Levi went home last night, with a highly active firefighter that is looking for a good running partner. They're goal over the next year is to be able to run a marathon. If that won't keep her out of trouble I'm not sure what will. It was a very good home-check and Levi seemed to warm up to her new dad right away (with a little help from Lemon, who was brought along as the people lover.) She's jump on anyone's lap the second she meets them.
It was quite clear from the home-check the two would be a great match for each other, so it made for a quick adoption. Sharon of Port Alberni foster camp was a little sad she wouldn't get to spend some time with her, but everything for a reason right.
Pretty cool too: Levi will get to go to work with her dad at times, so she's going to be a firehouse dog!
---But no, she won't get to ride in the truck.
Have a good life Levi dog. I hope you are spoiled rotten with things to do, and rules to follow to do them. Enjoy your new highly active life. I'm sure I'll get a crazier Jinks as the days go by without you to tire her out.
<3 Foster Mum
Fostering dogs in Victoria, BC. Giving them lifeskills, cushy pillows, structure, confidence and copious snuggles. From chihuahuas to Rottis, to huskies and anything in between, amusing stories, mostly useless dog tips, and cute dog pictures abound.
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Happy
This beach hour is our time. For an hour or two every week she is my perfect girl (providing we meet no surfers she'd like to herd...) She is the center of my world, and Beckett, Lemon, fosters and board dogs all float out of the way. It's just me and my little workaholic. She has her bumps and lumps and horrible genetics and not so great early socialization with people so there are times where I need to be hard on her in order to keep her safe, but I know she's happy.
It can't get any better than this:
Which has another happy tail. It looks like Levi will be going home!! More details tomorrow when things are finalized!!
Friday, June 21, 2013
Quick Update
Everything is going good on the home front. Having a few adopted takes some added stress off. I've got nothing on the stress of TG or the rescuers in Taiwan -I just found out one rescuer has over 300 rescued dogs now, she rents her own farm for them all, and hires two employees to care for them all! Man, and I thought 8 was too many bodies. I am one small ant in the anthill! One little ant who will keep trucking along.
Levi has been doing awesome in boot-camp. She is becoming a well-mannered companion with clarity and consistency. We have had a few stumbling moments where I came away feeling a little on the mean side. Whoever said dogs don't pre-plan is a liar."I think I'll just break that rule I have learnt over a hundred times now." Some dogs just made a slip-up, but collies.... collies pre-meditate. All collie and collie mixes seem to plan. How else could they herd efficiently!?! Anyway, Levi has been doing awesome at waiting lately. She waits before she leaves her crate -to the point now where I don't have to ask, she just waits-, and before she opens the door -she just waits, everyone can take off in front her now and she'll wait-, and she has become a gem on her leash (we haven't done much work with distractions yet mind you).
So, we were heading outside for the third or fourth time during the day, and for the past almost two weeks we've followed the same procedure
Sit @ door before it opens.
Stay sitting WHILE it opens (she gets up, I close the door)
Let other off-leash dogs exit the premises first.
Wait to be invited out, making sure that there is NO tension on the leash.
I haven't been getting slack on her, so I'm not sure if she figured it was worth another try, or she thought my guard was down or what, but she was in a perfectly lovely sit, waiting for everyone to go out and she gives me the "let's go" look which is fine because I always love having her look at me before we go anywhere. Well, this time was a little different. She looked at me like she usually did, but there was something cheeky in her eyes.
MUTINY.
And without a second thought she is huffing it out the door as fast as she can go with all the force she can muster with the other dogs just out the door so thank goodness just out of stepping range (I'm sure I would have taken Daisy out I was lurched so fast). Luckily for me I'm not lurched nearly fast or strong enough to let go of the leash. I get two steps, dig in my heels, root myself and quite promptly, tighten up the leash so that Levi is almost tiptoeing, and then take her all the way back inside, up the stairs and to the crate, not nearly so nicely toss her butt inside.
EEEIN WRONG ANSWER.
I was torn between being annoyed and feeling sorry. I try not to feel sorry for the dogs too much as it doesn't do them any good, but I don't like being mean and I was feeling a little mean. I feel mean with Jinks quite frequently, but she is my project, and I'll be mean if it means I keep her safe, and keeps people safe from her.
So, let Levi out of time-out after a few minutes -after I've got my cool back together and am over that "sorry" feeling. Thankfully since her ten minute time-out, Levi hasn't tried another mutiny. Didn't work out so well for her. Was it a pain in the butt, sure thing, but I'm glad she gave it to me, that mutinous moment. The more she fusses and the more it gets her absolutely no where, the more I build the behaviour I want. And what I want is a patient, thoughtful dog who minds where I am, what I'm doing and is happy to be part of what I'm doing.
Bring it on Levi. I've done rounds and rounds with Jinks dog and will do rounds and rounds more with that much more stubborn girl. You are a much easier mutiny. It also helps that Levi is a Velcro type dog. She honestly WANTS to be somebody's dog. Jinks is kind of on her own agenda. She is my dog to the core, but she is not an eager to please a person dog, she is more than eager to please herself mind you. Levi is an honest companion. She is smart, but not devilishly smart.
I'm sure she will try other mutinies as we go, and it's important that whoever adopts her follows a clear, consistent method of consequence, alongside many opportunities to be successful.
She's a pleasure to have though, I really enjoy her company. It's a real shame she doesn't present herself to people the best. I'm worried whoever will come to meet her with go "Oh, she doesn't love me."
Spend an hour with her without the person she's currently heavily bonded to and you'll get that bond quickly too. She's just about ready for her forever home. This weekend will be her finishing of true bootcamp. The rest will be icing on an already pretty good cake.
Levi has been doing awesome in boot-camp. She is becoming a well-mannered companion with clarity and consistency. We have had a few stumbling moments where I came away feeling a little on the mean side. Whoever said dogs don't pre-plan is a liar."I think I'll just break that rule I have learnt over a hundred times now." Some dogs just made a slip-up, but collies.... collies pre-meditate. All collie and collie mixes seem to plan. How else could they herd efficiently!?! Anyway, Levi has been doing awesome at waiting lately. She waits before she leaves her crate -to the point now where I don't have to ask, she just waits-, and before she opens the door -she just waits, everyone can take off in front her now and she'll wait-, and she has become a gem on her leash (we haven't done much work with distractions yet mind you).
So, we were heading outside for the third or fourth time during the day, and for the past almost two weeks we've followed the same procedure
Sit @ door before it opens.
Stay sitting WHILE it opens (she gets up, I close the door)
Let other off-leash dogs exit the premises first.
Wait to be invited out, making sure that there is NO tension on the leash.
I haven't been getting slack on her, so I'm not sure if she figured it was worth another try, or she thought my guard was down or what, but she was in a perfectly lovely sit, waiting for everyone to go out and she gives me the "let's go" look which is fine because I always love having her look at me before we go anywhere. Well, this time was a little different. She looked at me like she usually did, but there was something cheeky in her eyes.
MUTINY.
And without a second thought she is huffing it out the door as fast as she can go with all the force she can muster with the other dogs just out the door so thank goodness just out of stepping range (I'm sure I would have taken Daisy out I was lurched so fast). Luckily for me I'm not lurched nearly fast or strong enough to let go of the leash. I get two steps, dig in my heels, root myself and quite promptly, tighten up the leash so that Levi is almost tiptoeing, and then take her all the way back inside, up the stairs and to the crate, not nearly so nicely toss her butt inside.
EEEIN WRONG ANSWER.
I was torn between being annoyed and feeling sorry. I try not to feel sorry for the dogs too much as it doesn't do them any good, but I don't like being mean and I was feeling a little mean. I feel mean with Jinks quite frequently, but she is my project, and I'll be mean if it means I keep her safe, and keeps people safe from her.
So, let Levi out of time-out after a few minutes -after I've got my cool back together and am over that "sorry" feeling. Thankfully since her ten minute time-out, Levi hasn't tried another mutiny. Didn't work out so well for her. Was it a pain in the butt, sure thing, but I'm glad she gave it to me, that mutinous moment. The more she fusses and the more it gets her absolutely no where, the more I build the behaviour I want. And what I want is a patient, thoughtful dog who minds where I am, what I'm doing and is happy to be part of what I'm doing.
