Banned Books Club discussion

Has anyone heard from Anda??? She made a nice addition to the group!!

Hello Barbara, hello ladies. Thank you very much for your concern! I am here :) I have actually been always here, but I mostly use goodreads apps, which miss a lot of features. I am not able to see messages or notifications (either on iphone or ipad). Just right now I am using my computer from work..after having an unexpected break and, as it's proved, a very inspirational moment :))

I am glad that Satia tries to regroup the group, and after sending this message, I'll go right to the poll! Otherwise, I am fine, but busy, both at work and home, especially with my little puppy who grows fast (he is already 4 months) and needs a lot of atention. He is very lovable and sweet, but sometimes is naughty and stubborn and challenge us a lot :)) Satia, Serena, if you have good tips of how to make him to don't chew my hands (terrible puppy teeths), please let me know :)

Barbara, how is your hand?

Hi Anda,
Your pup must be soooo cute!

I think there are 2 schools out there about puppies and hand-chewing. One school says it's ok to play-hands with them, but you must yelp loud and stop playing right away if he nibs too hard. Therefore the pup can learn to control its bite. Another school says no at all time to play-hands with the pups: zero tolerance. My pup wanted to chew my hands constantly when he was younger, and I'd stick a chew toy or raw hide, things he's allowed to play with, in his mouth and praised him. Also teaching him "leave it" will help a lot.

Here is an article by Andrea Arden, she's the trainer at the shelter where I got my pup. This is one of her articles about puppy chewing, you might be able to find more through google search. They helped me a lot!

http://www.hssv.org/docs/behavior/dog...

Good luck! My pup is 9.5 months now and he's gotten a lot better, although I am still suffering from lack of sleep from his abundance of energy, Saita knows... Lol!

Serena

Hi Anda!! I'm so glad to see you here!!

Yes, the Goodreads app is very limited. I sometimes use Goodreads on my Smart Phone (which is actually what I'm doing right now) and the features are very limited. I can go to my groups and read and/or write posts in the groups, but I can't see the group's homepage, so I don't get to see the current or upcoming reads!!

Also, with the Smart Phone I can't go to the polls (so I voted from my computer a couple of days ago), and I can't get into my private messages.

Facebook is MUCH more "Smart Phone friendly," I love Goodreads -- it's one of my favorite spots on the internet, but it REALLY could be much better. Unlike facebook, goodreads is not very well known, so I'm guessing they don't have a very strong marketing team, which could mean that they don't have the financing to keep their technology updated.

Sorry!!! I didn't mean to get into a whole analysis of Goodreads!!!

Again, Anda, I'm glad you're here!!! I feel as though you, Satia, and Serena have been my friends forever!!! Your new puppy must be adorable!!! I love dogs, but I've never had my own. One day, maybe!!

Thank you for asking about my broken wrist. It's so much better, but it will take a very long time to heal. I'm able to use my hand, but it's still very limited. I still can only type mainly with my right hand, but I've been slowly doing more with my left hand, and sometime this week I'm going to try some typing with both hands.

I'm looking forward to all of us (and hopefully some of the group members that have not been around for some previous discussions, AND, of course, all new members) to read and discuss the February book together!!!!

Yes, totally agree! Puppies aim to please and that's a sure trait to take advantage of.

Puppies are so much fun and cute, but such a pain of the butt! Hahaha! Is your puppy going to puppy playgroups? When Niki was younger, the best way to exhaust him out was have him play with other puppies. He'd always be so calm (like a real dog, haha) and nice afterwards.

Would love to see a pic of your pup!

Serena, Satia, thank you for your precious advices! I like too much first school opinion (that is ok to play hands with puppy) for trying not at all the second one (zero tolerance):) And reading Andrea Arden’s material, I realize that I do perhaps not praise enough the good behavior (when dog plays softer---veeery seldom is true, or when he licks hands). I found also very useful the advice with the fist…I will try it, especially when he is also a Siberian sledge dog! I know about avoiding eye-contact method and I sometimes apply it, but I believe I need to be more consistent.

