Uh-oh. It looks like a Beagle won Westminster. This is bad. I fear for the neighborhood. No offense to the beagle owners out there, but the fact that they're bred to bay doesn't bode well for my sleep!
Hail, Snoopy! Beagle Wins Westminster
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Perils of Pig Skin
Monday night, I fed Grete a Pork Chomps pig skin chew. Tuesday around 5 am, she puked it and her dinner up. Later that same day, she puked again. She didn't want to eat all day. Last night, she reluctantly ate some chicken, and I thought she was on the mend.
Today, I called the vet just to see if there was some OTC medicine I could give her to ease her obviously troubled stomach.
She's now on the bland diet and Pepcid regimen for 3-5 days.
The goal is to get her to eat about 3 cups of cottage cheese and 3 cups of rice per day. She also gets 5 mg of Pepcid every 12 hours.
She's taken her first pill with the help of a pill pocket, and she's licked up about a tablespoon of food.
Today, I called the vet just to see if there was some OTC medicine I could give her to ease her obviously troubled stomach.
She's now on the bland diet and Pepcid regimen for 3-5 days.
The goal is to get her to eat about 3 cups of cottage cheese and 3 cups of rice per day. She also gets 5 mg of Pepcid every 12 hours.
She's taken her first pill with the help of a pill pocket, and she's licked up about a tablespoon of food.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Class overload and other ramblings
As you may know, I've taken Grete to A LOT of classes. A LOT.
At Ahimsa, we have taken or are taking the following classes:
We did the intro puppy course. We went twice a week for 6 weeks. $199.
We did the intermediate puppy course. Once a week for 6 weeks. $195.
We did the advanced puppy course. Once a week for 6 weeks. $195.
We are currently in the field trip course. Once a week for 6 weeks. $125.
http://ahimsadogtraining.com/
At Fun Quest Dog Sports, we are in the very beginning agility class. Once a week for 6 weeks. $185.
http://funquestdogsports.com/
As you can see, group lessons in Seattle average over $30 per hour.
(As you can also see, I have a small addiction to my dog.)
The problem with Agility is that after you get to Agility 4, you need to go private. I have no idea what private lessons cost with my current instructor.
Another instructor who I've talked to advertises private lessons at $60 per hour. Her classes are cheaper, and so if I use their current rates as an estimate... My guess is that I'm looking at $75 per hour to continue with my current agility instructor.
That said...
I'm really starting to wonder if group classes are where it's at. Group classes have 6 students. If you simply get one or two other people interested in a private lesson, you can possibly pay less AND get more 1-1 attention.
While I do think that group lessons are useful because they provide distractions for the dog, what you're really, really paying for is someone to tell you when YOU mess up. It isn't about the dog. It's about the handler. Distractions come free in everyday life.
In my case, I'm also paying for the space and equipment. Equipment is a solvable problem. Space... I definitely need to find a better and bigger space to train.
At Ahimsa, we have taken or are taking the following classes:
We did the intro puppy course. We went twice a week for 6 weeks. $199.
We did the intermediate puppy course. Once a week for 6 weeks. $195.
We did the advanced puppy course. Once a week for 6 weeks. $195.
We are currently in the field trip course. Once a week for 6 weeks. $125.
http://ahimsadogtraining.com/
At Fun Quest Dog Sports, we are in the very beginning agility class. Once a week for 6 weeks. $185.
http://funquestdogsports.com/
As you can see, group lessons in Seattle average over $30 per hour.
(As you can also see, I have a small addiction to my dog.)
The problem with Agility is that after you get to Agility 4, you need to go private. I have no idea what private lessons cost with my current instructor.
Another instructor who I've talked to advertises private lessons at $60 per hour. Her classes are cheaper, and so if I use their current rates as an estimate... My guess is that I'm looking at $75 per hour to continue with my current agility instructor.
That said...
I'm really starting to wonder if group classes are where it's at. Group classes have 6 students. If you simply get one or two other people interested in a private lesson, you can possibly pay less AND get more 1-1 attention.
While I do think that group lessons are useful because they provide distractions for the dog, what you're really, really paying for is someone to tell you when YOU mess up. It isn't about the dog. It's about the handler. Distractions come free in everyday life.
In my case, I'm also paying for the space and equipment. Equipment is a solvable problem. Space... I definitely need to find a better and bigger space to train.
Reviews
Off and on, I've been reviewing dog products on Amazon. It occurs to me that I should review them here first, and then move them over.
