Starting week two with Ziva
We will continue to work on her commands and maybe add a few. Repetitive and consistent!
Her current commands:
WEEK 1
SIT, COME,DOWN, STAY, LEAVE IT, DROP IT,
SHAKE, MAT, PAWS, SETTLE, HEEL, QUIET, EAT, NO.
WEEK 2
WATCH ME, FETCH, GIVE, SHOW BELLY, HUGS, BED,BALL,
TOYS, OUT, POTTY.
Sunday, March 12, 2017
Bark, when and how long
Barking is a big issue. Every time anyone comes to the door, any door, knocks, ring bell, Ziva goes crazy. Even when Jim comes home, or I come in, she acts the same way. It's takes us a bit to get her to stop barking and settle down.
Have tried a few things and today trying something different. We have been using a "quiet" command, now I am adding shaking the small container with snacks in it, saying quiet and mat. When she stop barking and goes to her mat, she gets a treat.
We did it five times in a row, she did better each time. Waited two hours, I knocked on door and once again, she went crazy. It will take lots more training and patience, but she is very smart and sure she will learn.
Have tried a few things and today trying something different. We have been using a "quiet" command, now I am adding shaking the small container with snacks in it, saying quiet and mat. When she stop barking and goes to her mat, she gets a treat.
We did it five times in a row, she did better each time. Waited two hours, I knocked on door and once again, she went crazy. It will take lots more training and patience, but she is very smart and sure she will learn.
Laughter is good for the soul
It's been one week since we got Ziva and one thing for sure, she makes us laugh!
First off, she chases her tail, round and round. She will sit and watch and wait for her tail to move, then she can catch it and spins. We worry she will be dizzy but she keeps going.
She also makes a sigh type noise when she lays down to rest. It's funny to hear because it last for a few seconds.
Ziva loves to play! This is a huge change for us because Kodi never learned to play as a puppy. Ziva loves to play ball, over and over and tug of war. She is so strong she can pull you across the floor! She has a frisbee but hasn't been able to catch it yet, but dang, she runs fast. I have a nice bruise on my leg from her catching me from behind.
She also comes up to us while we are in our recliners. She is big enough, her head is right there. She gives you the "look" of wanting attention. She does need to learn she is Not a lap dog. Twice now, while training her to put paws up on my lap, she literally jumped up and sat on my lap! I laughed so hard, I almost peed my pants!
First off, she chases her tail, round and round. She will sit and watch and wait for her tail to move, then she can catch it and spins. We worry she will be dizzy but she keeps going.
She also makes a sigh type noise when she lays down to rest. It's funny to hear because it last for a few seconds.
Ziva loves to play! This is a huge change for us because Kodi never learned to play as a puppy. Ziva loves to play ball, over and over and tug of war. She is so strong she can pull you across the floor! She has a frisbee but hasn't been able to catch it yet, but dang, she runs fast. I have a nice bruise on my leg from her catching me from behind.
She also comes up to us while we are in our recliners. She is big enough, her head is right there. She gives you the "look" of wanting attention. She does need to learn she is Not a lap dog. Twice now, while training her to put paws up on my lap, she literally jumped up and sat on my lap! I laughed so hard, I almost peed my pants!
Food
When we got Ziva she would not eat, this is not unusual, different routine, food, neglect, etc. We were starting to worry but knew when she got hungry, she would eat. However, it wasn't that easy.
She was very hesitant to eat. I sat on the floor and fed her piece by piece. Then put a few pieces on the floor, she would take a piece and take it to another room. She would come back and repeat the same thing. I put her dish directly on the floor, but that didn't seem to matter.
I think she was food neglected at some point, either wasn't fed or not given enough and had to fight to get any food.
So we made sure she had food at all times, encouraging her to eat and after three days, she is eating twice a day! We say "eat" and she eats all her food. She still will bring the first bite or two into another room, but at least she is eating!
She was very hesitant to eat. I sat on the floor and fed her piece by piece. Then put a few pieces on the floor, she would take a piece and take it to another room. She would come back and repeat the same thing. I put her dish directly on the floor, but that didn't seem to matter.
I think she was food neglected at some point, either wasn't fed or not given enough and had to fight to get any food.
So we made sure she had food at all times, encouraging her to eat and after three days, she is eating twice a day! We say "eat" and she eats all her food. She still will bring the first bite or two into another room, but at least she is eating!
