acanthusleaf | Doggy!

Of course it's a very busy time of year that I take two days off to drive 400 miles and adopt a dog. Nobody said I was really bright. :-)

The Bubbly girl is a sweetie, but rather confused, which combines with her black lab nature to result in constant motion. I have to consciously take deep breaths and relax or I end up on her wavelength, which is a very spastic place to be. Last night she finally would lie down in her bed in the same room with me, at least until I got up for something.

A certain doggy is going through a lot of new things. I intended to stay at my mom's for one night and bring her back to SB, but time spent in Petsmart and at the rest area extended the travel time and I hit the LA basin at a rather bad time. I needed to get to the P.O. Box in Santa Ana for a package and a check, and after that it was 4:00 and there was no way I was going to spend three hours on highway 91. Went over to Jon's instead. Another house and yard to sniff, more cats to chase, and more rules to learn. I was rather sleep-deprived, because she whimpered all night at Mom's, and shifted around quite a bit at Jon's house. I brought her home Wednesday, and the poor thing is going to stay here with me for a few days to give her a bit of stability before we trek into the studio. She likes my yard, and we chased some balls around, and she got to hear all the neighborhood dogs go off.

Bubbles got off to a bad start with Jon's dad's doggy Spencer. I had hoped to get up earlier and have them meet on neutral territory, but I was unsuccessful. She lunged at him and snapped, and I had to pull her back. Poor thing doesn't know who or what to defend. I need to work on the doggy-socialization thing with her, because Spencer comes over to Jon's house almost every day, and they need to get along. Also with the jumping on people and being super mouthy. I hope that some consistency and firm rules and attention will help.

Now, after a nap, I am feeling alive again. Time to go for a w-a-l-k!

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SHe is one lucky dog to have you to care for her.

w00t!! Booth-Dog!

I hope M sent her crate with you. She's quite used to sleeping in it and that should help you a bit. She really loves a little peanut butter in a kong or hollow bone at night.

At Teresa's she did well with a gate between doors to help her get to know other dogs.

Don't you just hurt for her? I've never figured out what makes a dog like one new dog and not another. She and Jack hit it off immediately. I don't remember that there was a problem with her and Shadow. Maybe it's the alpha thing. Jack just knew he was the alpha and she trusted that he was correct. Bubbles knew she was alpha above Shadow, and so did Shadow.

Is Spencer a Beta or an Alpha? How large is he? Maybe they need to figure out their pecking order? Maybe they need to start with a muzzle on?

Hopefully she'll settle as soon as she feels she can trust where she is to be permanent now.
Again, thanks for saving her life and I am praying you will both be happy with this new partnership!

G'Luck with the socialization thing!

Just don't let her get you wound up, and she'll calm down. That's the best trick I ever learned training springers.

She was much better when Teresa was around to be top dog for her, and I'm sure she'll come around soon. As you know, Bob, she just needs consistent attention and rules for a while.

You may not be so bright, but you're dumb in absolutely the right direction. :-) If there is anything in the world worth being illogical for, it's a furry critter.

I am VERY happy that you have a doggy friend again - watching you with our lot made me realize how important that is for you, and this sounds like a very special doggy! When you are rescuing one that needs rescuing, well, everything else becomes less important.

If you ever want or need to talk about training or socialization or anything, I'm happy to offer whatever I can. The poodles are generally so awesome they've been easy, but most of our obedience classes were labs and goldens, and our trainer is *awesome*. I've learned so, so much since we first got Remy! I know you know a lot, I'm sure you and Bubbles (!!) will be fine, but if we can help you know we are there for both of you.

*HUG*

Enjoy!!

Teresa didn't have the physical strength to do a thorough job of training, I'm afraid.

Just as she'd get going, she'd get sick again, and then she was gone for that trip to New York, so Bubbles spent most of her time kooped up for the past several weeks. I think you are stronger and more able to handle her than many people.

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Oh dear! NO offense taken! What you are saying is quite true.

I was just thinking there's hope for Bubbles because she now has a physically stronger handler. You probably don't know how bad I feel that I've not been able to take on this responsibility myself. But I know I can't. These two dogs I have now (My Jack and Teresa's Shadow) are almost more than I can handle already!

Don't worry: I know you all loved Teresa and wouldn't put her down in any way. My assumption is always that you are kind and thoughtful people.

You're both right. She's already giving me shoulder workouts when we walk. I'll be working with her as much as I can. She is a smart dog, and wants to please - she just has a whole lot of pent-up energy.

I think she's amazed that she has the run of the house. She loves to look out the living room window and let me know who is going by. A very loving dog, but Teresa acknowledged that she's a dork. I'm going to find out if a dork can be sufficiently socialized to not drive me and everyone else crazy when she's in the room.

Consider a Gentle Leader for awhile - at first they hate them, because they don't like anything on their faces, but it's mostly drama. It's a fantastic tool for teaching them not to pull when walking - with any dog over about 40 lbs, that is just a very bad and potentially dangerous habit! Labs almost always need this kind of feedback to really get it, they're just dumb'n'happy and don't realize they're causing issues for anyone else.

Make her wear it all the time when she is not in her crate or unattended, and she will quickly get used to it - your shoulder will thank you. :-)

A big second on the Gentle Leader. As you know, the Dudley is a huge 70 pound dork, who learned how to pull even a chest harness to bits, but the Gentle Leader has been a god-send. I was against it at first, but it really works and he doesn't seem to mind, except when he has to wear it and not be walking (like sitting at the door waiting for B to finish arranging the car seats in the SUV for him--that is really the only time I see him paw at it).

Oops! BTW, Big Congratulations on the new family member! If you want to try socializing her with Dudley, we're willing.

Oh, I hope so.
Teresa used a gentle leader harness. Did Morgan send it? That helped a lot.

Soon. Very soon.

Congrats on your new puppy!!

Doggy!

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