43 Hours Since We Adopted Our New Dog
Things are going well. Our new dog is sleeping at my feet on his bed while I write this. I am groggy from almost two days of intensive work with our new doggy. I picked him about two days ago and he was a little anxious to leave his foster buddies but thanks to some tasty treat I brought for the ride and a good adaptable dog brain, he was lying down by the time we made all the way home. I had the crate, new toys, his food, beds, leashes, tags, and assorted treats prepared. He spent the first day on leash in and out of house with me, which helped bond him to me and calm him down and start with house manner training. I used positive reinforcement every time he did something I liked and distracted him from doing things I didn’t like, such as thinking about taking bite out Steve’s prized Jade plant. I put him in crate for our mealtime and when Steve was wearing his work clothes for breakfast.
The toys that were a hit:
One of my favorite’s and Jefferson’s favorite the Purple Twist & Spin Busy Buddy from Premier (Great activity toy and easy to clean). He is playing with it without treats too!
Rubber large rings that form 3 part chain, he had at foster’s house so he was familiar and loves to tug
Fleece braided tug toy from Petmart. Lightweight and great for walks and house play
Chuck It balls and ball with Frisbee type attachment
The toys he hates:
He is afraid of squeaky toy unlike my late dog Jefferson, he would promptly kill and disembowel all squeaky toys with great glee.
The round softer than a buster cube activity toy that you put treats in and the dog rolls and treats fall out at random. Although, he loves the Twist & Spin that does the same king of thing, Charlie has shown no interest in this toy.
Oh and he turned his noise up at expensive top of the line wellness treats. Well all righty then! Likes his food and chicken.
We worked on not pulling on leash and playing and paying attention on walks and in yard all on leash or long line.
The first night we took a gamble that he was housebroken and let him sleep with crate door open in bedroom. He was a little anxious and paced room whenever one us moved so I slept with one eye open. He was afraid of stairs and upstairs rooms and hall but he has adjusted well and has adapted to stairs. Day two we tried off leash in house since he seems housebroken and has bonded to me. I watch him constantly and give him feedback and bravery rewards since he is a bit of chicken. He has spent short periods in crate fine when I am out of house. We have a long list of things to work on but he is playful and joyful and adapting very quickly. He does an excellent Chewbacca imitation and pounces on his toys like a fox. He doesn’t mind tons of nose kisses and is pretty cuddly. Well nap time is over and it is time to play! More tomorrow. Jeni
Tags: dog adoption, dog rescue, dog training, jeni grant, maryland dog, petfinder, positive training, puppy training
