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.
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Small Moment of Comfort
I'm sure it could have waited a couple of days, but it made me smile too much not to share. While doing our last 'couch session' last night, Allie fell asleep against my arm, and stayed there a good half an hour or better and let me stroke her chin and nose. This morning, she jumped up on the couch and is currently hanging on the other end -no attempts to get closer-. I think she's decided I'm okay company. For a human.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
ALLVVIIIIIINNNN ---and other things.
I'm turning into Dave from Alvin and the Chipmunks. Someone once told me dogs live up to their names, so be careful what you name them. I got exactly what I named Alvin. The annoying chipmunk.
I admit, I'm not the most patient person in the world, and perhaps I have too many buttons capable of pushing, but I've never met a dog that's been able to push all of them at once, and by just being plain ANNOYING! And I thought Graelee was annoying. Alvin is a whole category to himself of annoyingness. Alvin might just be killable annoying.
Alvin has his stupid little head everywhere. If he isn't sleeping (which thankfully he does a lot of) he's bugging somebody. He walks on top of Beckett, -like 'hop on pop' walk on him-, pesters the heck out of Lemon, and always seems to want whatever spot Alphie has made himself comfy in. I'm somewhat regretting I was hard on Alphie the first day or two, cause Alphie had a good hate-on and I don't allow any form of being a jerk here, but I'm beginning to understand why Alphie was a douche-bag. I'm starting to develop a serious dislike of this little idiot dog. I admit, there have been a few times I just have to put him away or I might just kill the little bugger. Better for his safety that he's crated than throttled.
He doesn't get anything. Not that he's stupid, but that he seems, well, like he's broken. He doesn't understand dog body language, he doesn't understand that he's not an entitled prince. Before us I'm almost 100% sure he'd never been told "NO". No is not in his vocabulary. Neither is stop, away, get out, get up, or MOVE. He just isn't phazed by anything -except food. Still, that has a rather limited effect ---GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME. Then the food goes away and he's GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME for the next hour.
And he has the most annoying habit that if no one is paying any attention to him he just sits in the middle of the room and squeaks. Like a mouse squeaks. And he squeaks until you pay attention to him -nicely or not-.
I've done the nice route, I've done the quite physical route (as far as you can go with a Chihuahua anyway), I've done the positive reinforcement thing, I've done the completely ignore thing, I've gone the dog-signals type of information route, and the "I mean business" route. Hard, soft, cool, calm, angry, frustrated, nothing. It all yields the same result: ANNOYING!
He's not a bad dog. He really isn't. He's just making me pull my hair out because I expect stuff from the dogs here, and Alvin expects that the world revolves around him and that he shouldn't fit into any of the rules. (The rules are minimal by the way. Although they now include: don't be a complete pest!) It's also slightly frustrating that the harsher I am on Alvin, or the more frustrated I get with him, the energy rubs off on Allie too and she gets back in her 'OMG, back to my crate' mode.
But we've made some progress with Allie. She is now "I will come for Cheese" dog, and if I move, she's heading to the kitchen figuring she'll be getting some tidbits of cheddar. She won't take them from me when I'm standing (leaning over her still makes her skitter backwards, and it probably will for a bit yet), but if I sit down, she'll come up and grab a piece. Slowly she's becoming aware that I offer more than just one piece and doesn't dart away with her spoils as much. I will take 'will come for cheese'. I just wish she'd like something a little cheaper :P.
I've also done a couple of 'couch sessions' with her. Perhaps a weird idea, but I bring her up on the couch with me, and I don't ask for anything except that she stay there with me until she's calm and relaxed. Throughout the session I move closer to her. She likes when I stroke her paws. I'm even getting kisses to my hand. At first it was a struggle getting her up on the couch (we're still using a leash at all times, I won't be taking it off until she's comfortable with me handling her enough to put her leash on and off) but after a few times she now knows 'up' and will get up on the couch with relative ease.
Now that she's relatively 'settled' I want to try to move her forward a bit faster. If left to her complete own devices, she'd have nothing to do with us unless it involves one of her walks, a pee break or cheese. I don't mind if she isn't an overly peoply dog, but I do need to make her comfortable to be approached, and to be petted, and to not feel people are going to hurt her. These are basics and I need to make sure she's okay in her own skin before she goes wherever it is she eventually goes. Not that there aren't people out there that are willing to work with how she is now, but I think I'd be too nervous to see her go without the basics. She has so much potential to be an awesome family pet, but at the same time she has a lot of potential to regress.
As always, the right person(s) for the right dog. Matchmaker matchmaker, make us a match. (But first, please find Alvin his match okay.)
Emily Out
I admit, I'm not the most patient person in the world, and perhaps I have too many buttons capable of pushing, but I've never met a dog that's been able to push all of them at once, and by just being plain ANNOYING! And I thought Graelee was annoying. Alvin is a whole category to himself of annoyingness. Alvin might just be killable annoying.
Alvin has his stupid little head everywhere. If he isn't sleeping (which thankfully he does a lot of) he's bugging somebody. He walks on top of Beckett, -like 'hop on pop' walk on him-, pesters the heck out of Lemon, and always seems to want whatever spot Alphie has made himself comfy in. I'm somewhat regretting I was hard on Alphie the first day or two, cause Alphie had a good hate-on and I don't allow any form of being a jerk here, but I'm beginning to understand why Alphie was a douche-bag. I'm starting to develop a serious dislike of this little idiot dog. I admit, there have been a few times I just have to put him away or I might just kill the little bugger. Better for his safety that he's crated than throttled.
He doesn't get anything. Not that he's stupid, but that he seems, well, like he's broken. He doesn't understand dog body language, he doesn't understand that he's not an entitled prince. Before us I'm almost 100% sure he'd never been told "NO". No is not in his vocabulary. Neither is stop, away, get out, get up, or MOVE. He just isn't phazed by anything -except food. Still, that has a rather limited effect ---GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME. Then the food goes away and he's GIMME GIMME GIMME GIMME for the next hour.
