Starting to Bond

Our last post was about how the Sunshine Boyz were having a little trouble getting along on occasion. I tried something different and the pictures below tell the rest of the story. These pictures were not posed. I'm so very happy they are beginning to trust each other.

Carbo and Diesel the very next day after my little experiment.

It took Diesel and Ortiz a little longer (about a week) but it looks like they're becoming buddies too.

These boys teach ME how to be patient and consistent ever day. 

Cesar Millan is right. You really do get the dog(s) you need.

Creating Peace

Even the Sunshine Boyz have an occasional cloudy day. Just because the pictures and stories I post depict them as happy and living in a doggie utopia does not mean that we are without our challenges. Put three male dogs together and chances are they will have their occasional hey-I'm-better-than-you moments. Just like three buddies in a bar trying to one-up each other, Ortiz, Carbo and Diesel have their moments of self importance. As pack leaders it's our job to evaluate who is instigating, who snapped first and who is the innocent by stander. As you can imagine, this is impossible to do all the time. On those occasions when you do know the roles they played, I believe it's good to take full advantage and SHOW them what behavior you do expect from them as their leader. 

Ortiz is the second in command to our position. He takes his job seriously and is always overseeing what the other two "clowns" are up to. Ortiz is slick. He dominates the others through head-games and his death stare. It's very subtle to humans but very obvious to other dogs.

Yesterday we had a breakthrough moment. After giving the Sunshine Boyz a bath, I rewarded them each with a treat. Afterwards, Diesel was the first to express his "joie de vivre" by doing his little bunny hop dance. Carbo joined in and it was a lovely moment of bonding. Ortiz thought this was foolish behavior and gave Diesel the signal to stop. Well... that really pissed Diesel off and he snapped. Diesel exploded all over Ortiz. After a few moments I was able to break it up and put them in a down position. These Weimaraners are so sensitive to correction that I've learned that all I need to do is stand over them with my hands on my hips and they submit by giving me their bellies. 

Once there was peace in the valley again, I brought them all together and tried something I had been thinking about... I had them lay down next to each other and simply relax. This may not sound like much but after their brawl and considering Ortiz and Diesel's lack of affection for each other, this WAS a big deal. With patience and treats I gently brought them together to accept each others physical touch. My goal was to have them recline ON each other and be in a peaceful state of mind. It worked. I rewarded them with treats and calm assurance. 

I was able to snap a quick picture with my iPhone. While it doesn't do the moment justice, it does remind me that they need us to SHOW them what we expect and what we approve of. 

Actions are always louder than words :o) 

Digging For Groundhogs

I can't imagine what would be better for a Weimaraner on a bright Saturday morning than a good old fashioned groundhog hunt!

My Main Man Ortiz

Diesel and His Booties

Here are a few clips of Diesel learning to walk with his new booties. His paw pads were so raw when he was first rescued... poor thing :o(  Even though it was awkward for him to learn how to walk with them at first, I believed they helped a lot! They kept his paw pads clean and padded. Along with some daily anti-biotic ointment this boy's paws are almost good as new! 

These 3 short clips were all taped on the same day. It didn't take him long to figure out how to maneuver in the booties. One thing we learned pretty quickly was to be sure they were fastened nice n snug! 

This was also the time we had discovered his real name. We were still in amazement how that all happened! Notice in the clips how quickly he responds to his name! We have no doubt in our minds!

 

 

 

Diesel Gets Comfy

Oh, Diesel...Watching you come out of your shell and seeing you enjoy life has warmed our hearts. What a good boy you are :o)

Ummm and yes, that is Ortiz wearing a Hawaiian lei. Don't tell him I posted the picture. He'd be embarrassed...

 

 

Training Begins

Interestingly enough, training is actually easier with 3 dogs rather than 2.

In these pictures we obviously have treats but they've been really great without them. They thrive on praise and knowing they did the right thing. They seem to take on a competitive spirit too, which helps! 

It kinda looks like we're running a doggie rehab lol!!

The THREE Amigos ~ Diesel's Story

The Sunshine Boyz pack just grew by one! Our new foster baby, previously know as "Cole", has joined our family. His story came across our radar and we just couldn't turn away... Could you? 

"Meet Cole! He is a stray in a local North Jersey shelter who is in need of a foster home. He's neutered, HW- and UTD on shots. The vet at the shelter says he's a nice boy. This young adult  blue Weim seems to have lost his way and no one has claimed him." 

We learned that this poor boy was wandering aimlessly in the Meadowlands complex for days. His paws were torn up and he was very scared. For days he evaded the caring people that were trying to capture him.  Eventually he was taken in to loving hands, given medical attention, food and a much needed bath!

The new people in this pooch's life were trying to make sense of how a sporting dog like a Weimaraner could find himself lost in the swamps of northern New Jersey, ehhh forgettabouit. A very smart individual took note that there are many truck stops in that area. There was a very good chance he was traveling with his truck driver master and lost his way.  

Once "Cole" (named by the animal shelter) made his way into our home he became very comfortable, very quickly...

He was obviously a very loved, cared for pet at one time in his life. Everyone, including myself, have searched the internet and other avenues looking for his owner. No luck. 

Looking at this boy's face, we knew we had to change his name. I've always been partial to two syllable names for dogs so we started throwing around names. Eventually I turned to the internet and searched "red-neck dog names". Hey, don't judge me... It's funny and you know it.

Cooter, Skeeter, Gator, Diesel, Tator...

"Wait!" said Steven "Say them again." I did. When I called out "Diesel" the second time, our boy popped to attention and bounced over to me. He stared right into my eyes as if to say, "Hey, you know me!"

After a few more tests it was obvious we had, by some crazy cosmic chance, discovered his real name. Let me tell you, he was visibly thrilled to hear someone say his name! You could actually see him becoming more confident and secure the more we said it. Diesel.

It wasn't long before we felt confident to let him off-leash with Carbo and Ortiz in the back yard. He romped. He chased. He didn't run off!

Needless to say, it was an exceptionally long day for him. Exhausting.  By the end of the day, Diesel needed to refill his tank.

And by the next morning, our boy Diesel was charged and all revved up and ready to go!

Undoubtedly there are some of you wondering if Diesel will become a permanent member of our little pack.  Some may be curious about how Carbo and Ortiz have taken to this new whippersnapper in town. And others may be questioning whether we've lost our minds by adding a third dog to our already busy lives!

HA! Guess, y'all just have to stay tuned and find out ;o)

Weimie Dress Up

You all knew it would happen sooner or later... 

Yet I thought I would be the one behind the shenanigans. My daughter Emily took the initiative a few days ago and made the Sunshine Boyz feel "special". Ortiz went right back to sleep but Carbo wanted more attention, and a spot of tea. 

CLICK the pic and smile

Canine Cousins!

What a weekend the Sunshine Boyz had with their cousins, Cooper and Marnie!  
Click on the pictures below and see for yourself :o)

 

Great Swimmer!

Carbo would swim across the Atlantic to retrieve his tennis ball. As much as he loves it, we have to monitor him closely so he doesn't get too exhausted. 

He sure is a magnificent sight to behold :o)

Quiet Time With Carbo

The paw of a doggie that loves his romps

Carbo's schnoz

Cesar Millan always puts Carbo right out

Dreaming of a chase in the grasslands of Kenya

Ortiz's Thoughts

This morning Ortiz was rather animated. What could this boy be thinking?

 

Ahhhh... Can you smell that??

This is my good side. Now hurry up...

Hey, are you lookin' at my butt??

O solo mio...