Joshua and Tiesto got to go camping for the first time during the month of April. Our first outing was a bit of a bust and thank God only one night, we did not bring the sound machine or mosquito coils and I forgot the Poison Ivy invested every corner of America. Our second outing was much more successful with only one hiccup!
Tiesto does not like being apart from Joshua and I. He especially loathes my absence but is much happier when Joshua is around also. Mark was setting up camp and Joshua and I were walking around while Tiesto was tied to a tree. He is never tied out anywhere and lives in our house with us. The most he has experienced is a crate. So this did not go over well. He commenced screaming . . .I didn’t panic because I knew once we all got settled he would get over it. However, our “neighbor” two tents down did panic. He came over and said,
“Sorry, I don’t want to be a pest but I can’t handle that.” I explained it would stop once we settled and that he was a baby puppy in a new situation. He responded,
“Well, he better stop.” And biked away. I was hot to trot for a second, then thankful that he told me instead of the park ranger. My seething calmed down as Joshua and I began making a stick fort right next to the now happy Tiesto. All he wanted was us near.
Later that night two doors down and across the road from the “Can’t handle that” guy, there was such a din I couldn’t believe my ears. It was 11 pm! Laughing and cackling like a gaggle of geese and it refracted off the night air and trees like they were using megaphones! I could not stop laughing! Especially since I have so done that, complain about a tiny matter to only have a bigger annoyance in the same genre pop up. For instance, my work schedule and that of my spouse used to so differ that we only got to sleep in the same bed. I used to whine about just sleeping together until he got orders and we spent the next three years not even getting to sleep together! So I laughed at the distress that guy must be feeling and at the irony that he must be realizing just happened. I also pitied him as I started falling asleep to my son’s sound machine, he probably didn’t have one of those.
Tiesto does great camping. We take his crate and that helps him relax. We go to the beach early in the morning to play fetch and then again later during everyone else’s down time so we don’t have a crowded beach to worry about. Tiesto loves fetch, he is a nut over it! We have to take his bucket of water to the beach cause he’ll go until he is thirsty and then wonder why the ocean just ain’t cutting it for hydration. Silly, puppy! Since he has to be on a lead at all times in the campsites these fetch sessions for him are a great release! I’ve noticed that if he has pinned up energy it affects his whole outlook on the world. However, a simple game of fetch with straighten him right out. When he is old enough he will join us on long hikes and runs. Right now as a baby he cannot do that as it might hurt his legs and hips.
So the second camping trip was a great success! Tiesto, for me, makes camping that much more fun!
Wednesday 28 April 2010
Tuesday 27 April 2010
Freedom has a name, it is Tiesto!
I do not know why they say that dogs are a man's best friend. Personally, I had never met a male who was a dog person like myself until I met Mr. Ballard. That is saying alot since 50% of the population I run into daily is male and I am in my 30s. However, as a female I can say that I have met loads of female dog people but none quite as nuts as I am for dogs. A few have come close.
I have had a Great Dane, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and now a Corso. This does not include the countless mutts and drop offs I had on the farm growing up. To say that Dogs were my friends growing up would be an accurate description. I was afraid of mankind because they tended to hurt me, so I withdrew into animals hard core and by highschool that was complete, I did not take any chances with people and those that I did, well, sorry to say I ended up hurting! So by the Marine Corps I was very skittish around people and did not let very many near my heart. I was also very afraid of "bad people." I was so glad that the Marines taught me to fight for myself and so got over most of that fear. There is something to be said for hand to hand combat skills that can stop a man. Besides, I had thrown 6 foot men in training so what was there to be afraid of?
Most of that bravery came from the fact that I lived in the barracks surrounded by Marines and so did not realize I still needed a dog to sleep until I moved out on my own. That was when I got Tigger, my wonderful awesome Staffordshire Bull Terrier(do not believe anything the media says about Bull Terriers of any make, lazy ignorant owners make bad dogs not the breed), she past away last August 3, and I was in the dog free zone. As my husband is not a dog person we had made this deal, as long as Mark had to put up with a dog, I would have to put up with life without a dog. However, we were not planning on Mark being away so much! Many sleepless nights went by as I toured the house at every noise with a bat. I started running to relatives' houses and staying there. Finally, there was a straw that broke the camel's back. I was trapped at home and not sleeping for a few weeks in a row. A long discussion later and some powerful praying later, my husband softened and a Corso was going to come into our home.
I am not so worried about protecting myself anymore, but my son. He is my most priceless sweet son and I could not bear the thought of someone besting me to get to him! This was the cause of my anxiety. However, they would have to get up real early and eat lots of wheaties before they could best a Corso.
That is when I met the Ballards, awesome people who love the breed very much! They breed wonderful Corsos and are very knowledgable about the breed and are willing to share that knowledge not to mention their time to help when one needs it! They entrusted to me, Tiesto!
