Viktor's Rescue- 1.5 Months Update

[GSKnight]

Viktor's Rescue- 1.5 Months Update

Well… it is hard to believe it has only been 1.5 months since I got Viktor. (Oct 15th). SO MUCH has happened.

First off… he is very healthy. He has been gaining weight and filling out is frame. He doesn’t look like skin & bones any more. The vet would still like to see a few more pounds on him, but he is coming along. He was picking up a few ticks on our walks in the woods, but between Frontline and the colder temps, that doesn’t seem to be an issue anymore. He was getting some diarrhea from those darn chicken jerky treats from China I was giving him, but I stopped that.

I have taken him for 1 private training session with Kristi Hudak. Then she was not available the following weekend, and I was not available this past weekend. We do have another session scheduled for this Sat. Overall, he listens pretty good. I would have to say, the only real issues I have with his behavior is being too “dog reactive” and wanting to plow over top of me to get out of the car. All things considered, that is not too bad and can be worked on.

We moved into a new house this past weekend. This is a much better place for us. This place has a better yard, and a nice big unfinished basement. I am going to make the basement into our “winter play area” for those days when the weather is just too darn bad. I bounce his ball off the walls now and he has a blast chasing after it. I put his crate down there and feed him down there too. I would welcome any suggestions for ideas on the play area.

He is still going to doggie-day-care at Rosedale Kennel while I am at work. They have the individual runs, so the dog reactivity is not an issue. I have bribed… I mean “tipped” the staff to take special care of him and give him extra exercise. I want to start slowly weaning him off of this and leaving him in the play area while I am at work, but with a rescue a short time ago, then a move this weekend, I am wanting to keep his routines going while he adjusts.

Oh, and I had to house-train him when I first got him and he was good for weeks. Now, in the new place he has taken to using the basement. I am thinking it is part the change of the whole thing, plus the previous owners used to keep their dog down there so I am sure he is picking up smells. So, on the house training front, I am starting over. But, honestly, I am not sweating the basement thing too much, as long as he doesn’t do it up stairs. I figured he will probably need to relieve himself down there while I am at work eventually anyway.

He seems happy and enjoying all the walks, treats, food, love, attention, toys and everything else he gets. And, I have lost weight, lowered my blood pressure and have a new best-friend and playmate.

Thanks for all the helpful advice I have got here, but most especially to Lee (wolfstraum) who lives near me for all her help.

[1sttimeforgsd]

Thanks for the update, it's good to hear that everything is working out so good. Congrats on the house, sounds like you are very happy with the move. I have not lost any weight with my two but I look at it as if I did not have them I would probably be even heavier.

[GSKnight]

I just ordered a new 18 foot agility tunnel for his new "play room" in the basement from EBAY... any other ideas???

[Stosh]

What a great update! If you have a ladder you can lay it on the floor and have him walk over it without stepping on the rungs, maybe get some weave poles in the form of orange cones. They're good for lots of things like heeling in a figure eight besides weaving