We haven't been able to take him into the bush much past the 50' to the river's edge because of his right leg. However we did get permission to go onto a neighbours land that is groomed trails down to the river and would be easier on him. We also got permission to take the horses in and it within walking distance to the entrance - yeah! We took Rhi and the dog across the street for some off lead time and water play. Rhi looks like she is telling Star off as Star was trying to steal her stick. She really has an elegant face - not the snub one that it looks in the picture. I see it didn't upload so I will have to try again.
Tinsel's Journey
- Thread starter Tagg
- Start date
Danisgoat: You would understand when I say I would rather deal with a shedding dog than the mountain of hair from a shedding horse that has been rolling outside to add scent to the exercise. I've actually have to stop and sweep in the middle of doing Ariel or risk taking a bad slip under 1300 lbs of horse. I've never had a horse grow winter coat like this one and she's been tested a few times to make sure her thyroid is okay. Her tail grows like a pony's. Really thick and down to the ground to the point she backs onto it regularily. Every couple of months we have to cut about a foot off. My Appy friends only think they want that tail 
I just hope Tinsel can hold off going into a shed until we resolve the grooming issue. I don't want him to mat up because I can't get him groomed to the skin yet. I'm surprised we haven't had to deal with this already as he had surgery on the December 4th and I always get a big shed after anesthetics. The gods must be with us - no shedding and great weather since he came.
I just hope Tinsel can hold off going into a shed until we resolve the grooming issue. I don't want him to mat up because I can't get him groomed to the skin yet. I'm surprised we haven't had to deal with this already as he had surgery on the December 4th and I always get a big shed after anesthetics. The gods must be with us - no shedding and great weather since he came.
danisgoat
Moderator
My Appy friends only think they want that tail
I just hope Tinsel can hold off going into a shed until we resolve the grooming issue. I don't want him to mat up because I can't get him groomed to the skin yet. I'm surprised we haven't had to deal with this already as he had surgery on the December 4th and I always get a big shed after anesthetics. The gods must be with us - no shedding and great weather since he came.
I was just about to say.....I wish we had a tail, lol. Great feet on an app, not so great mane and tail, lol.
You have certainly been lucky that Tinsel hasn't matted up too much. Hopefully by the time he sheds, he will be comfortable with grooming.
Tinsel has now mastered the down command. He is finally understanding the mat work as well. I am going to start a lesson in Go, to make him go ahead of me in hopes of doing two things. First, to come back to me and second to go to the door that leads outside.
He has started the "sacred recall". This is the recall that has to be rewarded every time it is asked for. His cue for it will be "hustle". Maybe one day he can safely be off lead because of it.
Wednesday of next week will be his first lesson in scent work. We will be starting him with learning to find objects like lost keys, wallets, gloves, maybe even a cell phone. Because he has no retrieval behaviour as of yet and he can't bark very well we will teach him to sit when he locates the item. Looking forward to this game - I think it will give him more self confidence.
He has started the "sacred recall". This is the recall that has to be rewarded every time it is asked for. His cue for it will be "hustle". Maybe one day he can safely be off lead because of it.
Wednesday of next week will be his first lesson in scent work. We will be starting him with learning to find objects like lost keys, wallets, gloves, maybe even a cell phone. Because he has no retrieval behaviour as of yet and he can't bark very well we will teach him to sit when he locates the item. Looking forward to this game - I think it will give him more self confidence.
I'm eager to hear how the scent work goes. I asked a local trainer what she'd recommend for my rescue, Rusty. He already knows basic commands, I'm not sure if he's cut out for Agility. But, he loves training so much I think a class would be good for him She recommended a class in nose work. She said it is great for building confidence. I'm fascinated by the idea because I would have never thought of nose work for a Sheltie.
I'd be happy to tell you what we are doing each class. I'm also thinking that I might be able to get him interested in Treiball. He wouldn't be able to do more than one ball because of his physical state but he might enjoy pushing one around - we'll see once we get the gates done on the agility paddock - a Spring project here.
Emmasmom
Forums Sage
Tagg - Tinsel has come so far under your love and care. It brings tears to the eyes to read of your frustration at first and how much he has opened up over time.
Let us know how he makes out with the Treiball and tell me, where did you get one? Liam would love something like that and I am sure Nats would as well.
Let us know how he makes out with the Treiball and tell me, where did you get one? Liam would love something like that and I am sure Nats would as well.
Hi Emmasmom: Treiball is done using human exercise balls. There is a really good youtube video on teaching it if you google it.
It is pretty rewarding to see how he is coming along. Sure, he has a ways to go but he is enjoying the learning process almost as much as I am teaching it to him. I wish he was more physically able to do things because there is so much that I think he would love to do. Oh well, he's now more than content, he is alive. Best of all, he's ours.
It is pretty rewarding to see how he is coming along. Sure, he has a ways to go but he is enjoying the learning process almost as much as I am teaching it to him. I wish he was more physically able to do things because there is so much that I think he would love to do. Oh well, he's now more than content, he is alive. Best of all, he's ours.
Well, it's official. Tinsel has his own designation in the house of Towynridge. It's "Mooch, the Pooch". His dad has been feeding him while we sit having breakfast at the island in our kitchen and now "Mooch" is running between Dave, at the end of the island, and me, at the other end, circling the entire island in laps every time we sit down to eat. Oh, cutesy pie that he is, he does the prettiest sits with wagging tail but his eyes are glued on what you are eating. The other two lay unconcerned knowing that when we are finished eating we might, or not, slip them something as we leave the table. Time to learn table manners if I can do it without laughing. Bad dad!
Toffee's Mom
Forums Sage
hahaha
adorable! I think he has deserved to learn some bad manners, too
Now it's time to train the human's Tinsel, now that you have learned to trust and love them!!!