Postings by Pixie Bell

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Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Mon Dec 3, '12 7:43pm PST  Here is an image of the broken nail. The blood is all gone from the broken piece. You'll have to copy paste it. I couldn't get the Dogster Forum Helper to come up on my iPhone... It usually works, but this update seems to have some bugs. http://i1121.photobucket.com/albums/l510/DaynaKH/A1BAA29C-DA8 4-4EF1-8A67-1FBAECAF47F8-374-000000158E38ADD9.jpg my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Mon Dec 3, '12 5:55pm PST  Pixie went for a run today and in the process must have caught her dewclaw somewhere. It broke off her nail above the quick, and bled quite a bit. I debated at first whether I should clip the nail at the break, but it's very close to her pad and it's still attached, though definitely broken (it's not at an odd angle). It isn't off enough to have severed the quick, so I'm not sure if I should clip it and clean it, or leave it be and let it heal on its own. It bothers her if I touch it, and she is sitting here licking it. Help, please? my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Other Barks & Woofs > Finish the sentence.

Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Tue Aug 28, '12 5:33pm PST  ...THROW THE BALL! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > Do you ever watch your dog work?

Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Tue Aug 21, '12 6:24pm PST  I don't think we have any local nose work classes--or all three of my pups would probably be involved. I've never timed her, but she's never lost a tennis ball either. It is sooooo cool to watch her locate the ball through our little game. She will methodically pace the entire yard until she finds it. Today I somehow tossed it over the chicken coup and into a large mound of seriously neglected grass (that's like, 6 foot tall) and it took her about five minutes of steady searching to find it. I love teaching her look for it. You see things click. Like today, she knew it went over the coup despite not being able to see it. She stood right where it flew over and sniffed the air, then continued her methodical path around the yard in that area. It really was just super cool. She does this all the time, too. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > Do you ever watch your dog work?

Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Tue Aug 21, '12 5:06pm PST  By "work" I'm talking about their natural given inclination and skills in any area. My inspiration for this post comes from Pixie, who is ball obsessed. She looooooves fetch, but my arm gets tired. When I get worn out, I often "trick" her. I'll pretend to toss the ball in one direction, but actually toss it in another. She then scales the backyard for as long as it takes to locate the ball. I must be honest and tell you that it lands in some pretty crazy places. And she always finds it. And it's really awesome to watch her work. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Mon Aug 20, '12 5:01am PST  In our area the local rescues often have young (not puppies) Boston terriers available. Happy-go-lucky little guys who were given up by "breeders going out of business." Truthfully, if your willing to go the rescue route you can bring home a young dog who's temperament is more distinguishable, athletic ability is more distinguishable, and they are more ready to play. The downside to Boston Terriers is that I rarely meet one without health problems--which can get costly in the long run. Another breed to consider is the rat terrier. I throw this out with caution, but you mentioned long walks and hikes and I can't think of a better companion than our very own Pixie when we do those activities. She is playful, hardy, a-freakin-dorable, and loves kids. She is also super Velcro to me, seconded by Jake, and aloof with many others (as is the normal Ratty response). This breed is generally healthy, highly trainable, energetic (but it's tempered, less spastic than the Boston) and easy to find in your price range. There are many of them that need homes because their energy levels are higher than owners can deal with. In my experience, though, a long walk makes all the difference in the world. When we get home she is as happy to sit in my lap with a chew and slip under the covers for bedtime as any small adorable dog. You can also choose your color and size. They come in toy, mini, and standard and have some cool colors like lemon, peach, the usual bi, and my girl--a tri. The one warning I have is to socialize well. Our ratty has been through agility training (and LOVES it, she GETS it) and therefor isn't super barky. They are naturally aloof with strangers, so be sure and socialize, socialize, socialize. HTH! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Choosing the Right Dog > Potential New Dog Breeds

Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Sun Aug 19, '12 4:19pm PST  Obviously, the best answer to your question includes (get ready for it) a standard sized rat terrier! But really, check out the hunting lines. They have to be good in group settings because they would usually hunt with others--though with a different goal in mind. They're quite independent of the pack... Added bonus, they LOVE and I mean LOOOOVE their humans. Velcro to boot. I would check into the lines. Pixie, for instance, was bred as a squirrel dog and sucks that up totally--but by GOD she will fetch that ball! Zip on prey drive. Of course that's the exception not the rule... The standard sized ones (betcha didn't know they come in three sizes!) are in your size range. They can be in the 30#ish range. As for training, they're one of the easier terriers to train.In my experience, they're soft dogs. Wary of even a minor vocal change. Definitely socialize early on as they are naturally wary of strangers. They are a bit hyper, though. Be ready for energy galore! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Behavior & Training > Silly/Embarassing Things I Do With My Dog(s)

Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Sat Aug 18, '12 8:54pm PST  Oh! Forgot to add that Pixie and I have a "Love Fest" what I call her insatiable desire to lick my face--and I let her and say, "WEEE!!!! IT'S A LIVE FEST! ILIVEYOUTOOILOVEYOUTOOILOVEYIUTOO!!! LOVE FEST!!!!" ^embarassing. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Choosing the Right Dog > Let's Talk Terriers

Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Sat Jun 30, '12 12:31pm PST  Agreeing with Buster on training. Frankly, I think they're far more trainable than most websites give them credit for. I mean, Pixie doesn't know the difference between play time and training time, they're so intertwined! She will do ANYTHING if I'll just throw that stupid ball. And in all honesty, I've never seen her turn down a "sit" in return for a cookie either... I have an ACD mix, and I HATE training her. I find my terrier much more focused. Use that play drive to train with anD you'll have great success. my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

Pixie Bell Is that a ball?     Barked: Wed Jun 27, '12 11:42am PST  Let me prelude my answers by saying I've always loved terriers, we have parellel personalities. There was a time when my best friend growing up had the most obnoxious, misbehaved, evil rat terrier on the planet. I vowed never to own a terrier, it wouldn't work, I thought. Enter Pixie, THE most adorable ratty on the planet, dumped on our doorstep, and attached to our hearts. - What is it really like to live with a terrier? It's like waking up to a little kid that just drank a pot of coffee and is ready to ping-pong all over the house. A walk won't cover it... Maybe a walk then a half-hour of fetch a couple of times a day. But between bouts of energy, they are the Snugglers of the house (speaking rat terrier here, they have a very, VERY loyal, "Velcro" personality and are comfort seekers for sure). - Can you ever really trust them off-leash? Pixie is fairly trustworthy off-lead, I'm still cautious, but she returns if I seem upset that she is leaving. I don't have a serious problem with her chasing things, though I don't ever give her that option. Even if she runs on the woods I always know where she is. She is too loyal to me to go far... No, really. SHE doesn't like when I'm out of her site. - How hard is a wiry coat to care for? I don't know. My terrier has a smooth, shiny coat! - What are the best tips you can give for living peacefully with a terrier? Training isn't impossible, agility is downright FUN! For both me and Pixie. That socialization which is IMPERATIVE for a terrier brings out all the FUN in these little dogs. Do some formal activity that makes them think they're playing, the training helps you gain repor, and them learn to trust your ability to lead as well as build an important bond. Don't be lazy with them either. These AREN'T couch potato breeds, you'll have extreme behavior problems if you leave them at home to chill all the time. They'll find SOMETHING to do, and they'll drive you bonkers. - Is dog aggression really that common in terrier breeds? Yes and no. I think the severity here goes to the individual breed. I've met JRTs who have "doggie friends" (these have always been dogs who have a huge opportunity to work frequently, work being socialization and training), and I've met those that just won't be okay with another dog. Pixie is 100% aloof with other dogs, she won't attack them, but she won't let them sniff her butt either. She does great with our other two dogs, but she is definitely bossy with them. - Do they have an "off" switch, and if so, how much exercise does it take to activate it? Pixie zonks at about 9:00 pm, totally ready for bed no matter how much running and playing she did or didnot get that day. She also begs for a nap at the hottest part of the day. Her play times are 6:30 am until about 8:30, 10:30ish, and after 5:30. These are pretty intense, and we play an obscene amount of fetch, she is an awesome hiking partner, and will go as long as she needs to, refusing to wear out until we're in the car. I do note that her energy is pretty stable, it isn't a matter of "tiring her out" but utilizing her play time. A half-hour of fetch goes a long way, but I'll still be asked to play again in a few hours. - Do they make good apartment/city dogs? I think so. AS LONG AS you work them somehow. You'll have to get outside, you'll have to play in the house, you'll have to go for walks, OR ELSE. LOL!!! - What else should prospective terrier owners know about them? They aren't right for everyone, and while there is a lot "scary" about them, it becomes routine and hardly noticeable by YOU when you get used to the rigor of it. Others will think your dog is a spaz, and you'll think, "Man, I'm in better shape BECAUSE of her! I love this crazy dog!" Terriers are adorable for a reason, and they will use their "I'm far too cute"ness to their advantage. You'll fall in love and others won't understand, as they'll be exhausted just watching her. Ignore them, and play with your dog. LOL! my posts | my page | msg me | my family's posts | gift me | become pals [notify]

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