Bring it on Levi. I've done rounds and rounds with Jinks dog and will do rounds and rounds more with that much more stubborn girl. You are a much easier mutiny. It also helps that Levi is a Velcro type dog. She honestly WANTS to be somebody's dog. Jinks is kind of on her own agenda. She is my dog to the core, but she is not an eager to please a person dog, she is more than eager to please herself mind you. Levi is an honest companion. She is smart, but not devilishly smart.
I'm sure she will try other mutinies as we go, and it's important that whoever adopts her follows a clear, consistent method of consequence, alongside many opportunities to be successful.
She's a pleasure to have though, I really enjoy her company. It's a real shame she doesn't present herself to people the best. I'm worried whoever will come to meet her with go "Oh, she doesn't love me."
Spend an hour with her without the person she's currently heavily bonded to and you'll get that bond quickly too. She's just about ready for her forever home. This weekend will be her finishing of true bootcamp. The rest will be icing on an already pretty good cake.
Monday, June 17, 2013
2 4 1
What's better than a tired collie?
A collie I didn't have to tire out myself :)
Jinks is "training" Levi to have polite play manners. This requires Levi (collie mix) to think, Jinks (full collie) to think more -she has to be one step ahead of her pupil-, and me to supervise. It's really a beautiful thing to watch and Jinks is the ideal dog to teach another medium-high energy pup what the ropes are. She is tireless, if she isn't teaching the proper way to wrestle, she's teaching how to mind a dog with a toy and then shares for Levi's polite behaviour. Jinks the etiquette police. She is a much more effective teacher than I am when it comes to canine social skills!
Beckett is nice daddy, Lemon is the "I will make you like people" dog who most of the time keeps to herself, and Jinks is the "Let's get on these dog skills shady lady." A good team indeed.
Levi will stay here until a few days before we move to our new home (July 29th it looks like now), and then will be on foster camp relief with Sharon in Port Alberni for a week or so. It'll give her a change of pace, an ability to meet more people (we are quite reclusive, hermit like sometimes), and besides, I'm a horrible mover in general. I'm already starting to become a huge pile of nerves. I am very careful that if I'm getting stressed I put Levi away, or I make Jinks supervise her ;). I don't want to feed nervous/unbalanced vibes to her. I'm good for now, but the closer we get to move date, the harder it will be.
I keep trying to tell myself "it's no big deal" but then in my gut the move does become a huge deal, and then the wedding stuff creeps in and soon I just want to shove my head under a cushion and come out when it's all over. Irrational, but creepy what the body/mind does under stress.
But it's all good. I'm on a steady pace packing and sorting wise, have booked my moving truck, etc. I just have to get through the next few weeks without surrendering what little sanity I have.
On the whole, 2-4-1 deal works awesome, two tired collies without too much effort from mum. And this is why young dogs just work better in this foster home too.
This blog might be quiet for a bit. Lots to do!
Emily Out
A collie I didn't have to tire out myself :)
Jinks is "training" Levi to have polite play manners. This requires Levi (collie mix) to think, Jinks (full collie) to think more -she has to be one step ahead of her pupil-, and me to supervise. It's really a beautiful thing to watch and Jinks is the ideal dog to teach another medium-high energy pup what the ropes are. She is tireless, if she isn't teaching the proper way to wrestle, she's teaching how to mind a dog with a toy and then shares for Levi's polite behaviour. Jinks the etiquette police. She is a much more effective teacher than I am when it comes to canine social skills!
Beckett is nice daddy, Lemon is the "I will make you like people" dog who most of the time keeps to herself, and Jinks is the "Let's get on these dog skills shady lady." A good team indeed.
Levi will stay here until a few days before we move to our new home (July 29th it looks like now), and then will be on foster camp relief with Sharon in Port Alberni for a week or so. It'll give her a change of pace, an ability to meet more people (we are quite reclusive, hermit like sometimes), and besides, I'm a horrible mover in general. I'm already starting to become a huge pile of nerves. I am very careful that if I'm getting stressed I put Levi away, or I make Jinks supervise her ;). I don't want to feed nervous/unbalanced vibes to her. I'm good for now, but the closer we get to move date, the harder it will be.
I keep trying to tell myself "it's no big deal" but then in my gut the move does become a huge deal, and then the wedding stuff creeps in and soon I just want to shove my head under a cushion and come out when it's all over. Irrational, but creepy what the body/mind does under stress.
But it's all good. I'm on a steady pace packing and sorting wise, have booked my moving truck, etc. I just have to get through the next few weeks without surrendering what little sanity I have.
On the whole, 2-4-1 deal works awesome, two tired collies without too much effort from mum. And this is why young dogs just work better in this foster home too.
This blog might be quiet for a bit. Lots to do!
Emily Out
Friday, June 14, 2013
Peanut Adopted!
Some dogs come quietly and leave quietly, and some dogs get to you, right into you like a bloody plague. Some dogs are infectious. Peanut was annoying but she was fun, lively, loving and a joy to watch run in the field like a crazy hooligan. She was snuggly, quickly developed a good call off, and was the kind of dog I could take anywhere and know her reaction would always be one of "please love me, I'm a really nice dog!" Peanut was an infectious dog. You always looked forward to coming home to Peanut and the next silly antic she would present you with.
Her enthusiasm and confidence will be missed around here, but I'm sure she will be making her mum very happy and keep her laughing. If only many, many dogs were like Peanut. Highly adoptable, highly friendly, fun-loving and just good company.
Cheers to a good dog miss Peanut. I'm glad I got to be part of your journey. You truly were a great little foster dog.
Her enthusiasm and confidence will be missed around here, but I'm sure she will be making her mum very happy and keep her laughing. If only many, many dogs were like Peanut. Highly adoptable, highly friendly, fun-loving and just good company.
Cheers to a good dog miss Peanut. I'm glad I got to be part of your journey. You truly were a great little foster dog.
Tough Love
I prefer positive by nature. I don't like to be told I'm wrong, I like to be given opportunities to do the right thing, I grow as a person by doing right things. BUT, I also learn from mistakes.
If, by someone's ruling I could no longer make a mistake (that leads to more consequence than just 'no reward' scenario) I honestly believe you create a truly entitled dog and sometimes you create a confused dog. You get the same thing in people.
It's like you're playing the "hotter, colder" game -in which someone gives you directions to find something using the words hotter for closer and colder for you're going further away- without being able to use the word colder. Sure, you might get to the place/item, but you're not going to get there quite as quickly, and you risk the dog getting bored and giving up long before they find success. You also create -and I've seen quite a few of them now- a "I will give it the minimum amount I can give it and still get rewarded" response. IE: a slacker!
TEACH positively. That is, with anything new that the dog doesn't know, set them up for success but in life part of guiding means letting them know when they go astray. We too often forget we live in the real world, where we do not actively teach 24/7, where are dogs need to be safe, need rules and boundaries that are ENFORCED. Of course, alongside that they need plenty of opportunities to succeed. It is a balance. You can get no where without that balance.
Mothers', if their child is getting near a stove that's on, don't casually say "Oh honey baby, PLEEASE don't go near the stove." They give a clear warning "NO! DON'T" -which might involve some form of intimidation, a shout, perhaps grabbing the child firmly from behind or depending on how close they are, perhaps even harshly jerking a hand out of the way so it doesn't reach the stove.
Is it better for us to be tough, but make sure we keep our dogs safe? I personally would rather a harshly jerked hand, than a hand that is burnt and a child who now needs to go to the hospital.
Here is the flip of the coin though. With saying no, we need to give opportunities to say yes! We need to give lots of them, and we need to give them shortly after saying no. I try hard to give at least five times as many "yesses" than having to say no. More is even better.
Unfortunately, many doggy parents fail in this crucial process. A) To say no at all sometimes, and B) If you say no -and honestly, please disagree at times with your dog, you too would become a bit of a brat if you were never disagreed with!-, find ways to say yes.
From a "real world" example here. My computer cord, besides being my link to the world -and how would I get them adopted without my computer- is dangerous. Yet of course most puppies want to try nibbling on it. I could be sheer 100% preventative and just put the cord away, and I do if I'm not in the room, but when I'm in the room I supervise my cord. And it's just that "my cord."