And he has the most annoying habit that if no one is paying any attention to him he just sits in the middle of the room and squeaks. Like a mouse squeaks. And he squeaks until you pay attention to him -nicely or not-.
I've done the nice route, I've done the quite physical route (as far as you can go with a Chihuahua anyway), I've done the positive reinforcement thing, I've done the completely ignore thing, I've gone the dog-signals type of information route, and the "I mean business" route. Hard, soft, cool, calm, angry, frustrated, nothing. It all yields the same result: ANNOYING!
He's not a bad dog. He really isn't. He's just making me pull my hair out because I expect stuff from the dogs here, and Alvin expects that the world revolves around him and that he shouldn't fit into any of the rules. (The rules are minimal by the way. Although they now include: don't be a complete pest!) It's also slightly frustrating that the harsher I am on Alvin, or the more frustrated I get with him, the energy rubs off on Allie too and she gets back in her 'OMG, back to my crate' mode.
But we've made some progress with Allie. She is now "I will come for Cheese" dog, and if I move, she's heading to the kitchen figuring she'll be getting some tidbits of cheddar. She won't take them from me when I'm standing (leaning over her still makes her skitter backwards, and it probably will for a bit yet), but if I sit down, she'll come up and grab a piece. Slowly she's becoming aware that I offer more than just one piece and doesn't dart away with her spoils as much. I will take 'will come for cheese'. I just wish she'd like something a little cheaper :P.
I've also done a couple of 'couch sessions' with her. Perhaps a weird idea, but I bring her up on the couch with me, and I don't ask for anything except that she stay there with me until she's calm and relaxed. Throughout the session I move closer to her. She likes when I stroke her paws. I'm even getting kisses to my hand. At first it was a struggle getting her up on the couch (we're still using a leash at all times, I won't be taking it off until she's comfortable with me handling her enough to put her leash on and off) but after a few times she now knows 'up' and will get up on the couch with relative ease.
Now that she's relatively 'settled' I want to try to move her forward a bit faster. If left to her complete own devices, she'd have nothing to do with us unless it involves one of her walks, a pee break or cheese. I don't mind if she isn't an overly peoply dog, but I do need to make her comfortable to be approached, and to be petted, and to not feel people are going to hurt her. These are basics and I need to make sure she's okay in her own skin before she goes wherever it is she eventually goes. Not that there aren't people out there that are willing to work with how she is now, but I think I'd be too nervous to see her go without the basics. She has so much potential to be an awesome family pet, but at the same time she has a lot of potential to regress.
As always, the right person(s) for the right dog. Matchmaker matchmaker, make us a match. (But first, please find Alvin his match okay.)
Emily Out
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Oh Monkey Wrench
Feeling like an irresponsible owner today. Long story short, Lemon is most definitely in heat today.
The quick story of why she wasn't spayed before adoption is that she was sent down from TG with a spay voucher at the SPCA, and they wouldn't honour it. (Apparently it was for a rabbit or pitbull??) The lady at the desk even had the wherewithall to tell me "it's not like her pups wouldn't be adopted." Since when has the SPCA been so blunt that they don't mind getting in small breed puppies who have waiting lists a mile long. Don't get me wrong, I believe the SPCA still does a lot of good -especially with regards to the politics that rescue can't really touch. That's another topic though.
Our next approach was that instead of finding her an expensive vet, we'd find her a family that would consider her spay part of the process of adopting her. So, when I eventually adopted her, I took that responsibility on. A responsibility I seem to have failed :(
I adopted Lemon early-November. When I phoned my usual vet for appointments, they only had Mid-December (when I moved) or into the new year as they would be off for two weeks for Christmas. Why they were so booked for the rest of November, I'm not quite sure, but they must be super busy. We just book Beckett's yearly pretty much a year in advance, so don't have to worry there. So, thinking I had at least 5 months until she'd go into heat I originally had her scheduled in for Jan 14th with my usual vet. Yesterday I ran around to try to find her an earlier appointment. I got her one for Tuesday (10th) -they don't do spays over the weekend at this particular vet-. But yep, today she's obviously in heat. And for the limited reading I've done about spaying during a heat, it isn't the safest process, and healing time is quite a bit longer. I'll phone the vet on Monday to seek their opinion, but talked to Tucker's mum too (my first foster, who was adopted by a vet :) ) and she advised that I wait, even if a vet WOULD do it.
I'm kicking myself in the butt. Although it would have been super hectic, I should have just booked her in the week that we were moving. Can I rewind?
So, I think I'm looking at a couple of weeks unless the vet she'd be going to feels its still a good idea to spay her. I'm going to count the start date about two days ago -when I started seeing the little signs-, and will average 21 days. So, end of January. From doing a bit of research its anywhere between 8-30 days, but for a small dog usually sits about 8-20. Here's hoping for as least days as possible. As soon as she's finished, she's getting booked in for her spay 2 weeks later.
I'm just hoping the boys aren't idiots about her. They're all neutered, but they are boys. Here's hoping the homecheck goes well for Alvin. Alphie won't pick a fight with Beckett if it comes down to it. Though Beckett is middle-aged, and usually a big-arse wimp, Alphie is smart enough not to mess with someone that much bigger than him.
So for a few more weeks I'll keep kicking myself in the butt. Don't worry Lemon Zinger, I might have been an idiot about this, but we'll get you spayed as soon as possible. As always, you love thrawting my plans. We'll get through it. Hopefully I get smarter.
The quick story of why she wasn't spayed before adoption is that she was sent down from TG with a spay voucher at the SPCA, and they wouldn't honour it. (Apparently it was for a rabbit or pitbull??) The lady at the desk even had the wherewithall to tell me "it's not like her pups wouldn't be adopted." Since when has the SPCA been so blunt that they don't mind getting in small breed puppies who have waiting lists a mile long. Don't get me wrong, I believe the SPCA still does a lot of good -especially with regards to the politics that rescue can't really touch. That's another topic though.
