Progress

Xena has been back with me for almost 2 weeks.  She is doing much better.  And so am I. 

She tests the boundaries every day.  Hourly.  Hell, every couple of minutes.  But, she is getting in line and is improving.

She is so darned smart.  You teach her something and she gets it.  Learning new things is fun for her.

It’s been so cold out that our long walks have become quick jaunts around the building.  I took her to the dog park the other day, which was pretty much just an olfactory field trip.  She went after one snowball, then decided sniffing was more fun.  Halfway home, the poor thing started limping.  Stupid ice and snow.

Indoors we play fetch, or hide and seek with her treats.  I’ve tried chasing her or having her chase me, but that ends up with her getting sooooo ramped up and it’s too hard to settle her back down.

I need to find a few dogs to go over to dog park with us.  There is nothing like exerting a dog’s energy, than by playing with another dog.  There is this one dog named Nina who lives in the building next to mine.  Xena and her played for about a half an hour once, with no aggression, and she slept for hours after that.  I haven’t seen Nina since.  We met another dog name Rutger.  He is 2 and full of energy.  We were on our way back from dog park, with Xena limping, when we ran into Rutger..who really really wanted to play.  So, will be keeping my eyes peeled.

She bit me in play yesterday but it REALLY hurt.  Her tooth hit a small bone in my hand.  Ouch.  Same hand that I was bit on by another dog once.  Same hand that was smacked into the marble wall outside our elevators.  Sigh.

Xena is headed to the foster’s home this weekend as I am heading to Pittsburgh to play some poker.  Amanda is a wonderful person and I’m very lucky to have her around.  I hope Xena is good for her.  She leaves tonight at 5:30 and will be home on Sunday morning.  

I’m donating 10% of whatever I win in Pittsburgh to RescueK911.  Gives me more incentive to play well.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

I got a dog!

A week before Thanksgiving, I adopted a rescue dog named Xena. She is 1 year 8 months old.  She is a Shepherd something mix. 

The first week or so was awesome. She was well behaved, had excellent leash manners and was a complete love bug.

Then one day, she changed.  She started to get a bit exuberant, not stopping her play when told, trying to nip me and my man randomly, barking at me, growling a bit...just acting...odd.

Days went on and I tried to keep her entertained so she wouldn't act out.  She is incredibly smart and catches on to learning new things quickly.  We'd go for many walks, take the steps down (16 flights) instead of the elevator, play fetch, etc.  Then we'd settle on the couch, just chilling out, and relaxing.  She would tire of relaxing and want to play.  So we'd play. 

I started to allow her to lay on the bed.  Her naps took place there..and sometimes I would nap with her.

While on walks, I would let her walk ahead of me. 

She had affection all the time.  I was on her schedule..she wasn't on mine. 

I believe she thought I was a push over..and she was right. 

I almost wanted to permanently give her back.  I was not up for a dog with behavior issues.  The foster mom asked me if I could use a break to reassess.  She offered to take Xena for the week.  At first, I didn't think this would help. Then I thought..damnit, I've wanted a dog for three years now... yes, take the break..reassess.

I'm so glad I did.  Xena is coming home on Sunday.  I've been without her since Sunday afternoon.  First night I just cried.  Second night...thought maybe I wasn't the best person to adopt this dog....  Then Tuesday came. I woke up and it just hit me.  I allowed this to happen....

This is a wonderful dog.... she isn't the problem.  I AM!  or was...

I let her be the dominate one. The ruler.  The queen.

Oh hell no!  (How freaking cute is she though?!!)

So, it's back to the starting gate.  I needed to take a step away to see what I was doing wrong.  She needs structure.  Just like a child. Rules. Boundaries. Guidelines. 

This is going to be one well trained kick ass dog when I'm finished with her.

I get her back on Sunday around 4:30.  While I was feeling overwhelmed and very unhappy, I now feel energized and ready to be the responsible, smart dog owner I know I can be.  She deserves that. 


I am hoping that blogging about this will help me keep on the right track.  Here's hoping!