The very first time I see any dog lay a tooth on it, I pounce up with a new toy for them instead. After all, wires are fantastic to chew on. At this stage I'm just asking "no, not that, try this instead." If puppy is distracted great. Inevitably, the puppy is back to the wire, maybe not that day, but sometime while they're here. I now go to a vocal "WHAT do you think you're doing." A very stern glance, mum's "hairy eyeball." Puppy gets up and leave it along I give "Very good, good boy," -if he comes to me I'll give him a scratch- and go back to whatever I'm doing. I might throw him a toy.
IF however, the pup resumes with the wire, or blatantly ignores me, this is NOT okay. I now call "WRONG." (or similar). Loud, stern, trying not to be mean, but at the same time being clear. I pick the puppy up, and they are off for a time-out in their crate. Just a minute or two, like being sent to the corner.
But here is what happens when the pup is in the crate. I go "well, gotta make my point clearer I guess," which means, I bring out some training tools -some food-. I will TEACH him to make his own decisions about the wire, instead of only relying on my verbal warning
Right after he is let out of time out we play games around the wire, we effectively set puppy up for success so he gets a better understanding of what I want from him around the wire. Soon puppy, ON HIS OWN is deciding not to chew the wire. And the odd time he does, a quick "WHAT do you think you're doing" has him going "yes mam, sorry mam. I forgot."
If I just pounced on him the instant his teeth hit wire he wouldn't learn anything, but if I let him get more than one little nibble, he has learnt the boundaries don't apply at all times, AND he might hurt himself. IF I gave up on the boundary because my puppy looked sad or defeated when I gave him a warning, I would just teach him that looking pitiful will make it so that the boundary does not apply to him.
Of COURSE when I call "WHAT do you think you're doing" Chopin's ears go back and he looks caught doing something he wasn't supposed to. Which of course, he WAS just caught doing something he wasn't supposed to. (Like paper, which is what we've been working on the last day or two, and not shredding it everywhere). BUT, as soon as he drops the paper I give "good boy" and his tail starts wagging again. Suddenly he's quite proud of himself that he made the right decision! -He might get smart on me soon as start picking socks or paper up just to have me make him drop it to get a reward, but I don't mind that response. That just means he's thinking like a smart puppy!! One who has thought things through, has put A and B together to create C.
I give him the opportunity to make mistakes, but to REALIZE on his own that he's made them. With proper training and boundaries he's quite capable of realizing it.
If done right -with both boundaries, and with education- you do not create a fearful puppy -either of you or the wire- you create a puppy who knows right from wrong, a puppy who respects those rules and boundaries, and one that becomes more confident BECAUSE he can figure things out on his own. Just saying no often gets you a scared puppy, just saying yes often gets you an entitled slacker puppy.
This is part of tough love to me: Teaching a dog to think, to be patient, to work things out and problem solve. They can all do it -a little shit zu mix puppy I have for privates we've been teaching to independently seek out her people when they are hiding in very complex places (part of puppy class is hide and seek). She's surprised us all with just how quick and bright she is, how far she can go at only 12 weeks. On our third session -only playing this game about 3-4 minutes each session-, she figured out how to squeeze out a very small hole in a doorway to find her people hiding in a whole other room. You think this puppy has problems in the confidence department? Ha! This puppy knows she is capable.
I want all dogs to feel capable.
Right now, Levi/Nellie doesn't feel capable. She's obviously been trained to sit and knows some basics, but she doesn't have any expectations around them. I'm sure with the barking in her old home, this was the case too, because as SOON as I put the "WHAT do you think you're doing," to her first bark and timed her out right after he second, I haven't heard a peep out of her.
"WHAT, A RULE?!?!?!" Mouth agape. Like I just hit her with a sack of potatoes.
Yep, go figure, there's no barking in this house. The odd little playful one sure, but I have 7 dogs here right now, there's gotta be some rule or I will live in chaos and will probably end up killing you all because you've made me go insane with your barking. She's not a kid, I can't explain to her WHY I don't want it, I just have to be clear that I don't want it, and I won't stand for it. Clear and consistent. There's been the odd time that she looks like she might just give barking another go, but a hairy eyeball "The mum look" is all that she needs for her to go "oh, okay, maybe not." Then a quick "thank you" or "good girl" when I know she's fought of that urge in her. I need to acknowledge she's made the right choice!
Same thing with her tendency to throw a little bit of a tantrum (gone now) when being asked to go to her crate, or get in the car, or really to do anything she isn't fond of doing -oh no, we might walk in the opposite direction of something you really want to smell, dog forbid! This has been taught -inadvertently maybe-, but fussing to that degree is taught. It's worked for her at some point. "Oh, she doesn't like it, oh the poor dear, oh she really wants to smell the flowers, etc, etc."
Tough bananas here girl.
I ask you to go to bed, you're going to go to bed. I will make the mental note that I will also teach you the right way, but the fussing train ends here. So in and out, in and out, in and out. I could use food rewards at this point, but really I just want to break down the fuss. I don't want her to stop fussing because there's food and that's the only reason, I want her to stop her fuss because IT DOESN'T work! After a dozen or so prompt entries to the crate, -or car- I will bring out the food. For Levi's case, I can see that she isn't worried, she is just practicing behaviour that's got her what she's wanted before. I don't want to put commands to any of it, I just want it to become part of her life. Our dogs are over commanded anyway in my opinion instead of taught to be good house pets. I really couldn't give too cents if she could sit and down, roll-over or fetch me a beer, I want her to be a phenomenal dog to LIVE WITH!
Here comes Levi's other part of tough love. She earns everything here. She is always fed, has access to water, but her loving is earned -yes her attention, her pets, her one-on-one time, it's ALL earned-, her walks are earned, her exit from the crate or the car -they are earned-, what she gets to sniff on walks -earned. It sounds like a lot of work, but it's really not. The first few days maintaining the consistency is tough at times, but by the end of two weeks you will find a dog who willingly follows the FAIR new rules.
When I have a good overall dog who follow the boundaries and has respect, I can give them affection whenever, when I have a dog that hasn't learnt those things yet, I am very sparse with my affection. It's very hard for owners to do this -we love our dogs after all- but it's actually good for them at times. And go figure, because I play a bit hard to get with Levi, she wants it all the more. I also practice CALM attention. Meaning she will earn her attention by being calm -sitting or laying down-, relaxing. So far in the last few days, this is the only way she is getting her attention currently. I need to teach her high-energy/hyper will not get her love. And man does she LOVE being loved, so it is fairly easy to convince her to come hang on the couch for an hour to quietly chew a nylabone and have her butt scratched instead of throwing her toys crazy all over the place all the time.
She gets to go to daycare to blow off some energy -she doesn't actually have that much, once you put some mental exercise into her, I would say she's only medium energy, providing she gets the 10-20 minutes of mental activity, and an hour of good high-octane exercise (running, not just leash walking). Having some dog friends would be good for her since playing burns way more energy than walking or hiking. (It is important to note that young dogs need time to just run and be young dogs with other young dogs. If you expect them to behave with humans, you need to fulfill this in them -it is a social requirement. For families who can not reliably take their pups off leash, or who perhaps live without a yard, etc, etc, I DEFINITELY recommend either a daycare of someone who will take your dog on off-leash adventures once or more a week. It is critical they learn good social skills -and coping skills- before they enter adulthood.) It doesn't have to be a full-day either. Even one half day a week will allow them time to burn energy with friends.
After those 4 hours of lots of play and socialization and learning to not be so worried about introducing herself to other dogs, the rest is earned. She also gets 4 hours a day crated so that she can transition to a new family easily. Is she fond of the whole thing, sometimes not! She's used to having everything on her timetable. But she is learning, she is starting to think and not just react by fussing/shutting down and internally I think she truly enjoys the change. She's a soft dog, an entitled dog, but she is not a brat by nature. Once she starts being able to confidently make her own choices I know she's there. I can see her being a complete dog. A dog that is PART of a family, and not leading one. She's just not suited to lead.
So the verdict on Levi?
She's a typical dog, who needs typical leadership, who craves to be protected and guided and shown the best way to live in her world. She's not going to crumble if you tell her no. She needs some confidence building in general, but she's highly adoptable as long as someone is willing to set boundaries with her. They don't really even need to be highly firm boundaries, they just have to be clear and consistent ones. She is pretty normal of dogs, not some hooligan I expected.
