September 9, 2011
Again we went out for a 'run' tonight. Archie seems to love the freedom he has. I think part of my issue with him when he won't listen is that I let him get out too far from me. So I am trying to get in the habit of not letting him get out so far. He saw the geese, well he heard them and then he saw them. He stood watching them as they flew over us, then he looked at me to see what the heck those were! He took off like a streak of shit after another gopher. I would love to see him catch one, but I'd hate for him to get bit or something. He sticks his face in a lot of the gopher holes we come across in the trail. Sometimes he even digs at them, seems to be trying to get the critters out.
Well, he had fun again, and so did I! Its fun to watch as a dog learns, and see how he evolves into a mature companion! I love my Archie! He is such a good boy.
September 8, 2011
So Archie caught a rabbit last week, turns out he is quite the little hunter. So he is officially in training for Grouse hunting! Uncle Fester is helping us with his training! He really knows how to get dogs to catch on fast. The last 3 days we have been working on him with hand signals and the whistle. He knows his commands and has done fairly well with everything. Last night he took off on me for a bit, but he came back and looked pretty proud of himself. Just like the night he had the dead rabbit at the back door. I cannot wait to see him up north! Archie is going to be a hunter after all. I just want him to join me out there, so if he flushes the birds will be a bonus, and even better if he will bring them back, but one thing at a time!
We are letting his hair grow out, back to his creature look like when I first brought him home. The only real problem with this is that nature sure does attach itself to hairy creatures, and it won't let go without a fight!
August 31, 2011
Archie has been finding his naughty ways lately. He has been getting into all sorts of trouble, peed in the house a few times, barking at all sorts of things, annoying Rocky! He is working his way to an e collar. Nothing but naughty! Well, he is still cute too! He went after Rocky a few nights ago, of course I was trying to keep them apart and got bit. Little teeth pinch, and it left a bruise. Man, little stinker! He is going to learn to be sort of a hunting dog too. Not a huge out and retrieve and kick the snot out of the woods hard core hunter. Just along for the ride, and accustomed to gun fire so he doesn't head for the next county when we shoot at something. My little buddy, he's such a ham. He sits on his rump here looking up at me, cute as a button, needing some attention. So I am off to give him some loving.
August 22, 2011
Archie has been busy working on his retrieving. We went out to our squirrel woods a few days ago, I wanted him to see it and smell it. He seemed to enjoy it out there, and he did retrieve his toy a bunch of times. We didn't see too many critters, none actually. It was inactive, but probably because everyone heard me coming and smelled Archie maybe. So they were all hidden. We will try again and see if we can sit so that someone comes out to 'play'. Anyway, his Grandma and Grandpa are coming to visit so he needs to get ready.
August 14, 2011
We have been working on roll over still. Part of my problem with Archie learning is my teaching. But I think that now I have it figured out so he should catch on here quicker. We went for a walk on the Wild Goose Trail. He did pretty well at heel on the right side, but it may have been cause he was tired. So I think I will take him out there to help him learn. Anything I can do to help him learn. I just know he will have all sorts of great tricks to show off with! He may not end up being a hunting dog like Kota, but he will do some awesome tricks as long as I can keep working with him. He is so cool though, it is fun working with him! I love him! He is my sweetie pie!
August 12, 2011
Archie and I have become so talented. He graduated from Obedience Class in July. He did the sit, stay, down, leave it real well. The walking thing we still need to work on. But he has also learned shake hands, and we are working on roll over. We want to get to play dead soon so we need roll over first! I will try to keep up with this better than I have. Its been a great summer with my new little buddy! Jade sure did a great match making with us. We both needed each other and she knew it! What a great girl she is!
May 4, 2011
Got up and took Bert, who was now Bennie, to the store for some supplies. He got a new collar, some treats, a small kong, some poo bags and holder, and some cologne. He still has that smell to him. After that we went to see Scott. He got to run around his yard for a bit. I showed Scott how well Bennie would come when I called him. He really does come to me, but he doesn’t know his name; which is good, because I will change it again.
After that we were going home and I called Keri. She wanted to see him, so I took Bennie up to see her. We took him for a walk, and he didn’t like the leash at all. He sat down and put all of his 10 pounds into refusing to move! So we just walked him without the leash. He stays close by, so for that one time it was ok.
Spent some time there, and Bennie played with the cats toys. The cats puffed up at him, Ozzy just watched him and Lily growled and hissed and made a big scene.
We went home around 1130 and the boys were up. We got started on some yard work; Dad came over to thatch the lawn. I put the little creature in his kennel for a while and he slept pretty good I think. Later I brought him outside and let him follow me around. He sort of warmed up to Kota and wanted to follow him around some. But Kota will have none of it. He wanted nothing to do with Bennie, who by this time became Archie.
Jeff and I worked on him learning ‘sit’ for a bit, but there were too many distractions. So I will have to figure something out. Jeff can take our other boys in the house and close the blinds and its ok, but the neighbors dogs were out there barking at us for the whole time so we didn’t get much accomplished. He will sit though; I just have to associate the command with the action. (Don’t I sound like I know what I’m talking about?)
May 3, 2011
Today Archie came to live with us. I finally decided on a name for him after the 3rd change. First it was Bert, then it was Bennie, and I finally have Archie as the name that fits him best.
When we picked him up the place was just north of Appleton, and the house was sort of gross. As soon as we walked in the place reeked of pee, and dog. I mean like really bad! And when we made the choice and we left, my little critter had that same stink! First thing I would have to do is give him a bath.
I didn’t really plan on bringing a puppy home so soon, so I didn’t have any food or bowls or anything. We stopped by Mom and Dad to show them. Mom didn’t really want to touch him because he smelled bad. Can’t blame her. She’s Mom. J
We had to go quick to get food, because the lady didn’t feed the dogs before we got there. So we ran over to the store and got that, then went home and fed him. At this point, he was called Bert. I had had him in the kennel in the back of my car and he had a HUGE poop accident. Poor kid must have had a bad tummy ache.
He ate and we took him outside to meet the other boys. I was standing in the yard with him and Kota came out to say hi. Well, Bert saw this big dog coming at him and started screeching at the top of his lungs! Wow, that noise hurt my ears, and poor Kota was scared too! After that Kota wouldn’t have anything to do with Bert.
Later, I got him in the bathroom. When I turned on the water he was ok, a little nervous, but still not too scared. Then I decided, in my great wisdom and forethought, to turn on the shower hose to spray him with. Again with the screeching! Scared the poor little stressed out fella a lot! I had to run water in the tub and pour it over him and it wasn’t quite so bad. So he got shampooed twice and then it took 2 towels to dry him off! He will be getting groomed in a week.
After he got his bath I held him and worked on drying him, and he just sat on my lap and was really sweet. I am a sucker for his eyes. He has such a sweet face, I am sure that is going to be my downfall. Kota wouldn’t even look at me, I called his name and he would look the other way and refused to look in my direction. Whether I had the puppy or not, he was mad at me!
When it was time for bed, Jeff said good bye and went to work, thinking I would be up most of the night. But Bert just cried for about 5 minutes and then went to sleep. About 4 am I got up and let all the dogs outside, and then went back to bed. Bert cried for about 20 minutes that time, but he did go back to sleep for a while.
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