As of January 10th, Lyra and I have been attending puppy classes! It so far has definitely been worth the money despite what Azam says about it not having any value! Both she and I have been learning lots and she's been doing amazingly well! Her trainer, Jon, is very impressed with her progress! The only thing though, is every time we go to Petsmart (her classes are through them), she has to say hi to everyone, so walking to the training centre, doesn't take the 2 minutes it normally does, instead it takes 15! But I rather have her be friendly that aggressive towards other people and animals!
She's learned sit, down, leave it, take it, stand and we've been practicing her loose leash walking. They combine hand signals, luring and clicker training. We definitely enjoy our classes!
She's also been able to make a new friend Nikkita! Nikkita is also turning 4 months and is a German Sheppard.
I highly recommend that all first time dog owners take some classes. I like the classes that Petsmart offers because it allows me to work with her. Other obedience classes that we've looked at, requires us to leave her in the care of a trainer and just visit her. It also requires a committment from the owner. Her class is about an hour long, however we practice everyday! I've gained much knowledge and have learned different techniques for training! It's a great way to spend one on one time with her. We look forward to our weekly classes! We're going into week 4!
The Petsmart classes were also a great deal. We paid, $120 for 8 weeks of classes. It's 1 one hour long class each week.
I also recommend taking your dog to as many places as possible so that they can grow accustomed to traveling. Lyra is very well behaved in the car and loves going for rides. Also our weekly visit to the pet store allows her to meet and socialize with other dogs!
I'm also going to take Kiko to some classes for older dogs!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Collars
I have found that finding cool and unique things for your dog is very difficult. Granted there are stores that sell stuff, but they're all too "cutesy" for my liking. I've been looking for a set of collars for Kiko and Lyra for a while now and so far haven't found anything that really interested me....that is until now. Most of the things online are available in US dollars and the cost to ship to Canada (even though we're just right above them) can be astronomical. I even scoured e-bay and haven't found anything to my liking.
I discovered this website over the weekend, and they're Canadian with Canadian prices!!! They have some really nice stuff that I haven't seen anywhere else. Dogcollars.ca is offers dog collars and leashes for the modern, trendy, Canadian dog! Their collars and leashes are spectacular. Needless to say I'll be ordering for Lyra and the Kikster!
I'm thinking for Lyra: Hampton June Bug or the Espadrille Mojito (it'll go nicely with her eyes)or the Newport Sky
For Kiko: Madison Classic, Derby Stripe Truffle or the Montauk Sea.
For now, I'll get them one each and then eventually buy some more, after all a girl does need fashion choices! (and she needs to coordinate with what Ansaar is wearing! lol). I love the variety of colours they have.
They ship all over Canada for $5.00 and 10% of their profits are donated to dog rescues!
They sell mainly Nylon collars, which I think are the better choice of the available materials out there!
The collars also have matching leashes. For now I think we'll just go with the collars.
I'll add pics once they arrive, I'll be ordering tonight!
Here's the website:
http://www.dogcollars.ca/
I discovered this website over the weekend, and they're Canadian with Canadian prices!!! They have some really nice stuff that I haven't seen anywhere else. Dogcollars.ca is offers dog collars and leashes for the modern, trendy, Canadian dog! Their collars and leashes are spectacular. Needless to say I'll be ordering for Lyra and the Kikster!
I'm thinking for Lyra: Hampton June Bug or the Espadrille Mojito (it'll go nicely with her eyes)or the Newport Sky
For Kiko: Madison Classic, Derby Stripe Truffle or the Montauk Sea.
For now, I'll get them one each and then eventually buy some more, after all a girl does need fashion choices! (and she needs to coordinate with what Ansaar is wearing! lol). I love the variety of colours they have.
They ship all over Canada for $5.00 and 10% of their profits are donated to dog rescues!
They sell mainly Nylon collars, which I think are the better choice of the available materials out there!
