HOUSTON WE HAVE A PROBLEM

"Sorry, did you say there's fog on the moon?"......"NO, I said DOG!"

If you've been following my blog regularly, you may remember that my 'funny' pics only come out as a goodbye to yet another foster.  Skittles has gone for a trial with an applicant.  They are fully committed to adopting him but TG wanted to be sure that the applicant doesn't run into any problems with him and that the adoption will be perfect for dog and human.  I've already heard back that it's going very well, so keep your fingers crossed that Skittles is home. 

Before Skittles left I took a friend's dog for a weekend of dog-sitting.  Ruedi is a TG dog and is pretty much the reason why I even know about Turtle Gardens in the first place.  I was so happy to see that Skittles had zero interest in marking anything in my house with Ruedi here.  All he wanted to do was initiate some play.   Ruedi wasn't having any of it until, of course, it was bedtime and then they wrestled on the bed, ran downstairs, back upstairs, back on the bed until I asked them to settle.  They were so cute together.  They know each other from daycare but I also think that most TG dogs recognize 'Northerners' when they see them even if they weren't at TG at the same time. Here's a cute pic of Ruedi and Skittles in the truck: 

SKITTLES 'N' BITS

Skittles continues to make improvements with me.  He is more relaxed and trusting.  I have taken him into situations where he is around new people and new dogs and he looks to me for guidance and relies on me to keep him safe.  I can handle him anywhere, anytime, take away any toy or prized bone and no growling.  He is accepting of strangers petting him if they respect his need to warm up to them before they get too deep with him.  He definitely needs a protector to oversee his greetings as most people anticipate that a dog so cute and fluffy would be completely accepting of deep scratches, bum pats, or being picked up.  He needs someone to be gentle and allow him to accept new people at his pace, not theirs.  Given respect and time he comes around.   I don't think relationships with dogs are too much unlike human relationships.  We don't meet people and become instant friends with all guards down.  We don't like people being too familiar too quickly.  Skittles agrees!

We went to Yaletown on Sunday and the sunshine made for great video and picture taking.  Skittles seemed right at home in the big city.

I've been working with him on only peeing on trees and grass - no objects, buildings, etc.  I'm now at a point with him that I let him choose and based on this video, I think you can see him make the choice.  He was headed to the post to sniff and previously he would have peed on it, but he leaves it alone.   Good boy Skittles!

Back at home base, Skittles sleeps in while I shower and get ready for work.  Not a peep out of him until he sees me head for the stairs.   He enthusiastically bounds down the stairs and then has to wait for me before we can leave for our day.  He really likes daycare and has many friends there - of the human and dog variety.

Waiting for me to finish packing my lunch.  I'm sure he'd like to help too.

Listening intently as I talk to him in the morning.

Left his sunglasses in the truck....

Skittles at McDonald Beach....I love his ears!

1 WEEK UPDATE FOR SKITTLES

I've had Skittles back with me for a week now.  He is such a sweet little dog!  He rides super well in the vehicle.  He is pretty quiet.  He will bark occasionally during play or at a knock at the door but doesn't bark at any other noises outside.  He is getting back to being really playful with me as he rebuilds his trust.  In the first couple of days he was a bit growly if I tried to move him when on the couch or on the bed but he now sees that I'm not afraid of him and that I will be gentle with him.  We have also been playing games that are building his confidence in being handled.  He's having fun and becoming less sensitive to the kind of touch you might use to move him or pick him up with.   After the first one or two days back with me, he stopped holding his ground over couch/bed space or with toys.  He is a smart little guy and if you give him some time he quickly understands that he can have toys and space but sometimes he needs to give them up and will get them back later. 

Here's a short clip of Skittles being playful with me.  I had just been making a humming noise that got him wound up...

He is cuddly but also enjoys his own space.  He will allow himself to be picked up and sometimes seems to enjoy being held but he hasn't fully given into it and prefers to be 4 on the floor.  He is friendly when meeting people although can be quite timid still.  He does not like people approaching him too fast and shows it by ducking and backing away.  If someone crouches and lets him greet on his own terms he is happy to meet them.  He needs his person to monitor his greetings and ensure strangers do not overpower him with affection before he is ready to accept it.  He will soon learn that most people are good, but in the meantime he is still shy or fearful at first.  He will warm up quicker to the person that doesn't try to make him love them. 

I have left him alone for a couple of hours a few times times now and he has been fine.  He does not chew inappropriate things in the house and has been completely housebroken.  He even sleeps in a bit without any demands to go outside right away.  He is friendly with other dogs.  If they get in his face too much he might back them up with an air snap, but when you're that little a rude/pushy sniff must feel pretty intimidating. 

All in all he is a super dog!  He is very easy to have around, walks well on the leash, and is cute with a little edge to his personality that makes him very entertaining.  I quite often catch myself smiling at his antics as he prances alongside me and turns his circles to catch his tail.  All he needs is someone to help continue to build his confidence, not spoil him, be gentle but firm with him....and they will be rewarded with a gem of a dog.

AN UPDATE ON BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYED RONA

I received a comment today from Gianna who adopted Rona (thank you so much Gianna for the update...I love hearing how the dogs are doing, as does Turtle Gardens and I'm sure they will be thrilled to receive your photos when you get a chance)

Pic from when Lux was fostered with me.

"Hello everyone - it has been a long time since the last post on this thread but we wanted to let you all know that we adopted Rona - now named Lux. Lux and her new sister Olivia (a 2 year old Puggle) became instant best friends and they are always together - even if one sniffs a blade of grass, the other has to do the same. Lux is strong and healthy, loves swimming, loves the snow and loves wrestling any dog. She loves running the trails when we are mountain biking and is perfectly fine getting in and out of the truck now thanks to Lisa's strong and determined start with her. Today we took the girls for a run and tumble in the snow and they were in puppy heaven!

Lux is recognised everywhere we go thanks to her beautiful blue eyes. I thank the world everyday that we have her. We are living in Burnaby but we walk the girls in North Van, Burnaby heights, Cypress mountain, Richmond and Kits beaches, Bunzten lake... so if anyone ever wants to see her just let me know and we can try and make it happen.

I will also try to remember to post some photos on the Turtle Gardens page soon. For now you can look me up on FB - Gianna Riley"

SKITTLES IS BACK FOR A LITTLE MORE FINISHING SCHOOL

Skittles came back to me last Monday.  He was having some problems in his adoptive home. He had been growly over toys and bones being removed but after a couple of months that was getting better.  He was marking inside the house and was also pooping.  He was taken outside....'no go' and then they would come back in the house keep him on leash for a while and then figure he didn't need to go.  So the leash would come off and then he would find the perfect spot to poop.  This issue was causing stress in the household and they felt he might be happier or better suited to another adoptive home.

He was excited to see me again on Monday but was a bit out of sorts that night.  He wasn't eating his food...familiar from day one of the last time I fostered him, but he is now back on track with eating regularly.  He does all of his business outside, is happy to be back with some old friends at daycare in Richmond and has resumed being very playful with me.  

Skittles' ideal home would be one with a consistent and patient leader...someone who will give him both guidance to build his confidence and gentle but firm boundaries so he knows the limits in the home....knows what is expected of him.   He ain't no purse dog either  - he prefers his four feet on the ground.  He has lived well with cats and gets along with other dogs.  If he goes to a home with another dog someone would have to be prepared to reaffirm housebreaking skills.  As an only dog he is already housebroken. 

I will write another blog soon, with current pictures.