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| Jackson playing with Levi |
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| Jackson well rested and ready for more! |
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| Jackson with Bear, Levi and Keilan |
Friday, April 6, 2012
A Few Photos
Wednesday, April 4, 2012
Weekend Back Home
Jackson had an event filled weekend and was an absolute star.
We traveled from Ottawa to Markham to Collingwood to Parry Sound to Hunstville and back to Ottawa! Jackson was a star in the car, and by the end was using roadside rest stops like a pro - at first I think he was too afraid to take a pee with all the strange noises!
Over the weekend Jackson met two cats, two kids, two dogs, and stayed in several different places which was a first, we realized - he has only ever slept at home with us since we got him!
He handled everything like a star. He held back from chasing down the cats (with some help from us!), he decided that despite loud noises and quick movements kids are not so bad, and he LOVED thinking he was a big dog like the 100+ pound dogs that belong to Andrew's Dad in Parry Sound. By the last day, they were traipsing around his property (large with forests, ponds and wetlands) like old pros, Jackson having the time of his life. Occasionally the big dogs would go for a run, which Jacks loved, until they turned towards him, when he would hide until they went by. He'd look around to make sure no one noticed, then run as fast as he could to catch up. He surprised us all with his tolerance for getting knocked around accidentally by the big boys, and his tenacity when it came to getting in there and playing!
The funniest part of the trip by far was when he got a little too brave drinking from a pond and fell head first right in. We all froze as he disappeared (black into black!) for a second, and then up he came, doggie paddling like crazy. Andrew's Dad grabbed his collar and hauled him out before we could truly determine how good his swimming skills were. He was a little shocked, but had a panting smile for us as we fussed over him like, hey guys, no big deal, happens every day! The next day he seemed unphased by the event, going back to drink again and running around the pond precariously. I wondered then if Jackson might not be the brightest little puppy, but he had enough caution to steer clear of the water! I don't think it will be long before he'll want to get back in though and give it another go. He was wading in and watching the big dogs swim longingly.
We met up with my mom and Niki on our way home in Huntsville, and they had a little romp despite Jackson having been absolutely exhausted from all the action on the way there. He seemed very pleased when we arrived back home to his turf and slept through the night for the first time without a pee break!!
He continues to be the best little pup we could ever have asked for.
We traveled from Ottawa to Markham to Collingwood to Parry Sound to Hunstville and back to Ottawa! Jackson was a star in the car, and by the end was using roadside rest stops like a pro - at first I think he was too afraid to take a pee with all the strange noises!
Over the weekend Jackson met two cats, two kids, two dogs, and stayed in several different places which was a first, we realized - he has only ever slept at home with us since we got him!
He handled everything like a star. He held back from chasing down the cats (with some help from us!), he decided that despite loud noises and quick movements kids are not so bad, and he LOVED thinking he was a big dog like the 100+ pound dogs that belong to Andrew's Dad in Parry Sound. By the last day, they were traipsing around his property (large with forests, ponds and wetlands) like old pros, Jackson having the time of his life. Occasionally the big dogs would go for a run, which Jacks loved, until they turned towards him, when he would hide until they went by. He'd look around to make sure no one noticed, then run as fast as he could to catch up. He surprised us all with his tolerance for getting knocked around accidentally by the big boys, and his tenacity when it came to getting in there and playing!
The funniest part of the trip by far was when he got a little too brave drinking from a pond and fell head first right in. We all froze as he disappeared (black into black!) for a second, and then up he came, doggie paddling like crazy. Andrew's Dad grabbed his collar and hauled him out before we could truly determine how good his swimming skills were. He was a little shocked, but had a panting smile for us as we fussed over him like, hey guys, no big deal, happens every day! The next day he seemed unphased by the event, going back to drink again and running around the pond precariously. I wondered then if Jackson might not be the brightest little puppy, but he had enough caution to steer clear of the water! I don't think it will be long before he'll want to get back in though and give it another go. He was wading in and watching the big dogs swim longingly.
