Category: Blog

I made a small mistake when I signed up Dulce for @VPI Insurance, I indicated that she had gone to the vet before I signed her up.  Whoops.  She had not.  I didn't know that for sure until June.

I have her with the same coverage as Macy — basically the MAX, and I took her to the vet in May for a check up with no problems.  Was reimbursed according to the schedule for the well-care visit.  In the meantime, the vet and I decided that she hadn't been seen by a vet and we weren't sure which vaccines she had gotten, so was started an initial round.

Then one night we were in agility class, and she peed pink.  Whoops, looked like blood.  Took her to the vet the next day, and they found dark blood in the stool, but not in the pee, but did find an elevated white count and an ear infection.

We treated her for all of that, and then the problems with VPI began.  They wanted all of her vet records.  My vet set her records and I sent a statement to them telling them that I was mistaken and that Dulce had not seen a vet before I got in her May.

Still no word on reimbursement.

I finally got word via twitter than another letter was on the way so I called the 1-800 number to find out what they wanted.  They wanted a statement saying I was mistaken when I checked the "had seen a vet in May".    Even though I sent that in July, I faxed them another one.   Now we wait again.

The good news is that they are reimbursing Macy appropriately for her ear infection and allergies.  Also she is feeling loads better — more about that so I don't jinx us at the trial this afternoon, but we had two nice runs yesterday and lots of compliments.

Macy has been very healthy until recently.  She got a bit lethargic, got a big hot spot and we started dealing with ear infections.  Anyone who has had a dog with allergies knows where I am going with this.

So far, VPI has covered most of the associated expenses and have been very prompt with payment.

I was also happy to find out recently that I could cover my older dog with an injury only policy. 

Just wish we could get Dulce’s paperwork problems straightened out!

I'm almost afraid to post this, I'm sure she'll forget she's a dog, but she has been a dog all day.  This is nice, and my intent when I brought home an almost year old dog, rather than waiting until the six week old puppies were old enough to come home.

She's been frustrating because she's gotten into more stuff than any dog I remember, though she hasn't eaten my driver's license the minute it hit the floor.  Okay, I was more careful about things not hitting the floor.

We have lots of things to train and lots of issues, but we're getting there!

We went over to Keller for an indoor fun match.  Just like at Dog City last week, Macy did NOT like the AFrame, but I think it was too tall.  NICE weaves, was able to correct a bad table which was good the rest of the runs.  AND she took every single teeter. 

She was very up and had a good time.  Now if we could just both lose a substantial amount of weight in two weeks.

So both girls are still scratching their ears, so the vet packed them again.  I got to see it this time.  She basically fills a syringe with medicine and squirts it straight down into their ears.

Process is MUCH easier.  Costs under $30.00 so has to be equivalent to the regular stuff which they hate.

Vet and I are a bit concerned with VPI – seems I’m not the only one they have asked for full vet records.  Got a letter Saturday from them asking for the information.

Management is still an issue with Dulce.  Right now she is in the cage because she was found on the breakfast nook table, helping herself to her squeaky toy.  Wouldn’t be a huge program but she kills them.  She also likes to take things out of the laundry room, into the yard.  Usually dirty laundry, but at least she doesn’t chew it.

I put together my tire today, and have her jumping it – but I don’t think we’re at full height.  Hard to measure <smile> and she is a bit intimidated by it.

I’m able to get her to go over a couple of jumps in a row.

But the best part is she is just starting to weave!

Got up early and went over to Dog City to do some work on obstacles I don’t own.  Especially since Dulce is falling further and further behind in agility class between illnesses, etc.

Best news!  Dulce weaved on their weave poles TWICE!  I set up my channel weaves for her when I first got her.

Bad news!  I rewarded her with a new toy each time I got it.  She wouldn’t come back.  The first time, I got Macy out, and she followed Macy into a tunnel and I could grab her.  Second time, no dice.  She finally got tired and bored.

Teeter is going well with both dogs – I focused on having both of them go up the plank – and having them down.  Dulce is going all the way up, but not downing.  Macy is downing. 

