General Chat

Well Max has had me in tears today ,as soon as he comes out of his crate he starts chewing , i tell him No and he's started flying at me trying to bite me and then chews again its getting that we don't know what to do with him , we crate him again and as soon as we let him out he starts again .

Nice sunny evening here .

Mandy have a word with the Vet about Max. How about Puppy Training classes.There must be something around near you where you could take him. Could he be in the crate too long? I am just trying to think of answers !!
It sounds like he is trying to be TOP DOG.I am sure the Vet would have some good advice for you.

Mandy, I've emailed you! I agree with Jane, I think he is asserting himself and needs taking in hand. He has to know his place in the hierarchy else he will run you ragged. It can be a problem particularly with boy dogs.
Miserable evening here! Take more than a rose a bit of choc!!!!

Evening All,

Oh Mandy, how exhausting it must be for you. I can just imagine what a nightmare he is just now with all that energy and will power. I think Max is about the age chewing can become a problem with Labs till they grow out of it. It sounds like he is also growing in confidence and pushing the boundaries to try and become the pack leader, the little monkey.

Does he behave the same with Colin? When he runs at you I would stand your ground and not back away from him, stretch upright like you mean business, fold your arms and turn away from him, don't speak to him or even look at him. Ignore him completely till he has stopped and really calmed down for a few minutes. If he starts again, do it again for as long as it takes. If he isn't getting any attention from what he does, he should get the message and stop after a while.

Puppy classes may help like Jane says, if there are any near you. Could you get him one of those Kong toys you put food in if he hasn't got one? A smear of marmite inside one would keep him interested in it rather than the chair legs, even after he's got all the treats out.

I would also look to getting him neutered now Colin is at home, as you planned to do, as that may help.

Rose picked from the garden? No, I wouldn't get one either Jane!

I have just had a phone call from Mark(Rachel's Brother) He lives in Washington DC
He is also over here with Wife and 9 month baby Freya. He wanted to know if we were here on the 1st Sept so they could come and see us .So that will be Rachel and her boys and then her Brother ,Wife and baby :-D..It will be lovely to see them all especially as they all live in different parts of the world and it will probably be another few years before we see them all again. It is going to be all go!!!.I think Hannah might be home when Mark comes so that will be really nice.She hasn't seen Mark since his wedding 3 or 4 years ago.

Mandy do you think Max is 'trying it on' because your attention is on Colin? Ann is right is saying to fold your arms and turn away from him when he is being naughty and vying for your attention.No eye contact !!..There is me sounding like I know what I am taliking about .....I was rubbish with Chester ! :-S) I just wish I had been stronger as my life would have been a lot easier .

I have Thomas looking at me with the Devil look about him :-S.My feet could be in jeopardy if I am not careful.I have only got flip flops on :-SI need to keep my wits about me otherwise I will be looking in the cupboard for plasters!!

It sounds like it is pouring with rain !!!

Yes I can remember ignoring and turning our backs on Cas when she got a bit above herself. It worked well, and she soon learned that certain behaviour was unacceptable. Cas has a kong, but it doesn't keep her as occupied now as it once did. A big knuckle bone might help. I know daughters lab was quite a challenge when she was young! but was a lovely dog when she was older.

Afternoon all,

Oh Mandy you have enough on your plat Carolyn helped mee looking after Colin, without Max misbehaving like this.It's so long ago, that I have forgotten how I bought up my Labs. time will tell. Try to get advise from anyone who has been through this.

We had a nice lunch out yesterday, even though I didn't eat a lot. Carolyn helped me across the road to the pub, so I could see the 2nd half of the West Ham match. Everyone seemed pleased to see me, and two of the lads helped me to the car when Ros pulled up, as the match finished.

Ros is outside mowing the lawns, she will then get the bins out ready for tomorrow.

I stumbled this morning and stubbed my right foot on the pouffe. Shook me up a bit, but I didn't fall over.After getting showered Ros put on my clean STOCKINGS. What a turn on they are !!!. Does Colin have to wear them Mandy.

Memory day for me today, my dear old DAD would have been 130 years old today. Happy memories.

<3 <3 <3

Afternoon all,

Frank I bet it was nice to get up the pub for the footie and see all your mates. Nice to remember your dad today too with happy memories.

Well I don't know where the morning went!!! I answered a message from Jane and then tried to do my daily challenges and then it was lunch time. O I did pick runners this morning and short beans too. Sheep sh*t pie tonight with lots of beans..... Must get the mince out as I have forgotten to do that too.