The collars also have matching leashes. For now I think we'll just go with the collars.
I'll add pics once they arrive, I'll be ordering tonight!
Here's the website:
http://www.dogcollars.ca/
Military Dogtags!
I found this wicked website that creates actual dogtags for your dog! I'm tired of the typical ones (e.g. the tiring bone version or typical circular tag) out there and have been looking for the military style ones. I went to a store in the mall that does engraving and it's way overpriced! Mydogtag.ca is absolutely amazing!
There is a dogtag generator that allows you to preview your purchase before buying. It's a very simple process and the end result is awesome! They have a variety of styles to choose from which include: U.S. Army Dogtag, U.S. Marine Corps Dogtag, U.S. Special Forces Dogtag, U.S. Navy Dogtag, U.S. Air Force Dogtag, Notched WWII Style Dogtag, Semper Fi Dogtag, Canadian Armed Forces Dogtag and even the Wolverine Dogtag! You can customize the information on it as well. The best part is that it's not at all expensive! They range from $7.99 CAD - $14.99 CAD and you get 2 tags each. Definitely worth it to give your pet a cool set of tags! You can choose from a variety of silencers (mom likes to hear the jingle so she knows where they're at at all times) and fastners (these are all included in the price).
I've ordered a set for Lyra and Kiko. I can't wait for it to come!
Here's the website:
http://www.mydogtag.ca/order.php
There is a dogtag generator that allows you to preview your purchase before buying. It's a very simple process and the end result is awesome! They have a variety of styles to choose from which include: U.S. Army Dogtag, U.S. Marine Corps Dogtag, U.S. Special Forces Dogtag, U.S. Navy Dogtag, U.S. Air Force Dogtag, Notched WWII Style Dogtag, Semper Fi Dogtag, Canadian Armed Forces Dogtag and even the Wolverine Dogtag! You can customize the information on it as well. The best part is that it's not at all expensive! They range from $7.99 CAD - $14.99 CAD and you get 2 tags each. Definitely worth it to give your pet a cool set of tags! You can choose from a variety of silencers (mom likes to hear the jingle so she knows where they're at at all times) and fastners (these are all included in the price).
I've ordered a set for Lyra and Kiko. I can't wait for it to come!
Here's the website:
http://www.mydogtag.ca/order.php
Monday, January 25, 2010
Hair, Hair, Hair!
One of the joys that come with sharing space with our four-legged friends is the never-ending battle to eliminate hair!
When Kiko and lyra started sharing our space, I literally felt as though I was drowning in a sea of dog hair. I am a bit of a clean freak, so imagine my predicament...I was constantly sweeping...between my Mom and I, we were quite literally cleaning house as long as we were awake...sweeping and or using a floor swiffer six and seven times a day, plus mopping several times... to eliminate the hair, as well as that wonderful doggie aroma!
Thank goodness for the internet! We discovered the "FURMINATOR" website. The most amazing de-shedding tool available for dogs. There's also shampoos and nutrtion supplements.
We have eliminated processed dog food from their diet. They now have an almost daily bath...finally found use for that mega tub in the washroom!! We use a variety of shampoos in rotation - an oatmeal shampoo that we purchased from the vet, the furminator shampoo and solution, another shed control shampoo from the pet store, as well as a black pearl (for Kiko) and a white pearl (for Lyra). Combined with a twice a week de-shed with the furminator, and a regular brushing the rest of the time, the hair, while still there has been reduced to an almost tolerable level ( no hair would be my ideal - but that was in the pre-doggie days - I can still dream, can't I?). Now I find that we can safely sweep twice a day and only swiffer and mop once a day and the floors remain in tolerable condition. Kiko and Lyra no longer have that "eau de doggie" smell...all is fairly well.