We ALL do better with boundaries and are better equipped to deal with our lives because of them. We strive to meet expectations of us. So too, do most dogs.
And here are some pictures yesterday of Levi:
In other news, Sunday was adopted yesterday, Peanut is going to be adopted today and on Saturday I take Chopin over on the ferry to his new home.
And that will leave Levi the only one until after we move. And after we move, we're going to try to stick to one foster only as much as possible. Besides, as much as I enjoy fostering, with Jerrad back to work full-time and a young BC to drive me crazy, I've been juggling a little too much lately. I'm glad we'll be just down to Levi, as that will give me a chance to really concentrate on her. She's going to meet a potential family tonight, so we'll see how it goes. She might need another week of bootcamp, but we'll see. I have a lot of faith in a dog's ability to know if a home is right for them.
It's never just about paper! (Application)
Now that I've bored you all to tears,
Emily Out
If, by someone's ruling I could no longer make a mistake (that leads to more consequence than just 'no reward' scenario) I honestly believe you create a truly entitled dog and sometimes you create a confused dog. You get the same thing in people.
It's like you're playing the "hotter, colder" game -in which someone gives you directions to find something using the words hotter for closer and colder for you're going further away- without being able to use the word colder. Sure, you might get to the place/item, but you're not going to get there quite as quickly, and you risk the dog getting bored and giving up long before they find success. You also create -and I've seen quite a few of them now- a "I will give it the minimum amount I can give it and still get rewarded" response. IE: a slacker!
TEACH positively. That is, with anything new that the dog doesn't know, set them up for success but in life part of guiding means letting them know when they go astray. We too often forget we live in the real world, where we do not actively teach 24/7, where are dogs need to be safe, need rules and boundaries that are ENFORCED. Of course, alongside that they need plenty of opportunities to succeed. It is a balance. You can get no where without that balance.
Mothers', if their child is getting near a stove that's on, don't casually say "Oh honey baby, PLEEASE don't go near the stove." They give a clear warning "NO! DON'T" -which might involve some form of intimidation, a shout, perhaps grabbing the child firmly from behind or depending on how close they are, perhaps even harshly jerking a hand out of the way so it doesn't reach the stove.
Is it better for us to be tough, but make sure we keep our dogs safe? I personally would rather a harshly jerked hand, than a hand that is burnt and a child who now needs to go to the hospital.
Here is the flip of the coin though. With saying no, we need to give opportunities to say yes! We need to give lots of them, and we need to give them shortly after saying no. I try hard to give at least five times as many "yesses" than having to say no. More is even better.
Unfortunately, many doggy parents fail in this crucial process. A) To say no at all sometimes, and B) If you say no -and honestly, please disagree at times with your dog, you too would become a bit of a brat if you were never disagreed with!-, find ways to say yes.
From a "real world" example here. My computer cord, besides being my link to the world -and how would I get them adopted without my computer- is dangerous. Yet of course most puppies want to try nibbling on it. I could be sheer 100% preventative and just put the cord away, and I do if I'm not in the room, but when I'm in the room I supervise my cord. And it's just that "my cord."
The very first time I see any dog lay a tooth on it, I pounce up with a new toy for them instead. After all, wires are fantastic to chew on. At this stage I'm just asking "no, not that, try this instead." If puppy is distracted great. Inevitably, the puppy is back to the wire, maybe not that day, but sometime while they're here. I now go to a vocal "WHAT do you think you're doing." A very stern glance, mum's "hairy eyeball." Puppy gets up and leave it along I give "Very good, good boy," -if he comes to me I'll give him a scratch- and go back to whatever I'm doing. I might throw him a toy.
IF however, the pup resumes with the wire, or blatantly ignores me, this is NOT okay. I now call "WRONG." (or similar). Loud, stern, trying not to be mean, but at the same time being clear. I pick the puppy up, and they are off for a time-out in their crate. Just a minute or two, like being sent to the corner.
But here is what happens when the pup is in the crate. I go "well, gotta make my point clearer I guess," which means, I bring out some training tools -some food-. I will TEACH him to make his own decisions about the wire, instead of only relying on my verbal warning
Right after he is let out of time out we play games around the wire, we effectively set puppy up for success so he gets a better understanding of what I want from him around the wire. Soon puppy, ON HIS OWN is deciding not to chew the wire. And the odd time he does, a quick "WHAT do you think you're doing" has him going "yes mam, sorry mam. I forgot."
If I just pounced on him the instant his teeth hit wire he wouldn't learn anything, but if I let him get more than one little nibble, he has learnt the boundaries don't apply at all times, AND he might hurt himself. IF I gave up on the boundary because my puppy looked sad or defeated when I gave him a warning, I would just teach him that looking pitiful will make it so that the boundary does not apply to him.
Of COURSE when I call "WHAT do you think you're doing" Chopin's ears go back and he looks caught doing something he wasn't supposed to. Which of course, he WAS just caught doing something he wasn't supposed to. (Like paper, which is what we've been working on the last day or two, and not shredding it everywhere). BUT, as soon as he drops the paper I give "good boy" and his tail starts wagging again. Suddenly he's quite proud of himself that he made the right decision! -He might get smart on me soon as start picking socks or paper up just to have me make him drop it to get a reward, but I don't mind that response. That just means he's thinking like a smart puppy!! One who has thought things through, has put A and B together to create C.
I give him the opportunity to make mistakes, but to REALIZE on his own that he's made them. With proper training and boundaries he's quite capable of realizing it.
If done right -with both boundaries, and with education- you do not create a fearful puppy -either of you or the wire- you create a puppy who knows right from wrong, a puppy who respects those rules and boundaries, and one that becomes more confident BECAUSE he can figure things out on his own. Just saying no often gets you a scared puppy, just saying yes often gets you an entitled slacker puppy.
This is part of tough love to me: Teaching a dog to think, to be patient, to work things out and problem solve. They can all do it -a little shit zu mix puppy I have for privates we've been teaching to independently seek out her people when they are hiding in very complex places (part of puppy class is hide and seek). She's surprised us all with just how quick and bright she is, how far she can go at only 12 weeks. On our third session -only playing this game about 3-4 minutes each session-, she figured out how to squeeze out a very small hole in a doorway to find her people hiding in a whole other room. You think this puppy has problems in the confidence department? Ha! This puppy knows she is capable.
I want all dogs to feel capable.
Right now, Levi/Nellie doesn't feel capable. She's obviously been trained to sit and knows some basics, but she doesn't have any expectations around them. I'm sure with the barking in her old home, this was the case too, because as SOON as I put the "WHAT do you think you're doing," to her first bark and timed her out right after he second, I haven't heard a peep out of her.
"WHAT, A RULE?!?!?!" Mouth agape. Like I just hit her with a sack of potatoes.
Yep, go figure, there's no barking in this house. The odd little playful one sure, but I have 7 dogs here right now, there's gotta be some rule or I will live in chaos and will probably end up killing you all because you've made me go insane with your barking. She's not a kid, I can't explain to her WHY I don't want it, I just have to be clear that I don't want it, and I won't stand for it. Clear and consistent. There's been the odd time that she looks like she might just give barking another go, but a hairy eyeball "The mum look" is all that she needs for her to go "oh, okay, maybe not." Then a quick "thank you" or "good girl" when I know she's fought of that urge in her. I need to acknowledge she's made the right choice!
Same thing with her tendency to throw a little bit of a tantrum (gone now) when being asked to go to her crate, or get in the car, or really to do anything she isn't fond of doing -oh no, we might walk in the opposite direction of something you really want to smell, dog forbid! This has been taught -inadvertently maybe-, but fussing to that degree is taught. It's worked for her at some point. "Oh, she doesn't like it, oh the poor dear, oh she really wants to smell the flowers, etc, etc."
Tough bananas here girl.
I ask you to go to bed, you're going to go to bed. I will make the mental note that I will also teach you the right way, but the fussing train ends here. So in and out, in and out, in and out. I could use food rewards at this point, but really I just want to break down the fuss. I don't want her to stop fussing because there's food and that's the only reason, I want her to stop her fuss because IT DOESN'T work! After a dozen or so prompt entries to the crate, -or car- I will bring out the food. For Levi's case, I can see that she isn't worried, she is just practicing behaviour that's got her what she's wanted before. I don't want to put commands to any of it, I just want it to become part of her life. Our dogs are over commanded anyway in my opinion instead of taught to be good house pets. I really couldn't give too cents if she could sit and down, roll-over or fetch me a beer, I want her to be a phenomenal dog to LIVE WITH!
