Billy's First Few Weeks
So Billy has been here 3 and 1/2 weeks now. We have spent most of our time bonding and getting the measure of each other. He's learning how to live in my home and what is expected of him here, and I'm learning all about him, how he learns best and putting together a training program for him.
He is both better and worse than I had estimated he would be. He has some minor confidence issues and get's worried about not knowing what to do. If he is given clear instruction he is fine. He is also stressed from moving to a new home with new people so we are giving him time to really settle in. I have absolutely fallen in love with him.
For those that are interested, I've been keeping a journal and I am going to share some things with y'all. Please feel free to comment, ask questions, offer advice, or just laugh at us as we go through this process.
11/05/2011 - Billy arrived tonight. His former mom and her daughter stayed for dinner and conversation. Billy was a bit wired from spending the day in the car, and very excited to explore the new place. While his people were here I kept him and Gypsy separated to keep the excitement down to manageable levels.
Billy barked, whined and screamed when confined to a crate during dinner. He did not settle.
When released after everyone was done eating he continued to pace and investigate. His mom got him to sit and lay down with her with about 30 second durations for chicken. He would pop back up from a down as soon as he received the reward.
After they left I put him on leash and spent about an hour with him and Gypsy together just being quite. I put Gypsy in an 'up' (on 'her' chair) and kept his leash under my foot. He had about 2 feet to work with. I had his dinner in a bowl next to me. After he was bored and laid down he got a handful of food. It took five reps before he remained laying down for more than 30 seconds. He whined off and on throughout.
11/06 - Billy whined all night. Had him tethered in my room. He could reach the bed, but not get up. Gypsy bit him when he tried. He offered appeasement gestures and didn't try again. No injury.
Gypsy guarded her toys bed and me from him throughout the day. He backed off every time and offered appeasement gestures. No injuries.
Pacing and whining whenever he is off the tether. Whining continuously. I may try interrupting him with a noise and praising for quiet.
Lovely leash manners on our walks. Curious about the neighborhood, wary of barking dogs, some worry about the backhoe digging up the Lacey's yard. Stood and air sniffed when encouraged.
Crated during my nap. Some fussing but he did settle down with his bone.
3 reps for calm laying down during dinner. No whining.
11/09 Spent first night off tether in my room. Still no pacing or whining in the night. Slept soundly on the floor. Found Gypsy's bed pulled to the center of the room, no damage.
Still having trouble in crate, ignored stuffed kong, unfrozen this time.
First outing in car. Willing to get in car. Neutral. A little nervy/restless once moving. FREAKED OUT when truck went by. Shaking, heavy panting, took high value treat, rejected kibble. Calmed on quiet stretch of road, accepted kibble treat.
Willing to get out at vet's office. Peed on tree. A little nervy. Fine getting a weight. Started shaking while I was talking to desk attendant. Accepted kibble treats. Stood still, ears to the sides, yawning, lip licking shaking. Not stiff. No vet exam today, just wanted a weight and to drop off records.
Canceled second stop (pet store, need head halter still) and returned home. Laid down in car on way back, took both kibble and high value treats. Heavy panting.
11/11 Slept well, no issues. Brief tussle with Gypsy in the am over me. Sent G to bed and continued to pet B.
Second outing. Visited with a friend with a dog. Got to play off leash. B really wanted to play with B-rad (Golden Retriever) B-rad not interested. Played some light fetch, ran around GREAT RECALL!!!!!
CGC eval went fine. No issues at any point. Should pass the test fine. Maybe I will take a class for training opportunities around distraction. Still undecided.
Went to Wal-mart, followed B-rad and handler in a quick in and out sweep. B was calm, but VERY interested in his surroundings, so signs of nerves. A bit wiggy in parking lot on way back to car. Rode calmer on way back to my house.
B-rad told B off for being pushy later when in my house and hanging out. B backed off and gave appeasement gestures.
Whining pacing after dinner. Settled after 45 mins or so.
Everything else in the journal after this just shows that we backed off on outings until the car phobia is worked on more, doing a slow counter conditioning. He's up to get in, turning on and going down to the end of the block, then getting out and going for a walk. All calmly. He did much better once I told him to lay down in the seat and heavily rewarded all calm laying. A thundershirt should arrive tomorrow to help with this process.
He is doing better with laying quietly in the public areas of the house. The whining is completely gone except when he has to go outside.
He has serious issues with the crate that have been getting progressively worse. We have stopped using it all together and he is kept loose in my room when I have to leave him here. He is fine doing that and is much calmer overall.
Over the past two days he has developed an aversion to my mother, he will cower and back away from her. We are going to start counter conditioning it. He will accept food from her hand but clearly finds something about her upsetting. I am not surprised because she's the ONLY person Gypsy has ever met and not liked. Sophie was the only dog I've ever owned that liked my mom.
