Over the weekend we had to go to Virginia Beach for an event for my daughter. This meant leaving Ozzy at a kennel for the first time. The vet came over last week and gave him his kennel cough shot and he was all set for doggie camp....weeelllll, when we arrived, I got Ozzy out and was talking with the woman who runs the kennel. I had Ozzy on his leash and then after a few minutes she came up to him and started to grab his head for a hug. Oz didn't know what to make of this and barked and leaped at her. It threw her off for a minute and she walked around to calm down, all the while I was thinking that she wouldn't want him now and it was time to load him back up and figure out something else to do with him for the weekend. She gathered herself and then told me that it was her fault because Ozzy was just being protective of me and that she shouldn't have approached him like that without him knowing her. So we proceeded to the kennel area and took him off the leash and he was just fine, checking out the other doggie guests and his new surroundings. She sent me on my way telling me that he will be a-ok!
So fast forward to Sunday evening when I pick him up and she tells me that he was a good camper but she won't be able to keep him again because he doesn't listen to her and even jumped on her and growled at her....scary! I apologized and apologized over and over for his bad behavior and she was very nice about it. She told me she had trouble moving him from kennel to kennel when needed and she wasn't able to get him in a crate at one point, which I believe since he does not even like to go into his dog house. He's nervous about small areas. Well, after getting his bad report card, I loaded him up and took him home. I called my vet the next morning to ask her about his bad mood over the weekend. She said that knowing Ozzy, she does NOT believe he is a bad/mean dog at all. He was just nervous about being in a new situation and he is still a teenager, a horny one at that she told me (she got a dose of that when she was over the other day lol)so we talked about the benefits of neutering and she also recommended a trainer to come out for a few sessions with Oz so he's not so afraid of new situations/people.
I called the woman at the kennel to tell her what the vet said and that we will be giving him a few training sessions and that we would like to bring him back over when he's a little more behaved to show her his new manners! She's a very nice woman and was referred to me by a few different friends so I really want her and Oz to become friends!
I'll keep you posted on his training :)
There is a wonderful kennel in Morristown, Tn, ran by a former trainer and handler.She was on the show circuit, and she specialized in rotties. I won't leave mine anywhere else. I drive an hour one way to use her. The kennels are the best I have ever seen and no crates. I love this blog and found it thanks to Ruby and Bart.
ReplyDeletethank you betty! i've never used crate training although i know many swear by it! that's a good idea about finding a kennel specialized in rotties. the woman i used is a wonderful dog person but you know how rotties can be and it would be perfect to find someone who really knows their ins and outs!
DeleteOH Poor Ozzy!! You had to go to dog jail - ahem - we mean camp!! We rotties are SO focused, and such creatures of habit that it really makes sense to expose us to as many different people, places and things as possible when we're young. Your mom's plan of some training and then a little visit to the camp lady with no pressure or stress is a great idea. If they ever send you to camp again it might be a good idea to visit before you go to stay there. (And we think that lady was a dummy for getting all in your grill without even knowing you. duh!!)
ReplyDelete-Bart and Ruby
yeah, you know, when we got him at 5 weeks old, last year, i have taken him with us to every baseball practice, games, football..we even took him to gettysburg with us, to expose him, he's been excellent. now over the winter there was no sports going on and a couple of weeks ago baseball started up so i took him to my older son's practice and he was so nervous with all the noise around him, he couldn't sit still. i'll take him back to practice again though the next time i stay!
Deletelol "up in his grill" :D
Maybe just spend some more time leash walking him around the neighborhood to get him used to peeps, cars and other doggies. A -la Cesar Millan. It will relax him and make you both more confident! We love you Ozzy!!
Deleteyeah we'll do more of that too :)
DeleteI'll khonkhur with Ruby and Bart (GIRLZ furst of khourse) -
ReplyDeleteShe was furry stoooopid fur doing THAT - woo should have eaten her ;-)
As fur listening, are woo part Sibe?
This is why Mom won't evFUR evFUR evFUR leave me -
Paws khrossed Plan O khan be khrafted fur the next time (of khourse, we should just go with her!) -
Hugz&Khysses,
Khyra
PeeEssWoo: Mom's next transport should inkhlude TWO Rotties!!!
yes, fortunately we don't leave too often or it's camping where the dogs can always go anyway! i don't think oz is in any hurry to go back to doggie camp!
DeleteGood luck to you! I was looking for a pet sitter instead of a kennel to board Finn when we go away, and it works really well - the one we use doesn't have crates and has a huge yard to play in and Finn loves going. I mean, bangs her tail from wagging it so hard. That would be my suggestion.
ReplyDeleteyou know, actually she is more of a pet sitter..it's at her own home and she's got a nice yard that has fencing set up for pooches, divided...then she also has some crates if she needs them, inside her office...oz didn't mind being outside, it was when she tried to get him in a crate, he balked! i know all the other little dogs that i know love going to her...hopefully oz will eventually...i think he just misses us so!
DeleteD'you suppose she is a little scared of rotties? and ozzy knows it? When she said not to bring him back, I think I would take her at her word and find someone else to look after him. Just my feelings.
ReplyDeleteJo, Stella, Zkhat and Ron
I agree with Jo. People are frightened of rotties, and if she has a negative vibe going on it could work against him, though I do think it's a good idea to have him visit occasionally after training to check in...
Deleteyeah, that's true and i wonder if ozzy played on it...you know how rotties are lol...i just hate to leave her with a bad feeling about him and rotts in general so i really want to have them meet again when he's not so nervous about it...maybe not stay for camp but just a little visit :)
DeleteHmmmm, nows dis is very interestin'. Nows I has to say dat lady (nice or not) should has known betters to approach Ozzy in dat fashion...dat is like Dogs 101. Ain't even suppose to pet da head upon furst meeting...dependin' on who you talk too.
ReplyDeleteWe has to stay at da kennel occasionally but we stays at da vet's clinic furs dat. Is dat an option fur you?
Puddles
yeah, there's a vet/kennel nearby but actually a good friend of mine had to use them before and didn't really like them, she's also really great friends with the woman who kenneled oz and wanted to use her but she was going to be out of town at the same time...i would love to find someone who specializes in rotties like betty has!
Deletehey Ozzy,
ReplyDeleteSorry to read about your not fun prison - I mean camp - experience. It is challenging at times to go to new places and experience new smells, dogs, people, etc., and especially when our humans are not around. I think having training is a super idea and I bet you will ace your classes! :-> Good luck!
Suka