Nobody puts Baby (I mean T-Bone) in a corner...

Ok, so I haven't posted in a while because nothing new was happening. Last week we went back to obedience training and T-Bone decided he wanted to participate - he was really good. Did all the commands perfectly, and not just once (which has been the case previous weeks where he would do it once then lie down and just look at me) with regularity. The trainers thought perhaps a gentle leader would be a good idea given his size. (Currently 50lbs) Well, we did not have success the last time we used one, in fact he had found a way to get it off and chew it to pieces. People would tell me we didn't put it on correctly etc. Well, he was fitted for one last night at the beginning of class. BIG MISTAKE. Class was a write off. While the other dogs were walking and heeling in the circle T-Bone and I were asked to stand in the middle out of the other dogs way. Why you ask??? Well, seems Mr. T wouldn't participate whilst wearing the Gentle Leader, instead he was writhing around trying to get it off. I am not talking about just 5-10 minutes, no the ENTIRE hour was spent figuring out. Well 45 minutes after putting it on properly, he had found a way to get it off. He used his nail to unclip the strap underneath that tightens it and slip it off his face. He did this 2 times. The trainers were amazed, they have never seen a dog do that before. They suggested that if he knows how to do it, not once - but 2 times, he will likely just remove each time he puts it on. Kuvaszok are a smart dog. He knows how to undo the clip!!! WOW. Anyway, once he got it off he was not happy with me, he just sat and stared at me, with the expression of "how could you do that to me?" "That was not cool."

On a different note, we (I) have been having some problems with Mr.T's dominance with me. He really is showing no signs of it with Mike, but when I am sitting on the couch in the basement especially, he will bark at me, nip me etc. I was at a loss of what to do. Our trainer gave us a list of things to do for behaviour modification. They were all things we were already doing, fortunately the hubby has a PhD in Animal Learning. So I told our breeder - she suggested I pin him down and sit on him until he stops resisting, showing him I am boss. Well I told the trainers this and they said NEVER do that. It will make him more aggressive. So I mentioned it at the vet today, and they said the same things. Now I am at a loss!!!! Thoughts anyone???? Ok, he is being neutered today, hopefully that will help his behaviour at some point. Lately, he has been much better. He is slowly understanding I control the food, I control his access to outside, I control the crate etc. Perhaps we are at a turing point!

Training a Kuvasz

So last night was our first night of obedience school. I was the one to take T-Bone as he realizes already that Mike is the alpha in the family. Me, not so much - more like Zeta. I had VERY LOW expectations for the first visit, as the last couple of times he was around other dogs he was not very pleased. So to my surprise when we got to the building he was rather good. He wanted to see the other dogs, sniff them out, but was never aggressive towards any of them - he just wanted to play. It is so important with Kuvaszok that they are trained from an early age as they are a very independent breed. I found the class very interesting, we chose this obedience school because the trainers was familiar with the Kuvasz, and have trained them before. What did we learn.... We learned that T-Bone likes to intimidate the smaller dogs by sitting and staring at them until they bark. We also learned how to sit and stay, and heel with a loose lead. T-Bone KNOWS how to do all of these things, when the hubby is with him. With me, he was a bit more aloof. I think the having 15 dogs in the class was a distraction this week, but I think next week has promise. We have been doing our homework and he really gets it at home - let's see if that translates into a good puppy class! He also was very protective of me, when some of the dogs would come over to me for a sniff T-Bone would position himself right in front of me in full stance and would just STARE! It was kind of cool, once I would pet the other pooches and let T-Bone come over and meet them, he was good. Fingers crossed for the next class. We so want to be a good boy like Biggie!

Oh, T-Bone was also the biggest puppy in the class. At one point one of the other owners came over and asked if T-Bone was a dog. I am still curious what she thought he was. I also don't see how people can compare the Kuvasz with a labradoodle - there were 2 in the class and they looked NOTHING like T-Bone!

I am the king of the castle!

Guess we won't be eating at the table tonight!

