Baymule
Herd Master
Sorry Bee, but I busted out laughing on that one! These dogs can make you 
in frustration, but you 
them anyway.
in frustration, but you them anyway.
The Education of Ben
babsbag
Herd Master
Sorry Bee, but I busted out laughing on that one! These dogs can make you
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
- Thread starter
- #113
Beekissed
Herd Master
Well...I laugh about it too! 
One can't help but admire that kind of persistence and ingenuity, even while wanting to thonk him in the head over it. He actually broke the coop blocker bar right off his collar getting into that tunnel the other day, so he's still snaking through that little space and the strength required to crawl that tunnel and fit that big ol' body through that small hole, while simultaneously breaking a dowel rod off his collar, and not disturbing anything else all the while is just astounding. Just once I'd love to actually SEE him squirming through that tunnel...would be a great vid!
Today I got another option...a small fence charger. Going to hot wire my pop door and see if he gets past that. I know the chickens will, but will have to see if the pup will succeed. If that doesn't work, I'm pretty much out of solutions.
And that dog is growing fast, so time may provide the only answer but until then I'd love to have some eggs to share with people.
The other day I gave Jake permission to discipline him when he rushes in and takes Jake's bones...at first I was having Jake go easy on him because he was so little and didn't know any better, but he's become quite the rogue about it lately and it's time. He's a big boy now. So, I gave Jake the green light on teaching him some manners in that area and he's doing so with gusto....now the pup gets a warning growl and a tiny lunge when he tries to grab something from Jake's mouth. He's learning...
His fur is really getting deeper and his paws are getting bigger. He's such a sweety dog. As soon as work slows down here I'm going to start working with him more on some things..like poop and where to leave it. On loading up in the truck or car, waiting there until I say he can get down, etc. Won't be long before he'll need neutered and I'd love it if he could load up in the vehicle by his lonesome so I won't have to lift the big lug up there.
He and Jake are really getting good wrestling sessions in on these cold mornings...seems like that's a dog's favorite thing to do on a frosty morning, especially if there's a fresh snow. I love to watch them play and am glad Jake is no longer alone. Ben is still quiet...not a bit barky, though he's still talking now and again. I wonder if that will continue...I kind of like it.
One can't help but admire that kind of persistence and ingenuity, even while wanting to thonk him in the head over it. He actually broke the coop blocker bar right off his collar getting into that tunnel the other day, so he's still snaking through that little space and the strength required to crawl that tunnel and fit that big ol' body through that small hole, while simultaneously breaking a dowel rod off his collar, and not disturbing anything else all the while is just astounding. Just once I'd love to actually SEE him squirming through that tunnel...would be a great vid! Today I got another option...a small fence charger. Going to hot wire my pop door and see if he gets past that. I know the chickens will, but will have to see if the pup will succeed. If that doesn't work, I'm pretty much out of solutions.
And that dog is growing fast, so time may provide the only answer but until then I'd love to have some eggs to share with people.
The other day I gave Jake permission to discipline him when he rushes in and takes Jake's bones...at first I was having Jake go easy on him because he was so little and didn't know any better, but he's become quite the rogue about it lately and it's time. He's a big boy now. So, I gave Jake the green light on teaching him some manners in that area and he's doing so with gusto....now the pup gets a warning growl and a tiny lunge when he tries to grab something from Jake's mouth. He's learning...
His fur is really getting deeper and his paws are getting bigger. He's such a sweety dog.
As soon as work slows down here I'm going to start working with him more on some things..like poop and where to leave it. On loading up in the truck or car, waiting there until I say he can get down, etc. Won't be long before he'll need neutered and I'd love it if he could load up in the vehicle by his lonesome so I won't have to lift the big lug up there. He and Jake are really getting good wrestling sessions in on these cold mornings...seems like that's a dog's favorite thing to do on a frosty morning, especially if there's a fresh snow. I love to watch them play and am glad Jake is no longer alone. Ben is still quiet...not a bit barky, though he's still talking now and again. I wonder if that will continue...I kind of like it.
