road trip!!

Saturday was a very long day for both Bryce and I. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday I have been on the road to all ends of the state. Im beat. I took Bryce with me on Saturday to Skowhegan to a horse show. He did pretty well. We used his new collar and training techniques and he seemed to do pretty well. He growled for a few minutes but quickly got over it. He wasnt too sure of the horses though. A few walked by him and they were so big he went back to trying to hide behind me. We walked down to the arena to watch a class my friends' were showing in. Another exhibitor was there with her horse who happened to be super friendly and very very nosey! The mare looked down and saw Bryce at the same time Bryce was reaching out to sniff the mare. They touched noses for a minute, smelling each other. It was sooo cute!

After we left the show, we took a ride up to Guilford to meet up with my best friend. We are planning on going camping at the end of June and wanted to check out the site we would be staying at, to make sure it is safe for the kids and dogs. She brought her Bassett Hound, Beauford. Beauford is a friendly guy who has tons of energy for a little hound. Bryce and Beauford met and loved each other. So off we went...two adults, two kids, and two dogs in the car for a ride to the spot, just north of Monson. The sites are great and Bryce got to run around a bit with Beauford. Bryce rode great with the kids (they were in teh backseat, he was in the front seat with me, on the floor....he LOVED it!). He didnt much care for the kids when we were all out of the car but he never lunged at them or seemed aggressive with them at all. My friends' kids are like my neice and nephew so I try really hard to make sure the dog and the kids are ALWAYS safe. I think Bryce will be going camping with us and we will just be sure there is a crate available so Bryce will feel safe.

We left the house around 730 am and got home around 5. He rode very very well and overall had a great day. He is learning "heel" and not to pull on the leash. We are correcting the fear growling so with lots of exposure to new things and people in conjunction with the correction, I really think he's going to be fine. It may take a little longer than we originally thought or hoped, but with the right person, he is going to be a great guy who is extremely loyal and well behaved!

New things to learn...

Bryce started his training class last night. My friend Cindy worked him since she had taken the class with this particular trainer before and we were starting the class one week late. Going into it, he was afraid with his tail pinned and trying to get away from everyone and everything. He learned how to heel and as the night progressed, I could see a difference. He wasnt completely confident but his tail was less tucked and he started to open his mouth up to breathe, in addition to yawning.

Everyone heeled around the room. There were about 11 other dog/human pairs there. A few times there was another pair around him in all directions and he just wasnt sure what to do. Cindy would just correct him and keep moving forward. He was responding to her very well. Bryce did want to hide under the tables whenever they walked by them but he was never allowed too.

Everyone was also heeling around everyone else, like a weave. He never growled when others came into his space but he did back up a little. This exercise will be done at the begining of every class so Im excited to see his progress by the end of it.

He just always seems worried about what else is out there. I really think this class is going to give him some direction and he is going to be able to learn to focus on his human instead of the rest of the world.

and one time at band camp.....

Wow, what a weekend! Chris left early on friday so by the time I got to camp with the three dogs, he had everything lugged down to the site. What a great hubby! I forgot to bring a leash with me for Buddy (they got packed in the truck, so they were already at the site), but Bryce is always on one if he is not where he can be contained. So i ended up clipping bryce like normal and putting the loop of the other end on buddy's collar. They drug me down the trail following tana.

Cindy and Rodney showed up shortly after. Buddy was a jerk and wanted to eat Ali and Baxter. He got a muzzle (the soft mesh ones) until he could prove there wouldnt be a fight. Bryce met Ali first and really liked her, then he met Baxter. They got along pretty well. I put my three to bed though so I wouldnt have to worry about them.

Saturday am, we got up and hung around for a bit. We still had four other people that were going to show up. Hindsight, I think it was better for Bryce this way. Being introduced to a few new people at a time. Ali and Baxter were running around and staying around. I decided to try Bryce off leash, and left the leash attached for a bit. It didnt take me long to realize he was going to stick right to the other dogs, so off leash he went. I did leave on his harness so that if I needed to grab him quick, Id have something to hang on to.

