Wow, can you believe a whole year nearly since I last posted! Yes he is still here, and no he is not any better. But we do now have a new addition in the form of a little rescue Staffie girl now called Rhubarb.
There are people (I Know) who think this was a very bad idea, but I like to think of someone I once knew with a dog far worse than Custer who adopted a new puppy.. I thought this was the most stupid thing ever, but it worked very well, the dog in question is now fine and no longer attacks anything, when he used to be the scurge of our walk. So, it will work or it wont but so far its going very well.
One of the reasons for lack of blog posts was I just gave up, I could not help Custer's behavoir and nobody wanted to help us try. Dont get me wrong, in the house he is a dream - its just the 'walkies' thing.
Last week, whilst still reading up on Staffie info I registered with a facebook group 'Reactive Dogs' this could well be one of the best things I did, they recommended some reading and I ordered some book, I have only read up to chapter 2 and took Custer out today with a different frame of mind, so far so good. yes it would be really good to have some help........but this is not going to happen, so like many things in life we are on our own so time to try again. This is easier too as Custer is a different dog at home, he is so chilled and well behaved I have 'even' left him out of crate a few times with no problems (mind you, I did take my camera from the room). Today I was back to teaching 'watch me' which he did perfectly.
One thing I have learnt from this, is you need to be in a 'good frame of mind' yourself to be able to do it, if you are tired forget it. I had a good nights rest for once last night, so dog training was a whole lot easier. Just as well as after 'reactive dog training' with Custer it was time for the first recall lesson with Rhubarb.
Not too difficult as she is in love with treats!
Lets hope I do better with both training and blogging now - time to take Rhubarb for a wizz round the block, I have found keeping her tired keeps more peace in the household. After two weeks things are now calming down a bit. Wasnt the boys, it was our new little girl who was so unsettled they were both great. Here is Custer now learning to love Dolly's too.
Its quite a while since I took the camera out on a dog walk, but we only had Custer and Jaja today and there was two of us so I gave it a go. Here he is doing a 'very' rare recall, but then there wasn't anyone else about so he might as well. I would like to say there was some improvement 3 (or is it 4) weeks into the CSJ calm herbs but I really do not think there is, I cannot recall ANY evidence of calm behavoir at all. I even tried some A.Vogel flower essence on advice of a friend, they dont work either. We have made another friend on our morning walk though, another rare soul who is brave enough to walk with us, and her dog a Springer Spaniel called Alfie, who takes no notice of Custer at all so is a nice calming influence.
Back to today... here is another photo of Custer 'attempting' a fairly 'bright' look, this does not happen so often. It was a good walk in all fairness, we went to the beach and it was just full of folk, so we put the dogs back in the car and went elsewhere for a quiet walk. We only saw two lots of people, one with small dogs that Custer is fine with, and the other we managed to hold his attention with the ball so all was well. Would have been a good walk all round accept at the end when he point blankly refused to come back, not for another ball, chicken, cheese, ham.......NOTHING, so we were out quite sometime. "Daddy" is much braver than I you see, I do not let him off lead now without him being on a long line I can stamp on! so I do not have the problem, and he is back on lead as soon as I am near others.
Jaja had a great time too, this is him having abandoned the ball he got first and Custer now trying to find it. Hard to believe our Lurcher Puppy is to be 11 this year, nobody tells him that though, he can run around with Custer (who is 2 at the end of February) with great ease.
Wonder if Custer will show any signs of calmer behavoir when he gets to 2? I have a bad feeling it is more likely to be 4 year old though......
Oh dear, I see it has been some time since my last update. Well, he is still here 'just' though I must say life is still not easy with Custer. My last post was the important day of taking down the crate, this lasted for 2 weeks, when he almost ate my camera that was the last straw, the crate was put straight back up again and Custer is put in it on EVERY occasion we go out, he is never left long - infact his longest stint EVER was on Christmas day, but as he had a long walk and play on the beach then a few hours with his toys this was not such a problem.
It seemed Custer had never done Christmas before, he had no idea - we had to teach him the fun of wrapping paper, so he now knows how to catch a paper ball and rip it to bits, Jaja did help to teach him this one.
He got two presents from his nana, this giggle ball - which he is still playing with a whole 3 days later..