When Kiko and lyra started sharing our space, I literally felt as though I was drowning in a sea of dog hair. I am a bit of a clean freak, so imagine my predicament...I was constantly sweeping...between my Mom and I, we were quite literally cleaning house as long as we were awake...sweeping and or using a floor swiffer six and seven times a day, plus mopping several times... to eliminate the hair, as well as that wonderful doggie aroma!
Thank goodness for the internet! We discovered the "FURMINATOR" website. The most amazing de-shedding tool available for dogs. There's also shampoos and nutrtion supplements.
We have eliminated processed dog food from their diet. They now have an almost daily bath...finally found use for that mega tub in the washroom!! We use a variety of shampoos in rotation - an oatmeal shampoo that we purchased from the vet, the furminator shampoo and solution, another shed control shampoo from the pet store, as well as a black pearl (for Kiko) and a white pearl (for Lyra). Combined with a twice a week de-shed with the furminator, and a regular brushing the rest of the time, the hair, while still there has been reduced to an almost tolerable level ( no hair would be my ideal - but that was in the pre-doggie days - I can still dream, can't I?). Now I find that we can safely sweep twice a day and only swiffer and mop once a day and the floors remain in tolerable condition. Kiko and Lyra no longer have that "eau de doggie" smell...all is fairly well.
Friday, January 22, 2010
The Joys of Being Female
So now Kiko is in heat. I am learning more about dogs in heat than I ever cared to know!
The first night she was moaning as if in pain with a restlessness that reminds me of myself when I am in her condition. It's as if she just does not know what to do with herself. I ended up staying awake with her until the wee hours of the morning when she finally settled down - wouldn't you know it, she left and went to sleep with Azam! So I provided care and he reaps the benefit of a calm dog.
Poor thing, she now has to suffer the indignity of having her female parts being wiped constantly. Thank goodness the bleeding is still minimal! We've tried the doggie diapers, which are expensive. The largest size is XL ' cause she is a big girl - not an effective way since they come apart as soon as she moves. Lyra also pulls them off. We tried adult "Depends", but they fall down when she moves, plus we have to cut an opening for her tail which loosens the lining of the diaper. Our next trial was with regular human panties (doggie panties are very expensive) and sanitary napkins. Eureka! They worked! I should patent this idea!
Kiko showed a remarkable amount of patience with our shenanigans, co-operating quietly as we subjected her to our inexperience. Perhaps she understood at some level that we were trying to help her. Maybe she just figured "silly humans". Or it could be her hormonal swing that's making her more submissive. At least now I know that there won't be blood or discharge wherever she sits - not a very sanitary situation for anyone.
Regardless, I am grateful that this is the only heat that we have to live through - approximatley 21 days in total. She's being spayed along with Lyra in March.
The first night she was moaning as if in pain with a restlessness that reminds me of myself when I am in her condition. It's as if she just does not know what to do with herself. I ended up staying awake with her until the wee hours of the morning when she finally settled down - wouldn't you know it, she left and went to sleep with Azam! So I provided care and he reaps the benefit of a calm dog.
Poor thing, she now has to suffer the indignity of having her female parts being wiped constantly. Thank goodness the bleeding is still minimal! We've tried the doggie diapers, which are expensive. The largest size is XL ' cause she is a big girl - not an effective way since they come apart as soon as she moves. Lyra also pulls them off. We tried adult "Depends", but they fall down when she moves, plus we have to cut an opening for her tail which loosens the lining of the diaper. Our next trial was with regular human panties (doggie panties are very expensive) and sanitary napkins. Eureka! They worked! I should patent this idea!
Kiko showed a remarkable amount of patience with our shenanigans, co-operating quietly as we subjected her to our inexperience. Perhaps she understood at some level that we were trying to help her. Maybe she just figured "silly humans". Or it could be her hormonal swing that's making her more submissive. At least now I know that there won't be blood or discharge wherever she sits - not a very sanitary situation for anyone.
