Bonding With Winnie (the Pooh) An Major Success Achievement!!

[SeanCharles]

Okay! I know this title may seem a bit misleading... However in a real sense I have Winnie the Pooh in the body of a dog!

As many of you might recall, Winnie and I had a rough time from the time I got her over the course of a few weeks from the day I got her from her rescuer.

Moving forward...

Yesterday I had attempted to put her regular collar on and didn't fasten that completely! I had a leash attached. We went outside. To my initial horror the collar suddenly releases! I was panicked and worried Winnie was going to bolt. She FROZE! I immediately ushered into the house and in she went! I gave her mega praises and 2 milkbones! for being a good girl!



A very :happy: :joyful:

---SeanGeo

 

[Shady_99']

That's awesome Sean :) :D

 

[SeanCharles]

Yup! I was so surprised! I called her before she decided to bolt, if she was. I took her back in fixed the collar then we went to grab the mail. That was :cool: I texted my mom this earlier, her comment was that she likes it there! Right she is! :)

---SeanGeo

 

[Recovery4Me]

Soooo... no fear of abandonment.:clown: Gotta love furry-friends!:hug:

 

[Kintsugi]

That's really good, Sean. It hasn't been long at all, and the fact that she went in with you is huge. :tup:

 

[SeanCharles]

@Simply Simon It hasn't been long. I know at the beginning things were a little bit of a rough patch as I had her bolt on three occasions. With the time since I had went to the neighbor behind me and we had chatted and I brought her home that day, she has come to understand that I was quite different. That scene was in ways reminded of the photo I have in my memorial of Sheba where she is sitting in a guard like pose in front of the house.

I was very proud of Winnie! :)

@Recovery4Me Nope! She knows she has a good home with me.


---SeanGeo

 

[SeanCharles]

Soooo... no fear of abandonment.:clown: Gotta love furry-friends!:hug:

I think she's over the grief she initially felt.

When I first got her, she had just been rescued roughly 4-5 hours prior, then maybe another 30-45 minutes were spent trying to corner her and then another 15 minutes (sh was on her way so she could be delivered to me. I basically responded to the post that she was being given to a good home for free. From the moment I got the alert that this post was sent, I had responded and then made arragements and even spoke with the person.

Several weeks after I went and brought Winnie home (with the help of my back neighbor) I had the rescuer over and I amazed this person at how well Winnie was with me. She can still be a little skittish with new people, but she has warmed up to a few I have introduced her to. I was completely taken that on her own accord, she bonded with my back neighbor! (In ways, I am not really that surprised since he's got a dog).

I am just glad that she had found someone because of her fear of me.

---SeanGeo

 

[Recovery4Me]

That makes life more secure when we can count on the unconditional love of our animals. I am so happy you now have this peace.

 

[SeanCharles]

Update: I am still nervous that she wants to go roaming. I took her out side to the big yard and at first she was almost wanting to bolt. I calmly was able to get her to go in the yard, but I know the running instinct is still strong in her as she was allowed to go roam. I know we've bonded that if she did decide to bolt, she would likely come home to me. Even though she didn't leave the driveway, she did want to take off toward the back neighbor's house.

I will have to work with her on leash and work on training her with the commands: yard, which means go to the yard. I am still a bit anxious that she'll bolt from me. So far though, she hasn't bolted or ran off. I know we're making some progress but I am hesitant to let her be in the big yard, especially since she's not completely healed from surgery yet too. She is earning my trust gradually as I was with her outside without her regular collar (the one with the tag) and she didn't leave the property!

I think once she's got the cone off, and I think we're cleared to play, I will begin working with her in the front yard. I don't see her wanting to flee me since I know she's getting unconditional love from me. I know she's giving me that unconditional love also even though at times she's starved for attention and affection. I am definitely overcoming her challenges a little bit. I will definitely continue to update this thread as I see necessary.

---SeanGeo

 

[Recovery4Me]

I use small treats, love them-up rubs, for leash and release and then a certain whistle. I walk the perimeter of the neighborhood and take my new furbaby from different paths back home. In this manner IF they roam they have posted and know where they live. I hand signal and train for the sit and come to me response for two months solid when they are new. Everytime, this has worked with every dog.

I have Home Alert tags and chips inserted as money permits....but your love between each other will keep her true.

 

[SeanCharles]

She's microchipped which fortunately was done as a courtesy to the former owner. The microchip was updated with my info. I guess what I am still realizing is that Winnie isn't who Sheba was. I am still getting used and getting to know Winnie! Sometimes I do find myself calling her Sheba, when I do I immediately correct myself and pet and call her by her proper name. (I think in ways this is a bit of a grounding/bonding excercise for both of us!)

I do have milkbone treats that I used to use with Sheba back when I did the obedience training I did with her! Winnie will characteristically sit and lay down like I had Sheba do without command. (all I'd do is tell Sheba sit, and she'd go to a laying position.)

I do have socialization and obedience training planned when she is healed. Right now is still a little too soon after her spay surgery.

---SeanGeo

 

[Recovery4Me]

You are a good parent! And do not feel bad...I swap out dog as well as people names.:hug: