The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Pets & Working Animals => Dogs => Topic started by: MiriMaran on November 07, 2009, 07:53:21 pm
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As many of you know we had to PTS Barney in July and our Pointer, Ralph, has still not recovered from it. He's lost his confinence, howls when we leave the house and always has to be right beside our sides.
We've talked and talked about whether to get another dog - we want something that is going to be safe with the hens. Unbelievebly Ralph, having previousloy been a chicken killer, now totally accepts them as members of the family!!
Well we have finally decided to take the plunge and went to the local shelter today and have chosen a puppy - its a 10 week old male Jack Russell Cross. It was vet checked today and then vet reckoned it has spanial in it, but I can't see any spanial in it at all. Anyway, I hope not 'cause that sounds like a dodgy breed combination - retrieve chicken and then shake it to death!
He's very sweet looking - white with brown slodges. Once we have had a home check then we will hopefully collect Henry in the next day or two. I feel slightly apprehensive at the work involved of having a puppy around - we have bought a cage and think we are ready physically if not psychologically prepared. Mind you I always see the obstacles before I can let myself enjoy things for what they are.
I will post photos, assuming we pass the home check, as soon as I can.
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I'm sure you've done the right thing - and Puppy will be getting a really good home. Anyone who puts as much angst into it as you do will be fine - and I mean that as a compliment!
Can't wait for photos!
Name?
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The only name all of us could agree on was Henry.
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You'll be fine. When the pup arrives take him straight into the chicken run - off leash. The hens will see him off as an intruder and because he is young he won't argue back. And don't worry, they won't hurt him! He will always remember that they are the boss over him if you take him in there every day
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I think you've done the right thing ;)
Ralph is bound to be lonely, especially if he's always been used to Barney being there. A new friend will give him a bit of comfort and he'll have something to think about other than missing his friend.
Looking forward to seeing the photos ;D
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He sounds lovely, hope it all goes to plan! Cant wait to see pictures.
My neighbours have a JRT, soft as a brush and everybody's friend! He doesnt bother with any of their chooks or rabbits, but will go rabbitting, ratting, hunting with his 'master' . guess its a matter of training.
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awww - poor Ralph I have two pointers and last year we had to have our lovely old Golden Retriever PTS at 14- they were both very subdued for a while, even though they had each other its great you're getting your pointer a new chum I'm sure it will be fine and they'll have a ball all the best
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OK here's Henry - he's skinny and constantly shivers hence the trendy jumper!!
(http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h214/MiriamVernon/2009/005-5.jpg)
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awwwww ;D ;D cute
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Aaawww he's adorable!
Not keen on your choice of clothing! Get knitting!!
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OMG that would be a disaster!!! :o ;D
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He's lovely :)
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Ohhhhhhhh, those puppy dog eyes ;D
He's gorgeous ;)
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He is gorgeous. I wish you all the best for a long, happy and chicken safe future. Let us know how the chicken training goes. One day i will have to have a new pup too. Just hope its a while off...Have lots of fun!!!!
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What a gorgeous boy! He'll soon put weight on (Sheba did!)
Make sure you bring him next time you come round. What does Ralph think?
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Ralph is seriously not impressed - he growls and jumps out of the way when Henry gets close to him. Its not happend that often though as Henry just wants to be near the fire or AGA - when he hears his name being called and the front door being opened he scoots off in the opposite direction! ;D
Henry has a cage and gets fed separately to Ralph so atleast Ralph has some peace. I'm sure he'll get used to him in time, but at the moment Ralph's nose is very out of joint!
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Henry is just gorgeous - perfect name, too.
But I agree he needs a new wardrobe. Maybe you shoudl sign him up for TAS secret Santa - if anyone gets a dog sweater they don't need in the dip, they can pass it to Henry! ;D
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What a cute puppy Henry is. I hope annies advice on the chickens works. Next doors jack russell kills my chickens given the slightest chance. my friends spaniels , however are very good and just accept them. We also have a new puppy this week. he is a ten week old black lab called Oscar. we have been waiting patiently for a pup to come along from dogs that we know and finally we have one. he is a really lovely boy, very curious and playful, but already understands what i want him to do. I must get the hang of posting photo's so I can show him off. my wife is off work this week, having suffered another setback in adding to our family, so they are both taking care of each other. i have a large puppy cage in my office, so he will come to work with me, to keep an eye on me. he also loves the Aga, and wants to make friends with our cat boris, but boris is not sure yet. i wonder what he will think of all the animals outside, when he gets to meet them.
