Update on Horus!!

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Horace's Mum
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Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 5:10 pm

Update on Horus!!

Post by Horace's Mum »

Hello!! I've been away from here for far too long, been trying to get my practice open at home as well as bringing up the 2 babies and managing H!! Thought you might like to hear how my boy is doing these days.

He's been with me now for 4 1/2 years. Seems like forever. We have had to stop agility training because his his and backs just can't cope with more than a few minutes in total, so we just have the odd play over a few jumps at home now. It is a shame cos I love running him but just not worth the pain for a week after each session. The last few weeks we have taken up cycling again - I just go at his pace, and we have a short route that we have built up until he can trot it consistently, just starting to lengthen it now. He really enjoys the bike, gets very excited when I get it out the shed and comes over to be clipped on. Just got to be careful on down hills cos they catch his back so we have to go slow.

We have another 2 demos booked this year for the Deaf Dog Network - one in Edinburgh again which we did last year (Lovepets show) and one all the way down in Kent (!) for Paws in the Park - we have been asked especially to attend that and do a HTM demo. I am madly trying to come up with a new song and routine (I hate doing new routines) for them both - currently pondering on the Beach Boys Surfin' USA, if I can get him skating properly on the skateboard!!

We spend very little time with other dogs these days, for better or worse. He has a couple of friends he plays with when we see them, but we so rarely meet friendly dogs round here that it is easier just to let them by and carry on. I could probably do more work on that but at the age of 8, I'm not sure it will add any more to his life and will certainly add stress short term. He can cope with most things I ask of him these days, as long as it isn't for too long, he can greet the people he needs to, does he really need any more?

I met a lovely man in February, and having always said that Horus will choose my future husband I think he has done just that - he has not had a single issue with him from the day he first came to the house. He gets so excited when he smells his truck come up the drive, gives him the full wigglly bottom works on arrival, and is incredibly sad when he has to leave to go home. He still sleeps on the bed if he so wishes, which is something that worried me considerably - I didn't want to throw him off forever because I love bed cuddles, but couldn't risk him reacting on the bed. On the contrary, he usually jumps up in the morning and proceeds to do zoomies over the top of whoever he is standing on at the time until we agree to get up!! Apologies if this is too much information, but it is a massive thing for me!!)
Robin also has a collie b*tch who is only 5 but was an old man's dog since a pup and now spends most of her time with his elderly parents, so has had no socialisation whatsoever, and even less training. She is quite well behaved for me now, responding really well to positive reinforcement, and Horus is helping to teach her how to behave around other dogs - how about that, my crazy dog being a stooge!! They can now walk out together with me holding both leads but it is hard to progress beyond that as she can't go offlead away from home and she is extremely defensive of her own territory. We'll keep working on it, it is nice just to be able to walk them together at least.

He is coping well with the ponies, has learned to keep his own distance and not look at them as long as I stop them from sticking their noses right in his face. Fair deal methinks! He sits patiently outside the field when I go in - I don't trust the babies enough to have him in the field with them.

We have been a bit slack in any kind of training for the last few months, partly because I am running out of ideas but mainly because he is so content these days there is just no need for it in the way that there was in the old days.

He has been fed RMB since January and is thriving a bit too much on it - hence the cycling regime!! But it does seem to help a lot with his stomach issues, although he still needs his oat tincture to keep the acid down.

All in all, apart from a few ouchy days here and there, he is one very chilled and happy wee chap. I do keep debating over a companion for him, but I think he is better off as a single dog in the long run, much as he would love a puppy to play with!
jacksdad
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Joined: Thu Dec 10, 2009 10:48 pm

Re: Update on Horus!!

Post by jacksdad »

wow you have been busy. I am glad to hear things are going well for you and horus. I can't say it enough, you and horus are a real inspiration for what is possible. thanks you for sharing.
JudyN
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Re: Update on Horus!!

Post by JudyN »

It's good to hear from you Horus :D Well done on all the progress you've made, and on getting yourself a new man!
Jasper, lurcher, born December 2009
emmabeth
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Re: Update on Horus!!

Post by emmabeth »

Great update :) Good to hear from you. (Still think you should do The Devil Went Down To Georgia though!)
West Midlands based 1-2-1 Training & Behaviour Canine Consultant
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Horace's Mum
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Re: Update on Horus!!

Post by Horace's Mum »

Em I would die if I had to keep time to that!! It is a great piece of music I admit, and I did want upbeat and smiley music, but that is just a wee bit too much methinks :lol: :lol: :lol:

One of my patients suggested skateboarder boy (or something like that, haven't looked it up yet!) if I wanted to use his skateboard :lol:
Erica
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Re: Update on Horus!!

Post by Erica »

They might have meant Sk8r Boi, which is...interesting? It's fast-tempo like Devil Went Down to Georgia, though, so the Beach Boys might be a better bet. ;)
Delta, standard poodle, born 6/30/14
wvvdiup1
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Re: Update on Horus!!

Post by wvvdiup1 »

Hi Horus! Good to hear from you! :D You've certainly been busy! :D

Now, for the music: I'd stick to "The Devil Went Down To Georgia"! :lol:
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