- Thread starter
- #114
Beekissed
Herd Master
Those paws are growing...I hope he turns out to be a big dog. I just love walking next to a dog and not having to bend down much to throw your arm around his neck.
Southern by choice
Herd Master
Me too!
I also love how they "help you up". I have a bad knee and I am older so when I am sitting on the ground I need help getting up... I call Chunk and he stands there so I can use him to get myself up.
I also love how they "help you up". I have a bad knee and I am older so when I am sitting on the ground I need help getting up... I call Chunk and he stands there so I can use him to get myself up.
BlessedWithGoats
Herd Master
- Thread starter
- #117
Beekissed
Herd Master
Hot wired the pop door today...haven't got the chance to see how the pup reacts to it. The chickens did fine with it. Going away for a few days so it will be interesting to see if I have eggs in the nest when I come back or not.
If not it's because I've got the wrong kind of ground rod and clamp for my setup. I thought I had such things on hand when I bought my charger but found I didn't. Will buy a fence tester this weekend to see if my wire is getting a good charge anyway and will fix it all if not.
Spent some good time with him today, just sitting on the grass and snuggling. He's a big ol' softy, that dog. Loves attention.
He's loving his leaf hut house and when it's not real cold Jake sleeps there in the spare pen with the pup, but when it's really cold he retires to his fluffy bed and cozy lean to.
Got him a huge pork femur basted bone the other day and that should keep him gnawing for a long time. It's super hard, so won't be chewed up at all, but he can still have the pleasure of gnawing on it to satisfy his teething urges.
If it gets cold enough I'll let him have the next deer hide to chew on...Jake always loved those to whittle away on all winter.
He had good tucker for Thanksgiving and also had a nice hot meal the other day of left over venison neck roast, heated up deer scraps, fat and broth.
I love his quiet confidence and cheerful, sweet nature. He's advancing even further on waiting to eat and will lie down with his head on his paws, looking away from the food, and just wait...and wait..until I tell him "okay". Very good patience for such a young dog and speaks of his calm nature.
If not it's because I've got the wrong kind of ground rod and clamp for my setup. I thought I had such things on hand when I bought my charger but found I didn't. Will buy a fence tester this weekend to see if my wire is getting a good charge anyway and will fix it all if not.
Spent some good time with him today, just sitting on the grass and snuggling. He's a big ol' softy, that dog. Loves attention.
He's loving his leaf hut house and when it's not real cold Jake sleeps there in the spare pen with the pup, but when it's really cold he retires to his fluffy bed and cozy lean to.
Got him a huge pork femur basted bone the other day and that should keep him gnawing for a long time. It's super hard, so won't be chewed up at all, but he can still have the pleasure of gnawing on it to satisfy his teething urges.
If it gets cold enough I'll let him have the next deer hide to chew on...Jake always loved those to whittle away on all winter.
He had good tucker for Thanksgiving and also had a nice hot meal the other day of left over venison neck roast, heated up deer scraps, fat and broth.
I love his quiet confidence and cheerful, sweet nature. He's advancing even further on waiting to eat and will lie down with his head on his paws, looking away from the food, and just wait...and wait..until I tell him "okay". Very good patience for such a young dog and speaks of his calm nature.
BlessedWithGoats
Herd Master
Aww, Good boy Ben!!
Hope the hot wiring works, so you can start having your eggs again!
Hope the hot wiring works, so you can start having your eggs again!
- Thread starter
- #119
Beekissed
Herd Master
The simple little hot wire, no more than 10 in. of wire across the top of the opening of the pop door has done the trick. No more pup in the coop, stealing eggs.
Chickens go in and out just fine, but not the pup.
Just in time for my new pullets to start laying...any day now.
Chickens go in and out just fine, but not the pup.
Just in time for my new pullets to start laying...any day now.
babsbag
Herd Master
Don't you love it when it works?
