Comments on Julie Zickefoose: Windy and Warm

I did not know about acorn caps, and I live under ...

2006-03-12T12:13:00.000-05:00

I did not know about acorn caps, and I live under an oak tree. Well, sorta', you know how that goes. My Grandad planted a seedling at the northwest corner of the house. His Dad told him he'd never see any shade from that, but actually, he did, plus lots of stories have been told there. I'm still trying to sort out the fact from the fiction, and my Grandad's been gone for over 40 years. He was a great story teller, and had a stash of bamboo poles to send us to the creek with when he tired of our company. And not a day goes by that I don't think gratefully about him and his tree planting and many other delightful attributes. Enjoy your blog!

Julie, I'm glad to have been of some help. The Ea...

2006-03-11T09:30:00.000-05:00

Julie, I'm glad to have been of some help. The Easy Walk harness won't even touch his throat (no snarky, snoring noises while pulling!) but you'll just have to be careful that he doesn't go into sled dog mode and end up chafing under his arms as our puppy did. Make sure you get a knowlegeable vendor to fit the harness to Chet Baker or he may be able to wiggle out of it and if you choose to buy him one, check his "armpits" after wear. Have fun at the show! And tell Phoebe that the "Littlest Pet Shop" brand of toys has a cute Boston if she wants to add to her collection. (That's what 4-year-old Fiona has as her CB.)

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions. I'm g...

2006-03-11T08:18:00.000-05:00

Thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions. I'm going to a dog show today (!) and the vendor mart is calling. I'll look into the Easy Walk harness. There are situations where Chet is bound to pull, and I'd like to have something that will relieve the pressure on his esophagus.
Jemkagily, you made our day. We have two stuffed Bostons named Chet Baker, purchased when we were waiting out the weeks until he was weaned. Kiss your daughter for me!!and tell her Chet would like to give her a million more. Major breed trait!

8:16 AM

Dear Julie,I think you're right and that there's n...

2006-03-10T23:01:00.000-05:00

Dear Julie,

I think you're right and that there's no way a Halti would work on Chet Baker's short snoot. The Easy Walk harness might work for him...I recently trained a Lab puppy for assistance work and the Easy Walk harness was the only way to stop him from pulling like a freight train. Then again, if you've reached that magic 1000th repetition and he's giving you a slack leash, maybe it's not broke and you shouldn't fix it!

I should add my thanks for your diligent blogging, your fantastic photos, and your generosity in sharing your family and the adorable Chet Baker with the world. When we gave up our puppy for the next phase in his training, we discovered your blog (through the BirdChick) and have been Chet Baker devotees ever since. I am especially grateful that my 4-year-old has latched onto the adventures of Chet Baker: it's kept her from missing the pup she helped train. She's even acquired a toy Boston...no need to guess what she named him!

They are also called by the brand name Gentle Lead...

2006-03-10T22:46:00.000-05:00

They are also called by the brand name Gentle Leader - a much more catchy name than 'choke collar'. They are supposed to emulate being carried by the mother dog! A discipline they remember, so they say.

Thanks Laura!A headstrong Golden came to visit her...

2006-03-10T22:34:00.000-05:00

Thanks Laura!
A headstrong Golden came to visit here a while ago and her owners swore by that collar--said they got it from England. My only concern was that Chet has so little nose to wrap it around--his muzzle is about half an inch long from stop to nostril--and I'm leery of anything that might further restrict his breathing (genetics seem to be enough!) Hoping his behavioral trend continues. Thanks for the note, though. I'll look into it should he relapse.

Julie

I love that photo of Liam with his back to the cam...

2006-03-10T22:19:00.000-05:00

I love that photo of Liam with his back to the camera.

Funny, I haven't heard any peepers here in NJ yet. I hear them at the college where I teach. It's nice to pause and listen to them on my way out at night.

An idea for Chet if he keeps pulling on the lead. My 90 lb. obedience-school drop-out Lab pulled me to the ground too many times. My vet suggested a Halti Collar (sometimes called a Promise Collar). Choke collars didn't work with him - his neck is so strong - and I wouldn't ever use a prong collar like the obedience school suggested. The Promise Collar goes around his muzzle and the back of his head - sort of like the way you lead a horse. It worked wonders for us.