Here comes Levi's other part of tough love. She earns everything here. She is always fed, has access to water, but her loving is earned -yes her attention, her pets, her one-on-one time, it's ALL earned-, her walks are earned, her exit from the crate or the car -they are earned-, what she gets to sniff on walks -earned. It sounds like a lot of work, but it's really not. The first few days maintaining the consistency is tough at times, but by the end of two weeks you will find a dog who willingly follows the FAIR new rules.
When I have a good overall dog who follow the boundaries and has respect, I can give them affection whenever, when I have a dog that hasn't learnt those things yet, I am very sparse with my affection. It's very hard for owners to do this -we love our dogs after all- but it's actually good for them at times. And go figure, because I play a bit hard to get with Levi, she wants it all the more. I also practice CALM attention. Meaning she will earn her attention by being calm -sitting or laying down-, relaxing. So far in the last few days, this is the only way she is getting her attention currently. I need to teach her high-energy/hyper will not get her love. And man does she LOVE being loved, so it is fairly easy to convince her to come hang on the couch for an hour to quietly chew a nylabone and have her butt scratched instead of throwing her toys crazy all over the place all the time.
She gets to go to daycare to blow off some energy -she doesn't actually have that much, once you put some mental exercise into her, I would say she's only medium energy, providing she gets the 10-20 minutes of mental activity, and an hour of good high-octane exercise (running, not just leash walking). Having some dog friends would be good for her since playing burns way more energy than walking or hiking. (It is important to note that young dogs need time to just run and be young dogs with other young dogs. If you expect them to behave with humans, you need to fulfill this in them -it is a social requirement. For families who can not reliably take their pups off leash, or who perhaps live without a yard, etc, etc, I DEFINITELY recommend either a daycare of someone who will take your dog on off-leash adventures once or more a week. It is critical they learn good social skills -and coping skills- before they enter adulthood.) It doesn't have to be a full-day either. Even one half day a week will allow them time to burn energy with friends.
After those 4 hours of lots of play and socialization and learning to not be so worried about introducing herself to other dogs, the rest is earned. She also gets 4 hours a day crated so that she can transition to a new family easily. Is she fond of the whole thing, sometimes not! She's used to having everything on her timetable. But she is learning, she is starting to think and not just react by fussing/shutting down and internally I think she truly enjoys the change. She's a soft dog, an entitled dog, but she is not a brat by nature. Once she starts being able to confidently make her own choices I know she's there. I can see her being a complete dog. A dog that is PART of a family, and not leading one. She's just not suited to lead.
So the verdict on Levi?
She's a typical dog, who needs typical leadership, who craves to be protected and guided and shown the best way to live in her world. She's not going to crumble if you tell her no. She needs some confidence building in general, but she's highly adoptable as long as someone is willing to set boundaries with her. They don't really even need to be highly firm boundaries, they just have to be clear and consistent ones. She is pretty normal of dogs, not some hooligan I expected.
We ALL do better with boundaries and are better equipped to deal with our lives because of them. We strive to meet expectations of us. So too, do most dogs.
And here are some pictures yesterday of Levi:
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| A Serious Girl |
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| A Little Worried, but Thinking and Focused! -We're working to make her not so nervous. |
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| Being a Little Goofy |
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| This Bootcamp thing is Exhausting. |
And that will leave Levi the only one until after we move. And after we move, we're going to try to stick to one foster only as much as possible. Besides, as much as I enjoy fostering, with Jerrad back to work full-time and a young BC to drive me crazy, I've been juggling a little too much lately. I'm glad we'll be just down to Levi, as that will give me a chance to really concentrate on her. She's going to meet a potential family tonight, so we'll see how it goes. She might need another week of bootcamp, but we'll see. I have a lot of faith in a dog's ability to know if a home is right for them.
It's never just about paper! (Application)
Now that I've bored you all to tears,
Emily Out
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
Pending Adoptions
It's been a nutty few days. We've had our crew (3), plus the two TG fosters (2), plus Daisy (1) which puts us at our usual 6 places, but over the last few days we've tipped the 6 dog limit by a few members.
Levi/Nellie is a returned TG dog due to illness in the family. She was sent here under the assumption that she'd need some boot-camp -I was under the impression she was a bratty manipulative collie mix teenager. She did need some boot-camp, but nothing huge -and she's got NOTHING on a real collie. She's a very nice dog, quite loyal, good with dogs though a bit stiff/worried in introductions (nothing a couple session at daycare won't start to improve), submissive and a good medium energy. She is a busy puppy though, which I guess could be mistaken for being a brat or high-energy?
Honestly, the only thing Levi/Nellie needs from me to make her more adoptable though is some training in the patience department, and in the "tough bananas" department. This means she learns to wait for things she wants -like leaving a crate, or leaving the house, or leaving the car, food, pets, play time. She learns that everything she wants she doesn't automatically get, but that she has to earn. The other thing she needs from me is a dose of reality. Levi's previous home did a good job of basic commands it seems, but -as typical of most owners- forgot the "you're going to do it anyway some times," idea.
IE: She's been catered to. If she doesn't want to, she doesn't have to.
"I don't want to go in the crate" --> temper tantrum. Why? Temper tantrum at SOME point has allowed her to NOT do as she's asked. She's no dumb dog, she knows, anything that works you might as well try it again. But with some practice, in and out, in and out, in and out, in and out, she's getting it. I ask you to go in, you go in promptly, you're rewarded. Throw a fuss, you're still going in, you're just not going to be rewarded.
Kind of like when your mum pulls the "mum" card because she is... your mum! Of course a kind mum will give her kids the chance to do it right themselves.
Unless you get sheer and utter panic, TERRIFIED dog (rare, most of the time you just have a temper tantrum) it's important to not let go, at least not in the moment of the tantrum (regardless what the tantrum is about). All this leads to is a dog who goes "Oh, that worked, I'll do that again." Even if you don't accomplish the end goal, finish the exercise in a state where the dog has calmed down from the tantrum.
I don't find her to be a brat at all, she is a nice puppy, busy, loving, very capable dog -not a brat, she a dog that is no dummy. And although I was told she was a barky britches I heard her bark here only once on her first day to which I promptly said very loudly and very sternly "WHAT do you think you're doing." Haven't heard a peep from her since.
She's been quite calm with me, providing I am calm with her and she gets sufficient exercise. Nothing an active home with a good-sized yard and a willingness to not let her get her way all the time can't maintain easily. Suffice to say she's not bratty, manipulative collie. She's also physically in very good health. Whatever her old family had her on, her coat is stunning.
Honestly, I think she's a highly adoptable girl and will make someone a great companion.
We're going to homecheck a potential home for her on Friday. The application was originally for another TG dog but wasn't quite the right match. We'll see if Levi is "the one". If so, awesome, if not, meeting any family will give me even more of an idea what her forever home should look like.
Here is an old picture of Levi. Will get some new pictures tomorrow or Friday.
Our second visitor is Sunday, who was supposed to come a few weeks ago, but Alice got on the plane instead. Sunday was actually supposed to come this next Monday but somehow came a week early. Either way, she had a family in the works and the hour they new she'd arrive they were ready to visit. So she's been here a few nights, but will go home tomorrow!
Also, a little update from Alice, who is very glad Sunday couldn't make the last flight, because it means she got to find her awesome new family. -Fate works in mysterious ways.
Here is Alice and her Mum saying Thank You to her Rescuers (I think I just sniffed a little)...
So, that's 8 dogs, 4 of which are young foster dogs, plus one bratty collie. Piper, your girl has been such a great girl through it all. PS: she's getting bed privileges here and there ;) She might come home a little spoiled.
Luckily, Chopin goes home Saturday.
Sunday goes home tomorrow.
And we had a great homecheck for Peanut tonight, so I wouldn't be surprised if she went home for the weekend too.
A good thing too, because I'm away all of Saturday. I have the best husband ever (especially now that he's full-time employed!!), but asking him to take care of 8 dogs overnight is asking a little much hey!