Our next approach was that instead of finding her an expensive vet, we'd find her a family that would consider her spay part of the process of adopting her. So, when I eventually adopted her, I took that responsibility on. A responsibility I seem to have failed :(
I adopted Lemon early-November. When I phoned my usual vet for appointments, they only had Mid-December (when I moved) or into the new year as they would be off for two weeks for Christmas. Why they were so booked for the rest of November, I'm not quite sure, but they must be super busy. We just book Beckett's yearly pretty much a year in advance, so don't have to worry there. So, thinking I had at least 5 months until she'd go into heat I originally had her scheduled in for Jan 14th with my usual vet. Yesterday I ran around to try to find her an earlier appointment. I got her one for Tuesday (10th) -they don't do spays over the weekend at this particular vet-. But yep, today she's obviously in heat. And for the limited reading I've done about spaying during a heat, it isn't the safest process, and healing time is quite a bit longer. I'll phone the vet on Monday to seek their opinion, but talked to Tucker's mum too (my first foster, who was adopted by a vet :) ) and she advised that I wait, even if a vet WOULD do it.
I'm kicking myself in the butt. Although it would have been super hectic, I should have just booked her in the week that we were moving. Can I rewind?
So, I think I'm looking at a couple of weeks unless the vet she'd be going to feels its still a good idea to spay her. I'm going to count the start date about two days ago -when I started seeing the little signs-, and will average 21 days. So, end of January. From doing a bit of research its anywhere between 8-30 days, but for a small dog usually sits about 8-20. Here's hoping for as least days as possible. As soon as she's finished, she's getting booked in for her spay 2 weeks later.
I'm just hoping the boys aren't idiots about her. They're all neutered, but they are boys. Here's hoping the homecheck goes well for Alvin. Alphie won't pick a fight with Beckett if it comes down to it. Though Beckett is middle-aged, and usually a big-arse wimp, Alphie is smart enough not to mess with someone that much bigger than him.
So for a few more weeks I'll keep kicking myself in the butt. Don't worry Lemon Zinger, I might have been an idiot about this, but we'll get you spayed as soon as possible. As always, you love thrawting my plans. We'll get through it. Hopefully I get smarter.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
One Week + Unexpected Timing
Well, its definitely been an interesting week. Somewhat draining. I would have thought I'd have some of my energy back by now, but it seems I still need to catch up on sleep. I wonder if I'm fighting off a cold or something, as I'm usually not so lethargic. All of yesterday and today I haven't had any energy to do more than just lay on the couch, cuddle my dogs, and do some short imblical sessions with Allie. I don't know if its motivation, or the unending rainfall -if it rains too much more I might as well turn into a duck-, but I'm just not feeling completely myself. I'm sure another week will see me up to my usual speed.
Well, first up today was noticing the boys were a bit more interested in Lemon than usual. I had booked her in for her spay the end of the month, as it was either right as we were moving or wait until then. I figured we were safe until March so didn't worry about it. Well, I have the strangest feeling Lemon is now close to go into heat. LOVELY. So, I phone the vet, can't move the appointment, so off we run to Elk Beaver Lake vet, who I know is good for dealing with rescues. So, with some sweet-talking she's booked in for Tuesday. First off, no puppies for her. Second off, I'd really rather not deal with a heat! In hindsight, I should have just booked it while we were moving, but unfortunately we can't go back and change that. So, Tuesday.
I've also got an adoption application in the works for Alvin, although I think Alphie is more what they're looking for, so I'm going to bring them both with me to the homecheck. They want a companion for short walks, lots of cuddles and to enjoy hanging out while their mum plays piano and gives lessons.
Heck, I'd like to switch places with one of my dogs. Good food, get to be as lazy as I like, always warm and don't have to worry about 'life'. That said, then I'd have to deal with someone like me who lays down the law. Hmm, maybe I should think about that. I do like to be in charge!
In the short time we've spent together Alphie has become my full-time companion. He's my couch-buddy, my lap-warmer, my little shadow throughout the house. He's gotten to be good on a leash with little fussing, and is learning his name. He takes treats gently, hasn't shown a single sign of aggression, even when pushed and poked and prodded. He's gotten over his neuter, has stopped mounting everyone, and has decided that although Alvin is a constant pest, he'll be nice for my sake. He really is the well-rounded, sweet tempermented little dog that'll fit in most anywhere that isn't too active. I'm hoping he eventually gets to go to a home where he can be an only dog and soak up all the attention. Although he's fine in foster care, I'm sure he'd much rather be the focus.
Alvin. Ah, what to say about Alvin. Alvin is a goofy Chihuahua who will either make you laugh or make you fume. He's an acquired taste. I can see how people like the personality, but I myself am not overly partial. Of course he's welcome here for as long as necessary, but he makes me understand why people either love or hate Chihuahuas. They are definitely all their own dogs. Especially the purebreds! They are such pests, but don't realize just how annoying they can be.
For shits and giggles, you can watch one of Alvin's little quirks here: (for some reason my blog doesn't like to upload videos lately)
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.phpv=10150473497278671&set=vb.729918670&type=2&theater
Allie is making progress. Slow progress, but progress. Underneath her fears she's a confident little bugger -it seems a contradiction, but that's what she is. She's confident in herself and other dogs. She is not confident that humans will not hurt her. She's settled into her routine and now expects her twice-daily walks and will scratch at the door to get them if she thinks I'm late. She will also throw a bit of a temper tantrum if she doesn't think our walk lasted long enough. She's a princess I tell you, and she's now decided my role is fitful maid. I'm still a scary maid mind you.
She likes to follow Jerrad into the kitchen, as she knows he'll drop scraps for her, and sometimes she goes down into the computer room to hang out with him. Although she still spends time in her crate, I always leave it open now -except if she's bugging me at bedtime, some nights she has an annoying habit of running into the bedroom, giving us a funny look and running away again and again. What does she want me to do I wonder? Is she trying to play with me?
