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Messages - greek4

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1
Cody is 8, Rocco is about 7, Maia and Baxter are both 5.  We had a long talk (me grumping, Hubby listening) about giving all the dogs more attention in general and then giving Cody individual attention.  We have a basic plan that Cody will spend as much time as possible with me (I have a full time job, part time job, and a little boy to raise).  We started it last night, Cody stayed in the bathroom while I showered, then got shut in the room with me while I sewed, then had to go to the basement with me to do laundry, he was forced to be stuck to me like clue.  He was very relieved when I let him be with the other dogs and Drew.  BUT he did walk up to me to be petted while we were watching TV.

It was a major thing to me and I was so excited since it really didn't take much effort on my part.

We are bad about not walking the dogs in the winter.  It is cold so I don't like to take Kole outside in the evenings plus it's dark when we get home.  I work 3-4 nights a week at my church so I take Kole but no dogs.  I plan to start throwing the ball in the basement for just Cody and sometimes everyone.

Thank you all for your advice and support.  I just needed that little kick in the behind to work on his issues.

BTW, I sent an email to a local trainer and I'm waiting for a reply.

2
I was wondering how long your situation has been like this? Has it been for years or is this something that could still be in adjustment stages?

-We got married in October, Drew moved in with the dogs in September.  So it has been 4 months plus.

If this is something new for him maybe he has some sort of health issue since he is older? Maybe he just wants a quiet home. Have you spoke to a trainer?

-Drew says he never liked to be locked in a cage and he wasn't before they lived with us.  He had free reign of the house but as a bachelor there was nothing nice there.  In our home, we have kid's toys, baby gates set up, doors shut, and nice furniture.  I don't allow the dogs on the furniture.  I will find a local trainer and call them this week.  Thanks for the suggestion.

Four dogs and a baby are a lot, especially since we have another baby on the way.  The other three dogs are easy and play together and lay around until it's time for their time with us (6:15pm until 10:15pm plus I come home at lunch to give them attention).  I know it's not enough for Cody, I just feel like we are taking the easy way out.

I hadn't even thought about the fact that it could be me that he has issues with.  That makes sense.  DH feeds them and lets them out in the am.  I let them out at lunch and feed them and let them out at night.  He has only bitten that once and I try to pet him alot, he just moves away.  He will chase a ball when I throw it and drop it at my feet but he will only do it once or twice.  He listens to me when I tell him to get in his cage and takes treats from me when I say ok but only if Drew isn't around.

I think I will start letting the other 3 stay outside during my full lunch hour and only let Cody in with me and I will work on obedience for a week or so and see if that works.

3
My husband and I both brought two dogs each into our marriage.  My two dogs, Rocco and Maia, and one of his dogs, Baxter are great together.  They are fine with our routine of am eat, outside to go potty, into cages for the day, outside to play for an hour at lunch, eat dinner then outside when I get home from work until they get tired and want to come in (usually 30 minutes to an hour), then they hang out in the kitchen until our son goes to bed. 

His older dog, Cody isn't doing well with my dogs, doesn't like being in his cage but destroys things if left out, barks constantly when outside, whines when he is in the kitchen, and just can't seem to settle down when we are all hanging out at night.  We let the dogs hang out one at a time with all of us before Kole goes to bed but they are all big so we can't have all four out with us. 

Drew is getting really upset with having to yell atbthe dogs when Cody growls and starts things, let Cody in while everyone else plays outside, listening to him whine in the kitchen while we are getting Kole ready for bed, then having to deal with him stirring everyone else up in the evenings.  Plus, he whines and barks on and off throughout the night in his cage.  I won't let him sleep with us because he spooks easily at night and I get up a few times to use the restroom or check on Kole.

So, this week Drew has started talking about finding him a new home.  I don't think we should because he committed to raising him for life when he got him and I made that committment when we got married.  Cody is safe, warm, and well fed but not happy.  I want Drew to spend more time with him alone but he is not willing. (Cody doesn't love me, he won't let me pet him, only feed him and let him in and out).  He bit my hand once when I reached for him but it didn't leave a mark and as soon as he made contact he knew what he did and licked me.

What do you guys think we should do?  I am willing to keep him and put up with him.  But is it fair to him.

4
Introduce Yourself to the Forum / Re: Returning Member
« on: December 09, 2008, 09:56:44 am »
Here are a couple pictures that show what Rocco and Maia do with their time.

Rocco lays on/in/around all baby toys.  He likes to carry around cars and take them when Kole is playing which just pisses the little man off.

Maia keeps her distance unless there is food involved.

We are going to try to get a good Christmas picture with kole and the four dogs next weekend.  Wish us luck.

5
Introduce Yourself to the Forum / Re: Returning Member
« on: December 09, 2008, 09:31:55 am »
Sure thing.  Rocco and Maia look pretty much the same.  The new two furry additions are Cody (hairy guy) and Baxter.

I added a picture from our wedding day.

And my little man loving on my cousins little dog in GA.

6
Old English Mastiff Discussions / Loss of Bladder Control
« on: December 09, 2008, 09:18:16 am »
Maia is 4 and half now.  She was spayed at 1 year old.  She has been diagnosed with hormonal incontinence and is now on medicine twice a day for the rest of her life.  Do other mastiff owners have this issue or have you heard it is common with mastiffs.

She doesn't even realize that she has left a nice big wet spot on the floor or in her cage.  But with one little human baby and one on the way we noticed quickly.  The medicine quickly resolved her issues as long as she gets it religiously twice a day.

7
She is the same Grace I remember hearing stories about a year ago.

8
Introduce Yourself to the Forum / Re: Returning Member
« on: December 09, 2008, 08:45:27 am »
Thank you it is nice to have time to get back on here every once in a while.  Life flies by and changes a lot in a year.  I've been trying to spy on all the old members that I remember to see how they are doing.

9
Introduce Yourself to the Forum / Returning Member
« on: December 09, 2008, 08:29:29 am »
I'm back.  I was on Big Paws Only a lot a year or so ago but then got busy with work and life.  I'm back now and I have two more dogs added to our clan.  My loving husband entered the picture this year and brought two more crazy dogs with him.  We are all doing well and all four dogs get along great and drive me batty with all their barking.

10
Behavior, Housebreaking, Obedience / Re: Shocking!
« on: October 28, 2007, 06:30:11 am »
My dogs both spend their days in a shock collar for barking since I am selling my house (you would be suprised how scared people get even when they are caged) and they spend the day in a pen in the garage.  Their barks echo in the garage and my neighbor had a fit, so I got two collars and put them on them.  I only had to turn the collar on for an hour on a day I was home and they realized what happens if they bark with the collar on.  Now the collars have no batteries and they still don't bark.

Rocco acts depressed when he first gets the collar on the morning but when I get home and let them out he plays like normal.  Maia doesn't even acknowledge the collar is on and is as sweet and crazy as ever. 

First, I tried the machine that gives a high pitched correction, those don't work.  Then I tried the collar that sprays them when they bark and those stopped the barking until something else triggered them again.  Both my dogs would bark if they hear people, noise, dogs, just about anything.  Now they take just long enough to think if they have the collar on that they forget they were going to bark.

Good luck with the neighbor.

11
If you know of anyone else looking for a home in Oswego, I'm selling one.

12
Collars, crates, & other cool things / Re: Best gate for Big Dogs??
« on: October 24, 2007, 12:56:36 pm »
I wish I could recommend something but I have a similar issue.  Maia is scared of all gates but Rocco will just jump over or knock down anything (if he feels like it).

13
Anything Non-Dog Related / Re: For the Moms, RECALL INFO
« on: October 24, 2007, 12:47:22 pm »
Congratulation s to both of you on your pregnancies.

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Anything Non-Dog Related / Re: For the Moms, RECALL INFO
« on: October 24, 2007, 12:15:47 pm »
Do you know if the other brand of seat was recalled?  Bebee or something.

15
Anything Non-Dog Related / Been MIA...but I got news
« on: August 13, 2007, 06:09:22 pm »
I have been MIA for a while due to a large work schedule but I have some time on my hands now.  Nikolas 'Kole' James was born on Friday so now we are just hanging out at home for a few weeks.  Rocco is having some trouble not getting in Kole's face every chance he gets, therefore, Rocco gets in trouble a lot.  Maia just does drive by checking to see what he is and why he is so loud sometimes.  My Dad and Sister are here helping us out which makes Rocco and Maia both very happy since as you know anyone who enters this house has come to see them and only them.

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