I had no idea how much my home had become a prison to me without the aid of a dog. I really think that Tiesto should qualify as an assistance dog, because he truly assists me in leaving the house! Just the other day I was laying in the yard with Joshua on my tummy(yes, even the yard was scary to me), we were both facing the sky and looking at the clouds while Tiesto laid beside us. I breathed in the relaxation deeply, no fear, because if someone came into our yard it was not me they were going to have to deal with. I walk through the car park at night with Joshua and Tiesto, with no fear, because it is not my job to protect and Tiesto is so very good at his job already! For instance, we were walking out of a store and Joshua was riding my back. Tiesto became very hesitant and would not walk by my side, he kept pulling us back and to the right. I couldn't fathom what was going on with him when I noticed a couple verbally fighting on our left near us. Tiesto noticed before I did and was trying to move us away, he is only five months old! That is amazing to me and so freeing! I don't have to be the protector, I can be the nuturer and caretaker. I can enjoy the day and be free of assessing and reassessing situations to make sure there is no danger to Joshua! So now I go anywhere anytime! I am not trapped like I was before, I'm even planning a road trip with Joshua and Tiesto! Something I would never have done with out Tiesto.
So I guess freedom has a name, Tiesto!
I have had a Great Dane, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier and now a Corso. This does not include the countless mutts and drop offs I had on the farm growing up. To say that Dogs were my friends growing up would be an accurate description. I was afraid of mankind because they tended to hurt me, so I withdrew into animals hard core and by highschool that was complete, I did not take any chances with people and those that I did, well, sorry to say I ended up hurting! So by the Marine Corps I was very skittish around people and did not let very many near my heart. I was also very afraid of "bad people." I was so glad that the Marines taught me to fight for myself and so got over most of that fear. There is something to be said for hand to hand combat skills that can stop a man. Besides, I had thrown 6 foot men in training so what was there to be afraid of?
Most of that bravery came from the fact that I lived in the barracks surrounded by Marines and so did not realize I still needed a dog to sleep until I moved out on my own. That was when I got Tigger, my wonderful awesome Staffordshire Bull Terrier(do not believe anything the media says about Bull Terriers of any make, lazy ignorant owners make bad dogs not the breed), she past away last August 3, and I was in the dog free zone. As my husband is not a dog person we had made this deal, as long as Mark had to put up with a dog, I would have to put up with life without a dog. However, we were not planning on Mark being away so much! Many sleepless nights went by as I toured the house at every noise with a bat. I started running to relatives' houses and staying there. Finally, there was a straw that broke the camel's back. I was trapped at home and not sleeping for a few weeks in a row. A long discussion later and some powerful praying later, my husband softened and a Corso was going to come into our home.
I am not so worried about protecting myself anymore, but my son. He is my most priceless sweet son and I could not bear the thought of someone besting me to get to him! This was the cause of my anxiety. However, they would have to get up real early and eat lots of wheaties before they could best a Corso.
That is when I met the Ballards, awesome people who love the breed very much! They breed wonderful Corsos and are very knowledgable about the breed and are willing to share that knowledge not to mention their time to help when one needs it! They entrusted to me, Tiesto!
I had no idea how much my home had become a prison to me without the aid of a dog. I really think that Tiesto should qualify as an assistance dog, because he truly assists me in leaving the house! Just the other day I was laying in the yard with Joshua on my tummy(yes, even the yard was scary to me), we were both facing the sky and looking at the clouds while Tiesto laid beside us. I breathed in the relaxation deeply, no fear, because if someone came into our yard it was not me they were going to have to deal with. I walk through the car park at night with Joshua and Tiesto, with no fear, because it is not my job to protect and Tiesto is so very good at his job already! For instance, we were walking out of a store and Joshua was riding my back. Tiesto became very hesitant and would not walk by my side, he kept pulling us back and to the right. I couldn't fathom what was going on with him when I noticed a couple verbally fighting on our left near us. Tiesto noticed before I did and was trying to move us away, he is only five months old! That is amazing to me and so freeing! I don't have to be the protector, I can be the nuturer and caretaker. I can enjoy the day and be free of assessing and reassessing situations to make sure there is no danger to Joshua! So now I go anywhere anytime! I am not trapped like I was before, I'm even planning a road trip with Joshua and Tiesto! Something I would never have done with out Tiesto.
So I guess freedom has a name, Tiesto!
Are you willing?
A Cane Corso is not a Labrador Retriever. This breed requires your dedication and committment until the end. I'm not an expert, I do not have a PhD or any other certificate. These are merely things I do with my Corso and I'm offering them to you as information in your quest.
Are you willing to make the time to socialize and obedience train this dog every day? My dog and baby boy are never left alone in a room for two reasons, one, Joshua is a baby, two, Tiesto is a baby. Neither one know what to do with the other, my job as the adult/alpha is to make sure that neither do the wrong thing. If you think this isn't something to be taken too seriously, then please get a parakeet. Any breed is capable of hurting a baby or adult. If you think that by getting a certain breed you won't have to worry about supervising your dog with your baby, think again. The most frightening and tragic thing I have recently read is about a 6 week old baby that was mauled to death by a Pomeranian!(see Dog Bite Law web page: Children as Victims of dogbites ) So please understand that no matter the breed you are going to have to be vigilant, your baby is your most precious treasure make no assumptions of their safety.