Either way, I get up, I walk over to her crate and she instantly goes in and I close the door. Maybe she's waiting for me to tuck her in? See what I mean, she's a princess! (And is in need of a name change. Allie is way too soft for this pampered pooch.) She's coming over and hanging out with us more often. She's not the furthest away a lot of the time. She's given my fingers kisses, but still skitters away when I reach out to pet her (whether her head, side, chin or chest, so she's not just head shy.) However, she doesn't skitter as far away, or stay away for very long anymore. I figure one of these days she'll hang out and won't retreat when I go to pet her. I don't push it. Before she lets me pet her, she has to associate my reaching out as a good behaviour. This can only happen when she sees it over and over and over and it doesn't cause her pain. She can only learn this with time -and tasty scraps of eggs being thrown.
She's smart though. I can see it in everything she does. She's always watching, not so much on guard anymore, but absorbing things. How the gates work -she can push it both ways now-, how if she keeps to one side of me or the other I won't run into her and I'll ignore her. She's passed me by many times very closely, whereas in the beginning she'd make the widest circles possible. She understands that 'hey' means bad and she stops right away and doesn't go into hiding by simple everyday movements. She likes the music on. She'll eat her food -providing its wet food- with the door to her kennel open.
She's even gotten comfortable sleeping with the kennel door open. The first few days she was so guarded she only slept when we did. Which isn't much for a dog!
She's still on a leash and she'll be on a leash until I'm confident she's passed potential fear biting. And that she's confident I'm not going to hurt her by getting close. The most she's ever done to me is a loud warning growl, but I don't want to take any chance. Not so much about getting bit, but because to start building up trust and then invade it would be such a step backwards at this point. For now, the leash is the small trust between us. The small comfort that I will be there to take her out for her little walks, that I respect her space. That it is her choice to get close. That 6 1/2 feet is the closest she ever HAS to be. She'll get there eventually. It's only been a week. Give her a month and I think she'll be ready for a super commitment person(s). Still, even if she becomes comfortable here, it'll still be an adjustment to another home.
For now, she's in safe hands. I admit that I might not be the most capable place for her to land, but I will try my best to help her feel that a human is capable of affection. That we aren't all completely scary. She's young, and she's smart. I hope that kindness, patience and time will heal her 'inner puppy'. There's a home out there for her. Until then, I hope she finds some comfort here.
Well, first up today was noticing the boys were a bit more interested in Lemon than usual. I had booked her in for her spay the end of the month, as it was either right as we were moving or wait until then. I figured we were safe until March so didn't worry about it. Well, I have the strangest feeling Lemon is now close to go into heat. LOVELY. So, I phone the vet, can't move the appointment, so off we run to Elk Beaver Lake vet, who I know is good for dealing with rescues. So, with some sweet-talking she's booked in for Tuesday. First off, no puppies for her. Second off, I'd really rather not deal with a heat! In hindsight, I should have just booked it while we were moving, but unfortunately we can't go back and change that. So, Tuesday.
I've also got an adoption application in the works for Alvin, although I think Alphie is more what they're looking for, so I'm going to bring them both with me to the homecheck. They want a companion for short walks, lots of cuddles and to enjoy hanging out while their mum plays piano and gives lessons.
Heck, I'd like to switch places with one of my dogs. Good food, get to be as lazy as I like, always warm and don't have to worry about 'life'. That said, then I'd have to deal with someone like me who lays down the law. Hmm, maybe I should think about that. I do like to be in charge!
In the short time we've spent together Alphie has become my full-time companion. He's my couch-buddy, my lap-warmer, my little shadow throughout the house. He's gotten to be good on a leash with little fussing, and is learning his name. He takes treats gently, hasn't shown a single sign of aggression, even when pushed and poked and prodded. He's gotten over his neuter, has stopped mounting everyone, and has decided that although Alvin is a constant pest, he'll be nice for my sake. He really is the well-rounded, sweet tempermented little dog that'll fit in most anywhere that isn't too active. I'm hoping he eventually gets to go to a home where he can be an only dog and soak up all the attention. Although he's fine in foster care, I'm sure he'd much rather be the focus.
Alphie: I'm too sexy for my shirt!
Alvin. Ah, what to say about Alvin. Alvin is a goofy Chihuahua who will either make you laugh or make you fume. He's an acquired taste. I can see how people like the personality, but I myself am not overly partial. Of course he's welcome here for as long as necessary, but he makes me understand why people either love or hate Chihuahuas. They are definitely all their own dogs. Especially the purebreds! They are such pests, but don't realize just how annoying they can be.
For shits and giggles, you can watch one of Alvin's little quirks here: (for some reason my blog doesn't like to upload videos lately)
http://www.facebook.com/?ref=logo#!/photo.phpv=10150473497278671&set=vb.729918670&type=2&theater
The Pest in his Little Green Coat
Allie is making progress. Slow progress, but progress. Underneath her fears she's a confident little bugger -it seems a contradiction, but that's what she is. She's confident in herself and other dogs. She is not confident that humans will not hurt her. She's settled into her routine and now expects her twice-daily walks and will scratch at the door to get them if she thinks I'm late. She will also throw a bit of a temper tantrum if she doesn't think our walk lasted long enough. She's a princess I tell you, and she's now decided my role is fitful maid. I'm still a scary maid mind you.
She likes to follow Jerrad into the kitchen, as she knows he'll drop scraps for her, and sometimes she goes down into the computer room to hang out with him. Although she still spends time in her crate, I always leave it open now -except if she's bugging me at bedtime, some nights she has an annoying habit of running into the bedroom, giving us a funny look and running away again and again. What does she want me to do I wonder? Is she trying to play with me?
Either way, I get up, I walk over to her crate and she instantly goes in and I close the door. Maybe she's waiting for me to tuck her in? See what I mean, she's a princess! (And is in need of a name change. Allie is way too soft for this pampered pooch.) She's coming over and hanging out with us more often. She's not the furthest away a lot of the time. She's given my fingers kisses, but still skitters away when I reach out to pet her (whether her head, side, chin or chest, so she's not just head shy.) However, she doesn't skitter as far away, or stay away for very long anymore. I figure one of these days she'll hang out and won't retreat when I go to pet her. I don't push it. Before she lets me pet her, she has to associate my reaching out as a good behaviour. This can only happen when she sees it over and over and over and it doesn't cause her pain. She can only learn this with time -and tasty scraps of eggs being thrown.