The suns come out this afternoon but we had a shower just before lunch and a grey morning.

Must go and get the script they had'nt got on Friday. It is only my Omeprazole.

Just lost another posting.

Ros has just come in from the garden. The green bin is filled to overflowing. She's hates it going out half full. The lawns look a treat and it's got the lines ;-) ;-) ;-)

How is Max behaving this afternoon Mandy. It might be an idea to get him a muzzle that will certainly stop him trying to bite you, and you might feel safer/comfortable knowing he can't bite you.

Jane, Rissoles were a weekly evening meal for us as children. I think I have mentioned before. The Sunday Joint lasted most of the week. Roast Sunday, cold meat chips and pickle Monday, Rissoles Tuesday, Cottage pie Wednesday. Then it was Liver and onions Thursday, and most Fridays was F & C.

I have tried to help Ros a bit, by doing the cabbage, runners, peas and carrots. She will do the new potato's. She has a nice piece of lamb out of the freezer which can go on anytime soon, We will eat sometime after 6.30 pm.

Still struggling with all the exercises, but am managing to d.o a few of each every now and again. Just wish I could get a good night's sleep

Evening all,

Lovely day here really hot out ,the fan has been going all day.

Thanks for all your advice with Max , when i walked him today i got chatting to a young girl who was a dog walker ,turns out her stepmum is a dog trainer , i gave her my phone number and she's going to get her to ring me tonight , i seemed to be getting there with him but last week with Colin going into hospital i think the upheaval has put him all to pot , i was in and out so much last week poor little boy didn't know what was happening.
If i can get some help to put me on track again with him it will help.

Ann i do turn my back on him when he flies and it does help ,he calms down and comes round to face me to see whats happening.


I walked to the doctors to get Colin an appointment to have his staples out , the girl
gave me one for friday ,when i got home and looked at the paper it was for friday
week !! So i rang and now have to wait for the nurse to ring to see if he can be fitted in
, well the staples need to come out on friday so they'll have to fit him in .

No Frank Colin doesn't have to wear the stockings, he had to wear one on his good leg when he was in hospital but that came off before he came home.
I'am sorry your not getting good nights ,missing sleep can make you feel rotten, do you manage to get a sleep in the day ?

We had our first runners yesterday ........all three of them :-D

Bet you look really handsome in your stockings Frank ;-) Are they uncomfortable ?
That probably did you the world of good getting to the pub last night.You sound as you are coming along nicely now :-D..How is Fluffy?
Our weeks dinners (or tea as it was called) sounded much the same as yours back in the day.I do remember standing on a chair in the kitchen helping Mum mince the left over Beef in one of those screw on metal mincers.No matter how tight it was screwed on the to kitchen worktop it still managed to slip :-S.I seem to recall it was quite heavy going too turning that handle.

How is that naughty boy....Max (not OH) :-D..But more importantly how is OH today?

He's getting on fine Jane , no pain ,he's been out in the garden to have a walk this afternoon and he sat out this morning when the family came .

Max has been a bit calmer today and son said they would always have him for the day ,bit i think that would really excite him with all the children running round .

I felt very tearful again this morning i don't know whats a matter with me , i think it must be the relief of Colin being home and i do feel better knowing i might have found a dog trainer to help Max.

That is good Mandy to now have a contact with a dog trainer.Maybe just a few sessions will help. I am sure you are right though in thinking Max has been a bit confused with all that is going on right now.Pets just do love routine and when that goes out the window they get a bit unsettled.

My Sister can take Jillie/y out for the first time tomorrow.She has now had her final jab.I think her first walkies will be on the Nature Reserve that my BIL is manager of.
Janice has had the appointment for her CT Scan.It is a week tomorrow .So not too long to wait.She has her bloods done tomorrow.She is still in a lot of discomfort and pain :-(

I need to get dinner dished up.Lots of rumbling tummies going on lol

Evening All,

I think it's now that Colin's operation is over that the pent up worry and concern is coming out Mandy. I find I am like that, strong at the time then teary after. Dogs are very sensitive to whether you are 'strong' or 'weak' as well and, like children, will take advantage. It's good he has responded to you turning away and ignoring him though, so he's obviously working out that what he's doing isn't pleasing you or getting the attention he expects it to. I think your instincts are right about keeping him from being excited by the children. The more excited he gets the less he will listen or take notice and if he bites at the children and they squeal or run he will see it as all part of the game! At least he should grow out of it and the trainer may be able to give you some tips to help which would be good.

