Time for a nail trim

As you can see below Soos is due for a nail trim.  We've known this for a bit and we've been working on desensitization of the nail trim experience.   We do this by having the nail clippers around him and he gets a treat on them, around them so that he sees they aren't scary.  Also when we are relaxing we will touch, rub and massage his feet in hopes of him getting use to the handling of his feet.  Soos has been doing great with all of this.       

 So we started trimming and he did super!  We didn't want to push our luck so, after doing his front feet we stopped.  We'll do the back feet in the next day or so.

 

Here's a FANTASTIC video by Dr. Karen Becker on how to do a nail trim!

 

Trimming Your Dog's Nails Without Pain and Stress

And here's an article that shows why keeping nails trimmed is so important.

Why is nail trimming important

 

Soos was a super star and for being so great, he was rewarded with a bully stick!

 

Sunny Sunday morning

It was cold yesterday morning!  After a long chilly walk, the dogs were ready for some resting in the sun.
 

"Awww so nice!"

 

Tired boy - having a tough time staying awake.

Off to sleep he goes in the warm sun

 

 

But wait!  I came back in the room and it seems Soos didn't want to nap on his own...

Made us laugh seeing how he's laying with the toy



Having sweet dreams!



Silly boy

 

and oh so adorable too!

D'light enjoying the sun

and Catty too!

 

 

New toy in the house!

It's a very long squirrel whose body makes lots of crinkle noise and it's tail has a squeaker that sounds like a dying animal - what could be better for a rat terrier?! 

 

We let D'light check it out and he quickly said "No thank you!"

 

Then it was Soos' turn....

 

"This is rat-tastic!"

"I love this tail!"

 

 Soos feel asleep after all that fun and I draped the squirrel behind him so you could see how long it is! 

 

Too much fun for Soos!

And then a couple days later out came the squirrel!

 

 

 

Look who has learned how to play tug - good boy Soos!

 

 

More play time and look who's coming to see what all the commotion is about....

 

 

Catty's turn to play with the squirrel!  All she wants is for me to play tug with her.  Don't you worry about Soos - hear that squeak?!

 

 

Catty keeps playing with the squirrel and Soos has found his favorite ball.

 

Catty is done with the squirrel so Soos and I keep playing.  I toss it and it lands on the peanut. 

 

 

The frustration barking we don't want.  So, I lower  the criteria for Soos and move the toy to a place that Soos can grab it with some help - which boosts his confidence!  And guess what - foster dad is home so Soos says "time to go get some snuggles!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Touch me!

 Once Soos settles in, he's quite the love bug!  Here's Soos taking a break after playing ball with foster dad. 

 

Time for some body work

A big stretch and a kiss for foster dad! 
D'light making his move to bring the baby over to dad...

D"light says "Me, me, touch me!"

You can see Soos relaxes pretty quickly!

"This is nice!"

I'm pretty sure he feel asleep

And back comes D'light...

"Me, me, me - touch me!"

And once I put the camera down there were plenty of hands for both boys!  

 

A boy in a bag

After breakfast and potty time,  Soos enjoys a nap and for this nap session, he was interested in snuggling down in one of the sleep sacks.  These are great sleep sacks for dogs who like to be under blankets and that's true for Soos.

 

Where's Soos?

He pokes out his snout

He's just too cute

And he falling back to sleep

Lifting up the sack and he's still sleeping...

"You're letting the heat out!"

Finding a more comfortable position and back to sleep he goes!

Here's a link to the sleep sacks by Doodle bug duds   

Soos is sleeping in a size medium and he's 11lbs. 

Soos & the flower feeder

For those of you who follow my blog, you know I LOVE interactive feeders. While a feeder may not seem like a big deal - they are.  

 

For Soos the feeder builds his confidence, works his brain and slows down his gobbling of food.  He gets to do these things twice a day everyday!

 

Soos working the Kyjen Slo-Bowls - flower feeder

 

He has a good time eating his meals!

 



"Yum and fun!"

If you're interested, the New Rattitude Retail shop currently has two other types of Kyjen Slo-Bowls  in stock!

 

 

 

77 reasons to say thank you in 2013!

To all of our New Rattitude adopters & benefactors, we say THANK YOU for your support in 2013!  May this video inspire you to continue your support in 2014

 

Northwest region's 2013 adopted rat terriers

 

This wonderful video was created by past NR adopters of Boushey - Aim Chummanon & Darin Suthapong.

 

Wishing everyone a rat-tastic 2014!