PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: SOPHIE

Name:  Sophie
Breed:  Cairn Terrier
Sex:  Female
Age: 2 years

Duration: 2 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  Mostly boarding for the holidays with a manners brush up / controlling barking


What we are working on during her stay:

OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Barking - normal terrier barking but with no off switch
* Jumping - jumps on/scratches people and furniture
* Loose Leash Walking- could use some fine tuning

She has settled in nicely and plays really well with McKenna (the other terrier) and Kai, our new Pit Bull pup rescue.

PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: BLIZZARD

Name:  Blizzard
Breed:  American Pit Bull Terrier
Sex:  Male
Age: 8 months

Duration: 4 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  General obedience work / social skills

Background:  Blizzard and his littermates were being sold on the side of the road at 4 weeks old when his family took him in.  I met him that day and shared some concerns not only for his premature age, but also for his health.  He appeared to have limited to no hearing and his ear canals were swollen shut still.  I advised his family to seek a vet opinion ASAP.

As it turns out he is deaf - but that hasn't stopped him, or them.  It has made working with him much harder for them however, so as he is bigger, stronger and very clever at avoiding situations he doesn't want to participate in...they have asked for my help.

What we are working on during his stay:

OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Basic Obedience - Sit, Down, Stay, Leave It - hand signal
* Jumping - jumps on people and furniture
* LLW- does not walk well on leash AT ALL
* Door Manners - stop bolting through open doors
* Anxiety - mild separation anxiety

I have worked with deaf and blind dogs before and love the challenge!  Let's see what we can teach this big boy!

Coco & Charley Update

COCO:  UPDATE  
Boy did I ever speak too soon about Coco.

This poor boy has probably the most severe case of separation anxiety I have EVER seen.  

I had to leave him for about 30 minutes yesterday and his owner said no crating so I left him in my bedroom. I never expected to come back to anything like this.  He was soaked from his muzzle to his feet with drool.  The floor was a pool of drool and footprints.  The inside of the door was dirty at least 4ft high.  He was out of his mind with panic. 

I immediately called his Mom and she said yes she knew (but didn't tell me).  Hmmmm.....

If I close a door between us the result is total chaos.  He tries to bolt through doors to avoid getting left behind and will do so dangerously.  He jumps and slams himself against the door, drooling profusely and crying.  We are in for a long month!

CHARLIE: UPDATE
Charley has fit right in.  She has been busy exploring and running out some of her energy.  

Her "brother" Brooks is here for a few days boarding but he is more interested in toys and she is more interested in the other dogs!  LOL

PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: COCO

Name:  Coco
Breed:  Mini Poodle
Sex:  Male
Age: 6 yrs

Duration: 4 week Board & Train


Reason for B&T:  General obedience work / social skills

Background:  Coco has been with his Mom since a pup.  He has traveled with her through several moves and has taken several obedience classes.  He hasn't had much socialization with people or dogs though outside of those classes.  He seems to be a generally very settled dog who just needs to sharpen up on some basic manners and social skills.  He doesn't seem bothered by too much at the farm so far.

What we are working on during his stay:

OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Basic Obedience Refresher- Sit, Down, Stay, Leave It
* Recall - owner says he has an unreliable recall and has not trusted him outside off leash
* Jumping - jumps on people and furniture
* Barking - alerts to every sight and sound, esp the door
* Dog Social Skills - doesn't really have any
* People Social Skills - has been known to nip
* Feeding - only eats people/table food

Sounds easy enough! 

PAWTENTIAL PROFILE: CHARLIE

Name:  Charlie
Breed:  Rat Terrier / Basenji mix?
Sex:  Female
Age: 12 months

Duration: 4 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  General obedience work, leadership issues




Background:  Charley is a feisty rescue who just needs a little polishing. She has begun to growl at her owner if she doesn't want to move or go to her bed, jumps like a little kangaroo, barks like crazy, annoys her Dachshund brother and is just generally a little wild and free.

What we are working on during her stay:

OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Basic Obedience - she will be completing Big Dog University 101 - Look, Leave It, Touch, Sit, Down, Stay, Wait 
* Loose Leash Walking - currently a very forward, zig zag type puller
* Recall - owner says she has an unreliable recall and has not trusted her outside off leash
* Jumping - when excited she jumps and scratches
* Barking - can be a little overzealous about "intruders"
* Dog Social Skills - she doesn't know when enough is enough and can get too rough with other dogs - esp her housemate Brooks, a Dachshund who has already had back issues

Introducing Charley:

Meet Mckenna - Our Newest Foster!

A few weeks ago, I got a call from a friend of mine (Peter) in Maryland that his friend [who I have never met] had just purchased an Irish Wolfhound pup for $1000 from a lady in NC but he had concerns.

(His friend knows nothing about dogs and when I heard he had bought a Wolfhound, I was really worried)

Below is my understanding of what happened:

Friend finds puppy on eBay. (I know, I know)

Lady says pups are 8 weeks old.

Wires $500 deposit via Western Union.

Makes arrangements to meet her a week and half later.

The lady met them in a parking lot of Petsmart.

She said he couldn't see the mother as she had already sold her.

Said this was the last pup and she was the runt.

She was accompanied by a large, intimidating man with tattoos that made Peter and friend uncomfortable to walk away from the sale and she said deposit was non refundable.

They take puppy and return to Maryland.

Peter comments puppy is very small and has a very small bark. They send me some really bad pictures and I said I couldn't really tell anything but that she looked like a  very small Wolfhound pup...maybe the lady got the age wrong.