Regardless, I am grateful that this is the only heat that we have to live through - approximatley 21 days in total. She's being spayed along with Lyra in March.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Let sleeping dogs lie
So the doggies are sleeping...there is quiet again. Lyra threw herself down in front Kiko and they are now curled up. A moment of calm ensues. The little ones can be so energetic. They go through periods of intense activity followed by periods of sleep.
By the way Kiko is a female Black Lab who just turned a year old on December 19th 2009. Lyra is a female Siberian Husky who turned 3 months on December 25th 2009.
I never thought that I would be taking care of one dog, let alone two! But the doggies are the innocent parties in this scenario..one cannot help but love them. They love unconditionally...no human can express that kind of sheer joy when seeing someone...except perhaps a baby when he/she sees their parent. They are good girls for the most part...except when they are chewing on cardboard or the wooden table in the warehouse.
Some back story:
Azam, my second oldest son purchased Kiko for his girlfriend, at least this is what I thought..although he kept saying that Kiko was his dog...I know, I know...we believe what we want to believe. Anyways Kiko resided at Neda's house until November 2009 when she came home for a "visit". She was supposed to go back, but was to return again in January 2010 because they were renovating their kitchen. I figured why send her back? Plus I had finally accepted that she was his dog, therefore the responsibilty for her care should be his.
Ansaar my oldest son said that he liked Siberian huskies....I should have known that those two were up to no good when he kept e-mailing me pictures of admittedly cute Siberian huskies. Then one night Lyra came home.
Coming from a background where dogs are used for guarding the home and not kept inside, it was a tremendous adjustment. To add to this my parents live with us. My Mom has her hands full taking care of my Dad who has Alzheimer's and diabetes-related complications from strokes.
So the doggies come to work with us everyday since Aaron, my youngest is in school and Ansaar and Azam both work and go to school.
Prak (my husband) loved the dogs from day one. He uncomplainingly picks up poop, bathes them and walks them. I think that it is their unconditional love that got to him. It took me a while to warm up to them...especially since they were thrust upon me. Now however, I do love them. I think that my sons know me too well. They know that I love them no matter what. They gambled and they won...'cause I am writing this while I am looking at the two dogs peacefully sleeping.
By the way Kiko is a female Black Lab who just turned a year old on December 19th 2009. Lyra is a female Siberian Husky who turned 3 months on December 25th 2009.
I never thought that I would be taking care of one dog, let alone two! But the doggies are the innocent parties in this scenario..one cannot help but love them. They love unconditionally...no human can express that kind of sheer joy when seeing someone...except perhaps a baby when he/she sees their parent. They are good girls for the most part...except when they are chewing on cardboard or the wooden table in the warehouse.
Some back story:
Azam, my second oldest son purchased Kiko for his girlfriend, at least this is what I thought..although he kept saying that Kiko was his dog...I know, I know...we believe what we want to believe. Anyways Kiko resided at Neda's house until November 2009 when she came home for a "visit". She was supposed to go back, but was to return again in January 2010 because they were renovating their kitchen. I figured why send her back? Plus I had finally accepted that she was his dog, therefore the responsibilty for her care should be his.
Ansaar my oldest son said that he liked Siberian huskies....I should have known that those two were up to no good when he kept e-mailing me pictures of admittedly cute Siberian huskies. Then one night Lyra came home.
Coming from a background where dogs are used for guarding the home and not kept inside, it was a tremendous adjustment. To add to this my parents live with us. My Mom has her hands full taking care of my Dad who has Alzheimer's and diabetes-related complications from strokes.
So the doggies come to work with us everyday since Aaron, my youngest is in school and Ansaar and Azam both work and go to school.
Prak (my husband) loved the dogs from day one. He uncomplainingly picks up poop, bathes them and walks them. I think that it is their unconditional love that got to him. It took me a while to warm up to them...especially since they were thrust upon me. Now however, I do love them. I think that my sons know me too well. They know that I love them no matter what. They gambled and they won...'cause I am writing this while I am looking at the two dogs peacefully sleeping.
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