..and a treat ball, one that you need some 'brains' for in order to get the treats out - Jaja loved this ball and played with it for hours, he could get the plug out then roll the ball around and get out the treats..
Custer however, could not work it out at all - last night said treat ball met its end, Custer finally got the plug out, but then couldnt get the treats out so totally destroyed the ball till he did, there is now nothing left of it.
In a desperate attempt to try calm him down a bit I have started him on CSJ 'calm down' herbs, no joy yet but they do say it takes 2 - 3 weeks to help, I have another 4 days yet before we are at week 2, really need something to help, nobody can believe he is not eating a stack of additives a day he is so loopy, and yes I do take him to the beach 'early' EVERY day for a walk and some training, but he still turns into tasmanian devil if the mood takes.
To finish, here is a picture of my Aunts rescue dog I covered in wrapping paper on the day, sorry Sophie - she is a lovely dog, gets on with all people and other dogs... almost perfect.
Walks have been a bit different for a few days as we have had 'Daddy' at home. So, as there are two of us Custer has been coming to the beach with Jaja and Bailey early mornings, then late evening walkies in the park. Not as much training as he was having with me, but we are 'trying' to work on his recall and socialisation. This week he met up with some pups I have known since they were tiny, they used to play with my Alfie too. Here is the very handsome 'Fella'
Fella, and his sister 'Tilly' are littermates, they are Irish Setter x Collie, not a mix you would choose I know but these are the most adorable well behaved pair, and belong to the one lady. Here is Tilly with Custer and Jaja, it was a warm night so after a quick game of ball they were quite tired
It was so good to see Custer making friends, him and Fella did have a bit of a grump at each other to start with, but as their owner is happy to let them work things out all was well in no time, they had a great evening together.
There is still a lot to learn about Custer. Today's puppy class was another learning curve for us all, Arthur is very tuned in with the dogs and has pointed out how much fear Custer has, and how hard it is to train him because of this. We 'may' have finally found a focus though, seems Custer is very interested in the gundog 'dummy' so we have ordered a few - had to be a 'few' as he wont give it back, so that needs some work this week. We have always believed in being able to get anything off our dogs, so far with Custer we have, but the 'dummy' he refuses to part with - needs work, so as soon as they arrive we will be working on improved 'retrieve' he was getting there with the ball quite well, so should be ok.
Sorry its been a whole week since we checked in. As you see, its just so hot here (not what we are used to) the once green grass of the park is no more.
Custer is now having a walk around the park in the morning, after I have take the others out and then another in the evening, either to the park or the beach.
Its so warm for them there is not an awful lot going on really. I rarely have my camera with me, as with having Custer loose most of the time full wits are needed to be sure he is not mis-behaving, and if we see an on lead or older dog we have to get him back asap.
Custer is getting to know some dogs in the park, he has made a few friends but they do need to be able to cope with him, and few can. I think he managed to upset a lady with a Labrador this week as we didnt see her again, whoops. Custer was playing, but he does play nip like a puppy and needs telling by another dog to sort this, the Labrador did this but the owner did not like it.
Today he met a super play mate, weekend now as the OH is not working we take them all in the car to the beach, easier for me with just the one walkies. So, earlier on we were there - we met a lovely what we thought to be 'young' dog for Custer to play with, I thought he was a Pointer, but apparently he was Vizler x Labrador, and FOUR YEARS OLD. Also played like a puppy, so both large dogs and a great time was had. Its all quiet here now.
I had been very worried there was something not right with Custer, he tired so easily. OH said it was just due to him never having had the exercise, but I was worried there was something a miss...
Well, he is now getting used to exercise, recovering a lot quicker and if he does not get enough running time, usually when its just too hot he is a total pest! so thats a good thing.
At Puppy Class last week he was pretty good, better off lead than on - Arthur is happy that he is just improving in general so thats the main thing. At dog club on Wednesday not so good, he just fights on the lead (with us, to be off it I mean), when its his turn to do things he is great - but rest of the time is a tussle. Just been told the hall is being refurbished, so no club for a couple of weeks now - not sure we can go after that either as OH starts a new job, which is very early to rise, and he wont be back till after 7pm in the evenings.
Hoping for an end to the severe heat soon, so the dogs can have more fun and running time.
