Day 2: Watching Like a Hawk

Margaret's day began peacefully - she slept all night in her crate beside my bed, and didn't stir till I woke up at 7am. She waited nicely while I got dressed and did well with her crate manners lesson - she has to sit and stay before I open her crate door and give her permission to come out.

She grabbed a long lilac-colored sausage dog toy and pranced downstairs with it in her mouth, and out into the outside yard.

Morning business taken care of,  it was time for a quiet ramble around the meadow and down to a small creek.

Margaret and I were having fun at the water's edge, she was fascinated by alder leaves falling and floating on the water, and enjoyed grabbing them with her mouth. That led to blowing bubbles in the water - and suddenly I realized she was grabbing at a rock under water. Before I could get it out of her mouth, she had swallowed it. Just like that! It wasn't a big rock but it wasn't that small either - a smooth oblong shape about 1.5" x1"

Of course, I was horrified,  ran her back to the house, and dosed her with 3% hydrogen peroxide in the hope of making her vomit it back up. She did vomit, but no sign of the rock. Having the called the vet to check I was doing the right thing,  I waited  a while and then gave her a good breakfast to help pad the rock and help it pass through her colon. The vet recommended I watch her closely over the next few days, hope that she passes the rock, and call them if there are any signs of a blockage. Fingers crossed!!

The first day of a board and train is always an observation day to get to know behavioral strengths and challenges and refine a training plan for the stay. But with the rock incident, I have been keeping an extra careful eye on her every movement, including bowel movements.

In the morning we worked on Sit, Down, Settle, Let's Go (leash walking), Leave It, long line recall, and off leash recall.

Margaret met another dog today - Tyler a 6 month old Oorang Airedale Terrier who is good friends with the Moose.

We took time to introduce the dogs gradually so that we were sure that everyone played well together, then took them all down to the river.

They all had a blast, and Margaret swam after sticks over and over - she loved the water and was quite fearless! At first I had her on a long line but soon it was clear she was not going  anywhere and was a strong swimmer, so I allowed her to play off leash.  

I didn't take my eyes off her in case she was inclined to eat any more rocks but she didn't seem to have any interest at all in them.  Sticks and swimming were all she cared about!

We like to watch! 

 After all that watery fun, it was time to dry off with some speedy chasing

 When things got a little too wild, we had all the dogs lie down and settle. Young dogs need to learn to be calm around other dogs, so mixing play with relaxed Down helps to install an off switch and teach self control.

 Then it was time to play again - as the reward for being calm and quiet.

 Back on her long line, Margaret practiced walking nicely with me sometimes, and then at other times I let her be free to ramble ahead.

For Margaret's afternoon lessons we went to Florence and worked at the Peace Harbor Hospital. I wanted to assess her leash walking skills in a quiet area with some people and traffic, but not too much to start with.

We began with some relaxed sniffing so Margaret could get used to the new environment, and we then started working.  

I started  with rewarding her just for standing by my side without moving away, then we moved on to one step => one treat. Then I increased the number of steps between each treat. 

We found a great place to practice this - a cross walk with lines at regular intervals  - so every time we crossed a line and she was by my side, she got a treat. 

At first she got a treat at every line, but soon she was able to navigate the whole crosswalk without moving away to sniff or pulling ahead at all.

 Next we moved near the entrance to the hospital and staked it out, waiting for people who needed a Golden Fix as they came or went.

Of course there were plenty of people who wanted to pet her, so we could practice polite greetings. Margaret was thrilled and inclined to jump up, so it was a good place to work on this.

Margaret also got lots more practice riding in a crate in my car. She did great - no vomiting either!

On the way  home, we dropped by a friend's house and Margaret met Sy, an elderly Smooth Coat Collie. She was very polite and respectful - and not very interested since he is an old fella!

But when we got home to my place, her friends from the morning, the Moose and Tyler, were there to greet her.

Tyler had had a long session at the groomers and was thoroughly shaved down. He looked a bit funny, but Margaret still liked him.

Next Margaret had another little RTV lesson, this time both with the engine off and with it turned on - which she found a bit alarming at first, but quickly got used to.

 Last but least, a big romp in the meadow until everyone was tired and ready for a nap at the end of a long day, full of learning and fun!

  Right now, Margaret is sleeping beside me on the floor, crashed out and happy. She ate her dinner tonight and had another bowel movement - no stone yet. The speed with which she swallowed that stone this morning makes me wonder if this is something new for her or if she has eaten stones or other similar objects before?  I am so hoping all will be well, and am on the look out constantly for any signs of blockage.