A New Companion And Possible Service Dog

[SeanCharles]

@WildMermaid Yup! I am extremely happy myself! My day couldn't go fast enough! The last part of my shift (and most of it) I was on/off the register more and didn't get most of my usual tasks that perform done. I notice that my stress and anxiety were extreme until I got the call from animal control letting me know that Winnie was found! I was extremely amazed at where and how close to home she was! (RIGHT NEXT DOOR!) :laugh: Talk about a wild and crazy April Fool Joke! The cool thing was, that Sheba and I did also experience a very similar, yet different reasoning for it, separation (come to think of it the length was about the same) but the circumstances leading to them were different.

---SeanGeo

 

[Deleted member 28740]

@SeanGeo
Concerned about Winnie. Is that her name, or a new one? Sheba? What do you want a dog to do for you? I'll stop writing here because I find your posts lack basic understanding of companion. If off base, fine. I'd rather be out in the wild than given no respect or care.

 

[SeanCharles]

concerned about Winnie. Is that her name, or a new one? Sheba? What do you want a dog to do for you? I'll stop writing here because I find your posts lack basic understanding of companion. If off base, fine. I'd rather be out in the wild than given no respect or care.

[GALLERY=media, 725]Sheba I.d.k by SeanGeo posted Dec 8, 2014 at 1:19 AM[/GALLERY] This was Sheba. Winnie is a new dog I just got from someone who rescued her from an owner that kept her in a crate and let her roam (like she is now!)

Sheba was a emotional support dog which she was because she didn't perform tasks, except a few mobility tasks: Assisting with standing after sitting to long for example. Grounding (which Winnie isn't ready to do yet, even though I've been doing some fundemental work.)

Basically I am hoping I can do at least this: train Winnie to help me with anxiety, which she herself is experiencing among raging hormones. What else... In time I can possibly see Winnie doing public access, right now she's not ready. I know too she does like playing with other dogs. If possible possibly seizure alert. I don't know what response yet as I need to do more research. I am on meds so, maybe medication reminder.

I am still trying to develop the task list. I am also working on applying with a local service dog training team in here in town.

I need to find a psychiatrist too! Okay, now I seem to be drifting off topic. My question is this: what do you mean by this: I find your posts lack basic understanding of companion?

---SeanGeo

 

[Deleted member 28740]

she herself is experiencing among raging hormones

Is there a shelter or vet who does pro bono near by to spay, check on shots, microchip?

My question is this: what do you mean by this: I find your posts lack basic understanding of companion?

Basically, that my Bella is so important to me that her health and welfare is equal to my own (or better!!) care. Low on $, I still find a way to get her high quality food (Costco has version made by Taste of the Wild, 30% off.) She roams some, but only after introduced on leash to the neighborhood for weeks and meets and greets all neighbors. I instruct them on her commands, "Go Home" "Garden"… etc. Not a nuisance, and they know she is respectful as am I. Had to let her roam for a few months with broken foot and ankle. Companion - true partner, that is in essentials a child with four legs. Some things she can do for herself, the rest I must take care of. New home, new environment, soothe, calm, bond to you and bit by bit the neighborhood, and reliable schedules - build trust.

Training - library books "Making Your Dog Your Best Friend" or can find online video, authors The Monks of New Skete.

WIsh you well with Winnie, basics of grounding to new home first, and will be very hard if she is in heat (and are you going to be able to take care of the pregnancy/puppies during this time?

 

[digger]

@SeanGeo please slow down with her. You've had her what, two days, most of that with her loose/missing. Please put any thoughts of training for service or emotional support aside until she has had a chance to settle. You're her third home already in under a year? Of course she's going to be anxious, of course she's not going to trust yet, of course she's not going to understand that you are 'home' yet.

I don't understand why you thought she would know to come back to you before she even knew you? Twice? You need to keep her on lead for a couple of weeks at least when she's out if you don't have a secure yard for her so she can get used to you and her new neighbourhood. Especially if she's in heat, pretty much any bitch in heat will roam given the chance.

I'm really pleased that you've found a new dog but your posts are worrying me that your expectations of her so early are so high. It's not going to help her anxiety at all. Take a few weeks just to get to know each other and build up trust before throwing anything else in.