Yes, my puppy (Zeno) is enrolled in a kind of “puppy socializing school” :) There are 10 puppies of different breeds, but we are not allowed to let them free, which honestly is frustrating for both dogs and owners. Another thing I don’t like is the intensive feeding with goodies when we exercise. One hour, we keep cramming them like gooses and Zeno has always upset tummy next day. Otherwise is funny and I am really pleased by his behavioral progress. However, he still is pain of the butt :) We’ve discovered yesterday that all three outer corner walls existing in our house are carved!!! Not counting the backyard, full with holes! So, Barbara, do you still consider to buy a puppy? :)) I think it anyway is worthing! And I would love to share some pics with our dogs!! (is there any possibility to upload pics on goodreads?)

Barbara, I am glad your wrist is better and I hope you have a quick recovery.

Wow,Satia, they are beautiful!! And Romanov is such a name :) You know, regarding brushing I use Furminator, a desheding tool. Before Zeno we had a collie with generous hair and I was really happy with this brush/comb. I still have it and I start to use it on Zeno, as well.

Thank you for the tip with pictures. I uploaded few on webshots and I will try to insert the images here. If doesn't work, I will give you the link to the album.

Test :)



Here is Zeno, when he was 6 weeks :)

Hist first day home:


When he was 3 months and still place under the bed :)


...a little bit bigger


from last week, on the beach


...and sitting comfortable :)

Oh my god!! Doggies! Awww... Romanov and Snowdolls are so pretty and cool looking, they both look like they are smiling in that picture. Hahahaha!

Goodness! Zeno is just a fluffy bundle of cuteness! He must get all sorts of attention when you walk him. He looks like a stuff animal! Lol!

That's a strange puppy playgroup. I have never heard of a playgroup where dogs aren't allowed to be off leash, they are not really playing then. Lol! But I am glad to hear his behavior has progress.

Serena, yes, we always cause a stir when we walk him :)) Regarding the play group, I think the instructor wants to keep herself on the safest side, to avoid all possible incidents; probably due to the fact that the rules regarding dogs off leash are pretty tough in Denmark. You don't have pictures with Niki?

Satia, when they blow out? Spring and Autumn?...and how long it takes? I just want to be prepared, because I actually saw Zeno's mother shed, and I didn't recognize her!!

Ahhh that makes sense. Totally forgot that you live in Denmark. So sorry!

Let me see if I can get this to work...

Here is Nikolai Stavrogin at 9 weeks old, pic posted by the shelter.
[image error]

Here is him at the off leash dog park sitting on a disable dog when he was 3.5 months old, lol! (Roosevelt loves Niki so it's cool.)
[image error]

Here is him at 7 months old.
[image error]

I hope it works. That uploading process totally confused the hell out of me...

Serena

It worked :))Nikolai Stavrogin is veeery cute! But I believe he has also a lot force ..does he pull?

Haha, yeap...it's not quite uploading; just inserting links from uploads!!

Zeno lost yesterday his upper eyeteeth; both of them. I can play hands with him, hahaha...

Yes Niki is very strong but he only pulls when he knows he's going to a place he really likes, like my friend's apartment. Lol! But usually he is pretty chill on the walks. I also recently got a prong collar which has worked like a charm so far, he calms down when the collar is on him.

Awww... Zeno is losing his baby teeth. So cute! He must look funny with both eyeteeth gone, lol! Playing hands IS fun, I must say. I did that last night with Niki after all these talk about it. Hahahaha! Now that he is older, he plays hands very gently.

I can have dog talks all day long. Hehe.

Satia, when I saw that bumblebee photo on the shelter site, the first thought that popped into my head was: "Awww... what is the shelter doing to you, little fellow? I must save you from such silliness!" Lol! So the outfit worked!