She's smart though. I can see it in everything she does. She's always watching, not so much on guard anymore, but absorbing things. How the gates work -she can push it both ways now-, how if she keeps to one side of me or the other I won't run into her and I'll ignore her. She's passed me by many times very closely, whereas in the beginning she'd make the widest circles possible. She understands that 'hey' means bad and she stops right away and doesn't go into hiding by simple everyday movements. She likes the music on. She'll eat her food -providing its wet food- with the door to her kennel open.
She's even gotten comfortable sleeping with the kennel door open. The first few days she was so guarded she only slept when we did. Which isn't much for a dog!
Passed out in her Kennel
She's still on a leash and she'll be on a leash until I'm confident she's passed potential fear biting. And that she's confident I'm not going to hurt her by getting close. The most she's ever done to me is a loud warning growl, but I don't want to take any chance. Not so much about getting bit, but because to start building up trust and then invade it would be such a step backwards at this point. For now, the leash is the small trust between us. The small comfort that I will be there to take her out for her little walks, that I respect her space. That it is her choice to get close. That 6 1/2 feet is the closest she ever HAS to be. She'll get there eventually. It's only been a week. Give her a month and I think she'll be ready for a super commitment person(s). Still, even if she becomes comfortable here, it'll still be an adjustment to another home.
For now, she's in safe hands. I admit that I might not be the most capable place for her to land, but I will try my best to help her feel that a human is capable of affection. That we aren't all completely scary. She's young, and she's smart. I hope that kindness, patience and time will heal her 'inner puppy'. There's a home out there for her. Until then, I hope she finds some comfort here.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Tidbits of Goofiness
The biggest smile of today was when Jerrad decided to get Alvin comfortable on the stairs. Each one is giant hurdle to him, and although we've tried the 'tough love' approach of leaving him at the bottom of the stairs until he manages them himself (for the record, there are only 5-6 stairs). But, he'll stand there ALL NIGHT LONG. So, some work. But, the sweetest part of the process was that Allie came out and walked the stairs up and down and up and down and up and down for about half an hour with Jerrad and Alvin. She got a little tangled sometimes, and once ran away when Jerrad got to close when entangling her, but she returned to finish the process. Enough distance to make her feel safe, but a smile, and a willingness to follow -a willingness to help Alvin through the process-. Not quite a tear jerker, but I really smiled inside seeing her happy. Showing us 'I can do that'.
I think Jerrad might have what I don't. The ability to keep moving and stop analyzing. If she wants to walk the stairs, let her walk the stairs. If she wants to hang out in the corner for awhile, whatever. If she gets curious and wants to go explore the house, there's really nothing to hurt her. We've got all hardwood, so if per chance there's an accident (somehow she seems housetrained, as she's never had an accident here) its not a big deal to clean up. The worst she could do is get into the garbage.
For now, I'm going on the premise that the more she moves around the better. That if I leave her to her own devices she'll eventually figure it out.
She's also a smart cookie. We have a babygate in place so that I can keep the dogs in about half the house -just to keep an eye on them. If I'm in the other half of the house, I keep the babygate open. Either way, it's not all that stuck on the wall, and Allie's figured out how to push it open (unfortunately when it swings back its a bit harder to open). So now she's booking it around the house in exploring mode. I've taken away her two main hiding spots, but set up the two comfiest blankets right beside them, just slightly more in the 'open'. She seems to be okay with that.
We had another small breakthrough. She's beginning to understand that when I get up from the computer -or the couch, or my big comfy chair- that there's a a good chance I'll take her outside for a walk/pee. So instead of booking her back into her crate and hiding out, she books it a bit further away -about 5-8 feet-, and then follows me towards the door, making sure she keeps her distance. This last time when I got up to the bathroom she followed me, stood in the doorway and gave me a look like 'what, no walk!?'. She comtemplated this awhile as I you know, did my 'business'. Eventually she flopped her leash around a bit until it stuck into the bathroom. Still her usual 5-8 feet away. Far enough away so that if she feels the least bit frightened she feels she has a 'getaway' it seems. So, I grabbed the end of her leash, and took her outside. A clear sign she's not comfortable being close, but that she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it. I can work with this.
Slow and steady. This is her rehab, it'll be on her schedule.
In other tidbits of news, I've given into soft food with Alphie and Allie. Although Alvin is a little chow-hound, Allie and Alphie have eaten very little since they've come. They're peeing and pooping on schedule, so I know their systems are okay but Alphie is already quite thin, -I can feel his ribs quite well :(- and I think Allie could starve herself to death on dry food. So, break out the can-food. I'm pretty sure Alphie remembers canned food because he came storming into the kitchen for the sound of the can-opener. SLURRRRP. Down the hatch. One down, one to go.
I can hear Allie slowly taking hers down as well. I seem to need to cover her for her to eat at all. I would try free-feeding her, but Lemon and Alvin would just turn into butterballs. Alvin ate 4!!! meals a couple of days ago. Because I fed him supper and breakfast, and so did Jerrad. PIG! Though Lemon did too, she's also piglet supreme. There's been the time here and there though that someone thinks the other person has fed the dogs breakfast, and it turns out they didn't. Extra scoop at supper, but you think you'd hear some rumbling tummies, or some complaining for supper. Nope. A missed meal around here no one seems to care about.
Pictures soon. They're a pretty lazy bunch, so it'll probably just be a pile more of Alphie on the couch, Alvin in the blankets, and Allie slowly inching closer. As long as no more small/medium males come into the foster front ---Alphie thinks he's king shit with Alvin, but is fine with Beckett, even if Beckett squashes him sometimes--- we're slowly sailing along.
Oh, and whoever adopts Alphie will have really lucked out. He's such an awesome cuddler, but doesn't mind having his own space too. Super easy-going dude. I won't mind if he sticks around awhile, but he's so good, I doubt it'll take long to find him his forever home.