Not really much to say (which is a good thing) unless you would like to read me waffling on about my hatred of the hot weather? probably not, so give that a miss. But, here we were late last night at sunset time on the beach, as far as the sea as it was just too hot to do much else.
Watching Custer play in the sea did make us smile, as the first time we took him, shortly before he tried to run off towards Birkenhead.... he was scared of the water, we doubt he had seen so much before. He seems to approve of it now though, of course its nice for them to cool off too. Jaja is a big fan of the water, and Lurcher's are not meant to like it at all, so I am told.
Nice quiet uneventful walk last night, which is just the way we like it. Today, (no pics, sorry) we took Custer, Bailey and Jaja out in one car - we have not done that before, was a success too. Although as we were out early for a Saturday morning, despite it being a bit cooler than of late it was very busy, with an awful lot of dogs.. Custer did very well with them all apart from one? not sure what happened there, was a young dalmation he took exception too, we are wondering if the dog had a go at him as we have never seen him react that way, he was all noise but thats not the point, luckily we still have him on a long line so easy enough to reel in quickly. This has given me some concern, as I was hoping to take them all on my own next week when OH is back at work. Still, we are going to try again early tomorrow morning before puppy class, as I have Bailey tomorrow too, so we can see how it goes, and also a quick park walk this evening.
We were out so long this morning, poor Custer had never had a walk that long before - at the end of it I saw one of the 'dog walkers' I know, so he ran round with two other Lurchers, that was a bit silly of him... he has been very quiet all day - so just a quick one tonight.
Yes, I know - sorry about the strangely attired woman at the end of the lead - Its a hot day, all I thought of was how to keep the sun off me, not what I would actually look like! Here is Custer looking like a well behaved boy no? Well, actually no he was not, he had hurled himself to the floor and refused to move, this is how he stayed for the first 15 minutes. Then our trainer for the day (who was Nick, as Arthur was away) got out the tennis balls...
Looking good, he is sat up now and all is well... or not! "Next, throw the ball" he says, so I throw the ball and off he goes, to the shaded area with said ball. As its a gundog class, you do not take the ball from the dog, he has to give it up......... that was a long wait.
After that, Custer did actually manage some lead walking - I wont say heel work as it most certainly was not that. Then, it was time to practice recall........nobody thought this would be possible, but it seems left with the alternative of me or a stranger Custer did actually prefer me as an option, even 'Daddy' didnt think it would happen, as he had the camera poised for Custer disappearing into the distance, but no.. this was a run back to me!
Last night we took them to our local park, 'Daddy' is practicing taking Custer out without the car, as he now will NOT walk with me in a morning as he wants to get in the car, so we are trying to teach him lead walks are fun too. I took some great pics of him playing with Jaja, which is a first for them both - sadly was just too amazed to take photo's later on when he played with a very large Chocolate Labrador as bolchy as him, very rough playing but they both had a great time.
Needless to say we have not been out today as yet, I took photo's of Custer laid in the drive refusing to move.. so you will get to see those soon too.
Its off to the park again soon...........
When the OH's Mum and Stepfather announced they would be visiting this weekend, I was in a total panic. So far Custer has not been too good about letting people in the house, and he is not fond of everyone he meets. Not to mention we dont exactly have 100% control of him as yet.
As you can see above, I need not have worried. Custer totally adores his Grandma Nora, she is to date his favourite person in the world. He was indifferent to my father-in-law, but that was okay.
Is this the face of a stressed dog? his behavoir was better than it had been since he arrived with us. Was just as well really, as from 5am he had been a nightmare, we had arrived at the conclusion despite what we had been told this dog 'NEEDED' more exercise. This is him just 'next' to his beloved Grandma..
So, last night off we went armed with several feet of rope to the beach to begin a tough course in 'recall training', this was not to be though - the tide had just gone out and we had never seen so many jelly fish, which all look very appertising to a Labrador. (Do you know how much it costs at the vet when your Labrador eats a jellyfish? we do, Alfie has done it).
Not to be defeated, we walked back to the car and set off to the tennis courts to try there, alas no.. too many people there playing tennis, and it was raining! We had to make do with a long walk around the park, which was fine for the boys as it was somewhere different.
My next blog post will be our 'successful' walk today - it needs a post of its very own, but as a sneak preview here is Custer from this mornings walkies......