It's brilliant that Colin is doing so well and has no pain..... I bet he is so glad to be free of that! I hope they have fitted him in to get the staples removed next Friday now!

Your sister will be counting the days to her scan then Jane. Time drags so when you are in discomfort and pain and she must be concerned with not knowing the cause. I bet Jillie will love her first walk!! :-) My word you are going to have a houseful aren't you! The more there are, the more they entertain each other though. You'll need plenty of food!!

Frank you will have to be extra careful not to trip with your knee and keep doing what you can of the exercises, it will all help. You don't want any setbacks. I bet you enjoyed the change of scene for a few hours at the pub. It's good you are still able to help Ros and prepare the veg for her. Are you completing your stockinged 'look' with some britches??? :-) :-) lol.

I like your phrase 'the daily challenges' Mel!! lol Chores don't get any easier to do!

I've been to Nuneaton today to take 1 top back and then came home with 5 more!! :-S I also got a couple of books from The Works. One is about the role played by dogs in the war and was only £2.

Sounds like Colin is coming along nicely now Mandy. Max will soon settle down into a routine now Colin is home. I heard somewhere that if you get behind a dog and sort of mount it like mating that tells them they are not the leader of the pack. Just hold him quite tight behind his back legs and hold that for a while.

Good your doing some exercises Frank. Keep up the good work. I suppose you could do the veg whilst sitting at the table.

Dentist tomorrow and I shall go shopping early in the morning so I can go to Torrington for 6.05pm. Fish and chips for dinner me thinks. Its nice from Torrington.

Were the 5 tops a bargain Ann as I see the book was. When I worked for the PDSA sanatoriiuim we had the pets graveyard there and animals and birds that helped with was work were buried there. There was a horse , dogs and pigeons that I remember.

Off to the shower now and may see if I can watch Ripper Street on catch up.

Night night.

Might not get time to post in the morning.

Morning all,

Suns out here at the moment and the skies blue with white wispy clouds stretched acoss it.

Today is a busy day for me with shopping this morning and then the dentist tonight both in different directions so I shall feels like I have been "put through the mangle" tonight.

Morning All

The sun is thing and it is going to be a really really hot day. Have been to the Vets and Thomas had his booster and health check.
Now I just to clean the downstairs loo ready for the visitors.Then once that is finished I need to go and get some few bits

Mandy I bet your weepiness is a combination of relief that Colin is home and fine and expasperation with young Max.

You have a busy day today Mel.I hope ths denist goes fine for you today.

Must dash now.I will try and get back again before Rachel arrives .Have no idea when they will be here.I am thinking afternoon.

OH is cooking and freezing plums!!! We've got so many and its a sin not to save them. More tomatoes have gone into the freezer this morning, and later we're going to cook and bottle some beetroot we've grown, saves buying!! I use my pressure cooker for that else they take for ever to cook. Done in the PC they take no time at all.
Must hang out some washing, then empty the dishwaher! Cas has her bone so she's happy for the minute!

Morning my lovelies,

Have changed my appointment with the physio from this Thursday to 8th Sept. It will give me more time to get my exercises done in my own time, rather than being pressured by her. These exercises, are very important but very painful. So taking a bit linger to do them is helping me.

Glad you have found a dog trainer Mandy. Max will be wondering what's happening <3 <3 <3 With a new person in control might make him take more notice.

Hope you enjoy your company this afternoon, Jane. Are they staying over or going to a hotel ??

Liz, You stirred a memory regarding the pressure cooker. Ros when younger (15) boiled some beetroot and opened the top too soon, It exploded beetroot all over her mothers kitchen and everywhere was PINK including her HAIR.

I;m off to get washed and dressed. Shorts and T shirt today me thinks !!! It seems to be a hot day out here.

Morning all,

Phew its a hot one today not a cloud in the sky .

Oh lovely plums , i noticed some plum trees when i was on the bus at the park and ride ,they were loaded with fruit but there was no way you could get to them as there was a fence ,so all that fruit will go to waste .

Sounds as if you will have a busy few days with all the company Jane ,you won't want to be doing to much cooking in the heat , cold meats and salad might go down well, are the children easy to feed or are they fussy eaters ?

I have a cheese and onion Quiche in the oven we will have that cold tonight with salad.