Thursday, March 9, 2017
OMG, the good and not so good!
Ziva is two and has lots of puppy left in her. We gave her food and water, showed her the mat, her crate and toys. She searched every inch of the house, over and over. Time to take her out and walk the perimeter. Needs lot of working on walking on a leash. She is soooo strong! We need to order a lead vest and better leash. She ran and ran on the rope, very fast and was having a lot of fun. Finally got her in, went from room to room and then, the
BARK!
The first bark scared the crap out of me! It is very loud and powerful, usual for a GS. Her barking needs so much work. It's difficult to have her settle. I know what the main training will start with the barking.
Ziva loves being rewarded, with praise and snacks. We found out quick how smart she is, how much she want to please us and how loving she is.
BARK!
The first bark scared the crap out of me! It is very loud and powerful, usual for a GS. Her barking needs so much work. It's difficult to have her settle. I know what the main training will start with the barking.
Ziva loves being rewarded, with praise and snacks. We found out quick how smart she is, how much she want to please us and how loving she is.
Home visit
After four days of waiting, and continuing to look over all the places I filled out applications for, the time had arranged to meet our possible new addition.
Watching out the window, we see them take her out the van. She is very pretty, straight up ears, and very excited. She took some time to settle down. Once settled, she did great. It was obvious that she has had some training, but needed reinforcement. She wanted so much attention, but would listen, within reason.
She is very much a man's dog, and really took to hubby. This is a really good thing. She also was affectionate with me.
We discussed her background, what her medical records showed, the adoption contract and we signed on the dotted line.
Newest member of our family, Lady Ziva Kathryn Swann!
Watching out the window, we see them take her out the van. She is very pretty, straight up ears, and very excited. She took some time to settle down. Once settled, she did great. It was obvious that she has had some training, but needed reinforcement. She wanted so much attention, but would listen, within reason.
She is very much a man's dog, and really took to hubby. This is a really good thing. She also was affectionate with me.
We discussed her background, what her medical records showed, the adoption contract and we signed on the dotted line.
Newest member of our family, Lady Ziva Kathryn Swann!
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Finding ziva
A beautiful black GS female became available and I applied right away. Of course, a different website! Got smarter at this process and set message to rescue and gave more of our background of having a GS in the past. They were pretty good at checking references, and did explain how they were all volunteers and all work. We did state how interested we were and spoke with fosters and then do phone interview. After all was finished, we were approved!!!!
Now we had to wait four days for weekend when they do home visits, bring dog, see how we get along and then we can accept and adopt. Time for trip to petsmart to get bed, collar, leash, food, treats and toys!
Now we had to wait four days for weekend when they do home visits, bring dog, see how we get along and then we can accept and adopt. Time for trip to petsmart to get bed, collar, leash, food, treats and toys!
Re-purposing clothes
So I have been going through some clothes my granddaughters have outgrown and have been hitting yard sales and re-uzit shops. I see a lot and have a ton of laces, trims and fabric.
Started taking clothes apart, and figuring out what to design with all the things I have. So far I have about ten kids aprons made. It is rewarding making something out of other things.
Cool things I am finding to make is a gathering apron, garden apron and boys tool apron. Always looking for suggestions!
designingduchess2@etsy.com
Started taking clothes apart, and figuring out what to design with all the things I have. So far I have about ten kids aprons made. It is rewarding making something out of other things.
Cool things I am finding to make is a gathering apron, garden apron and boys tool apron. Always looking for suggestions!
designingduchess2@etsy.com
Possible match
One of the dogs I originally liked was a GS/lab mix. I know these also make good dogs. I filled out application on her before I knew hubby only wanted female GS. Anyway, I did phone interview and that went well. Now we are able to meet her and do a home inspection. All sounded good, except she has been on medication and wasn't exactly what hubby wanted, so we turned her down.
I actually felt sorry for her and all the others waiting to be adopted.
It is a long process, and their is a rehoming fee, $300-$400 or more for most pets. This does cover their shots, spay/neuter and get checkup. So it's worth every cent.
Still waiting to hear about another favorite. Fingers crossed.
I actually felt sorry for her and all the others waiting to be adopted.
It is a long process, and their is a rehoming fee, $300-$400 or more for most pets. This does cover their shots, spay/neuter and get checkup. So it's worth every cent.
Still waiting to hear about another favorite. Fingers crossed.
