The Pod-cast

[HangingOver]

Hello PodSquad,

Thank you for being on this crazy ride with us.

Here's the OG thread if anyone wants to go back and laugh at how staggeringly naive I was adopting my first rescue pup: https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/the_doghouse/5177112-oh-my-giddy-god?page=1

Could someone please explain who this dog is in my house and what they've done with Pod? Because he's been absolutely angelic today. Truly a wonderful, wonderful dog and even coped with my DF and DPs pal coming over for Sunday dinner and sitting up getting merry on red wine.

Or perhaps the collective will on MN have given me a SERIOUSLY needed good day. What a star. 🥹

Dogs are revolting.

Here's my spoilt baby with his new crabby.

There used to be a poster who was a biology teacher and knew all sorts of worm facts.
I have no idea if you are in danger of catching them...my dog in law is an enthusiastic bottom licker so I might err on the side of caution if your lad is similar.

I think he likes the crab.

Sounds like roundworms, technically I think there is a small risk (not much bigger than him simply being in your house) but realistically you need to be involved with the other end, and what it produces, quite significantly...

He looks v pleased with his crab!

Thank god haha. I always bag the poop carefully and wash my hands thoroughly afterwards so hopefully no roundworms for me.

Pod took himself off to his crate at 7.30 last night while we played cards. I chucked him out for a wee at 9 and he went straight to sleep.

He also doesn't get up as soon as DP comes down at .6.30 anymore.

I guess he's finally relaxing enough to sleeeeeeeeep 🥰

What beautiful colouring he has.

It's great that he sleeps well.

When I got my lurcher she had never been crated and she was four years old so I didn't think that would be worth trying.
I was determined she was not going to sleep in my bedroom. That was one battle I was going to win. Apart from anything else I didn't think she'd stay off the bed and she's a big strong girl.
It took a few weeks and a very scratched door but we got there.

She now loves her bed in the kitchen diner. But if I haven't shaken and smoothed her fleecy blanket exactly to her satisfaction she stands looking at it with a pathetic little whimper until I sort it.

So he’s had worms, and now has crabs…?!

I think his sleeping patterns is a very good indication that he is feeling more at home. My current dog was rescued from an abusive home and when I first got him, he would only sleep lying on his stomach, and would be up at the sign of any movement. After he had been with me about 9 months, one evening while we were watching tv, he suddenly rolled over and stretched out on his side. He felt safe enough in his new home that he could finally relax properly.

So the thing I was most scared of happening happened and it was horrible but we all got out alive.

Pod had a jump-up-and-nip attack in the middle of a field on our walk. He was totally overhyped the whole walk, lunging dramatically at every bird and other dog. Then me not letting him take off after a crow in the field was too much for him and the only thing he had to chomp/rag at was his lead and my sleeves/hood.

It was pretty scary but I dragged him over to a bench, tied him to it and threw down treats one by one. I thought he'd calmed down and we headed off but he started again. So I put the wire lead on and stamped on it really close to the ground so he at least couldn't jump up and he eventually calmed down enough to be taken home. I've got a couple of tiny bruises on my arms (and feelings!) so we're ok.

I've put one of his fluffy pretend animals in the emergency lead pocket for future use but the main takeaway here is that if he gets in that mood on a walk just take him home because it never gets better, it only gets worse.

He's got a snuffle ball now and hopefully he'll have a nap and wake up in a better mood.

You are doing absolutely brilliantly! Give yourself the human equivalent of a smelly, god-only-knows-what-part-of-an-animal-this-is dog treat (would be a coffee with Bailey's for me) and be really proud of yourself and Pod!

You are coming on with leaps and bounds - no pun intended 😁

It must be frightening when it happens.

With mine it was just the hauling around after food and smells and the lunging at everything that flew or moved, but I had to learn not to be ambitious with walks.

Hope the rest of your day is easier.

Well done Hanging! Sounds like you handled it really well!

But yes some walks you just have to chuck in the fuck it bucket and go home and there's no shame in that he's just taken in all the information he can handle and will process it when he goes home and hopefully has a nap!

Amazing to hear he's sleeping better and more relaxed that's a huge sign of trust building 😁

Emotional support carrot deployed

Sorry to hear that happened, but now your worst fear has happened (and it was always going to at some point), and you got through it and managed it. Next time you will be a bit more prepared as you have thought through how to tackle it a little more. This will pass!

Aw... I hope you have given yourself an emotional support bar of chocolate or something too...what a horrible experience.

lol at the fuckit bucket. I’m using that from now on.

well done@HangingOver for hanging on!

Oh no! Well done on negotiating it.

Who me? I'm a well- behaved little Angel ,really.
Deploys sad eyes and innocent expression.

Mmm, well done on negotiating that - I remind all my clients that the dog does not know what the plan was. You can ALWAYS change the plan, including doing a bunk and going home!

Not to be flippant but while my dog doesn't always know my plan, she knows if we're heading home too soon. I've been saying Okay, one more then we are going home...Because clearly I am in charge!

MummyPod @HangingOver you are doing brilliantly.

Oh they know the plan. As soon as our pup (7 months) susses that we're heading for home she goes into a lead biting frenzy! She has learned all our local routes so well that even on a circular walk she knows when we're on the way back. Too clever for her own good, that one 🙄

It does always seem to happen on the way home even if I go a different way back but I've put that down to overtired/ overstimulation. Trainer said no second walk today and take a view on walk tomorrow when it comes as his stress hormones will still be all over the place. We've had a great afternoon playing in the garden. I tied his pheasant to a loose bit of one of his rope toys and dragged it around for him like those toys cats have and he adores chasing it! So I've ordered (seriously this is purchase 80000 at this stage) a long rope toy with rabbit fur on it which he's going to love. Hopefully that will fulfill his prey/monch instincts.

I'm also anxiously awaiting the first fireworks tonight...

He heard some bombs on the radio when he first arrived and borked his head off but I guess we'll see when it happens 😞

Fucking Pupdate.

Tried giving him a pigs ear while we have dinner with DPs Very Impressive Friend over. He was so happ he did zoomies in the garden, shitting and zooming, ran into the house the minute dinner went on the table, still shitting, and ran out again. I was officially disgusted but secretly it was extremely funny.

Hahaha.

Oops.