Contacts lady - she tells them pups are now 8 weeks old - friend says but you said that 2 weeks ago?

Back and forth with me via texts - not happy, not convinced is Wolfhound.

Tries contacting "breeder" again - this time number is disconnected and email bounces.

After 2 1/2 weeks - Peter's friend says puppy is aggressive and unmanageable and he is going to have it put down!

Peter takes puppy and contacts me very unhappy and unsure what to do with her.

So yesterday we drive to meet them almost in Maryland and I pick her up. She should by this first account between 8-10 weeks old depending on which date you believe. She does look like a mini Wolfhound.

We stopped at Petsmart on the way home and weighed her - 13lbs.  I also noticed that her teeth are TINY...they are there but teeny squeeny incisors - I am thinking she is really young maybe? 

So now I have no idea what she is - obviously some type of schnauzer / terrier mix - Parsons Jack Russel maybe? 

Hmmmmmmm - strange but true....LOL...some Wolfhound!

Either way she is a sweetie and if you know of anyone wanting to adopt a truly adorable little girl - let me know!

UPDATE: Bubbie Week 2

Bubbie spent the day with Ariel today at her family's house.    This gave him a chance to meet new people and dogs and practice his social skills. Here is her report from the day.

"So not long after you left I packed up Bubbie and the girls and headed to my parents house. He was much calmer about being approached by new people, and though apprehensive, briefly sniffed Hannah, who he'd never met before. We did a training session in my bedroom where he had been sitting in his crate, so he was more comfortable. I was able to get him to lie down easily on the bed, and then moved to a pillow on the floor, which he quickly picked up, then downing on a pillowcase on the floor, and finally the floor itself. 

We then moved into the hallway after a dozen or so times doing down on the carpet. And although initially hesitant, he was soon downing with speed in order to get dehydrated liver, one of his new favorites.

Later he took a walk with all of my dogs, and my parents dogs and had stretches of loose leash, though I didn't focus on it because he was doing so well navigating between the other 5 dogs. He was a little nervous leading the pack and having other dogs walk behind him, so we walked behind everybody else and he did fabulously. We then let him inside with everybody and he sat with the pack to get a treat.

He and Scout immediately dropped into play bows, and after telling Shiloh off for pouncing on him in a Luka-ish way, Bubbie, Kismet, and Scout tore through the house and Bubbie and Scout took to diving over and under my parents bed. Silly boy! Glad he was having fun. I'll update again tomorrow. Have a great night."

After reviewing the video from the day, I can definitely say he is improving with his dog socialization skills.  He is still unsure and had a few warning snaps at Scout, but overall it is much better than it has been.  He even tolerated Scout licking him in the face, which in itself is a huge accomplishment.

 

Pawtential Profiles: Archie & Bella

Names:  Archie & Bella
Breed:  Lab x
Sex:  Male & Female
Age: 7 months

Duration: On trial week then possibly 4 week Board & Train

Reason for B&T:  Recall, Loose Leash Walking & General House Manners

Archie and Bella are with us until the 11th on a trial Boarding basis.  Like any young large pups, they are full of enthusiasm and manners like not door dashing and keeping all paws on the ground are a bit lost on them.  But that is what we are here for!

Initially a little shy around the Pawtential Pack - they have warmed up nicely and their favorite is Luka, a rescued Giant Schnauzer x and the newest additions - the now 4 month old Australian Shepherd x Border Collie pups.

Boarding at the Pawtential farm can be quite exciting with all the farm animals next door.  Archie especially is interested in the guinea fowl making a ruckus this morning while we were out on the porch.

Bella meantime was finding out that the glider seat was not such a stable bench after all...

And then it was a case of Monkey See, Monkey Do as Luka and Piper decided to give it a try...

Archie was not too sure about Piper who has a bit to learn about doggie communication...

In the end, everyone had a good play session but were more than happy to get in out of the wet and settle down with some breakfast and a good bone.

Bubbie Update

Bubbie has been with us a few days now and is progressing well.  Ariel has taken the lead with him and has been working hard with her small dogs to make him feel at home.  She is working to begin building his confidence and to start changing his thoughts towards new people and situations.

Pawtential Profile: Bubbie

Name:  Bubbie
Breed:  Chihuahua
Sex:  Male
Age: 18 months


Duration: 4 week Board & Train


Reason for B&T:  Aggression, shyness and general obedience work



Background:  Bubbie was adopted 3 months ago from a puppy mill/hoarding situation where 100 dogs were rescued.  He has had very little socialization and appears fearful of new people [esp men and children], new situations and larger dogs.  He has bitten his new owner several times to the blood, several other people have been nipped or bitten and in general he is a bit of a nervous wreck.  


What we are working on during his stay:
**Aggression cannot be fixed in such a short time so we are working on the foundation for a calm, more confident dog which will make it easier to help him relax in new situations.**


OWNERS REQUESTS:
* Basic Obedience - he will be completing an expedited Big Dog University 101 - Look, Leave It, Touch, Sit, Down, Stay, Wait 
* Loose Leash Walking - currently a very forward, lean sideways into the harness type puller
* Recall - owner says he has an unreliable recall and has not trusted him outside off leash
* Sharing Attention - if owner is holding another pet - he gets frantic and begins barking & jumping at her until the other pet leaves
* Housebreaking - having at least one accident in the house every day - sometimes several
* Paws Up for Pickup - owner having difficulty catching him to take him anywhere - teaching him to put his paws up on the leg to be picked up


Introducing Bubbie: