We went to the daughter's house for barbecue yesterday evening. Because I wasn't sure what Iris would do in our absence, I put her on the back porch where there's nothing she could really harm. There's a bookcase with my cookbooks in it and some clutter on top of it; there's the deep freeze, and a window above that; and a couple of stand-alone cabinets that are firmly closed.
We weren't gone over two hours; I opened the door to the back porch and invited Iris into the kitchen, glancing around and seeing nothing amiss. Later, though, I went out to the freezer and noticed the curtain had been pulled off its bracket on one side. Hmmm. Our new dog had been on top of the deep freeze! No harm done, really. Although now I'm thinking my daughter's new fence probably wouldn't keep Iris penned in, if we were to leave her there.
Today Cliff and I went for a motorcycle ride; again, I put Iris in the back porch, along with her food and water, and her bed.
On my return I found that some things that had been on top of the bookcase were on the floor, and a case of Diet Coke that was on the floor had been overturned.
I do believe Iris has full-blown separation anxiety, so here's the plan: I borrowed a nice big doggie kennel from my sister-in-law, since our pet taxi is too small for what I have planned. When I go to bed, I'm going to put Iris to bed inside the kennel right beside me; hopefully she'll get used to it and even come to like it. I'll be right there to calm her if she gets upset. We'll see how this works out.
Other issues: She loves a frisbee as much as Sadie did, but if she gets ahold of it, she tries to destroy it! I believe she would totally tear it up if she were left alone with it. Today I spent some time in the yard with Iris and the Frisbee, and her behavior has already improved; she was actually bringing it back to me every time when we were done. When she kept it and started chewing on it destructively, I'd say "no", and she seemed to understand.
When you get a dog at a shelter, you can expect issues. First of all, there's no way of knowing how they were treated in the past. Although it's a comfort to remember Cesar Milan's statement that "dogs live in the present."
But Iris has been thrust into a totally different environment with different people and new rules; of course it will take some time to deal with that.
Seems like she doesn't like to be left alone. Good idea to cage her when you are gone especially until she gets used to you. I hope that cough gets gone soon. Another good idea to take her to the vet soon. She probably needs worming also if she hasn't been done lately. Helen
ReplyDeleteHelen, her cough really isn't too bad so far; in fact, I think it's better this evening. The shelter worms all the animals, and also applies Frontline for fleas and ticks. My main concern right now is to work properly with her issues, and thank goodness, the Internet has a lot of advice.
ReplyDeleteIf she can jump that high, maybe she can be an agility dog... actually I think your crate idea sounds perfect.
ReplyDeleteSounds like things are moving right along with Iris.
ReplyDeleteWell those issues aren't so bad considering that she has only been with you a few days. I hope things go well and Iris soon learns your ways. We never know what their circumstances might have been before. You are so good to make a home for her and I'm sure she appreciates that more than anything.
ReplyDeleteyes, just work her thru it, you both have to get used to ea other, will take some time. keep close eye on that cough. dazzle always has & prob always will chew up everything she can get her mouth on, if left alone more than an hr-2 hrs. she chewed up shoes, throw rugs, sofa pillows, socks, the seat out of wheel chr seat cover, & a couple more items, the few times i left her out & was gone about 4 hrs. so since she loves her 'house' kennel, i put her in that if i'm going to be away more than a couple hrs. she loves it so, she doesn't mind. & i love her so! good luck my friend, glad you found her & she found you!!!
ReplyDeleteI think the kennel idea will work perfectly. I used to think that it was mean to 'cage' up a dog in one, but my last 2 dogs have been kennel dogs. The first due to necessity (I had to leave her alone before she was potty broken), and the second thru choice. Since discovering 'kennel training', I've found between my own experience and others that -most- dogs LOVE their kennel. We leave ours open all the time and often find Morgan (and sometimes the cat LOL!) inside it asleep. It is a safe place that is all theirs. Since dogs are den animals the small enclosed space actually seems to comfort them.
ReplyDeleteMorgan is excellent in the house, even if left alone for hours, so we don't usually put her in her kennel, but it is great for those times we need her contained in a safe spot. I actually used the kennel for the cat last week when we had a workman here doing some stuff and he was in and out and I didn't want her going out without supervision.
Hi Donna...we did the kennel thingy with Max when he was just a pup...but we left him in living room...with his toys and blanket...he trained really great..and it wasn't long before we could leave him...seems Iris and you are bonding nicely..and yes...lotsa TLC can make a big difference all around...she will keep you on your toes LOLOL...God Bless...hugs...Ora
ReplyDeleteHer actions are a lot like my granddaughter's dog, which they also got at Wayside. Charlie was left there because he chewed on the homeowners siding when left alone. He has chewed a hole in their screen door, tried to chew his way out of their fence, and keeps escaping his crate. They are looking for a trainer and love him anyway. New name for him is houdini.
ReplyDeleteDonna, I was so sorry to hear about Sadie. That is so sad.
ReplyDeleteIris is very pretty and I think once she settles in she will be fine! Sounds like you are making great progress!
I agree with the separation anxiety analysis. She may have been neglected in a yard somewhere and it comes rushing back. Hope things smooth out!
ReplyDeletesacmpi used to shred paper at first. i used the kennel with him also. He learned very quickly what get in the kennel meant. He also used it to go to sleep in. I would keep it open. Now I juast use it rarely.
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