty now. “Good girl Bella, potty outside, gooooood girl!” End with a single Cheerio, let her know you love her and she’s back in your good graces.

Don’t despair, a few accidents are truly not the end of the world. Your puppy isn’t going to fail at this, nor will you if you make sure everyone knows to watch for her cues & keep those Cheerios coming!