Dulce is gladly going through tunnels, played a bit with tire, didn’t get anywhere.

Worked table with both dogs, Dulce is going to the table and downing automatically.  Macy has all three behaviors going – table down, table sit, and table stand – yes, I’m training that since we’re probably going to do some Teacup and that will be legal in AKC in a few weeks.

Since I discovered that the recall problem is REALLY bad, I worked in the red room with recalls and crates. 

I’ve got a massage this afternoon and class tonight – and since it was a bit cooler (only 90 degrees), we already got our walk over for today.

Today, I was a bit disappointed in Macy because she wouldn’t do the dog walk at the Teacup Agility trial and I do think it is lack of confidence in me.  @alfredtwo who is not a dog person asked if it could be fixed.

I certainly hope so, because I really enjoy Macy and I really enjoy agility and I would hate to leave her home like I do Maggie.  It would also make me feel a failure as a dog trainer.

Having a new dog come in and work on the basics is making me realize that I have a lot of holes in Macy’s training and I’m trying to fill them.  it’s helped because I’m working with a very scientific trainer now.  I’m not sure how I got holes in Macy’s training, but I think one of the biggest is the fact that she doesn’t have a stay. 

Okay, it’s the biggest.

I have a few problems.  I have completely forgotten that I trained Marcie and Maggie at home.  Okay, I didn’t do MUCH training with Maggie because she gives everyone in the neighborhood a headache when we doesn’t understand something.  It’s a bit embarrassing when you see the neighbors on a walk with two thirds of your dogs and they ask which one screams (yes, it was the one I left a home because she breaks on walks).  I’ve been relying totally on training in class and wondering why I am not getting as far as my classmates.

One sign I forgot I trained those dogs – when I cleaned out the shed, I found agility equipment that is well used, but I honestly don’t remember using it.  A tunnel AND a chute.  I know I didn’t do agility at home with Patty because she didn’t DO agility.

So I’ve gone back to basics.  I’ve got a list of agility behaviors I am supposed to have on Dulce by the beginning of September, and not only am I making sure that Dulce has those behaviors, but I’m also making sure that Macy has them.  I also have agility equipment on order and coming in August – a teeter – Macy’s biggest problem and a contact trainer.  I am also kicking around the idea of teacup agility equipment but will probably wait and see what happens with the Teacup schedule with the new facility.

I’ve been concentrating on the down stay – I have been working on it with both dogs with a grooming table so that I can reward without absolute no  movement.  Macy twitches and moves the second I have a reward to give her – one of the many reasons I don’t have a stay.  Once they completely understand the stay on the grooming table, I’m going to move them further down to the floor, and then onto the floor.

I’ve also got to figure out how to deal with my knee.  At the rate my doctor’s office is going, it is looking like the insurance company is refusing the surgery – in other words – they have made no arrangements towards the surgery at all.  I have called twice since the appointment.  Will call again next week. 

We had a fun weekend.  Both of us are tired today.  Teacup Agility is at http://k9tdaa.com/ and basically scales down the agility obstacles and course for small dogs.  It’s limited to dogs 17” and under, which certainly includes beagles (who are 15” and under).

Between the fumes from the new stuff and the odd size of the obstacles Macy was put off a bit and she is a dog with not much confidence. 

However, we did have a lovely run on Saturday and I think we would do better the next time.

I also think she needs to lose a pound before the next AKC trial – not easy since she is a food thief (what beagle isn’t).  We also need confidence building.  I think having our own teeter will help that – and one is coming.

The facility is nice – but in Keller, so we won’t be there very often.  They have their grand opening next week.

Since people have been asking…..

Macy eyes seem to have cleared up, so I'm quite sure her issue(s) are allergy related, since we've been on allergy meds for two day.

Dulce hasn't had an accidents in front of me.  Also haven't been seeing the small pee spots, so I think she is clearing up too.  I need to see her poop and see if she is still having bloody stools.  Her energy level seems to be coming up too.

LOVE the ear packing.  I need to find out more about it because no one at agility class at heard of it.  It sure is nice not to have to chase dogs down to do ears.