Bryce proved me wrong though. The rest of the weekend, he stayed around and came when he was called. He and Buddy got a little mischevious and took off a couple times. I couldnt see them but I could always hear them. I would just call and they both would come barrelling back to me. Cindy brought an extra crate so that was used a couple times so we didnt have to worry or if any one of the 5 got too excited.

We took him down to the trail to beach on the lake and he was able to do some swimming. The eyes were definitely different than they were at Penny's. Normal eyes, I would call them! lol...just like he had done that before and he seemed so proud of himself that he had gotten the toy from the water and brought it back. He spent a lot of time at camp running down to path from our site to the water, drinking it and playing in it (about belly deep) and then running back sopping wet! The dogs had toys and balls to play with but they seemed to just want to carry around sticks! hehe...too cute.

As the weekend went on, Bryce got more and more comfortable with the people. He still did his fear growling thing a few times but overall the intensity of the growl got less and less and continues to be less and less now although it has not completely stopped.

Back to the drawing board...

Carissa took Bryce last weekend. Things seemed to be going well for the most part but because of some situations Bryce wasn't okay with, She decided that she wouldn't be able to take him. Poor guy. He really wants to be loved and wants to be a dog but just has not idea how. Because of this, he doesn't know how to respond and is fearful. We are back to looking for an adoptive home for him.

We will be taking him camping with us in Oquassoc this weekend. Im hoping it goes well. I am bringing a travel crate so he will have a place to be if he feels threatened or I just need some time without "glue dog". I do think he will do fine though. Buddy and Santana will be there as well as two new friends he will get to play with all weekend. We are on vacation next week so hopefully I can get him out and excercised a bit more than normal.

The four of us went on a road trip today! My friend Penny invited us up for a few hours. Bryce entertained himself in the car by sticking his head out the window and getting his lips and ears blown around. Everytime he stuck his head out, the wind pushed his face to the right so he had to start over again, and again! lol. he also decided he would puke in the car. Great times! good thing i keep blankets over the backseat and it was just grass and spit. He likes to eat grass and I have yet to figure out why!

He was a bit afraid to go into the house but did very well. Followed Buddy and Tana-girl in. Acadia, whom he has played with before when she and Penny came to visit us here, wasnt sure what to do with the visitors but she warmed up. He was unsure of Penny for a while and of Roger, but did take treats out of Roger's hand after he saw everyone else doin it. Must have been the peer pressure! hehe Roger was also sitting in a chair so I think Bryce felt less threatened by it.

He got to experience swimming! Penny and Roger have an above ground pool. I put Buddy in, back feet first. He wasnt too sure so turned right around and got out. After I showed Santana how get in, she got back out, then a few minutes later hopped right back in. Roger said he saw only a little black butt, then a splash! haha...too cute.

We showed Bryce how to get in. He was unsure but after I showed him, he swam around a bit. We called him back because I was a little nervous about his safety (the pool isnt big or deep but still...)...he was swimming back and he had HUGE eyes! Fearful looking but excited. He got out, shook off and seemed to be pretty proud of himself. Probably about 30 minutes later he was playing on the steps of the pool but still wasnt brave enough to hop in. Ill take it though!

He had a great time playing and running around Penny and Roger's yard. It is fenced in so he was able to just let loose! Good for him!

I know the right person will come along...its just a matter of when. In the meantime, myself and everyone around me will just have to love him. :)

Naturally wired....

These two could play all day! Im thankful we had at least one day of quiet though. Buddy went to day care yesterday and wasnt really feeling like playing. Bryce actually sat down and chewed for about an hour. That was pretty great.

Tonight I knew bryce needed a walk. I tried the Gentle Leader tonight. He of course hated it! Not that he hated the walking, its the fact that something was on his face. As long as we were moving and he was not given the opportunity to get it off, he was fine. He seemed to be more confident on the road but still got scared when we were walking up my street. I made sure to use two leashes, one on his harness as a back up in case he slipped the GL, but mostly just using the leash attached to the GL. With some time, He'll be great with it.

Tomorrow is a visit with Carissa and this weekend is his overnight. he's gonna do great!

He's gonna make it!

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

he can be a jerk

Bryce is doing really well. He has been home all day with Chris and doing fine. Chris and the "kids" were outside using the potty when I got home. As soon as he saw me, he was all of the sudden "afraid" of Chris and wanted to be with me. Wondering if he has us all fooled :) We are now working on sit/wait before he is allowed out of the crate and before he is allowed through a door. He took hot dog from Chris so that was really good. Chris says he has been coming out of the crate very happy with his tail wagging.

Bryce also has his moments. He and Buddy play really well although Buddy can get rough. Bryce taunts buddy though. If Buddy is chewing on a hoof or rawhide, Bryce will come over, hover and then take it from him. Tonight he took the rawhide from Buddy, and laid down and chewed it right in front of him. Buddy had a fit! whining and crying and trying to take it back but failing miserably!

what a long day...

I took Bryce and Buddy up to Orono today. My mom was showing our 7 year old gelding in the Annual Spring Fling horse show at Whitter Farm. Komett has grown to be such a wonderful and beautiful boy! He amazes me every time I see him.

The ride up was very very loud! The boys had a wrestling match in the backseat almost the entire way up!! Carissa met me up there so she could spend time with Bryce. He let her put his harness on him in the car and let her take him out of the car. Still very scared but definitely more willing. We hung around the rail for a little bit and then sat on the bleachers to watch the classes. We noticed that the kids seem to bother him more than the adults. I think there was one outburst of barking that was quickly quieted. We did "friend" many times with all the people walking around. I didnt try to push him too much since it was all new to him and to Buddy.

Overall he did great. Buddy also did well. Only a couple outbursts in the car from Buddy and he was a very happy boy all day. I knew it wouldnt be smart to leave Buddy home in this situation but when we visit Carissa this week, I think I will. Bryce is now trusting Carissa a lot more. When he cant see me he looks to her for that comfort and leadership. Im quite sure its all going to be okay. He is just going to take some time and patience to build the confidence that I know is in there.

this week really got away with me!!

So the last time i posted was monday....Tuesday was uneventful but Wednesday was really great!! He pooped!! okay, so maybe not a big deal but it is a big deal when Bryce doesnt relax. Apparently on Wednesday during our walk, he felt comfortable enough that he pooped during our walk. This is so great for him!!

We went down to Carissa's for some bonding time. He was a bit whiny in the car and started tearing up the blankets in the back seat. He got scoleded a few times for it and eventually stopped. I brought Carissa her birthday gift early...a treat pouch, clicker, and some of Bryce's favorite training treats. He was a little afraid at first but soon warmed up. He likes his new kitty brothers, Apollo and Aspen. They are not too sure of him though. Carissa was able to get him to "touch" and "sit" for her. She brought him in the kitchen...he couldnt see me but could hear me. She bought him a toy so he did engage with her when she threw it. He took many many treats from her. He also got really close when Apollo and Aspen came to visit their mum. Overall it was a great visit and he seemed to get more comfortable as the night moved on.

Thursday night we went back down. He rode soooo much better! no whining and no destruction. Carissa was a little late getting home but Bryce was able to potty before she came home. He barked and growled a little but soon got over it. We all went for a walk. Poor guy was soooo scared!! he just wanted to be with me. He wouldnt take treats from Carissa at first but as soon as he realized he wasnt getting hurt, he relaxed a bit. The sites and sounds of downtown Belfast were a little scary so we went to the park on the waterfront. He sat with Carissa for a bit and she was able to pet him and snuggly a little. We even got a little training in.

After that, it was smooth sailing walking home. He walked playfully in front of us, knowing Carissa had the leash. He was sniffing along, Buddy would get too far ahead and then he'd run and bound to catch up with Buddy. A few times, Bryce even got ahead and looked back at Carissa like "cmon lady, hurry up!!" Too cute. Oh i forgetted.....we were just hanging around at her place and she said "come" a few times....each time he came to her on command. I think he just knew he was getting a treat! hehe He still came though...what a big deal!

Today we are gonna go to PetSmart for some socialization and visiting. I really think he is going to do well. Buddy and Bryce are currently playing in the livingroom. Making tons of noise and running circles around the coffee table. They are even playing keep away with the toys and cow hooves....the life of a puppy....geeezzzz!