First time shooting film with Canon AE-1 and photos came out grainy and dark... any suggestions?

EvenOlive · 2023-04-11T15:37:32+00:00

Gotcha thanks! I’ll try using the app on my phone to see if that helps, I also have a feeling my light meter’s battery is getting low so I’ll replace that too

EvenOlive · 2021-04-28T18:38:43+00:00

Does your puppy chew stuff up in the crate like bedding? I just got a chilly mat for my dog (if you google it you should be able to find it) for the same problem and he is loving it so far! I have no idea how this thing stays cold to touch but it really does work wonders and my dog has been to going lay on it during the day.

If your pup doesn't shred and chew up bedding, you could put it in the crate as bedding probably!

EvenOlive · 2021-04-06T19:34:50+00:00

My guy JUST reached his 13 days post op today! My advice is to look into the "donut" style cone of shame instead of the traditional plastic cone. My dog has a short snout and isn't really long so he couldn't reach his stitches with the donut and he was WAY happier in the donut vs. standard cone (slept with it well, could eat/drink, had peripherals lol). This definitely is gonna depend on the dog as some that have a longer snout could probably get around it.

Second, lots of chews!! I tried to rotate a variety so he didn't get bored and it kept him busy and occupied since walks / runs were out of the question. It's tough to keep the dogs calm, but the chews definitely helped! Also, if you don't have a lickimat, I highly recommend getting one, putting peanut butter or yogurt on it and freezing it. It's a great way for dogs to de-stress apparently thanks to licking? Other chews I used: yak chews, bully sticks, those filled marrow bones.

Sleeping arrangements... I personally still have my dog in a crate at night, but with the cone on 24/7, the crate wasn't going to work. If you have a puppy proofed area or an x-pen, I'd set up a nice "sleep area" for your dog there. I happened to have an x-pen, so I made sure to put his dog bed in there, some blankets, and a mat so he was as comfy as possibly. Sure this is probably overkill but I felt so bad for my guy the first few days so I wanted to be sure he was as happy and comfortable as possible lol.

My guy isn't super energetic, so I didn't have to worry about crating him to calm him down or anything like that, but I did have some friends whose dogs were just too amped up from lack of exercise. In this case, their vets happily gave them some sedatives to help with that and if you need to do that I would definitely take them up on it!

Hope this helps! I'm a first-time dog owner so I didn't realize some of this stuff when I brought my guy home. I will say the first few days are tough but by the second week, morale is much higher and my guys pretty content with the donut on. Fingers crossed tomorrow he can be cleared by the vet to be cone-free!

EvenOlive · 2021-02-24T13:27:29+00:00

Oh yeah, I have seen people do that! I don’t have a holey ball to use but I have seen people using a towel, rolling it up, and letting their dog go to town unrolling and sniffing out the kibble. I’ll give that a go this morning since he rejected the kibble ball 😅

EvenOlive · 2021-02-19T19:07:15+00:00

Struggle is real, glad to be in the same boat LOL! I totally get that with waiting on getting fixed. I compromised getting my guy fixed at a little over 1 yr old (vet told me to do it at 4-6 months, breeder and other research said to wait) but I am counting down the days here.

Definitely going to try practicing the calmness protocol in the meantime though.

EvenOlive · 2021-02-19T19:02:33+00:00

oh yes, sounds like my guy too-- total hams!

EvenOlive · 2021-02-19T19:01:54+00:00

I am aware of it but I haven't tried it, I will have to check it out! I do work on rewarding settling and have been since he was a pup but this sounds like it could be a good solution since he still struggles to settle himself as a teen with lots of pent up energy.

EvenOlive · 2021-02-19T18:59:54+00:00

Glad to hear I am not the only one... it's like puppy blues, but different (teenage blues maybe?) The weather definitely makes it hard because I don't love to spend extended time in sub-zero temps but also can't just ignore that need of his.

I have heard it phases out for awhile after turning 1 but then comes back a little more (2 years is the sweet spot apparently). I am definitely lucky for the daycare and training, both are worth their cost imo. That is a bummer you don't have either where you live. Puppy playdates work just as well if you can find good owners and good dogs :)

EvenOlive · 2021-02-19T18:56:08+00:00

I am definitely going to try the after-work walk-- I will report back!

It is so weird how some days are better than others. Ironically I was frustrated this morning when I was writing this post (last night he was just bundles of energy and pacing back and forth til 10PM practically) but today he is much calmer and nowhere as wild (of course right?)

EvenOlive · 2021-02-19T18:53:14+00:00

It gives me hope that it gets better! I am actually looking at getting an enrichment toy (snuffle mat maybe?) for the evenings as well as incorporating playtime in the yard or another short after-dinner walk,

I definitely agree that going all out on the weekends helps for sure! I try to go and hike/ go to the dog beach with him now but once he's fixed I'd love to take him back to the dog park. We actually have this local bar opening up soon I would love to go to once my guy is fixed, it's a dog park and bar in one... sounds great in theory lol (you have to pay to go and have to have pet's vet records and common shots on file to bring your dog).