In the meantime, if you're curious, here's an entry with links to all the dog products I've reviewed so far.
Crazy Dog Train-Me! Training Treats Liver
-- Grete says "Meh."
Premier Latex Ladybug -- Mom says "Meh."
Vari Kennel Ultra Intermediate Clay / Slate Pet Carrier -- Good kennel. Sides slope in so its now too small.
Alaskan Bear Treats Wild-Alaskan Salmon Dog-Treat Nuggets -- Grete says "Meh."
Orijen Adult Dog Food -- LOVE IT!!
Newman's Own Organics Dog Treats for Medium Size Dogs, Chicken -- Good, but crumbly!
Reflective Easy Walk Harness & Leash Combo -- Great product once you get the right size.
How to Teach Your Dog to Talk by Captain Haggerty -- Fun book.
Cain and Able Paw Rub -- Love it!
In the meantime, if you're curious, here's an entry with links to all the dog products I've reviewed so far.
Crazy Dog Train-Me! Training Treats Liver
-- Grete says "Meh."Premier Latex Ladybug
-- Mom says "Meh." Vari Kennel Ultra Intermediate Clay / Slate Pet Carrier
-- Good kennel. Sides slope in so its now too small. Alaskan Bear Treats Wild-Alaskan Salmon Dog-Treat Nuggets
-- Grete says "Meh."Orijen Adult Dog Food
-- LOVE IT!!Newman's Own Organics Dog Treats for Medium Size Dogs, Chicken
-- Good, but crumbly!Reflective Easy Walk Harness & Leash Combo
-- Great product once you get the right size.How to Teach Your Dog to Talk by Captain Haggerty
-- Fun book.Cain and Able Paw Rub
-- Love it!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Pup Life Rocks
I recently purchased the Easy Walk Harness from Pup Life, but the medium turned out to be too small. Here's what they wrote in their email to my request for sizing info. (I'm in love with this seller, and I want the world to know.)
Now, THAT'S great customer service. I really am in love. I wrote back the following:
Thank you for your recent order! I am sorry to learn that the Easy Walk Reflective Harness & Leash Combo you purchased is too small.
Because dogs come in all shapes and sizes, it can sometimes be difficult to get the perfect fit.
The Large Harness has a chest strap that adjusts from 11.5"-16" (ring to ring) The Medium/Large Harness has a chest strap that adjusts from 10.5"-15" (ring to ring)
These measurements reflect the actual chest strap (not the girth measurement which would include the strap that connects to go all the way around the dog).
Here's what I suggest: go online and purchase the Medium/Large Harness. I will send you both the Medium/Large and the Large along with a pre-paid return label to send the Medium and either the M/L or the Large back to us. Once we receive the harnesses that do not fit I can issue a refund (so essentially you'll only end up paying for the harness that fits). One more thing - at 9 months your pup may continue to grow so keep that in mind.
http://www.puplife.com
http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&me=A1ZOLBWMWHY5GG
We want your PupLife.com experience to be a great one! If I can be of further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Woof woof,
Leslie from PupLife.com
http://www.puplife.com
PupLife.com - Happy, Healthy Dog Supplies
Now, THAT'S great customer service. I really am in love. I wrote back the following:
That sounds perfect! Thank you so much!
I've placed the order for the Medium/Large.
I don't have a Pup Life order id, but I have an Amazon one.
Order Placed: XX
Amazon.com order number: XXXX
You are amazing. I really plan to do more business with you in the future.
Thank you!
p.s. I can't stop thinking about how much you rock. I recently placed 4 different orders for pet supplies with 4 different sellers. You were, by far, the fastest. You beat out SitStay, Pets Pro Shop, and even Amazon. If only I had known, I would have ordered my Guardian Gear collapsible crate from you. As it stands, it's late being delivered and I won't have it for class on Sunday, and I'm sad. You've easily won my loyalty with your speed and friendliness. Thank you!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Grete and friends... now famous!
Grisha asked to use Jason's photos from Advanced Puppy. Grete and her friends now have a spot on the Ahimsa website: Advanced Puppy Training Class
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Grete graduates another training class
We start Agility 1 on Sunday at Fuzzy Buddies with Pritamo Kentala, and we have a new Ahimsa class with Grisha Stewart at U Village starting on the 22nd.
Now we just need to find more time and space to practice!
Friday, December 7, 2007
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