I will try to get some more pictures in the next few days, especially of Levi, and of Peanut too because I don't think I've gotten many (she moves too fast.)
For now, to bed, and early to rise for another day at the daycare. Thank goodness the puppies come with me, blow off steam and are ready to snooze the afternoon away.
Emily Out
Levi/Nellie is a returned TG dog due to illness in the family. She was sent here under the assumption that she'd need some boot-camp -I was under the impression she was a bratty manipulative collie mix teenager. She did need some boot-camp, but nothing huge -and she's got NOTHING on a real collie. She's a very nice dog, quite loyal, good with dogs though a bit stiff/worried in introductions (nothing a couple session at daycare won't start to improve), submissive and a good medium energy. She is a busy puppy though, which I guess could be mistaken for being a brat or high-energy?
Honestly, the only thing Levi/Nellie needs from me to make her more adoptable though is some training in the patience department, and in the "tough bananas" department. This means she learns to wait for things she wants -like leaving a crate, or leaving the house, or leaving the car, food, pets, play time. She learns that everything she wants she doesn't automatically get, but that she has to earn. The other thing she needs from me is a dose of reality. Levi's previous home did a good job of basic commands it seems, but -as typical of most owners- forgot the "you're going to do it anyway some times," idea.
IE: She's been catered to. If she doesn't want to, she doesn't have to.
"I don't want to go in the crate" --> temper tantrum. Why? Temper tantrum at SOME point has allowed her to NOT do as she's asked. She's no dumb dog, she knows, anything that works you might as well try it again. But with some practice, in and out, in and out, in and out, in and out, she's getting it. I ask you to go in, you go in promptly, you're rewarded. Throw a fuss, you're still going in, you're just not going to be rewarded.
Kind of like when your mum pulls the "mum" card because she is... your mum! Of course a kind mum will give her kids the chance to do it right themselves.
Unless you get sheer and utter panic, TERRIFIED dog (rare, most of the time you just have a temper tantrum) it's important to not let go, at least not in the moment of the tantrum (regardless what the tantrum is about). All this leads to is a dog who goes "Oh, that worked, I'll do that again." Even if you don't accomplish the end goal, finish the exercise in a state where the dog has calmed down from the tantrum.
I don't find her to be a brat at all, she is a nice puppy, busy, loving, very capable dog -not a brat, she a dog that is no dummy. And although I was told she was a barky britches I heard her bark here only once on her first day to which I promptly said very loudly and very sternly "WHAT do you think you're doing." Haven't heard a peep from her since.
She's been quite calm with me, providing I am calm with her and she gets sufficient exercise. Nothing an active home with a good-sized yard and a willingness to not let her get her way all the time can't maintain easily. Suffice to say she's not bratty, manipulative collie. She's also physically in very good health. Whatever her old family had her on, her coat is stunning.
Honestly, I think she's a highly adoptable girl and will make someone a great companion.
We're going to homecheck a potential home for her on Friday. The application was originally for another TG dog but wasn't quite the right match. We'll see if Levi is "the one". If so, awesome, if not, meeting any family will give me even more of an idea what her forever home should look like.
Here is an old picture of Levi. Will get some new pictures tomorrow or Friday.
Our second visitor is Sunday, who was supposed to come a few weeks ago, but Alice got on the plane instead. Sunday was actually supposed to come this next Monday but somehow came a week early. Either way, she had a family in the works and the hour they new she'd arrive they were ready to visit. So she's been here a few nights, but will go home tomorrow!
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| Sunday the Baby! |
Here is Alice and her Mum saying Thank You to her Rescuers (I think I just sniffed a little)...
So, that's 8 dogs, 4 of which are young foster dogs, plus one bratty collie. Piper, your girl has been such a great girl through it all. PS: she's getting bed privileges here and there ;) She might come home a little spoiled.
Luckily, Chopin goes home Saturday.
Sunday goes home tomorrow.
And we had a great homecheck for Peanut tonight, so I wouldn't be surprised if she went home for the weekend too.
A good thing too, because I'm away all of Saturday. I have the best husband ever (especially now that he's full-time employed!!), but asking him to take care of 8 dogs overnight is asking a little much hey!
I will try to get some more pictures in the next few days, especially of Levi, and of Peanut too because I don't think I've gotten many (she moves too fast.)
For now, to bed, and early to rise for another day at the daycare. Thank goodness the puppies come with me, blow off steam and are ready to snooze the afternoon away.
Emily Out
Sunday, June 9, 2013
The Beach
The small dogs got an outing this morning on their own, so we took the big dogs to the beach this afternoon. Chopin is generally a little unnerved by new situations/environments, but seemed right at home in the water. He didn't venture out for a full swim, but ran around dragging his long-line for awhile, and eventually got some full off-leash time. This beach is pretty much our own private beach on Sundays it seems, not sure why as it is AWESOME. But I'm glad. Jinks isn't ready yet to visit busy beaches with lots of people. Plus Chopin doesn't have a recall, he just sticks with the other dogs.
I can finally see Beckett starting to slow down. He's a senior now! He still loves going to the beach though, even though he doesn't really run anymore.
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| Chopin in the surf. |
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| Jinks hoofing it down the beach. |
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| Beckett enjoying the outing. |
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| Chopin hanging with Beckett. |
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| Perturbed Jinks. Jerrad threw her ball into too deep water and it was carried out to sea :( |
Some more video for fun!
And some pictures of the small guys doing what small Chi mixes do best...
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| Proof for Piper!! ---Daisy has decided to commune with Beckett and Lemon :) |
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| Proof Peanut must be related to Lemon. I swear I have a picture exactly like this, but with Lemon in the same position! |
Getting miss Levi tomorrow. I think she'll be a pull-my-hair out adventure.
Reform School
This Border Collie mix brat, coming to foster boot camp tomorrow after a failed adoption. 7-8 months and apparently used to running the show. She's a sibling to previous foster dog Wrangler (now Zap). From description high-energy, manipulative, barky "brat". Good luck pup, I know your type all too well. Welcome to reform school.
---In other slight news, Chopin has a homecheck tonight! Fingers crossed. He has other applications too, so hopefully he finds his home really soon.
Peanut still has no interest. Lemon is coming round to her finally though.
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| Unsuspecting Specimen |
Peanut still has no interest. Lemon is coming round to her finally though.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Multi-Dog Joys
You'd think it was bigger things like vet costs, and food costs and extra messes, small tiffs between pack members and extra fur that would be burdensome in a multi-dog household. Well, I can tell you it's not the big things that drive me nuts, it's the little things.
It's warm out! Which means, Beckett will overheat easily with his thick northern coat, and Jinks being black could overheat easily too, so the fan needs to be on full blast so they can comfortably lounge. But having the fan on means Lemon, who although super furry herself, suddenly freezes, thus becoming really needy/grumpy. Of course the heat makes Beckett go "get away from me" if she tries to cuddle him. Then poor Daisy who is here, who is a short haired Chi who hails from California shivers her little bum off. Of course none of the dogs care to position themselves in the most comfortable spot as per where the fan is -instead it is based upon where I am-, so I'm left to sort out seating arrangements.
Point fan at Beckett, yet point it at Jinks (who now always seems to lay right at my feet) at the same time, while somehow making it so that Lemon and Daisy don't freeze. Oh, and for fun, make sure Chopin doesn't hog all the cool air, because he loves having his ears flap in the breeze. Most thankfully Peanut doesn't seem to care either way, though she still wants to play when the players are out for the count with the warmer weather.
Place a blanket on the warm side of the couch for Daisy to dig herself into, put a bed in the corner for grouchy Lemon to stay warm on -make sure she stays put. Pull Beckett's bed into the middle of the room so that he and Jinks can share, while she can sleep on my feet. Try not to move feet too much or Beckett will get up and pace, thus causing Peanut to go into bonkers play mode, thus causing Lemon to be a jerk, thus causing Jinks to figure she might be able to bug me into playing tuggie with her.
Move Chopin at least half a dozen times, since Beckett and Jinks are starting to pant hard while he's stealing the fan. Refill water bowls as necessary, causing the seating arrangement to somehow screw itself up again -how'd Daisy manage to get her bed all the way over to the other side of the couch in the 20 seconds it took to refill the water bowl?
Come on guys, it's not that hard.
So, suffice to say once everyone gets settled in I try my hardest not to move. Just stay very, very still and they will usually stay still too. I am looking forward to having a larger living room in my new rental. Hopefully we can more craftily place fans and beds to allow for cooler places and warmer places.
For the next few days we'll be slowly working on Chopin's only-dog skills. Today was his first small outing with no doggy company and he was a bit of a scaredy mess. I'm hoping he will go to a multi-dog home, he truly takes all his cues from his pack. Not that he couldn't be an only dog, just that I think he'd be happier with some guidance.
More soon.
Emily Out
It's warm out! Which means, Beckett will overheat easily with his thick northern coat, and Jinks being black could overheat easily too, so the fan needs to be on full blast so they can comfortably lounge. But having the fan on means Lemon, who although super furry herself, suddenly freezes, thus becoming really needy/grumpy. Of course the heat makes Beckett go "get away from me" if she tries to cuddle him. Then poor Daisy who is here, who is a short haired Chi who hails from California shivers her little bum off. Of course none of the dogs care to position themselves in the most comfortable spot as per where the fan is -instead it is based upon where I am-, so I'm left to sort out seating arrangements.
Point fan at Beckett, yet point it at Jinks (who now always seems to lay right at my feet) at the same time, while somehow making it so that Lemon and Daisy don't freeze. Oh, and for fun, make sure Chopin doesn't hog all the cool air, because he loves having his ears flap in the breeze. Most thankfully Peanut doesn't seem to care either way, though she still wants to play when the players are out for the count with the warmer weather.
Place a blanket on the warm side of the couch for Daisy to dig herself into, put a bed in the corner for grouchy Lemon to stay warm on -make sure she stays put. Pull Beckett's bed into the middle of the room so that he and Jinks can share, while she can sleep on my feet. Try not to move feet too much or Beckett will get up and pace, thus causing Peanut to go into bonkers play mode, thus causing Lemon to be a jerk, thus causing Jinks to figure she might be able to bug me into playing tuggie with her.
Move Chopin at least half a dozen times, since Beckett and Jinks are starting to pant hard while he's stealing the fan. Refill water bowls as necessary, causing the seating arrangement to somehow screw itself up again -how'd Daisy manage to get her bed all the way over to the other side of the couch in the 20 seconds it took to refill the water bowl?
Come on guys, it's not that hard.
So, suffice to say once everyone gets settled in I try my hardest not to move. Just stay very, very still and they will usually stay still too. I am looking forward to having a larger living room in my new rental. Hopefully we can more craftily place fans and beds to allow for cooler places and warmer places.
For the next few days we'll be slowly working on Chopin's only-dog skills. Today was his first small outing with no doggy company and he was a bit of a scaredy mess. I'm hoping he will go to a multi-dog home, he truly takes all his cues from his pack. Not that he couldn't be an only dog, just that I think he'd be happier with some guidance.
More soon.
Emily Out
Wednesday, June 5, 2013
No Body Loves a Peanut
Not so surprising that Chopin has lots of interest -we're waiting on a homecheck in Langley-, but there's quite a few other apps too. Peanut however, is kind of sad she has no interest. She's a great little dog, quiet, playful, cuddly, doesn't mind being home for 5+ hours a day. Providing she's well-supervised she's house broken, and she sleeps like a rock in her crate over night though would really love some bed privileges. She's an easy keeper, so I don't really mind that she's still here, it's more of a case of "if someone knew how good you were, you'd have a line up."
There are the odd foster dogs that I think I'm going to have forever, they are messed up behavior wise, or sometimes right down to the temperament of the dog, or in some way they are a big "project" -super high energy, hyper-active, very shy-. Yet some of them surprise me that they get snatched up fast regardless. They "look" like a good dog, or someone is willing to work through the problems because the dog fits the ideal look, size, gender, age, whatever it is. I get it, I have one of those -I'm willing to deal with the people reactivity thing because of the high-energy, high-drive sports combination of dog, well, and because I didn't know I was getting reactivity before it landed at my door-.
So when I have a "good dog", that is, a normal kind of a dog without any "issues" that would need someone with some dog experience, I always have to wonder why no interest. Sure she has no training, can be a bit on the jumpy side and can be annoying with other dogs, but those things are very minor, and every dog is an individual and is going to have one or two quirks to iron out.
Here she is playing with Chopin:
On the bright side, she's an easy-keeper, so it's not one of those "please god, get her adopted" types. Those too have come through these doors. The ones where they aren't so bad they need to go, but you are checking your e-mail every at every opportunity pleading with your screen for an application to come in. Helping isn't all nice dogs and "feel good" feelings. Sometimes it is a dog you really dislike, but want to make sure they end up happy anyway. Cause that's the right way to do things.
Thankfully, most of them aren't like that. :)
Chopin surprised me (and himself I think) today. He suddenly turned into a retriever. Up until today he never even ventured to chase something, let alone bring something back. Today he played fetch with a kong for at least 10 minutes even, promptly returning it each time. We'll see if it's a one time thing. His mum is apparently a BC -fetch should be in him somewhere-. Just gotta take Jinks out of the picture to practice with him. Those little puppy legs just aren't able to keep up with ball-crazy collie.
To a fun-filled day tomorrow. I now have a working vehicle and don't have to share Jerrad's. Yeah! Independently mobile. Zoom zoom!
There are the odd foster dogs that I think I'm going to have forever, they are messed up behavior wise, or sometimes right down to the temperament of the dog, or in some way they are a big "project" -super high energy, hyper-active, very shy-. Yet some of them surprise me that they get snatched up fast regardless. They "look" like a good dog, or someone is willing to work through the problems because the dog fits the ideal look, size, gender, age, whatever it is. I get it, I have one of those -I'm willing to deal with the people reactivity thing because of the high-energy, high-drive sports combination of dog, well, and because I didn't know I was getting reactivity before it landed at my door-.
So when I have a "good dog", that is, a normal kind of a dog without any "issues" that would need someone with some dog experience, I always have to wonder why no interest. Sure she has no training, can be a bit on the jumpy side and can be annoying with other dogs, but those things are very minor, and every dog is an individual and is going to have one or two quirks to iron out.
Here she is playing with Chopin:
On the bright side, she's an easy-keeper, so it's not one of those "please god, get her adopted" types. Those too have come through these doors. The ones where they aren't so bad they need to go, but you are checking your e-mail every at every opportunity pleading with your screen for an application to come in. Helping isn't all nice dogs and "feel good" feelings. Sometimes it is a dog you really dislike, but want to make sure they end up happy anyway. Cause that's the right way to do things.
Thankfully, most of them aren't like that. :)
Chopin surprised me (and himself I think) today. He suddenly turned into a retriever. Up until today he never even ventured to chase something, let alone bring something back. Today he played fetch with a kong for at least 10 minutes even, promptly returning it each time. We'll see if it's a one time thing. His mum is apparently a BC -fetch should be in him somewhere-. Just gotta take Jinks out of the picture to practice with him. Those little puppy legs just aren't able to keep up with ball-crazy collie.
To a fun-filled day tomorrow. I now have a working vehicle and don't have to share Jerrad's. Yeah! Independently mobile. Zoom zoom!
Monday, June 3, 2013
Urgent Puppies
These puppies are urgently seeking new homes.
 |
| Zora -in a foster home in Victoria- |
Zora and her littermates are sweet, but shy Formosan Mountain dog mixes who are very lucky to be alive. A rescuer in Taiwan was driving through a narrow mountain road one evening. She saw these 5 little heads bobbing around the bushes and looking at her car. She got out the car and saw 3 dead puppies lying on the road ran over by cars. Our rescuer guessed all the puppies must be from the same litter. She took the pups to the vet for a health check up and arranged a foster home for them to stay in until they are old enough to be neutered and spayed. They are now looking for their own homes. Their chance of being adopted in Taiwan ends most likely as an outdoor guard dog with no proper shelter.
These puppies are urgently looking for their own home or they would be released back onto the streets in Taiwan the end of June as there are no longer fostering placements for them in Taiwan due to the illness of their rescuer. They are all shy in the beginning when meeting with strangers but warm up quickly. They are affectionate, smart, treat motivated, get along with dogs, cats, and kids.