Oh, and Custer featured as today's dog on Yellow Dog here https://www.facebook.com/YellowDogUk?fref=ts
Amazing as this is, Custer is STILL here. Though I confess, last Sunday was a close call for him.
I have spent the week doing 3 training sessions per day, usually quite short but 3 per day. Sometimes some of that time is just spent at the end of the driveway learning to 'sit' quietly and watch the world go by, I think Custer still needs time to get used to the world outdoors.
I would say that dog club on Wednesday was pretty much like the week before, still trying to lunge at the other dogs most of the time.
Today was gundog training day, despite having worked so hard all week I really did not feel I was making that much progress. However, my trainer and another respected gundog chap both said I had done well and there was a marked improvement from last week. Cant say I could see it myself, I felt I was still spending the hour being dragged around, and still came out feeling like I had done 10 rounds with 'Tyson'. But those watching said he was doing much better. One lady who was also training, asked if I had a different dog? so although I could not see any progress others could, so I suppose that is something.
I must say I have NEVER met such a stubborn dog. Even my Mum who also knows her dogs could not believe it when she visited yesterday and Custer was determined to dominate her at all times, she now understands how when I say it is a running battle from getting up in the morning, until bedtime I am not exagerating at all.
One of the professional dog walkers on my walk (with the other dogs) wonders if the effects of his castration might kick in eventually, we 'suspect' he was only neutered in early May - so may yet have another 2 - 6 months for hormones to settle down.
Another of my neighbours was telling me she had a similar battle with a rescue Goldie, took a year but turned to the best dog she ever had............ could this be Custer? I keep thinking back to my late Labradors, so different to him. Our first boy Tigger was such a dream, and the best Labrador ever (really must do a page for him), Tess of course was very timid, Alfie was difficult to begin with but not dominant with people, very loving and until his early demise was coming on really well (he has a page on the right, the most handsome dog ever).
We have been back from dog training about 3 hours now and he has just woke up, I do think I am more worn out than him though.. I could sleep on a clothes line just now. Must be doggie tea time I think.
Will try keep the blog updated more, but little to day all week really was just most of the same. I also keep forgetting to take pictures.
One more thing though, we took the dogs out for their evening stroll last night and it rained very heavily, we all got totally drowned. Custer is frightened of the rain! Have you ever seen the like? a Labrador who is scared of water?
Don't be deceived by what you see in these pictures - OH only took the good ones. This was not my best ever morning at Puppy Class. Unfortunatly we started off with a bit of an 'incident' that has resulted in a few injuries for the OH, due to severe behavoir by Custer. Followed by a HUGE battle of wills between the two of us.
So, not the best way to start a training class. Here is our super trainer Arthur doing some further assessing...
He believes, what we have is a VERY big puppy, who has already gone through some pretty severe treatment and as a result now rebels against any form of discipline. Of course nobody can have a dog this size ruling the roost, so not an easy task at hand. We cannot allow him to get his own way at all, but have to find ways of achieving this. It is going to be a very long road ahead.
Yes, quite an impressive 'sit and stay' but it does not last long believe me! At this class Custer spends the majority of his time trying to eat the stones on the floor. That is when he is not lunging at the other dogs. What the aim now is to 'try' to get him to focus his attention on me - I think that is my homework for class, though I can't really see me managing that in only a week, but I suppose at least 'some' attention on me would be nice. Thing is I have this cracked at home, just not at all when outside the front door.
I confess today is really not a good day, I am finding it very hard with Custer and his behavoir - I know its going to be a very long road ahead, but never have I had a dog so stubborn or so difficult. Custer is my 8th rescue dog - at one time we had 5 dogs living here at once who were nowhere near as much trouble all together.
Lucky for Custer today his Dad is very determined not to give up on him - not as sure as I am today, but then my old arthritic joints are not so fond of the pressure they have been put under today.
This was the boys the other day, getting quite close and both chilled about it. Last night, Jaja decided to play with Custer, first time he has played in the house at all for many a year, Custer was more than happy to do so, but just finding it hard to work out Jaja only plays on occasion, he doesnt make a habit of it, but we did think after less than 3 weeks together this is a great start.
Tonight Custer went to dog club again, he was a bit stressed to begin with and sought reassurance from us this time, instead of just 'going into one', we calmed him down and had him focused on the ball (and maybe just a tweeny bit of liver cake) for the whole hour. He managed a walk up and down the hall with no problems, even when one of the Collies shouted at him. He is a bit tired now though.