Siblings

Yesterday Nanook posted how awful it can be to have a baby brother. Well, here is a short video of me and my BIG SISTER. Please, no one call the SPCA, we do love each other - really we do!!! I mean all I want to do is play with her, and deep, deep, deep down I think she wants to play with me - I am fairly certain about this. So, Pooka - I feel your pain! Let me introduce you to my siblings. The grey one is Paco, the brown one Sassy. Sassy is off limits, something about her being delicate, like a flower!

When I grow up...

I want to be a lap dog. I think I will excel. I was practicing a lot this weekend. I like it when my peeps sit on the floor, I just crawl right into their laps. They don't even notice (ok, maybe they do notice my 35lb frame trying to find that right spot), they just carry on with whatever they are doing. My mom thinks I look ridiculous all curled up in her lap, she secretly LOVES it.

I have been starting to mellow out. I have a routine now, I like routines. I know I get my breakfast at 7am followed by playtime with my dad, my lunch at noon followed by more playtime and my dinner at 6pm. Walkies, then chill! I have a good life. My mom's wish is that I would sit still for pictures. She always say, "why can't you sit still like Nanook and Pooka".

Here are a few shots that she took today, I am now 14 weeks old and people think I am getting huge.

12 week visit

So my peeps took me to Dr. Lori today for my check up and shots. Yes, a very large needle in my ass - no I didn't flinch. That is right, my dad says I must have a very high pain tolerance! Apparently I am in excellent physical form, could have saved them some money and told them that! Most importantly, I got my vaccinations so I can go and play in the doggie park. My mom is super excited about this, something about getting rid of energy. Apparently they are not used to a dog that doesn't sleep at all during the night. That is right, I stay awake the ENTIRE night, panting, playing with toys, contemplating the meaning of life. My mom is a really light sleeper so the panting is keeping her awake. WHATEVER. They don't get mad because I am not barking or being disruptive, I think they are just frustrated. So this week, while Mom is on vacation, they are trying to wear me out. Good luck people, I am 3 months old and full of energy, oh yeah - I am also a KUVASZ. So I don't really listen, or at least I selectively listen. My dad says I am really smart, and only pay attention when I want to. I can't be bothered with stupid human tricks. I do my perimeter checks, actively seek out Paco when she escapes into the backyard. I have now trapped her 4 times. My dad didn't believe my mom when she first told him I did this. I have done it 3 times since and he is amazed. It is kinda fun, stupid cat. Here are a few things my parents have learned since bringing me.

1. No one was lying when they said that the Kuvasz is independent. Seriously people, give me some space.

2. The Kuvasz coat is like no other. I can be black from dirt and with a quick brush and shake I am pure white again.

3. Kuvasz are born LIVESTOCK GUARDIAN DOGS. I am only 3 months old and I LOVE TO SERVE AND PROTECT!

So, that is about it. I now weigh 20lbs - double from my last visit. I have changed my food. Aunt Carrie wasn't happy with the kind I was on, and didn't want me on any crappy Proctor and Gamble animal testing food. So we found a suitable one!

In closing, the humans have bought a HALTI for me - see this post it sums it up. Thanks Biggie!

Mud

I discovered the most glorious thing last night - MUD. It poured rain for hours leaving the garden out back a complete mess. Mom and dad are working on the back, so everything is in chaos, so they didn't quite notice when I went in for a little dip. That is until I splashed around a bit! I did get to have my first bath, everyone also got to see how dirt, once dried, just falls off the Kuvasz coat! We are an awesome breed. Here is a tidbit of video of my mud romp. Biggie, have you had the pleasure of splashing around in mud. SO MUCH FUN! To most, diving in the mud is no big deal, my mom thinks IT IS because I am pure white. I quite liked the contrast of the white fur with dark brown mud. I thought I looked striking. Obviously my mom wasn't too concerned as she had time to run in and grab the camera.
My mom wants me to say that our backyard doesn't always look like that. They have been ripping up gardens and are putting in a new patio. Just means more adventures for me!