We met up with my mom and Niki on our way home in Huntsville, and they had a little romp despite Jackson having been absolutely exhausted from all the action on the way there. He seemed very pleased when we arrived back home to his turf and slept through the night for the first time without a pee break!!
He continues to be the best little pup we could ever have asked for.
Monday, March 26, 2012
The Dogs have gone Crazy!
Jackson is having the time of his life this week, because his sister, or aunt perhaps? Is in town to visit. My mom has come to visit and help me out while Andrew is away and brought her just 1-year old Ridgeback, Niki.
While I've tried socializing Jackson a little bit with a few other dogs on leashes, I am also somewhat afraid that he will get snapped at or injured. He was, after all, the smallest of his litter and the one who ate last! Worse than physical injury would be emotional injury, as he is so innocent and just wants dogs to love him (or maybe the emotional injury would be more to me than to him!). My readings do say however that between 8-12 weeks puppies absorb the most from their experiences.
So I saw this as a great opportunity - since Niki is still a puppy despite her (extra large) size, they could play and Jackson could get in some great socialization.
Well, Niki arrived and the playing began - I thought she was going to bulldoze and steamroll little Jax into the ground and scare him silly. We kept trying to settle them down, and wondered if the next four days might have just gotten a LOT longer for us. We eventually found a compromise using our legs as barriers between couch and coffee tables, so that Niki had to crouch down and Jackson fit underneath us. That leveled the playing field a little. Well, they wrestled with mouths and teeth for what seemed like hours. But that was the segway into what has become a beautiful friendship, and more endless hours of wrestling, chasing, playing, and following.
The funniest part is while we were worried about protecting Jackson from Niki since she is bigger, he came right out of his shell right away and held his own. In fact, we've had to simmer him down a few times. When they play tug of war, he often wins the toy through his determination. And then when they play chasing games and he sometimes gets rolled in the dirt by accident, he gets up gamely and carries on the chase. He is still smart enough to duck under a chair if he hears her thundering up behind him.
So while I was worried before about him being too submissive or afraid, now I am wondering if he is getting too cocky! All in all though, I think this has been a fantastic experience for him with respect to figuring out boundaries and how to play. It also got us out to the dog park these past few days where Jackson has watched Niki wrestle with the big boys, and met several nice dogs that live nearby.
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While I've tried socializing Jackson a little bit with a few other dogs on leashes, I am also somewhat afraid that he will get snapped at or injured. He was, after all, the smallest of his litter and the one who ate last! Worse than physical injury would be emotional injury, as he is so innocent and just wants dogs to love him (or maybe the emotional injury would be more to me than to him!). My readings do say however that between 8-12 weeks puppies absorb the most from their experiences.
So I saw this as a great opportunity - since Niki is still a puppy despite her (extra large) size, they could play and Jackson could get in some great socialization.
Well, Niki arrived and the playing began - I thought she was going to bulldoze and steamroll little Jax into the ground and scare him silly. We kept trying to settle them down, and wondered if the next four days might have just gotten a LOT longer for us. We eventually found a compromise using our legs as barriers between couch and coffee tables, so that Niki had to crouch down and Jackson fit underneath us. That leveled the playing field a little. Well, they wrestled with mouths and teeth for what seemed like hours. But that was the segway into what has become a beautiful friendship, and more endless hours of wrestling, chasing, playing, and following.
The funniest part is while we were worried about protecting Jackson from Niki since she is bigger, he came right out of his shell right away and held his own. In fact, we've had to simmer him down a few times. When they play tug of war, he often wins the toy through his determination. And then when they play chasing games and he sometimes gets rolled in the dirt by accident, he gets up gamely and carries on the chase. He is still smart enough to duck under a chair if he hears her thundering up behind him.