Walkies I have mastered on the whole, but he is still lunging at other dogs - at least he is not doing it with people now.
Still not sleeping so well, but it has been hot and sunny from 4am - weather has now changed again so maybe this will settle him down.
This is how he wants to greet Daddy after work now, we are starting to think we just have a giant puppy on our hands.
Custer's new coat arrived, unfortunatly its too big, and too hot for him - and he is not keen on things over his head on a good day, so not going well. We do have our badges and car stickers though to still promote the concept, and the yellow ribbons.
Further to my last post I discovered Custer is not hurling himself at random people, its little old ladies he does not like, especially one's with grey hair. So, I have managed to sort this out now with a 'firm' LEAVE command now I know what the trigger is. He is totally fine with children, teenagers, men etc its just older women he has a problem with.
It was two weeks yesterday since Custer came into our life, I would like to say the time has flown but it has been a tricky time - but I have to say Custer is doing great, for such a short time he is learning fast, and his own sweet personality is in there somewhere, just needs coaching out.
I just got back from our evening walkies with 'Daddy' and 'Jaja' and its the best walk I have had so far, with just a half check chain and ordinary lead, no halti, no harness - the boy did great, I even got him passed two dogs with a treat (ok they were on the other side of the road, but still a plus for Custer) and escaped an old lady who charged over to fuss the dogs, eeeeeeeeeeek!!! that was a bit scary, but I got him out of the way with treats whilst 'Daddy' and 'Jaja' allowed the fussing thing. No lunging or barking.
Tomorrow is a big day, as we go to the gundog trainer and his puppy class - sure he will be fine, so its a very early start tomorrow as its so hot here I need to walk Jaja before taking Custer to training. Just hoping he is as laid back as this tomorrow...
Sorry for absence, been a long four days... Custer and his family have been fund raising for Woof Beginnings, who raise funds for small needy dog rescues. We managed to raise just over £500 which when banked will be donated. The monies raised from the dog show is to be donated to Freshfields our local animal rescue, and our friends at Husky Welfare.
The last few days have been VERY tough going for us all, as nice as it is to have good weather, heat is very tiring for us and the dogs, and the stall was so busy my helper Sylvia and I had barely no time away from it, which sounds good but six hours without a toilet or food break is hard going, and eyes in the back of your head from the 'unpleasant people' who try to steal, or win prizes by dishonesty which is of course STEALING from charities in my book and is also difficult. We REALLY need some more help if we are to do this again later in the year.
I think Custer was ready to drive us home at one spell...
As even the largest of crates is still a bit on the small side for him...
But he did enjoy his small training sessions to stretch his legs, with Daddy...
My favourite thing of the whole weekend was watching this talented man and his gundogs, I only got to watch two displays as I could not get a break from the stall, but I was totally captivated by what I saw, I have always loved to watch a gundog work - it is after all what the breed is for. I was lucky enough to have a quick chat with Arthur Telfair (dog trainer) who kindly came to have a look at Custer and has told us we have a tough time ahead but he is a nice dog who can one day become a well behaved nice dog, I am hoping this will be with Arthur's help, he has a great website here with lots of information about how he can help with dog training for dogs like Custer, and gundog work.
http://www.dogtrainingsouthport.com/
Just look at those two (above) should have seen them work for him, and no fear either which does make a nice change to watch.
The money raised from the fun dog show is to be divided between our local animal rescue 'Freshfields' and our friends at 'Husky Welfare'. The rest of the monies raised which was around £450 will be banked this week then donated to a couple of rescue's registered with Woof Beginnings.
By 6.00pm last night the dogs had enough and were ready for home please...
On the whole though, Custer did very well and was certainly a very tired boy last night. So tired we had our second full nights sleep since he arrived which was nice! He has also been pretty quiet today so far. Poor Jaja found it all a bit much today too, he was happy to have a gentle stroll on the beach this morning with Bailey, then come home to sleep on the sofa.
To close, here is Custer doing some obedience work in the ring with Daddy, he can 'sit' at least.... hopefully Arthur is going to teach us some heel work so walkies will be a bit less fraught as that is one of the main problems we are having. A VERY strong dog with no lead training, and a streak of stubborn.