 

[SeanCharles]

@digger I realize more now than I did. I do need to slow down. I also am dealing with an unfixed female. She's like us in many ways which to a degree is why she's skittish of me. The night she was dropped off, she was cornered by two playmates (male dogs) and then loaded into a van and driven to me 15 mins later. (Of course she's grief sticken!) I had to deal with this in ways with Sheba. (I need to remember what I learned from her!)

In terms of her needing to be fixed, she's scheduled for next Friday, the 10th! Her doing what she's doing is natural because her first owner would let her run loose! Basically she's keeping distance from me. I did give her some food though, She didn't trust me enough to approach me. From what I am seeing and previous experiences with them, she's a black lab/husky cross. I don't know if she's a hybrid husky and my understanding is those contain some wolf. If this is true, then yes, I am moving way too fast.

I have been worried, even stressed over my lack of patience. I know that I am dealing with a much different animal here. Having been Sheba's 3rd owner our first separation which in that case was accidental, was almost a 3 day one because I got her Friday, lost her Sat/Sun Sometime Monday she showed up at the shelter!

Unlike Sheba, Winnie is staying to the neighborhood. She's keeping a 3,4,5 block radius closeness. I figure Winnie is getting to know the subdivision a little better than Sheba did. I don't know.

All in all, I am going to slow down and slowly bond with her. When we're in the yard is where the problem lies. What can we do to play with her on a bit of a long leash? I guess I'll need to get to know her better.

--SeanGeo

 

[SeanCharles]

My first vet appointment is to get her fixed! I was going to have a checkup done but realizing I had a dog (which isn't my first) in heat, I knew that I needed to tend to that first and foremost! I had a pup that I got many years ago that because of a change in my living situation which I do talk about somewhere on here, I moved into a secured (hahaha NOT!) Housing for Disabled/Seniors. Unfortunately things at the time were way crazy! Anyway my point is, Once and when she is returned to me, I am going to move slower, have and show more patience with her.

I did get confirmation that she is vaccinated with Rabies, Kennel Cough, (A five-way vaccine) has been de-wormed) and all her shots expire June of this year.

Anyway... Right now my priority is getting her back. She's not just skittish of me, she's skittish of most people unless she's food motivated! I am glad I got wise and got a few Pup Peroni Treats! I fed her some earlier when I saw her before her disappearance. She seems to disappear! I can't explain that!

---SeanGeo

 

[digger]

She seems to disappear! I can't explain that!

Because she's scared. Because she doesn't know you yet. Because there has been no time yet for the two of you to build up a bond. Because she doesn't know yet how she'll be treated when she comes back....I have a rescue dog with me at the moment. I've been fostering her for over a year now. She had already had at least two 'homes' before she came here. If she gets off lead she still bolts. That's after a year of patience, love, training, bonding etc I'm not saying it will necessarily take that long with Winnie, or most dogs, but to expect a dog that doesn't know you to stay with you or come (back) to you, is an unreasonable expectation. You are effectively trying to round up a stray at the moment rather than your own dog, because she has no concept yet of being your dog. You need to look at it from her perspective, not your own.

When we're in the yard is where the problem lies. What can we do to play with her on a bit of a long leash?

Yes. Until you're confident with her recall by repeatedly testing it in a safe, enclosed place, then you need to work with her on leash, or secure your yard so she can't get out.

It's good that she seems food motivated. It will help with training. I could wave a whole roast chicken in front of this dog and she'd still rather be running! :rolleyes:

 

[digger]

I am also working on applying with a local service dog training team in here in town.

Looking for basic training classes you can take her to as well might be good, for both of you. :)

 

[Britt.f7]

Congratulations on your new pooch. Definitely patience is needed, which you've realized. Rescue dogs tend to be runners. They don't mean to, it's just in them. I know, I've had a few. They can seem real happy with you yet still bolt. Have to watch her. Hopefully she stops. I think you will do just fine with her.

 

[WildMermaid]

I hope Winnie comes back to you soon, becomes used to a leash, gets to her appointment, and grows to love and trust you very much.

 

[SeanCharles]

She almost was here until a friend coming to pick me up with a dog in the truck spooked her. She was in the street near the house! I know she's gotta be close. I have the dog yard gate open and her food/water bowls out there in case she wanders back hungry! I haven't spotted her myself and I know she's afraid of me. :(