Post by Lannie on Feb 25, 2012 14:01:36 GMT -5
I posted an update on Missy the other day, then realized I haven't said anything about Jasper in a while, and there have been SO many changes!
First and most important, he seems to have finally figured out that chickens are not toys. This is a HUGE improvement! I can't even remember the last time he mauled a chicken. Lately, any time I look outside, I see chickens and guineas ranging casually around the property in loose groups. No more hiding in a bunch in the barn, or not coming out of the coop at all. They've started coming back up to the house and everything. Meanwhile, Jasper's usually snoozing either in the grass between the house and barns, in one of the corrals, or out on the near side of the pasture.
One evening a few weeks ago, I heard coyotes howling, and Jasper went bonkers! I think that's when his switch finally flipped. He became The Guardian Dog. He kept me awake a few nights with the barking, but it must have worked, because I haven't heard any coyotes since, and now he doesn't bark all night anymore. However, he's become the advance guard for any perceived threat. He's so big and handsome, how could he NOT be? LOL! He's half again as big as Kiara now, and he could STILL grow some more. His feet are like dinner plates!
We've had a couple people over recently, a couple of neighbors, and the Dish Network tech to replace some equipment, and every time, Jasper barks his big dog bark and comes toward the intruder. He doesn't get too close, but he definitely makes his presence known. And wonder of wonders, Kiara comes with him, instead of running to the far end of the pasture. So his boldness is rubbing off on her, I guess.
The day before yesterday, I went outside and I had on a different coat than the one I normally wear. Jasper and Kiara were lounging up on the northeast hill, keeping watch, and when Jasper saw a "stranger" going toward the barns, he came barreling down the hill at full speed, barking like crazy. I called out to him and said, "Good BOY, Jasper!" and he realized it was me. He stopped, cocked his head, and looked at me like, "Mom? Is that YOU?" LOL! It was so funny! Then he and Kiara came the rest of the way and wanted to know if I had any cookies.
Yesterday morning, I opened the door to let the house dogs out, and because it was still dark, I flipped on the porch light. Jasper was in the horse corral, and again, he came barking toward the "disturbance" at full speed. Then he saw it was us, stopped, ducked his head like, "Ooops, sorry..." and turned around and went back to his sleeping spot.
I AM SO PROUD OF HIM! I just can't explain how happy I am to see THIS dog, from what used to be that scared, broken little puppy that came to us last summer. I can say now that Jasper has BLOOMED.
~Lannie
First and most important, he seems to have finally figured out that chickens are not toys. This is a HUGE improvement! I can't even remember the last time he mauled a chicken. Lately, any time I look outside, I see chickens and guineas ranging casually around the property in loose groups. No more hiding in a bunch in the barn, or not coming out of the coop at all. They've started coming back up to the house and everything. Meanwhile, Jasper's usually snoozing either in the grass between the house and barns, in one of the corrals, or out on the near side of the pasture.
One evening a few weeks ago, I heard coyotes howling, and Jasper went bonkers! I think that's when his switch finally flipped. He became The Guardian Dog. He kept me awake a few nights with the barking, but it must have worked, because I haven't heard any coyotes since, and now he doesn't bark all night anymore. However, he's become the advance guard for any perceived threat. He's so big and handsome, how could he NOT be? LOL! He's half again as big as Kiara now, and he could STILL grow some more. His feet are like dinner plates!
We've had a couple people over recently, a couple of neighbors, and the Dish Network tech to replace some equipment, and every time, Jasper barks his big dog bark and comes toward the intruder. He doesn't get too close, but he definitely makes his presence known. And wonder of wonders, Kiara comes with him, instead of running to the far end of the pasture. So his boldness is rubbing off on her, I guess.
The day before yesterday, I went outside and I had on a different coat than the one I normally wear. Jasper and Kiara were lounging up on the northeast hill, keeping watch, and when Jasper saw a "stranger" going toward the barns, he came barreling down the hill at full speed, barking like crazy. I called out to him and said, "Good BOY, Jasper!" and he realized it was me. He stopped, cocked his head, and looked at me like, "Mom? Is that YOU?" LOL! It was so funny! Then he and Kiara came the rest of the way and wanted to know if I had any cookies.
Yesterday morning, I opened the door to let the house dogs out, and because it was still dark, I flipped on the porch light. Jasper was in the horse corral, and again, he came barking toward the "disturbance" at full speed. Then he saw it was us, stopped, ducked his head like, "Ooops, sorry..." and turned around and went back to his sleeping spot.
I AM SO PROUD OF HIM! I just can't explain how happy I am to see THIS dog, from what used to be that scared, broken little puppy that came to us last summer. I can say now that Jasper has BLOOMED.
~Lannie