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Well done, he looks gorgeous, can I back up the advice of getting him in with the chickens early on though! if he seems excited and has that 'chase' look about him from the start, then you must get his attention to look away, ie make a sharp noise, make you more interesting than the chickens! hope that makes sense :-\
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He's going to meet the hens at the weekend. My OH wants to be there, but has been in London this week.
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we had 4 jackrussells and lost our 9 yr old milly last may. Her mother 11 yr old maureen hasnt been the same since, they used to hunt together whilst the youngsters watched. We where given mable recently another jrt bitch puppy and the chicken trick has worked a treat, they pecked her bum good style, she ran back indoors screaming, hasnt looked at them since. The others have warmed to her putting in her place at times, but then she can be a pain. It will all work out.
Laura
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How did he get on Miri... on the chicken test?!
Bet this rain has got him up to his tiny belly in wet and mud
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I see spaniel in him! those legs, and add some long hair to the ears = spaniel. Just too cute! but I'm biased, we have three. How's he getting on with the chickens? unfortunately, we had the dogs before we had the chickens and Jazz will happily retrieve them, so we have to keep them apart (our fault).
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Mine are the same with my ducks, but fortunately the retrieving seems to do no harm. They seem to realise chickens aren't real 'game' and tend to ignore them. My big dog is a bird killer though so she is never allowed anywhere near the birds!
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My older JR Amber was so miffed when the wee one arrived. It took about 2 months for her to start really enjoying the pup. So Amber was about 9 when the pup arrived and was getting a little stately - well as stately as a Parson russell can manage with that wicked glint in their eyes.
Anyway to cut a long story short - when Chio cot to be about 10 weeks old she learnt to grab hold of amber's collar and pull her along. Amber didn't object visibly and soon joined in with the rough and tumble. The final judgement 18 months later is that Chio is keeping Amber young and interested in life. Chio is largely respectful and occasionally gets put in her place but they are definitely inseparable now.
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Sorry haven't been on for a while! Henry has no interest in the chickens, but has an unhealthy interest in their pooh!!!! :yum: :yum:
Ralph is slowly becoming more tolerant - he even shared his bed with Henry for nearly an hour the other night. If Henry gets a bit giddy with Ralph he is soon put in his place. So far Henry has been brilliant with weeing and poohing outside - the odd accident, but nothing like I had been anticipating! I had visions of constantly scrubbing pooh off the bars of his cage!
I've taught him to sit and he definitely understands a sharp NO and backs off immediately - so, so far so good I think! He has his second injection tomorrow so then will be able to get out and about.
Our only problem with him is that he is still coughing so is now on antibiotics. He has put on weight, but is still a bit skinny. He doesn't like going outside and starts shivering as soon as we are out the door and tries to dash back inside. It does seem to be cold rather than fear, but I sometimes wonder if some of it is psychological. Maybe he has spent alot of his little life feeling cold.
So thats it really except that the cat has hissed and thankfully Henry was sensible enough to back off - I think he has a brain in his little head!!
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Don't be taken in by that shivering malarky!!!!!!
Amber shivers when she's cold, excited, jealous, scared, wants a treat, anticipation, wants a cuddle, gets a cuddle, pure pleasure and car sickness.
We have dressed her in Val Doonican jumpers and even that doesn't stop her.
Shivering must be a JR quirk.
Chio however doesn't shiver, she expresses herself through a variety of yawns.
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Glad to hear he's settled in well, hope his cough gets better soon.
You made a good choice having a young pup (not like the daft lump we have here!) at least he'll learn quickly...
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His cough has cleared up and his antibiotics finish on Friday, but we can't get him jabbed for another week, which is frustrating as we want to get him out and about.
Its a nightmare trying to get him to go outside - he always tries to runaway and hide! We don't want to be picking him up every time so we have to herd him with our feet!
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His cough has cleared up and his antibiotics finish on Friday, but we can't get him jabbed for another week, which is frustrating as we want to get him out and about.
Its a nightmare trying to get him to go outside - he always tries to runaway and hide! We don't want to be picking him up every time so we have to herd him with our feet!
Is he not on a collar and lead yet? My pups have collars on as soon as they are 6 weeks old - when I am with them only in case they get their teeth stuck in them.
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Yes he has a collar and lead!
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Ok, you answered my written question ;) but the unwritten one was why herd him with your feet if he can be put on a collar and lead and led outside? ;) ;) ;)
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I think we would end up having to drag him! We have started tempting him out with a treat and that has started working well. His recall is also improving very quickly too.
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Excellent! I find that with a puppy you need to sound like an absolute head case for recall and also hide from them so they get worried and look fro you, but always watch where they are in case they become disorientated.
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:DYes I do a mad squeeky voice - definitely catches their attention!!