For being so, so close to death, he's a lucky guy. But I'm lucky to have gotten to know him too. I think he'll be one to remember for awhile :)
I think Jerrad might have what I don't. The ability to keep moving and stop analyzing. If she wants to walk the stairs, let her walk the stairs. If she wants to hang out in the corner for awhile, whatever. If she gets curious and wants to go explore the house, there's really nothing to hurt her. We've got all hardwood, so if per chance there's an accident (somehow she seems housetrained, as she's never had an accident here) its not a big deal to clean up. The worst she could do is get into the garbage.
For now, I'm going on the premise that the more she moves around the better. That if I leave her to her own devices she'll eventually figure it out.
She's also a smart cookie. We have a babygate in place so that I can keep the dogs in about half the house -just to keep an eye on them. If I'm in the other half of the house, I keep the babygate open. Either way, it's not all that stuck on the wall, and Allie's figured out how to push it open (unfortunately when it swings back its a bit harder to open). So now she's booking it around the house in exploring mode. I've taken away her two main hiding spots, but set up the two comfiest blankets right beside them, just slightly more in the 'open'. She seems to be okay with that.
We had another small breakthrough. She's beginning to understand that when I get up from the computer -or the couch, or my big comfy chair- that there's a a good chance I'll take her outside for a walk/pee. So instead of booking her back into her crate and hiding out, she books it a bit further away -about 5-8 feet-, and then follows me towards the door, making sure she keeps her distance. This last time when I got up to the bathroom she followed me, stood in the doorway and gave me a look like 'what, no walk!?'. She comtemplated this awhile as I you know, did my 'business'. Eventually she flopped her leash around a bit until it stuck into the bathroom. Still her usual 5-8 feet away. Far enough away so that if she feels the least bit frightened she feels she has a 'getaway' it seems. So, I grabbed the end of her leash, and took her outside. A clear sign she's not comfortable being close, but that she knows what she wants and isn't afraid to ask for it. I can work with this.
Slow and steady. This is her rehab, it'll be on her schedule.
In other tidbits of news, I've given into soft food with Alphie and Allie. Although Alvin is a little chow-hound, Allie and Alphie have eaten very little since they've come. They're peeing and pooping on schedule, so I know their systems are okay but Alphie is already quite thin, -I can feel his ribs quite well :(- and I think Allie could starve herself to death on dry food. So, break out the can-food. I'm pretty sure Alphie remembers canned food because he came storming into the kitchen for the sound of the can-opener. SLURRRRP. Down the hatch. One down, one to go.
I can hear Allie slowly taking hers down as well. I seem to need to cover her for her to eat at all. I would try free-feeding her, but Lemon and Alvin would just turn into butterballs. Alvin ate 4!!! meals a couple of days ago. Because I fed him supper and breakfast, and so did Jerrad. PIG! Though Lemon did too, she's also piglet supreme. There's been the time here and there though that someone thinks the other person has fed the dogs breakfast, and it turns out they didn't. Extra scoop at supper, but you think you'd hear some rumbling tummies, or some complaining for supper. Nope. A missed meal around here no one seems to care about.
Pictures soon. They're a pretty lazy bunch, so it'll probably just be a pile more of Alphie on the couch, Alvin in the blankets, and Allie slowly inching closer. As long as no more small/medium males come into the foster front ---Alphie thinks he's king shit with Alvin, but is fine with Beckett, even if Beckett squashes him sometimes--- we're slowly sailing along.
Oh, and whoever adopts Alphie will have really lucked out. He's such an awesome cuddler, but doesn't mind having his own space too. Super easy-going dude. I won't mind if he sticks around awhile, but he's so good, I doubt it'll take long to find him his forever home.
For being so, so close to death, he's a lucky guy. But I'm lucky to have gotten to know him too. I think he'll be one to remember for awhile :)
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Specks of Light
So after my little pity party, and reading the great comments -THANKS GUYS-, and a few different blogs with information on dealing with fearfulness -it really seems to depend on the dog is what it comes down to-, I've picked myself up, dusted myself off, and gotten cozy with the fact that things go slow sometimes. So be it. When it comes right down to it, I'd much rather deal with an Allie over the long term than a bouncing, bubbly, totally high-energy freak.
Besides, Allie has some great points that are going to work in both our favours.
1) Allie has great dog skills. She understands how to interact (although not 'play') with her own kind. Dogs are much more balanced than we are. If she understands that much, she's already leaps and bounds ahead of where some are. She already knows how to be 'a dog'. She just doesn't understand how to be a pet. Who can blame her.
2) Although the barking/growling is frustrating -none of either today so far- she gives lots of warning of what makes her uncomfortable. She isn't unpredictable providing you understand her cues. Yes, there might be mornings it takes me ten minutes to get her to trust that I just want to grab her leash to take her for a walk (for now, she's still dragging her leash, she'll probably be dragging it for awhile), and I'm sure they'll be at least a few more fear growls as I open her crate, but I won't take that as failure. I'll take that as something we're still working on.
3) There are some things that seem to make her happy. Her small walks, her cozy blanket, her brief explores around the house and hanging around the other dogs do seem to make her happy. She isn't completely shut down. She's curious. She's watching.
Today I saw some specks of light at the end of the tunnel too. I've started doing some imblical work with her. 7 foot leash around the wrist. She can be all seven feet away, I don't care, but I'm asking her to stay within my world. I'm not asking her to come any closer than those 7 feet, but I want her to become comfortable within that radius. Although it took about 20-30 minutes for her to settle and not try to book her for somewhere else, I kicked off my shoes, hung out on the couch and just waited. About half an hour in she found a comfy spot on a big blanket on the floor and settled. By the end of the movie, she'd relaxed so much she'd pretty much fallen asleep. When I sat up, -the leash letting her able to go another foot or so- she stayed put and just looked at me.
That's where I am now.
