I'm Back...

[M101]

Hi: I left for awhile because my feelings were hurt when I posted about asking Babe's owner for the expenses to date for his care, and many of you felt I was wrong to ask.

At this time in my life I did not want a pet.

But because the dog had been mistreated; had no home due to my Aunt becoming ill; etc., I felt obligated to help him.

I came to the forum to learn about Maltese'.

So I'm back. Frustrated as ever. He minds me w/n reason. I've changed his diet again...introducing foods to assist w/ his teething. He is barking for attn. His teeth are bothering him.

You all deserve medals for raising your furry babies. I'm going today to look at types of Ex-pens and crates that attach. And grooming products; educational toys; etc.

And yes, I sent her a bill for expenses. The money if ever received goes for his ongoing care. She agreed in the beginning to pay for the expenses.

I know it sounds low of me to ask her...but taking in her puppy (now nearly a year old) has not been easy. It's like taking in an infant and having the parents return when the infant is grown.

I'm tired. But I get up every day and continue working w/ him. He's attached to me...goes wild when I greet him each day...he also is trying to speak--first word "wawa"...for water.

Also, distilled water stopped all his tearing.***

;)

[Im26]

congrats on letting babe have a wonderful life and home with you :D
its never easy! but both of you will learn each day :D

distilled water? mmmmh my boyfriend tells me everyday to get it but im so lazy! i will try it out now since u saw that babe has no tearing.

u should post up pictures of babe i havnt seen him yet and im dying to see how he is doing :)

but welcome back!

[I Found Nemo]

Welcome back Linda!
Please don't get offended, it's a forum and people give their opinions thats what its all about. Some opinions you may like , some you may not!
Andrea:)

[Terrible2some]

Welcome back. I wasn't here when that all went down, but I have to agree with the above....its a forum. Everyone will have thier own opinions. Don't allow that to deter you from doing what is best for you and your situation. You are the one that is living it...not us. Bottom line. Its your life. Your decision.

[Im26]

i was reading some past posts, and i dont think anyone was bashing you at all... but welcome back AGAIN :D

[I Found Nemo]

i was reading some past posts, and i dont think anyone was bashing you at all... but welcome back AGAIN :D

:confused: I agree, I didnt see any bad posts either!:confused:

[Morkie4]

Linda, I don't think anybody was bashing you.....but just being straight up with you and your situation!! Sorry you were offended by any comments, I am sure the gals didn't intend to offend, just being honest with you!:)

[Gregswife]

Linda, welcome back. I have been out of the loop, but from reading your thread here, it sounds as if Babe is still with you. Did you make arrangements with your aunt for him to be able to stay with you? And yes, there are going to be considerable expenses involved - sometimes I think I end up spending more on my 2 malts than my kids required when they were growing up. I am sure that is not really the case - but as they are grown, I just don't remember all the expenes they incurred. Some dogs are just barkers - no matter what I try, i can't seem to break my 2 of it. Sadie always has to have the last word...I will stand over her and say "no bark" and she will look at me and bark quieter, and each time I say no bark, she will do it, but not as loud, until we are down to her barking with her mouth closed. She is sooo stubborn!!!

[Chloeandj]

Linda, I'm sorry if you were offended. I don't think anyone intended to do os, but were trying to give our honest thoughts.

I think you should relax a little bit with him. Just enjoy his puppiness and know it will all get better as time goes on. Has he been neutered?

[MaxJack'sMom]

Linda---Welcome back.:) Please don't take any offense to the suggestions or concerns stated in the postings. We are all here to help one another, and as Andrea said, everyone has an opinion and you may or may not agree with it, but we all will always be truthful with you. I think that is the most important part of this forum. We don't sugar coat our concerns or suggestions or tell anyone what we think they want to hear, but we all try to give our best help possible. Good luck with your pup and enjoy every day. Jack has been on distilled water since I joined the forum back in Nov. and it has helped alot.
Have you thought about puppy school? Taking your pup for alot of walks really helps with showing them who is in control and it helps to tire them out. You become the alpha during the walks and helps the pup learn who is the leader.
Again, glad to have you and Bebe back.

[Chloeandj]

Great advice! Exercise is so important! And puppy school is great too!

[starry]

M101, Im glad you came back to giv us an update.
Please don't be offended or leave mad bc of advice here.
Just ask, read it and decide what works for you and Babe.
The truth is sometime hard to hear, I've had to hear some myself.
Just do the BEST you can and that's most important.:)
We're all learning here too.....keep us posted, Lisa

[Gregswife]

? Taking your pup for alot of walks really helps with showing them who is in control and it helps to tire them out. You become the alpha during the walks and helps the pup learn who is the leader.