So while I was worried before about him being too submissive or afraid, now I am wondering if he is getting too cocky! All in all though, I think this has been a fantastic experience for him with respect to figuring out boundaries and how to play. It also got us out to the dog park these past few days where Jackson has watched Niki wrestle with the big boys, and met several nice dogs that live nearby.
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Thursday, March 22, 2012
Separation Anxiety
I am sure that Jackson is presently having a lovely siesta in his fuzzy blanket in his crate, after having enjoyed a peanut butter kong, some hidden treats, a nylabone, and played with his favourite toys. As for me however, I am suffering from separation anxiety.
I am presently sitting in class trying hard to pay attention, but truly just wanting to run home and go and see my favourite little boy. After all, he generally doesn't have to stay alone at all. Usually, Andrew and I take turns with him, dropping him off with each other when the other is busy. This week however, his Dad has a work commitment afternoons and evenings, leaving me as the sole parent. And I have class on Thursdays.
We've spent tons of time on crate training, he has lots of toys, and is in familiar surroundings, but I am still finding myself wishing I could see his little nose twitch as he absorbs his favourite smells and sounds in the back yard. I wonder if our Dogs for Dummies addresses parental separation anxiety?
I am presently sitting in class trying hard to pay attention, but truly just wanting to run home and go and see my favourite little boy. After all, he generally doesn't have to stay alone at all. Usually, Andrew and I take turns with him, dropping him off with each other when the other is busy. This week however, his Dad has a work commitment afternoons and evenings, leaving me as the sole parent. And I have class on Thursdays.
We've spent tons of time on crate training, he has lots of toys, and is in familiar surroundings, but I am still finding myself wishing I could see his little nose twitch as he absorbs his favourite smells and sounds in the back yard. I wonder if our Dogs for Dummies addresses parental separation anxiety?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
Summer Day in March
Sitting outside on this unseasonably warm day (high of 26/31 with humidity in March?!), working on a paper and watching Jackson experience the backyard. He is such a super pup. He entertains himself, and loves just sitting, listening, and watching to things going on. I love that he is a watcher, and not always a doer - he's curious, but not a crazy puppy. He seems to have inherited one boxer ear, and one lab ear, so one sits above the other when he perks them up. It looks like he is tilting his head. We've also noticed that he has a wee boxer underbite!
Recent progress - several "sits" yesterday without any pressure on his bum or hind legs! Teaching him to wait before coming through the door, which he has taken to quickly today since his favourite thing to do when he doesn't know what you want is to plop his little bum down to sit and look at you. And just now, putting my oatmeal dish down on the ground (since I'm in a lawn chair), and telling him to leave it alone, which he did quite willingly.
Andrew and I are reading "Dog Training for Dummies" which is very comprehensive, and has given us the above ideas for how to introduce little training sessions into the day even when we are busy. After all, he gets fed, goes in and out, and the humans eat multiple times each day even when things get hectic! As the book says, it only takes a few minutes, some repetition, and consistency. Next on the list: the "come" command, which he doesn't fully understand yet. He thinks it is an optional thing ;) We've read up on the exercises we need to do and we'll be working on it!
Recent progress - several "sits" yesterday without any pressure on his bum or hind legs! Teaching him to wait before coming through the door, which he has taken to quickly today since his favourite thing to do when he doesn't know what you want is to plop his little bum down to sit and look at you. And just now, putting my oatmeal dish down on the ground (since I'm in a lawn chair), and telling him to leave it alone, which he did quite willingly.
Andrew and I are reading "Dog Training for Dummies" which is very comprehensive, and has given us the above ideas for how to introduce little training sessions into the day even when we are busy. After all, he gets fed, goes in and out, and the humans eat multiple times each day even when things get hectic! As the book says, it only takes a few minutes, some repetition, and consistency. Next on the list: the "come" command, which he doesn't fully understand yet. He thinks it is an optional thing ;) We've read up on the exercises we need to do and we'll be working on it!
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