I'm looking after Mack again for a few days. I first looked after him when he was about 6 months old, and he just about got the better of me then. He peed on every last mat, rug or bed - multiple times - including his own. He would do it just after he'd weed outside. To me, it seemed deliberate. He'd wait until I took my eye off him, and then pee on Dexter's bed (again). I've never done so much laundry in such a short time, or been so angry with a dog.
Six months on, he hasn't peed on anything at all inside, although I still watch him with some suspicion when he's sniffing about. However, he's replaced peeing on Dexter's things to humping Dexter, or if not humping, stealing his toys. When he leaves Dexter alone, it's usually only to bother the cat. Mack seems to think this is the best fun he's ever had. Dexter, on the other hand, has become quite aggressive towards Mack, especially over toys. Mr D's had to have his time-outs as well as the puppy.
I've been taking Mack to the park morning and evening (I picked him up Tuesday evening, so it's only been 4 days), and giving him little training sessions, all to try to work of some of his amazing energy. Mack plays really well with other dogs in the park, only ever attempting to hump Dexter. A lot.
We went to Nudgee Beach this morning, which was great fun. Dexter went off swimming on his own, for the first time ever, despite Mack sometimes jumping on him (Mack could still touch the ground while Dexter was swimming). At one point, I thought Dexter was going to swim across to the other side!
Mack had a brilliant time chasing other dogs and playing around in the water. However, he kept running along the beach, or sniffing around the mangroves, or following other people and their dogs, so he had to keep being brought back by other people! After the third time, we left the beach part and went into the enclosed bit. More playing (and humping of Dexter) ensued, and Mack got given the run-around by a greyhound.
Both were filthy at the end (especially Dexter), which is always the sign of a great walk. Back in the ute, Mack jumped in an lay down - first time ever - which shows he'd had an excellent walk. Dexter nodded off in the front (they can't both travel in the back of the ute together).
Being a labrador, Mack got away without having to have a shower when we got back, but Dexter had to be washed. He was then feeling sooky and cold, so really not up to Mack's shenanigans. Mack was forced to have a sleep in his crate for a while, and Dexter and I cuddled up on the couch with lots of towels!
As Mack still tries to play with/hump or steal toys from Dexter, I have made my bedroom and the laundry into a big puppy pen, by putting my little expanding gate across my bedroom doorway. Mack has his toys, crate and water in there, and even Dexter's bed, but he just sits by the gate (actually, he's lying down right now!!), wanting to get out.
On this side of the gate, Dexter and Fred are both flat out on the floor, and I get to sit down quietly for a bit! It'll be dinner time in the moment. Mack's cooked chicken and rice is just cooling.
When I got Mack on Tuesday, he'd had an upset stomach for a few days. That continued for a couple of more days (with a memorable poo explosion in the ute on Wednesday morning, on the way to the dog park), and the vet told me to starve him for a day, and then give him cooked chicken (not raw!) and rice for three days, then introduce regular food again after that. And there are tablets to give. So I find myself cooking for Mack. I ate some of his leftover rice for my own dinner last night!!
So, it's been fun and games with Mack, although not so much for Dexter and Fred. Despite that, I do really like Mack. He's getting better, and is even walking well on the lead with me - unless there is a lot of high distraction, in which case the halti goes on for a bit.
I'd have Mack to stay again. In fact, I'd like to have him for longer, to build on the improvements he's made over the past few days.
Six months on, he hasn't peed on anything at all inside, although I still watch him with some suspicion when he's sniffing about. However, he's replaced peeing on Dexter's things to humping Dexter, or if not humping, stealing his toys. When he leaves Dexter alone, it's usually only to bother the cat. Mack seems to think this is the best fun he's ever had. Dexter, on the other hand, has become quite aggressive towards Mack, especially over toys. Mr D's had to have his time-outs as well as the puppy.
I've been taking Mack to the park morning and evening (I picked him up Tuesday evening, so it's only been 4 days), and giving him little training sessions, all to try to work of some of his amazing energy. Mack plays really well with other dogs in the park, only ever attempting to hump Dexter. A lot.
We went to Nudgee Beach this morning, which was great fun. Dexter went off swimming on his own, for the first time ever, despite Mack sometimes jumping on him (Mack could still touch the ground while Dexter was swimming). At one point, I thought Dexter was going to swim across to the other side!
Mack had a brilliant time chasing other dogs and playing around in the water. However, he kept running along the beach, or sniffing around the mangroves, or following other people and their dogs, so he had to keep being brought back by other people! After the third time, we left the beach part and went into the enclosed bit. More playing (and humping of Dexter) ensued, and Mack got given the run-around by a greyhound.
Both were filthy at the end (especially Dexter), which is always the sign of a great walk. Back in the ute, Mack jumped in an lay down - first time ever - which shows he'd had an excellent walk. Dexter nodded off in the front (they can't both travel in the back of the ute together).
Being a labrador, Mack got away without having to have a shower when we got back, but Dexter had to be washed. He was then feeling sooky and cold, so really not up to Mack's shenanigans. Mack was forced to have a sleep in his crate for a while, and Dexter and I cuddled up on the couch with lots of towels!
As Mack still tries to play with/hump or steal toys from Dexter, I have made my bedroom and the laundry into a big puppy pen, by putting my little expanding gate across my bedroom doorway. Mack has his toys, crate and water in there, and even Dexter's bed, but he just sits by the gate (actually, he's lying down right now!!), wanting to get out.
On this side of the gate, Dexter and Fred are both flat out on the floor, and I get to sit down quietly for a bit! It'll be dinner time in the moment. Mack's cooked chicken and rice is just cooling.
When I got Mack on Tuesday, he'd had an upset stomach for a few days. That continued for a couple of more days (with a memorable poo explosion in the ute on Wednesday morning, on the way to the dog park), and the vet told me to starve him for a day, and then give him cooked chicken (not raw!) and rice for three days, then introduce regular food again after that. And there are tablets to give. So I find myself cooking for Mack. I ate some of his leftover rice for my own dinner last night!!
So, it's been fun and games with Mack, although not so much for Dexter and Fred. Despite that, I do really like Mack. He's getting better, and is even walking well on the lead with me - unless there is a lot of high distraction, in which case the halti goes on for a bit.
I'd have Mack to stay again. In fact, I'd like to have him for longer, to build on the improvements he's made over the past few days.
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