So Cheryl, does that mean that if Greg takes me for walks, I will learn he is the leader. Oh Lord, I have to stop posting when I am "under the influence" of prescription medications!!

[bek74]

Linda nobody was bashing you. You wanted your Aunt to pay for a pup that you refused to return to her, Her son had the pup, you felt bad because he was locked up in his office for days, no financial arrangment was made, well going back and reading all the posts, nothing about money was ever mentioned here. I know there are reasons behind not returning Babe to your Aunt and we all commend you for what you have done, however My feelings were, If you don't feel your Aunt can care for him, and you can't afford to care for him, then to find him a loving home that has the financial support to offer him. Thats all, I wasn't bashing you. When you resuce a puppy, unfortunately you take on all financial responsibility and sometimes have to over come behavioral issues.
I wish you all the very best and hope you and Babe can over come any issues you may have.
Good luck and PLEASE post pics, we have been waiting for ages.
Hugs

[M101]

No I wasn't being bashed; I am frustrated. This is a difficult situation.

My Mom told me this week Babe was to stay for six (6) months...well no one informed me.

I'm saying very little around here. I'm just providing Babe the care he requires--trainer/groomer/personal chef/Nanny/etc.

No he has not been neutered--and should be. He has recently discovered his "pee pod" (my term).

His barking I think is done because his teeth are hurting him. And he's frustrated. My Dad gets mad when he barks. Time-outs don't work. Exhausting him w/ playtimes doesn't help. Massaging his gums/teeth doesn't help w/ cool water.

Question: Is there anyone in San Diego that would be willing to show me how to trim/file his nails, and trim the fur between his toes? Most of you mentioned you preferred to groom your own furry kids. When I tried to trim his nails it didn't go well at all. I won't describe my injuries. His nails grow very quickly.

In closing I'll just say that I promise his next bath day (early next week) to take the long awaited pictures. Everyday I see slight changes of improvement w/ him; because he is stubborn (and now spoiled); but he has the potential of being an excellent companion; and at the end of the day he gives kisses that make my Mom and I laugh.:D

Thanks--You all have given me excellent advice regarding his care. And I know you do care!:)

Linda

[MaxJack'sMom]

So Cheryl, does that mean that if Greg takes me for walks, I will learn he is the leader. Oh Lord, I have to stop posting when I am "under the influence" of prescription medications!!

Cheryl--this is one time where you let Greg 'think' he is the alpha but you always wind up where you want to be!!! I'm off my pills, so you better start passing those meds over my way:D

[Kanga]

Linda. thanks for the update. I was wondering how things were going with Babe. As for clipping the nails I always do it right after the bath while the nail is still soft..... Another way to keep the claws blunt so they never need cutting is to walk Babe daily on footpaths. the cement pavement helps wear down the nail and the hair on the paw pads. Honestly a good daily walk with Babe will use up some of that "puppy" energy and will help calm him down.

Glad you are back... now some pictures ;)

[M101]

I'm having a problem getting Babe to walk. He doesn't want a harness on him.
A soft collar w/ even a string he just sits on the ground.

I've seen in pet wholesale books large liners to place under crates to keep the dog off the ground.

Cement is the only surface to wear down the nails?

I'm going to see about buying large new pavers, and create a runway for him so I don't need to fuss w/ him about the harness...place the Ex-pen around the pavers and run him several times a day. He refuses to let me touch his feet.

Thanks

[Chloeandj]

How about hiring a trainer to come to your home once or twice. We did this before and it worked wonders and it was not expensive.

You will be miserable with Babe forever if you can not get him to handle the simplest of important care. He must learn to walk and get his nails clipped wether he likes it or not. I think a trainer is the best thing ever. I am very grateful for what we learned.

[starry]

Linda,
Putting a harness on will take a "little" trainning. It shldn't be too hard.
If you are patient and he knows it means a walk eventually he will sit still or be still enough to let you put it on.
Are you using one that is like a belt buckle or snap in kind?
I don't use the velcro bc it sticks in the hair ,the buckle takes too long, that;s where I agree they won't want to sit. Try and find one with a snap in, but test it at the store to make sure it is not hard for you, some work harder than others. I'm always on the look out for one that's just right.
As for the nails, I too have had some experiences that I don't want to repeat.:(
Some places will trim the nails free or for a small fee, I am considering that just so the postman and family will stop acting like wimps when Holly gets excited and jumps on their leg..suchbabies..
That may be worth it.
I think the pavers and expen sound like alot of $ and energy that a free walk would be more satisfying. Xpens are okay for boarding but a walk is more realistic for excercise.
I hope your dad understands a dog barks and maybe Babe will get in his heart someday.:o

Good Luck,Lisa

[MaxJack'sMom]

We need an update on Babe. How are things going ?

