Merlin and the park...
out their new snowboards that their dad had rigged to be safe for small kids (he put a rope handle on it and they dont use the boots) Well of course Sir Nibs(aka Merlin) came out with us. As some of you know Merlin has "issues" with other dogs. We got to the park, we had the whole place to ourselves, we let Merlin off leash (it is a safe park to do this as you have to walk about a 1/2 mile from the road, to get to the hill) Merlin loves to chase the kids on their snowboard, we were having a great time watching our sheepie herd the uprights. Then another family arrives with their black lab. We leash Merlin and tell them that sometimes Merlin is not so nice with other dogs. They said to unleash him as their dog is quite capable of handling any dog as her playmates are quite rough. We unleash Merlin, he runs straight for Sylvie and there is growling(mostly from Merlin), we are watching carefully incase we have to intervene. All of a sudden the growling stops and the dogs are running together having a great time. A few more dogs come along after that and Merlin didnt utter a single growl at any of them. He had a great time and all of us were so pleased with his response to the other dogs. We went back to the park the next day to see if we could meet other dogs and Merlin ended up chasing a Goldie that wanted nothing to do with him. So we called Merlin back to us. The goldie went home and more dogs came and again Merlin was a very good boy playing with the dogs. Maybe he is outgrowing his ridiculous behavior of growling at other dog? |
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| That's great news, it will be so fun for him if he accepts other dogs. |
| Hey that's great news!!
Same thing happened with my Merlin, he had gone to the dog park daily since the age of 12 wks, rain, shine, fog, no matter the weather, never missed a day. You'd think he'd be well socialized but for a two month period he got into a bossy stage ..so like a kid I'd remove him and took him home. Went on long walks instead. How old is your Merlin as between the ages of 9-12 months they test and then it appears they do it again at aprox 2 years. Even tho I visited with Panda (I usually visited with each dog seperately) I missed seeing Merlin romping with his buddies. After 2 months I brought him back...yeah!!! he behaved really well for 3 days...on the 4th day he got really bossy with a 7 month old pup and it scared the owner. I tried to assure her it was a dominance thing and not aggression as it's common for the boys to go through "testing" during the teen years. Ah much like the uprights! For now, I'll continue with our long walks. I'm so happy things worked out well for your Merlin and just like people they have their favorites too. His first buddy whom you mentioned was a girl probably had a lot to do with it as there is no competition. The boys..sigh just like uprights always seem to try to out do each other..must be the testosterones! hee hee >>apologizes to all the males at the forum. Marianne and the boys Mother of two boys and 12 nephews, and three male dogs  |
| I posted a reply to this, but it disappeared..... lol
Anyway, it really is great news Kim! I'm so happy for you all. I really think that having another dog take up the alpha position helped him. I think he thought he should take on an alpha role that he wasn't born for, and that maybe confused him. Having another dog put him in his place might have allowed him to relax, and have fun, without feeling like he had to be in charge of the situation. |
| Kim,
I'm so proud of Merlin! You must be thrilled! I was just thinking of him this weekend (and the time he was lost). I couldn't be happier to read this good news! Good Boy Merlin!!! Kristen |
| Aww thanks, poor Merlin has a terrible boo-boo on his paw from the last outing to the park. It is as if the skin on his pad has come completely off. It looks exactly like it did when he had frostbite after being lost. We are using stuff called "Invisible boot" next time out. For now we are putting healing cream on it (we had some left from his frostbite and luckily it hasnt expired...so that means NO trip to the vet!)
We might even have to get him booties (ok stop laughing!  ) |
| Awww poor baby! Hopefully the cream and invisible boot will help clear it up quickly... the areas that were frostbitten are probably more sensitive and delicate due to the damage done to them before.... Merlin is maybe in for a pair of mukluks? LOL |
| How about some Uggs (I think that is what the furry boot things from Australia are called) ? |
I spoke to the vet tonight about Merlin's poor paws. He didn't think it had anything to do with the frostbite he suffered last winter. He said they should have healed with no ill effects. And then vet said in a nice way..my boy is a WUSS! He asked is he was outside much (well, no he isnt, he is a VELCRO dog!!  )
We need to toughen his pads somehow,(I guess daily romps in the peagravel is too soft to toughen his pads) but until then he said he hated to do this but he actually recommended we get some boots for Merlin. |
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