An Update on Connor.

[DawnCt1]

As many of you know, I lost my beloved Jude (standard poodle) on February 7th. I was absolutely heart broken, even though I know I took absolutely wonderful care of him right up to the end and gave him a great life as an "only child". "Connor", a two year old intact standard poodle came to live with us at the end of February or so. He was incredibly anxious and would not let me out of his sight. His appetite was poor, I couldn't find a food that he liked. I tried a raw diet which gave him diarrhea and I couldn't even turn over in bed without him being on alert. He did well with beginning obedience and no sooner did he finish that, he had to return to his previous owner for three days for breeding.
My first thought was "well, I guess we will have to start all over". When he got back home, he picked up from where we left off. In fact, I think he leaped ahead. He is now more relaxed and eats well. He likes Nature's Recipe Venison formula with 1/3 of a can of Purina Lamb and Rice mixed in. Hurray! No more diarrhea or not eating. He has put on weight. He has calmed down considerably. He is able to be in another room....as long as he can see me. The most important thing? I have taught him to do his business "in the woods". That is at least 30 ft away. Everyone in the house loves him. He likes them but he won't go outside with anyone else nor will he go into another room with anyone else for more than 5 minutes.
When I wake up in the morning he seems so relieved that I "lived through the night". If I leave the house, he cries and hides in his crate but overall he is a happy dog. He is smiling now. Loves to run outside and when I am working in the yard stays within 20 feet of me at all times. There are dogs on the street but he never would leave the yard to 'visit' them. His initial adjustment period was a good distraction for me after loosing Jude. Connor was INTENSE!!!! Now he is just omnipresent. As long as he can see me, he is happy.

 

[mamamary]

Thanks for the update on Connor. Seems like he is coming around. Laughed at the comment about you living thru the night

 

[4nana]

Awww, Dawn you sound like a wonderful Mommy . I'm glad Conner has brought you all happiness, is adjusting well, and enjoying being part of your family. Thankfully furbabies really do have a way of fulfilling some of our needs and warming our hearts.

We're enjoying keeping our DS's 2 dogs while he's in AFG (praise God, he returns in a month). We have 4 acres for them to romp on, and yet they insist on doing their business within 10 ft of the back door! Lucky us!?!?

 

[DawnCt1]

Awww, Dawn you sound like a wonderful Mommy . I'm glad Conner has brought you all happiness, is adjusting well, and enjoying being part of your family. Thankfully furbabies really do have a way of fulfilling some of our needs and warming our hearts.

We're enjoying keeping our DS's 2 dogs while he's in AFG (praise God, he returns in a month). We have 4 acres for them to romp on, and yet they insist on doing their business within 10 ft of the back door! Lucky us!?!?

At least you can find it to scoop it up. Annie was on the invisible fence which gave her a lot of freedom but she couldn't access the wooded area. Jude didn't need the fence and I didn't attempt it because he was 8 years old when he came to live with us. He also didn't like being outside by himself. Annie didn't care although she never stayed out for more than 20 minutes at a time. I love not having Jude and Connor on the 'fence'. No more "landmines", burnt shrubs, etc. It was relatively easy to teach him where to go. I picked up the "sample" and deposited in the wooded area and stood there until he went. I reinforced it with "go poop in the woods" and now he does. Best trick ever. Better than sit or stay!

 

[Planogirl]

Awwww.... He sounds like a good dog and definitely a needed distraction too. It also sounds like he's making great progress.

 

[4nana]

At least you can find it to scoop it up. Annie was on the invisible fence which gave her a lot of freedom but she couldn't access the wooded area. Jude didn't need the fence and I didn't attempt it because he was 8 years old when he came to live with us. He also didn't like being outside by himself. Annie didn't care although she never stayed out for more than 20 minutes at a time. I love not having Jude and Connor on the 'fence'. No more "landmines", burnt shrubs, etc. It was relatively easy to teach him where to go. I picked up the "sample" and deposited in the wooded area and stood there until he went. I reinforced it with "go poop in the woods" and now he does. Best trick ever. Better than sit or stay!

Thx Dawn, appreciate the tip ! It's well worth a try, I'll also pass info onto my DS when his furbabies go home in a few weeks.

 

[kirbydog48]

Dawn, I think we should call you the "Poo"dle Whisperer!!!!!

 

[Brit17]

Your update on Connor brought happy tears to my eyes ... I truly believe that a Power higher than any of us may have had a little something to do with bringing you both together when you both needed each other the most ... Connor is a special boy and you are a special Mom ...

 

[Wonders10]

Do you think you could share a picture of your Jude as well as Connor? My mom has a standard poodle, Phoebe, and I just love her to bits. We don't see many standards down here so when I hear about one I get really excited!

I have half a standard - a Goldendoodle. I love him dearly, but there are definitely days when I wish I had gotten the "original" and gotten a Standard Poodle. Great, Great dogs.

 

[DawnCt1]

This is Jude, when he was well. He is a bigger boned, 'older style' standard poodle.

This was Jude after he got sick. He rested a lot. I let him sleep as late as he wanted, but poodles are a very stoic breed. By the time they appear ill, they are very, very ill. He was a brave boy. I miss him so much.

Here are pix of Connor when he first came. His grooming is 'better' now. I am growing his ears.
It was hard to get a good picture of him because I couldn't get enough distance between him and I. DH took my camera to France, but I will take pictures o him when I get it back. He is thinner, more "refined" and smaller boned. The "new style poodle" according to the breeder.

 

[disney1990]

It sounds like "Life is Good" at your house now. I am so glad that Conner has adjusted so well.

 

[Wonders10]

This is Jude, when he was well. He is a bigger boned, 'older style' standard poodle.

Jude was beautiful! He looks so much like my mom's dog, except she is Black.

Connor is adorable as well. I didn't realize they were "re-designing" the poodle My doodle's mom looks more like Connor. She was a very small apricot standard.

(Obviously) the black is the standard and the white is my goldendoodle:

He's bigger now - this was at about 6-9 months:

 

[720L]

My Mom has a white standard poodle also...except her tail is clipped. She is about 3 years old, Mom took her from someone who couldn't have a dog anymore. She is the sweetest dog! She loves to sit by you.....always wants attention.....and she "hugs" you too...which gets kind of obnoxious but she's so sweet I don't mind. I never would have thought standard poodles would be so friendly. Mom has had toy poodles who are nice dogs but a little snippy.

 

[DawnCt1]

Jude was beautiful! He looks so much like my mom's dog, except she is Black.

Connor is adorable as well. I didn't realize they were "re-designing" the poodle My doodle's mom looks more like Connor. She was a very small apricot standard.

(Obviously) the black is the standard and the white is my goldendoodle:

He's bigger now - this was at about 6-9 months:

Beautiful doggies! Annie was my first standard; a black female. She was a hoot. The males are so different from the females.

 

[clh2]

Dawn - thanks for posting an update! I was wondering last weekend (when CathrynRose posted the pics of Hazel and Charley) how things were going.

Just for the record - Your poodles and CathrynRose's pits are my favorite puppies on the DIS!