[M101]

I bathed him on Tues., and I finally did a topknot--he was asleep for 2 mins.

I haven't taken the pics yet.

He will mind me--not bark; etc. But when I'm not nearby he will bark for me or attn.

The Ex-pen--He would not be happy in one because he is now too old.

He lost his final baby tooth:D ;he's still cutting in his primary teeth. He spends alot of time chewing on his Nylabones.

I'm giving him snacks frequently of fruit/veggies...he loves to chew his baby carrots. In addition to his Purina Pro Plan kibble I give him for dinner a chicken tender/pineapple chunks/carrots/peas/yams or potatoes--warmed. He goes wild for his dinner.

His hair is now 5 inches long on his body. He's enjoying grooming now--especially bath day. I'm obsessed w/ grooming him.

The harness--I been looking for the harness that attaches w/one buckle at the back. I found it at J&B. He will not tolerate anything going over his head.
The harness must be a quick-release type.

He's learning to tolerate sounds better.

I have talks w/ him about how he must be good--sit him on my lap--he listens then kisses me.

Re: trimming his nails: Naturally I trust myself to do this...I am working w/ him to let me touch his nails and have him trust me. He would need to be asleep or drowsy to attempt it again.

I got brave and took him outside to play Frisbee...this was the same area where my Afghan had been poisoned so I was afraid. He doesn't like being outside. He played but he was eager to come inside.

I promise to take pics today after I groom him.

I don't know how to post them though.

I will say he's doing 40% better then 10 days ago. I might be expecting too much from him too soon. He's bright--a little timid.

Pics are coming.

Linda

[I Found Nemo]

:D I am glad to hear it is going better!! Can't wait for pictures!!
Good Luck,
Andrea

[M101]

I bathed him on Tues., and I finally did a topknot--he was asleep for 2 mins.

I'm feeding him snacks of veggies/fruit frequently during the day--small bites.
It seems to help his behavior.

He lost his final baby tooth:D ; and now is dealing w/ the primary teeth coming in--the remainder. He's busy w/ his Nylabones all day.

The hair on his body is now 5 inches:D ; he's tolerating grooming better.

Re: trimming his nails: This is going to be difficult. He will allow me to touch his nails, but will curl his paws under him quickly. I'll need to figure out a way to make nail trimming fun.;)

The Ex-pen: He would never be happy in one because he is too old. He likes to have the run of the kitchen. Enjoys going into other rooms to sit on the bed or sofa. He loves to kiss my Mom and me.

The harness: I located a quick-release one that attaches at the top of the back (under the chest). But it will take a while to arrive.

I may have been expecting too much too soon from him. Because he was never trained early on, he's behind but is capable. And now from day to day remembers the previous day's training:D .

Let me take the pics as promised today. I have never posted pics on my computer:confused: . He is a cutie. And I have tried to be a good Mom to him.

Later in the mo. I need to go out-of-town for one day; I'm preparing him for this...it will be difficult for me to leave him.

Hang in there for pics. I will say he is 40% better then 10 days ago;) .

Linda

[M101]

Trainer: When you hired your trainer what types of methods did he/she use d
ifferent then what you had tried yourself?

Thanks-Linda

[Morkie4]

Glad to hear Babe is doing better!:)

[M101]

Yesterday my Aunt phoned...she requested that I keep him. Her nurses warned her that even for him to visit he could cause my Aunt to fall.

She knew he was being well cared for. That I would miss him. And probably if he ever visited my Aunt again he wouldn't know her.

So it's official.

I told my Mom that I would in the future take him once in a while to see her--every other month.

P.S. I can't explain the following...but Babe has since he lost his last baby tooth this week has become very docile. He cooperates during grooming. Plays ball--now gives the ball back vs. sitting on it. Is no longer barking. He acts like a different dog.

Does teething cause severe behavior issues...then once the baby teeth are lost this makes the dog calm (except for the primary teeth to finish coming in)? He's still chewing on his Nylabones.

Linda;)

[MalteseJane]

Maybe those teeth were giving him a hard time and now he is not in pain anymore. They also get used to the grooming. Also when a dog comes to a new environment he needs a time to adjust. He is settling in and starts to trust you.