Frustrating
Our search continues for a dog. Hubby as decided he really only wants a female GS and not too young. So I do the advanced search, breed, gender, age, good with and distance. Results are extremely lower. There were a few that sounded good, we already put in application, so should be easy. EXCEPT, by now the one you were looking at has already been adopted. Start new search. :(
Finally start getting replies that they have contacted references and ready for phone interview. For the most part, it has been two weeks and the dogs I have been looking at, are no longer on the sites. Even started looking at breeders! I never knew how expensive a puppy can be, and I am talking thousands of dollars!
Decided very quickly I didn't need a championship bloodline pet.
Continue checking out new post, have my pile of six choices and start the phone interviews. I know how important it is to make sure the family will treat a pet correctly, they certainly don't want a pet returned because you can't care for it. So very difficult on the pet. Most of rescue pets have been neglected, abused and or surrendered. However, they can be great dogs with love and training.
Hopefully, our forever dog is waiting for us.
Finally start getting replies that they have contacted references and ready for phone interview. For the most part, it has been two weeks and the dogs I have been looking at, are no longer on the sites. Even started looking at breeders! I never knew how expensive a puppy can be, and I am talking thousands of dollars!
Decided very quickly I didn't need a championship bloodline pet.
Continue checking out new post, have my pile of six choices and start the phone interviews. I know how important it is to make sure the family will treat a pet correctly, they certainly don't want a pet returned because you can't care for it. So very difficult on the pet. Most of rescue pets have been neglected, abused and or surrendered. However, they can be great dogs with love and training.
Hopefully, our forever dog is waiting for us.
Searching for a dog
You know what you want, that perfect dog to be the newest addition to Your home. Not all that easy!
There are many sites that have animals available, I googled, GS for sale, and found about ten different sites. You need to narrow down to how far you want to travel. Ten miles, 25, 50, 75, 100 or more.
You search all the pictures and read a very brief sentence, good with dog, no cats, kids over 12. On to the next post. You do this for hours and days. You think about when you go to bed, then can't fall asleep. Will you ever find what you want.
You check craigslist, several times a day, several different locations, and send a few messages asking about that dog. You wait and wait, then you finally write again and still no answer. You finally get one response stating, not available. Well thanks, you didn't even give me a chance.
Continue searching the many sites, only to realize you have to fill out applications for each site that you see a dog that you like. I completed six online applications. They also want three references that are Not blood or marriage related.
Fun to get an email stating they see you are interested in ~~~~~~.
Then you wait and wait, see other dogs, fill out applications and wait some more. Most sites state 7-10 business days.
There are many sites that have animals available, I googled, GS for sale, and found about ten different sites. You need to narrow down to how far you want to travel. Ten miles, 25, 50, 75, 100 or more.
You search all the pictures and read a very brief sentence, good with dog, no cats, kids over 12. On to the next post. You do this for hours and days. You think about when you go to bed, then can't fall asleep. Will you ever find what you want.
You check craigslist, several times a day, several different locations, and send a few messages asking about that dog. You wait and wait, then you finally write again and still no answer. You finally get one response stating, not available. Well thanks, you didn't even give me a chance.
Continue searching the many sites, only to realize you have to fill out applications for each site that you see a dog that you like. I completed six online applications. They also want three references that are Not blood or marriage related.
Fun to get an email stating they see you are interested in ~~~~~~.
Then you wait and wait, see other dogs, fill out applications and wait some more. Most sites state 7-10 business days.
I have been designing things as long as I can remember, where it was clothing, yearbook, rooms, etc. It has been a part of whom I am. I started sewing at a young age, and currently make kids clothing, and accessories. It's my part time job, since I retired in 2012. Along with my daughter, we have an etsy store, "swannonthefarm" and I recently started "designingduchess", and along with kids clothing, also do re-purposed items.
I also just adopted a rescue German Shepherd and she is two. Training her is a full time adventure, but she is smart, knows some commands but needs reinforcement. She loves men, which is the complete opposite from our last dog.
So my blog is designing, whatever, clothing, pictures, meals, flowers, bird houses, vacations, or the perfect dog.
It's an adventure!
I also just adopted a rescue German Shepherd and she is two. Training her is a full time adventure, but she is smart, knows some commands but needs reinforcement. She loves men, which is the complete opposite from our last dog.
So my blog is designing, whatever, clothing, pictures, meals, flowers, bird houses, vacations, or the perfect dog.
It's an adventure!
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