And now a picture of Billy (and I have had the song 'pictures of lily' in my head for the past three weeks . . . but i sing 'pictures of billy' which is kind of creepy if you think about it.)
He is both better and worse than I had estimated he would be. He has some minor confidence issues and get's worried about not knowing what to do. If he is given clear instruction he is fine. He is also stressed from moving to a new home with new people so we are giving him time to really settle in. I have absolutely fallen in love with him.
For those that are interested, I've been keeping a journal and I am going to share some things with y'all. Please feel free to comment, ask questions, offer advice, or just laugh at us as we go through this process.
11/05/2011 - Billy arrived tonight. His former mom and her daughter stayed for dinner and conversation. Billy was a bit wired from spending the day in the car, and very excited to explore the new place. While his people were here I kept him and Gypsy separated to keep the excitement down to manageable levels.
Billy barked, whined and screamed when confined to a crate during dinner. He did not settle.
When released after everyone was done eating he continued to pace and investigate. His mom got him to sit and lay down with her with about 30 second durations for chicken. He would pop back up from a down as soon as he received the reward.
After they left I put him on leash and spent about an hour with him and Gypsy together just being quite. I put Gypsy in an 'up' (on 'her' chair) and kept his leash under my foot. He had about 2 feet to work with. I had his dinner in a bowl next to me. After he was bored and laid down he got a handful of food. It took five reps before he remained laying down for more than 30 seconds. He whined off and on throughout.
11/06 - Billy whined all night. Had him tethered in my room. He could reach the bed, but not get up. Gypsy bit him when he tried. He offered appeasement gestures and didn't try again. No injury.
Gypsy guarded her toys bed and me from him throughout the day. He backed off every time and offered appeasement gestures. No injuries.
Pacing and whining whenever he is off the tether. Whining continuously. I may try interrupting him with a noise and praising for quiet.
Lovely leash manners on our walks. Curious about the neighborhood, wary of barking dogs, some worry about the backhoe digging up the Lacey's yard. Stood and air sniffed when encouraged.
Crated during my nap. Some fussing but he did settle down with his bone.
3 reps for calm laying down during dinner. No whining.
11/09 Spent first night off tether in my room. Still no pacing or whining in the night. Slept soundly on the floor. Found Gypsy's bed pulled to the center of the room, no damage.
Still having trouble in crate, ignored stuffed kong, unfrozen this time.
First outing in car. Willing to get in car. Neutral. A little nervy/restless once moving. FREAKED OUT when truck went by. Shaking, heavy panting, took high value treat, rejected kibble. Calmed on quiet stretch of road, accepted kibble treat.
Willing to get out at vet's office. Peed on tree. A little nervy. Fine getting a weight. Started shaking while I was talking to desk attendant. Accepted kibble treats. Stood still, ears to the sides, yawning, lip licking shaking. Not stiff. No vet exam today, just wanted a weight and to drop off records.
Canceled second stop (pet store, need head halter still) and returned home. Laid down in car on way back, took both kibble and high value treats. Heavy panting.
11/11 Slept well, no issues. Brief tussle with Gypsy in the am over me. Sent G to bed and continued to pet B.
Second outing. Visited with a friend with a dog. Got to play off leash. B really wanted to play with B-rad (Golden Retriever) B-rad not interested. Played some light fetch, ran around GREAT RECALL!!!!!
CGC eval went fine. No issues at any point. Should pass the test fine. Maybe I will take a class for training opportunities around distraction. Still undecided.
Went to Wal-mart, followed B-rad and handler in a quick in and out sweep. B was calm, but VERY interested in his surroundings, so signs of nerves. A bit wiggy in parking lot on way back to car. Rode calmer on way back to my house.
B-rad told B off for being pushy later when in my house and hanging out. B backed off and gave appeasement gestures.
Whining pacing after dinner. Settled after 45 mins or so.
Everything else in the journal after this just shows that we backed off on outings until the car phobia is worked on more, doing a slow counter conditioning. He's up to get in, turning on and going down to the end of the block, then getting out and going for a walk. All calmly. He did much better once I told him to lay down in the seat and heavily rewarded all calm laying. A thundershirt should arrive tomorrow to help with this process.
He is doing better with laying quietly in the public areas of the house. The whining is completely gone except when he has to go outside.
He has serious issues with the crate that have been getting progressively worse. We have stopped using it all together and he is kept loose in my room when I have to leave him here. He is fine doing that and is much calmer overall.
Over the past two days he has developed an aversion to my mother, he will cower and back away from her. We are going to start counter conditioning it. He will accept food from her hand but clearly finds something about her upsetting. I am not surprised because she's the ONLY person Gypsy has ever met and not liked. Sophie was the only dog I've ever owned that liked my mom.
And now a picture of Billy (and I have had the song 'pictures of lily' in my head for the past three weeks . . . but i sing 'pictures of billy' which is kind of creepy if you think about it.)
