I have decided to blog about the daily activities with my latest foster dog. The goal is to detail how I acclimate a new dog into the household and how I start preparing her for her new home. Hopefully this information will be useful the next time you introduce a new dog into the household.
Also, I should probably mention that Brittney is available for adoption through Mastiff Hope Rescue. You can find more info at http://www.mastiffhope.org/animals/detail?AnimalID=2575253
You can start at the beginning of the journey by reviewing our past day activities at http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/06/brittneys-journey-foster-dogs-story.html
http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/07/brittneys-journey-day-2-foster-dogs.html
http://personablepets.blogspot.com/2010/07/brittneys-journey-day-2-foster-dogs.html
So I took a break from blogging over the Holiday weekend but there was no break in Brittney's story. First, she took a couple of car rides. All to non-event places like the post office and McDonald's. It is important that car rides have a variety of destinations. Too often car rides always end at the vet's office making some dogs afraid of the car. She did great in the car and thank goodness she isn't one to get carsick.
We also had several severe thunderstorms and the lovely 4th of July fireworks. Happy to say that Ms. Brittney was not phased by any of it. Some dogs can spook at loud sounds but she was relaxed through all the excitement.
I haven't mentioned it before but crating is also a non-issue. She crates up every night and when I leave for work. She also gets crated occasionally throughout the day just so she learns to be calm in the crate even when I am home. She hasn't whined once in the crate. Yea Brittney!
She has shown no food guarding issues. I accidentally dropped a pork chop on the floor this weekend and I was able to call her off with Leave It and a quick body block. Some dogs would have challenged for the food but she was quick to back off. Of course we were both sad because that pork chop looked delicious!
Her personality is starting to come out. She is not really into food stuffed toys (Kong's) but she will toss around a ball and chase it through the house. She prances as she plays and is a joy to watch.
Of course the biggest event this weekend was her introduction to Ms. Olive, the resident dog. Glad to report that all went well. Olive can be a little intimidating with her in your face play style. Brittney had no issue with it at all. The video below captures them in motion. As you watch the video note:
- I did not catch their first greeting on tape. The tape starts with their 2nd interaction.
- Brittney is on leash for their greeting. I am not fond of on leash greetings since we humans have a bad habit of tightening up on the leash which could add stress to a tense situation but I had to use a leash since the area is not fenced and I wanted to make sure we didn't end up with a cross country play session. Notice that I try to keep the leash loose during play so Brittney doesn't notice it too much.
- There is a little tension in their play. You will see some raised hackles and tense bodies/tails but that is not unusual during first time play. They are relaxed enough to interact but not 100% sure of the situation.
- I am silent during their play. I was ready to verbally call off the play session if need be but as usual, dogs speak dog better than I do so they did not need my meddling.
- The video is in chronological order.
If you want a quick lesson on dog speak watch for the following
- twice Brittney places her front paws on Olive's back. Olive stops, freezes and turns her head around to make eye contact. It appears she is saying - please stop that now - because Brittney slides back to 4 on the floor both times.
- Olive's tails is high and excited during play but lower and relaxed after the play session is over.
- in the middle of the video Olive runs off. This effectively ends the play session. Brittney tries to reengage her in play but Olive has said enough.
- Brittney has a habit of standing on her back legs. I do believe that is just the boxer in her. Hence the name - BOXER!
- At one point Brittney shakes as though she is wet. We call that Shaking It Off and it is a common response from dogs after a stressful situation.
- Watch the times when they aren't wrestling and running - that is when the real communication happens.
Still on the agenda, finding out how Brittney handles interactions with children and at some point she will leave my side long enough for me to practice the emergency come command.
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Sharon Woodrum, CPDT-KA
Certified Professional Dog Trainer
Personable Pets Dog Training
Providing Dog Training Services for Overland Park and Louisburg, Kansas areas including: Stilwell, Lenexa, Olathe, Paola, Bucyrus, Leawood, Shawnee, Osawatomie and Spring Hill.
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