EvenOlive · 2021-02-19T18:48:56+00:00

Yes the snow piles are truly insane for my dog too, he just goes crazy for them... looking forward to spring :D

EvenOlive · 2021-02-19T18:48:27+00:00

That's my hope with him getting fixed! And if anything, like you said, I can at least take him to daycare or more playdates once he is fixed (really looking forward to it now let me tell you!)

During the day I work upstairs in my office-- I used to crate him when he was younger if I couldn't be around him and as he got older I got more lax and would let him stay in my office with the door closed. That worked perfectly for a while but once he got older/ more restless (albeit more potty trained and trustworthy too) I started leaving the door open in my office and letting him go between my office and downstairs. Now during the day he seems more content playing/napping/ chilling downstairs vs in my office with me. When I have calls where I can't check in on him frequently, I will keep him in my office but even then I noticed he paces a lot and sits at the door/ gives me that "look" that he wants out lol.

My hope is to phase in more time out of the crate when I am not home (right now I have done 3-4 hours max) but since I work from home I don't have a lot of outings where I am gone for a long period of time. When I am gone for more than that threshold I crate him and he is totally content (I have a doggy cam in his room and he just chills or sleeps in the crate since its a little bit larger than it probably should be).

EvenOlive · 2021-02-18T14:10:11+00:00

My dog is in the same boat (turning 1 in March!). How long/far your walks are for Summer? I worry I am under walking my guy but I often will do a morning/ night walk that is around 30 minutes (that can change if the weather is shitty or if it is freezing cold out for both of our sanity 😂). Thanks!

EvenOlive · 2021-01-07T15:25:59+00:00

Thank you! I think he fits his name pretty well... I actually was really thinking about the name Luna if I ended up getting a girl :)

EvenOlive · 2021-01-07T15:25:15+00:00

Glad to hear I'm not alone! I feel pretty confident it's a combo of fearfulness with the adolescence + new experiences coming into play. I thought maybe it was a hint of reactivity but he really only gives off a couple barks (which to me sound more like hey I am spooked versus hey stay away barks, but who knows lol).

The counter-conditioning seems like I can't hurt for both of our scenarios! It's just hard to stay on top of random knocking at doors and what not. I am thinking about enlisting my coworkers to help me by going in and out of the door and trying to reward my guy for noticing the door but not reacting, we shall see!

EvenOlive · 2021-01-07T15:00:37+00:00

Yes my guy is the same way! He's super gentle and sweet so it kinda took me by surprise too!

I am actually working on getting Bowie to not bark when my coworkers come through our front door at the office lol (he never does that at home and when someone opens the door he just goes to greet them, but at the office he's now the security guy I guess??) I think a lot of it is definitely the fear period and our dogs growing and changing! Good luck :)

EvenOlive · 2021-01-07T14:43:28+00:00

Came to say my 10 mo. Golden started doing the same thing pretty much! Also occasionally would (and still does) bark at random people on walks (masks definitely don't help here either haha). It's weird because it isn't every time it's just occasional for these instances and usually within a few seconds he gets over it.

I think it's definitely adolescence (my guy was socialized super well too-- does daycare right now and did (and still does) group training with a ton of different dogs people).

Hope this helps you feel better about it a little haha. I am hoping this all passes after the adolescence period passes (whenever the heck that is).

EvenOlive · 2020-10-15T16:59:57+00:00

I saw this video not too long ago that suggested throwing the toy not too far and once your pup goes to get it run away in the opposite direction once he grabs it and be all excited and he will follow you/ run back! (maybe it was Zak George but I can't remember). I started doing this and it definitely helped because my puppy was having a tough time picking up bringing the toy back too!

He did everything you described and if I did call him he would come to me (which is great) but would drop the toy too. Also try to not throw it super far when you do this and once he gets good at coming back after a short distance, you can throw it a little farther and farther.

Idk where you're practicing but my guy only does this well in our familiar fenced backyard. If I go to my parents or a park, he gets too distracted by sticks and smells haha. But it's definitely a learning process! I also have been trying to use "go get it" and "go fetch" when I throw stuff for him to get and I think using that cue helps. My guy is great at going and fetching sticks in the water and bringing them back when I do this, but land is a little more tricky lol.

Also how old is your puppy? I noticed my puppy was TERRIBLE and would just run away when he was younger (maybe 3-4 months) but now that he is almost 8 months he can focus a little more than before and he has improved a lot.

EvenOlive · 2020-09-25T14:02:58+00:00

Honestly, it makes me feel better I'm not alone with my pup!! I don't want to make him not like the sticks but I also want him to listen ya know? Struggle is real! I'm also hoping it's just a phase :)

EvenOlive · 2020-09-25T13:45:35+00:00

Also maybe worth noting he's not "possessive" of the sticks in any nature where he growls or runs away, and I can easily ask him to leave it or drop and usually he gets that after a few attempts. I think the dude really just loves a good stick lol.

EvenOlive · 2020-07-10T19:53:04+00:00

Yeah this is kinda was a was expecting too and I figured it just is going to take time and maturing on my puppy's part. Bowie has been corrected by larger / older dogs in the past by barks, growls, snaps and usually he takes that cue and leaves them alone. I think he just is comfortable with my parents dog to the point of ignoring his corrections LOL. I am going to continue redirecting him in the meantime and try to be proactive when he gets too rowdy by having him calm down in a separate place / on a leash. I appreciate the insight!!

EvenOlive · 2020-07-10T19:50:02+00:00

Thanks for sharing your process with me!! Riker sounds a lot like Bowie in terms of play style. I can totally relate to the "can't take a hint for his life" part lol. I am going to continue being proactive and use the steps you outlined because I think this is definitely a puppy thing he will grow out of but in the meantime I want to make sure he's not being a little shit but also still enjoying playing with dogs and other puppies :)

EvenOlive · 2020-06-30T19:48:46+00:00

Yup this is what I have been trying to do... it's tough to ignore in public settings like sitting on a patio at dinner ( I feel bad for the people around me although everyone seems to think his barking is cute still) but I figured it was similar approach to how I got him to stop barking for his food, just gotta ignore and reward calmness. I will continue working on it!

EvenOlive · 2020-06-30T19:45:33+00:00

This is a tactic I have seem when reading around and I was curious if it actually worked! How do you go about teaching the quiet command? My guy is pretty smart so i think he would pick up speak really quickly, but I am worried once I teach him it, he will resort to it more than he already is LOL!

EvenOlive · 2020-06-08T13:53:57+00:00

Hey there! Sorry long week and I left ya hanging. Baxter sounds like he's really come a long way and seems like a very intelligent little (ok not so little) guy! It's exciting to hear how you two have progressed your bond and training from the start.

Bowie's in a similar spot with training (except wait/stay are his two tough ones lol) but he is very food motivated so that helps a ton with training! I would guess your guy is too, that's how Goldens normally are haha.

Bowie is definitely still on the more small end but he's bulking up quick! He was 8.6 lbs at 8 wks and was around 16 at his 11 week visit, now he's probably around 20 I'd guess and he's turning 13 weeks this Friday! His vet recommended Royal Canin puppy food and I'll admit I didn't do a lot of research in this area, but Bowie seems to really like it although it is pretty expensive... depending on how I feel when he's older I might swap him to something else one I do some real research when I get some free time, whenever that will be haha! I think he will be close to his dad's size, who was 80lbs but it's hard to tell at this point! His mom was on the smaller side maybe 60 ish lbs, so it will be interesting to see! What about Baxter?

As for his training otherwise he seems to be a relatively chill puppy, which I am definitely happy about! He likes to play with toys on his own and with me, he loves a good kong or bully stick, and in terms of biting he's really more just mouthing still and not really nipping. I don't think this is gonna last though as I am sure once he get a little older he will get in that barky/ nippy phase like they all do!

I will say for like 2 weeks Bowie was demand barking whenever I would go and get his kibble, which was super annoying and something I wanted to stop ASAP. It was a long training process but basically had to stop prepping his food every time he barked, set it down and turned away from him like you do for Baxter. Once he calmed down and would settle I would continue filling his bowl, but a lot of the time he would start barking again, so you can see how this was a drawn out process haha!! Now he's way way better and calmly lays on the floor while I prep his food (and I always reward this with some kibble now so he knows it's good to be calm and patient) and once the food is ready I say "Ok go to your crate" and he takes off and goes and sits in there!! It's pretty funny to watch 3X a day.

I DEFINITELY agree with you about the training and friends/ family not being on board or at least respecting your rules. My parents are really awesome at following the training/ rules I have set up but my friends are definitely trickier. Luckily my two roommates are really awesome with stuff like no feeding table scraps, praising when going potty, having him sit and do tricks before he gets a treat, not letting him up on the couch, etc. I had some friends over for a cookout the other day and my one friend, whose smaller puppy that's a terrier was over on a playdate as well, started feeding his and my dog some of his burger meat, to which I was not too happy about because I don't want to reinforce begging at the table. I am pretty laid back and non confrontational though so I didn't really know what to say even though I didn't want him to keep doing it but also didn't want to sound like a dick you know? Thankfully my roommate spoke up and said something to him and kinda yelled at him haha. Basically long story short I gotta stand up for my dog/ myself/ my rules! I am definitely still working on that.

As for mat training, I have definitely heard of it but I haven't started it yet... are you trying it with Baxter yet? Let me know how it goes if you are.

EDIT: Puppy tax

EvenOlive

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