I am alone alot with Joshua, when Tiesto and I are going out socializing and working obedience, Joshua rides in a back pack on my back or in my baby KTan, so there is no excuse for not getting out and working your dog.
Are you willing to get the knowledge? Have you read any REALLY good books about training and raising a puppy? Are you willing to take your puppy to a class with you each week so that you can ensure a great adult dog? Are you willing to not only admit you don't know what you are doing but to go out and learn what you are supposed to be doing? There are great resources out there but I use the book by Gwen Bailey called How to Raise the Perfect Puppy. You can get this from Amazon.com. Also, Tiesto and I go to classes at Pet Smart and they are really good and Pet Smart is most every where. Please get signed up for a class as SOON as the dog is fully vaccinated. Until vaccinations are complete take him out in your arms to get socialized, make wild sounds in your house with buckets of rocks and music and dancing wildly about. Play with your kids how you are going to play with them and make sure the dog gets desensitized. I had company with children over. He stayed in the cage until everyone was settled in and then with my strict supervision he came out and sniffed around and met everyone, then laid down on his carpet chewing his toy while all the babies and adults made noise. Your dog has to get socialized to your life, period, this takes work. If any of your guests are apprehensive of your dog, keep your dog crated. Their nervousness will affect your dog as well and so don't let Fido feel that from them. This will give Fido the opportunity to understand that he isn't always welcome at parties, he can just listen and watch. This will be very good for you in the future too, as a family you might have something that you need to focus on and your pup will be happy and safe in his crate. Which brings up another point, Crate Training, I would be lost without it and so would a myraid of my things. There are loads of articles out there about Crate Training, just do a search in google and pick your favorite.
Again, these are just things that I do. These work for me and I'm not expert with any certificates or degrees. As a Cane Corso owner to one who is considering it I am giving you the gift of my experience, do with it what you will. If you decide to get a Corso, please get one from a respectable breeder, one who loves the breed more than your money and will help you when you need it. I love Ballard Cane Corso and Tiesto is one of theirs. Tiesto is five months old and I will post things about him and his life with us here from time to time. Maybe this will help give people a clear picture of what it is like to live with and love a Corso.
Are you willing to make the time to socialize and obedience train this dog every day? My dog and baby boy are never left alone in a room for two reasons, one, Joshua is a baby, two, Tiesto is a baby. Neither one know what to do with the other, my job as the adult/alpha is to make sure that neither do the wrong thing. If you think this isn't something to be taken too seriously, then please get a parakeet. Any breed is capable of hurting a baby or adult. If you think that by getting a certain breed you won't have to worry about supervising your dog with your baby, think again. The most frightening and tragic thing I have recently read is about a 6 week old baby that was mauled to death by a Pomeranian!(see Dog Bite Law web page: Children as Victims of dogbites ) So please understand that no matter the breed you are going to have to be vigilant, your baby is your most precious treasure make no assumptions of their safety.
I am alone alot with Joshua, when Tiesto and I are going out socializing and working obedience, Joshua rides in a back pack on my back or in my baby KTan, so there is no excuse for not getting out and working your dog.
Are you willing to get the knowledge? Have you read any REALLY good books about training and raising a puppy? Are you willing to take your puppy to a class with you each week so that you can ensure a great adult dog? Are you willing to not only admit you don't know what you are doing but to go out and learn what you are supposed to be doing? There are great resources out there but I use the book by Gwen Bailey called How to Raise the Perfect Puppy. You can get this from Amazon.com. Also, Tiesto and I go to classes at Pet Smart and they are really good and Pet Smart is most every where. Please get signed up for a class as SOON as the dog is fully vaccinated. Until vaccinations are complete take him out in your arms to get socialized, make wild sounds in your house with buckets of rocks and music and dancing wildly about. Play with your kids how you are going to play with them and make sure the dog gets desensitized. I had company with children over. He stayed in the cage until everyone was settled in and then with my strict supervision he came out and sniffed around and met everyone, then laid down on his carpet chewing his toy while all the babies and adults made noise. Your dog has to get socialized to your life, period, this takes work. If any of your guests are apprehensive of your dog, keep your dog crated. Their nervousness will affect your dog as well and so don't let Fido feel that from them. This will give Fido the opportunity to understand that he isn't always welcome at parties, he can just listen and watch. This will be very good for you in the future too, as a family you might have something that you need to focus on and your pup will be happy and safe in his crate. Which brings up another point, Crate Training, I would be lost without it and so would a myraid of my things. There are loads of articles out there about Crate Training, just do a search in google and pick your favorite.
Again, these are just things that I do. These work for me and I'm not expert with any certificates or degrees. As a Cane Corso owner to one who is considering it I am giving you the gift of my experience, do with it what you will. If you decide to get a Corso, please get one from a respectable breeder, one who loves the breed more than your money and will help you when you need it. I love Ballard Cane Corso and Tiesto is one of theirs. Tiesto is five months old and I will post things about him and his life with us here from time to time. Maybe this will help give people a clear picture of what it is like to live with and love a Corso.
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