Now, I'm sure once I get up she'll go back into the 'far away as possible' mode, but it'll be a quick trip outside for a pee break, a little walk, and then she can return to her open crate for the night. I'm sure they'll be many, many more bumps in the road, and I don't expect to ever fully earn her trust, but slowly, I hope she comes into my 'bubble', and maybe if she can do that, I can slowly enter hers.
This weekend, I hope to do a lot more sessions of imbilical work. But, without expectation of getting anywhere -but being thankful if we do.
Besides, Allie has some great points that are going to work in both our favours.
1) Allie has great dog skills. She understands how to interact (although not 'play') with her own kind. Dogs are much more balanced than we are. If she understands that much, she's already leaps and bounds ahead of where some are. She already knows how to be 'a dog'. She just doesn't understand how to be a pet. Who can blame her.
2) Although the barking/growling is frustrating -none of either today so far- she gives lots of warning of what makes her uncomfortable. She isn't unpredictable providing you understand her cues. Yes, there might be mornings it takes me ten minutes to get her to trust that I just want to grab her leash to take her for a walk (for now, she's still dragging her leash, she'll probably be dragging it for awhile), and I'm sure they'll be at least a few more fear growls as I open her crate, but I won't take that as failure. I'll take that as something we're still working on.
3) There are some things that seem to make her happy. Her small walks, her cozy blanket, her brief explores around the house and hanging around the other dogs do seem to make her happy. She isn't completely shut down. She's curious. She's watching.
Today I saw some specks of light at the end of the tunnel too. I've started doing some imblical work with her. 7 foot leash around the wrist. She can be all seven feet away, I don't care, but I'm asking her to stay within my world. I'm not asking her to come any closer than those 7 feet, but I want her to become comfortable within that radius. Although it took about 20-30 minutes for her to settle and not try to book her for somewhere else, I kicked off my shoes, hung out on the couch and just waited. About half an hour in she found a comfy spot on a big blanket on the floor and settled. By the end of the movie, she'd relaxed so much she'd pretty much fallen asleep. When I sat up, -the leash letting her able to go another foot or so- she stayed put and just looked at me.
That's where I am now.
Now, I'm sure once I get up she'll go back into the 'far away as possible' mode, but it'll be a quick trip outside for a pee break, a little walk, and then she can return to her open crate for the night. I'm sure they'll be many, many more bumps in the road, and I don't expect to ever fully earn her trust, but slowly, I hope she comes into my 'bubble', and maybe if she can do that, I can slowly enter hers.
This weekend, I hope to do a lot more sessions of imbilical work. But, without expectation of getting anywhere -but being thankful if we do.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
"Rehab"
I don't know how Yvette does it. I don't know how she takes so many broken dogs in and brings them back from the brink. Not only the vet bills, --money is there or it isn't--, but truly broken spirits, souls, dogs. I understand it needs to be done, and today I'm even more grateful than usual. Grateful because I think I'm one small step closer to knowing how things really are. TG is a safe haven, a rehab, a godsend to so many dogs, but just because you're safe, doesn't mean you're not broken. It's called rehab for a reason. And it doesn't happen quickly. A lot are very messed up...
Today I'm having a hard day. Although I've very slowly been trying to bring Allie out of her shell, it is seemingly always a case of one step forward, two or three steps back. I see little in the way of 'progress'. Granted, I think I'm being much too hard on myself. It hasn't even been a week yet. And my frustration most certainly is not helping the problem(s). I don't want her to be 'normal' -she's a long way from that-, but I don't want her to feel she needs to hide.
I took away her crate, and she found a corner. I took away her corner and she moved in behind the TV. I fill that gap and she shoves herself in the smallest nook possible. The further I push her out into the open, the more skittish she's becoming. So, although maybe I've given up too fast, I've gone back to an open crate. At least with the crate she doesn't mind me -most of the time anyway- grabbing her leash to take her outside for a pee. And she sneaks out for socialization with the dogs here and there. She has another blanket she likes to lay on. Sometimes she pokes her head out and just looks at me. I don't know if she's asking me what I'm up to, or just reassuring me she knows I'm watching her and she in no way wants any part.
I try to hang out in the same general area as her, and she shoves herself as far as possible from me. I went to hang out with her in the laundry room -she likes to sit by the dryer when its running-, but instead of giving up her nice warm place and running a few feet away like she usually does, she starts pacing back and forth in front of the dryer growling and barking. I sat on the stairs for almost 20 minutes with my back to her and when she stopped barking and settled a bit I left. She was frustrated, I was wearing thin myself (the barking REALLY gets to me, I have to be honest when I say I almost had a freak out myself) and we really weren't getting anywhere. At the same time, I can't let signs of fear-aggression win out. I don't need her to trust me right away, but I do need her to understand that growling and barking isn't making me move. Her calmness is. When she is stable, I'll leave her be. Even if we get to the point where my prescence doesn't threaten her in most non-touching situations, we'll be making progress. On a brighter note, most of the time I ignore her, she's just fine. When I come home, she's at the gate with a wagging tail -when I get about 2 feet from her, she's back in her crate or far, far away, but she does seem glad to see me from a distance.
But how do I compromise the 'now' happy with the overall happiness. She shouldn't have to live almost all of her inside life inside a crate :(. She shouldn't have to live afraid of what's going to happen if she has to make contact with people. I'm back to my watching stage. I'm watching to see if she uses her crate as her safe space to sleep -if she's uncomfortable sleeping out in the open- or if she's only using it as an escape. Or most likely both. I'm watching from afar to research what makes her tick. But for all the research, for all the watching, I don't know if I'll ever have enough information to truly move forward. It's difficult admitting to yourself you don't know what to do. Or, you don't know what to do that isn't going to backfire. I have a lot of possibilities, but its very easy to screw them up.
On a more positive note outside she's a bit different. Although she isn't a huge fan of the leash, once she's out of the house she likes to be taken on her little walks around the property. She likes to watch the chickens, sniff all the different grasses, and a lot of the time has a happy disposition about being outside with people -providing they aren't TOO close. I even get a wagging tail when we're heading out the door into the yard. Once I get a harness for her -there is NO WAY I'd be able to wrangle her back up if she somehow slipped her collar- I will be walking her, Beckett and Lemon as a pack where there are more distractions than chickens. Although the foster boys are fine, I don't need to deal with potential other issues when I'm out walking Allie. I need to focus on her, I need to watch her limits, try to understand what makes her happy, what makes her afraid. I need Lemon and Beckett to do what they do best. Be social. Give her confidence, guidance. Stick close and not need constant supervision. This is their work, and I know they won't fail me. I'm not so sure if I won't fail myself.
Allie might be with me a long time. She will need her own special person that doesn't mind having a dog who doesn't want much to do with their person. A person that is okay if Allie never makes a lick of 'progress' outside enjoying her walks and spending her day voluntarily in her crate. A person who is ultra patient, realistic, down-to-earth and committed. She's not a dog for first-time dog owners and she's definitely not a dog that will fit in with ease. What she needs is a person with time. It is hard for me to be that person. I'm a pusher, but I'm pushing too far and too fast. And I don't know how to go much slower except to let time seep in. For now, we're going back to what keeps her, at least for an hour or two a day, feeling secure. Two half-hour walks around the property, a few pee-breaks, access to explore the house, and no expectations that she be social.
Today I am wondering if I made the right choice saving Allie. If there wasn't someone with better quality of life (not to be read as more adoptable). If, if, if. For now, I do what is sometimes hardest for me to do. I watch, and I wait. And most importantly, I keep hope that I am able to help her. I might not be rehab, but I'm the best she has.
Today I'm having a hard day. Although I've very slowly been trying to bring Allie out of her shell, it is seemingly always a case of one step forward, two or three steps back. I see little in the way of 'progress'. Granted, I think I'm being much too hard on myself. It hasn't even been a week yet. And my frustration most certainly is not helping the problem(s). I don't want her to be 'normal' -she's a long way from that-, but I don't want her to feel she needs to hide.
I took away her crate, and she found a corner. I took away her corner and she moved in behind the TV. I fill that gap and she shoves herself in the smallest nook possible. The further I push her out into the open, the more skittish she's becoming. So, although maybe I've given up too fast, I've gone back to an open crate. At least with the crate she doesn't mind me -most of the time anyway- grabbing her leash to take her outside for a pee. And she sneaks out for socialization with the dogs here and there. She has another blanket she likes to lay on. Sometimes she pokes her head out and just looks at me. I don't know if she's asking me what I'm up to, or just reassuring me she knows I'm watching her and she in no way wants any part.
I try to hang out in the same general area as her, and she shoves herself as far as possible from me. I went to hang out with her in the laundry room -she likes to sit by the dryer when its running-, but instead of giving up her nice warm place and running a few feet away like she usually does, she starts pacing back and forth in front of the dryer growling and barking. I sat on the stairs for almost 20 minutes with my back to her and when she stopped barking and settled a bit I left. She was frustrated, I was wearing thin myself (the barking REALLY gets to me, I have to be honest when I say I almost had a freak out myself) and we really weren't getting anywhere. At the same time, I can't let signs of fear-aggression win out. I don't need her to trust me right away, but I do need her to understand that growling and barking isn't making me move. Her calmness is. When she is stable, I'll leave her be. Even if we get to the point where my prescence doesn't threaten her in most non-touching situations, we'll be making progress. On a brighter note, most of the time I ignore her, she's just fine. When I come home, she's at the gate with a wagging tail -when I get about 2 feet from her, she's back in her crate or far, far away, but she does seem glad to see me from a distance.
But how do I compromise the 'now' happy with the overall happiness. She shouldn't have to live almost all of her inside life inside a crate :(. She shouldn't have to live afraid of what's going to happen if she has to make contact with people. I'm back to my watching stage. I'm watching to see if she uses her crate as her safe space to sleep -if she's uncomfortable sleeping out in the open- or if she's only using it as an escape. Or most likely both. I'm watching from afar to research what makes her tick. But for all the research, for all the watching, I don't know if I'll ever have enough information to truly move forward. It's difficult admitting to yourself you don't know what to do. Or, you don't know what to do that isn't going to backfire. I have a lot of possibilities, but its very easy to screw them up.
On a more positive note outside she's a bit different. Although she isn't a huge fan of the leash, once she's out of the house she likes to be taken on her little walks around the property. She likes to watch the chickens, sniff all the different grasses, and a lot of the time has a happy disposition about being outside with people -providing they aren't TOO close. I even get a wagging tail when we're heading out the door into the yard. Once I get a harness for her -there is NO WAY I'd be able to wrangle her back up if she somehow slipped her collar- I will be walking her, Beckett and Lemon as a pack where there are more distractions than chickens. Although the foster boys are fine, I don't need to deal with potential other issues when I'm out walking Allie. I need to focus on her, I need to watch her limits, try to understand what makes her happy, what makes her afraid. I need Lemon and Beckett to do what they do best. Be social. Give her confidence, guidance. Stick close and not need constant supervision. This is their work, and I know they won't fail me. I'm not so sure if I won't fail myself.
Allie might be with me a long time. She will need her own special person that doesn't mind having a dog who doesn't want much to do with their person. A person that is okay if Allie never makes a lick of 'progress' outside enjoying her walks and spending her day voluntarily in her crate. A person who is ultra patient, realistic, down-to-earth and committed. She's not a dog for first-time dog owners and she's definitely not a dog that will fit in with ease. What she needs is a person with time. It is hard for me to be that person. I'm a pusher, but I'm pushing too far and too fast. And I don't know how to go much slower except to let time seep in. For now, we're going back to what keeps her, at least for an hour or two a day, feeling secure. Two half-hour walks around the property, a few pee-breaks, access to explore the house, and no expectations that she be social.
Today I am wondering if I made the right choice saving Allie. If there wasn't someone with better quality of life (not to be read as more adoptable). If, if, if. For now, I do what is sometimes hardest for me to do. I watch, and I wait. And most importantly, I keep hope that I am able to help her. I might not be rehab, but I'm the best she has.
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