You can see them in action here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/91891724@N05/8532370502/in/set-72157632974738158
Zora has come to foster care in Victoria, BC. She is the shyest of the five puppies, and the only female. She is approximately 17 pounds now, will be about 25 full grown. Her brothers range between 15-24 pounds currently (25-40 full grown), with Bruno being the largest puppies.
Her brothers in Taiwan have no where to go and their time is running out -our very few foster homes are full. As such, their adoption fees have been lowered to $350 in hopes of finding their forever homes. The adoption fee includes their plane ticket, crate, leash, collar, harness microchip, spay and vaccinations.
Formosan Mountain dogs are intensely loyal, smart, agile, love to run but also love to be lazy. They need a bit of extra socializing and owners who are patient, caring and want a bit of a challenge. They bond very strongly with those they live with, but tend to be aloof and sometimes suspicious of strangers. All these puppies are crate-trained already and are okay left home crated for a few hours every day.
We're hoping some family will take a chance on them, even though they can't meet them before adoption. We really don't want them to slip through the cracks. If you are interested in fostering one of these dogs to save them, we could use you too.
You can view our website for more information @ http://www.ceradogs.org/
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Priceless
I get a lot of flak at work sometimes for just how many fosters I have/seem to get adopted. "What number are you on this time" they always ask and though they are happy that I foster and are happy to include the foster dogs in the daycare, I'm sure they think I'm bloody bonkers.
Not just kind of dog crazy, like off-my-rocker dog crazy.
A new co-worker of mine asked me a few shifts ago why I would take a foster dog over a boarding dog (paying customer) after I turned down a dog for the weekend since I was full. (To be fair, I wouldn't have personally taken that dog anyway).
It took me a night or two to think on that question, not really having a good answer for her at the time I said "Not sure, but I'm full now."
But the longer answer is:
Sure, boarding dogs are good money, and sure, we usually have one or two here throughout the month, but most dogs I don't board for the money -though that doesn't necessarily mean I would do it without the money!- but because they fit into my pack, because they are happy here, because my dogs are happy to have them, because really they are easy to have (to some degree anyway). The odd one I board because I feel I really should, -long-term daycare customer- but overall I'd rather foster.
Because with fostering, I help a rescue, I help a dog, and I help make families whole.
Every TG run I tell myself "Oh, this time I'll just take one" and we somehow wind up with two. Just like almost every time a flight becomes available for Taiwan where I don't have a current Taiwanese foster, or TG dog on the way I say yes, send one though I really feel like taking a break.
---Rescue isn't taking a break and their up to their necks in dogs. I can not do as much as they can, but I can, even if I'm tired, take one more body in.
TG works so hard with so little resources, for two weeks of mine and Jerrad's time, most of the TG dogs are adopted. The ones that stay a little longer are usually older and therefore USUALLY easily to have longer term anyway. Sending an extra puppy along might make for a week or two of funny scheduling to meet a puppy's needs, but it gives that puppy a much larger chance at finding a SUPERB home. Plus, it takes a little bit of a load off TG so that one more body can come down. It's just one body I know, but it's the one body I can do. I might be a little extra tired, or disorganized, or pre-occupied, but I'll take that burden on willingly and even though after a few nights with a new puppy Jerrad goes "Oh god, let's take a break" he's always up for another. He can be up all night scrubbing poo or vomit from a new arrival having a hard time with new food, or being the first one to do long-line work on a new puppy in the yard and be given a merry chase, but once they're adopted he's always ready for the next one to come along.
For the Taiwanese guys, it's the reality that cuts at me most. Take for example Alice, who just came was adopted within a week. Here's an update from her new family!
A puppy who isn't shy or scared of the world, a puppy who will learn to hike, swim, play outside in the grass, and visit strangers. A puppy who doesn't have to endure people who believe she is bad luck for having black on her.
The chance for Alice to become a normal puppy, and therefore a "normal" dog far outweighs the money I would have made for a weekend with a board dog -who I might have decided not to take anyway. You can not buy that, put a price on it. That week of my time, to that one dog and it's family is priceless.
So please, everyone who has a dog, please give thanks to those that saved them. It might have been a short time or a long time, but without that person you would not have your dog.
So thank you Yvette, Dave and TG for my Beckett and my Lemon, and thank you to those at Oops-a-Dazy Rescue for my crazy Hijinks. Am I so very grateful that you were there to be the bridge to get my dogs to me and I am happy to repay the favor.
Not just kind of dog crazy, like off-my-rocker dog crazy.
A new co-worker of mine asked me a few shifts ago why I would take a foster dog over a boarding dog (paying customer) after I turned down a dog for the weekend since I was full. (To be fair, I wouldn't have personally taken that dog anyway).
It took me a night or two to think on that question, not really having a good answer for her at the time I said "Not sure, but I'm full now."
But the longer answer is:
Sure, boarding dogs are good money, and sure, we usually have one or two here throughout the month, but most dogs I don't board for the money -though that doesn't necessarily mean I would do it without the money!- but because they fit into my pack, because they are happy here, because my dogs are happy to have them, because really they are easy to have (to some degree anyway). The odd one I board because I feel I really should, -long-term daycare customer- but overall I'd rather foster.
Because with fostering, I help a rescue, I help a dog, and I help make families whole.
Every TG run I tell myself "Oh, this time I'll just take one" and we somehow wind up with two. Just like almost every time a flight becomes available for Taiwan where I don't have a current Taiwanese foster, or TG dog on the way I say yes, send one though I really feel like taking a break.
---Rescue isn't taking a break and their up to their necks in dogs. I can not do as much as they can, but I can, even if I'm tired, take one more body in.
TG works so hard with so little resources, for two weeks of mine and Jerrad's time, most of the TG dogs are adopted. The ones that stay a little longer are usually older and therefore USUALLY easily to have longer term anyway. Sending an extra puppy along might make for a week or two of funny scheduling to meet a puppy's needs, but it gives that puppy a much larger chance at finding a SUPERB home. Plus, it takes a little bit of a load off TG so that one more body can come down. It's just one body I know, but it's the one body I can do. I might be a little extra tired, or disorganized, or pre-occupied, but I'll take that burden on willingly and even though after a few nights with a new puppy Jerrad goes "Oh god, let's take a break" he's always up for another. He can be up all night scrubbing poo or vomit from a new arrival having a hard time with new food, or being the first one to do long-line work on a new puppy in the yard and be given a merry chase, but once they're adopted he's always ready for the next one to come along.
For the Taiwanese guys, it's the reality that cuts at me most. Take for example Alice, who just came was adopted within a week. Here's an update from her new family!
Hi Emily and Monica, Camryn and I just want to give you a little update. Alice has officially stolen our hearts! She is an amazing little girl and is really settling in to her new home. At this moment she is curled up on my daughter's bed reading with her! Camera perfect! We have a ton of pictures of her playing and sleeping in her little bed, so if you'd like some, please let me know! She's already learned to sit when asked so I'm absolutely confident that her training is going to go very well indeed! Thank you again for everything! Our family has a brand new beautiful energy that we are so grateful for!! Cheers for now, Carolyn, Camryn and Alice
Alice's reality if she didn't come to foster in Vancouver or Victoria is that she would probably turn 1 year old in Taiwan with no interest, still be fairly unsocialized and very likely, spend another year before finding her forever family. Even then, she wouldn't have experienced all the things she should have experienced as a puppy. For a week in foster care here, a week of me being a little overworked, a little more cranky, cleaning up a few more poos, Alice can be a normal puppy.
A puppy who isn't shy or scared of the world, a puppy who will learn to hike, swim, play outside in the grass, and visit strangers. A puppy who doesn't have to endure people who believe she is bad luck for having black on her.
The chance for Alice to become a normal puppy, and therefore a "normal" dog far outweighs the money I would have made for a weekend with a board dog -who I might have decided not to take anyway. You can not buy that, put a price on it. That week of my time, to that one dog and it's family is priceless.
So please, everyone who has a dog, please give thanks to those that saved them. It might have been a short time or a long time, but without that person you would not have your dog.
So thank you Yvette, Dave and TG for my Beckett and my Lemon, and thank you to those at Oops-a-Dazy Rescue for my crazy Hijinks. Am I so very grateful that you were there to be the bridge to get my dogs to me and I am happy to repay the favor.
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