The new baby

[bighooves]

I feel like I just had a baby without the pregnancy/birth.

We rescued (not from a shelter, but it's still a rescue as far as I'm concerned) a 5 month old Dachshund mix on Thursday. After about a day, we decided on the name Rynn. So far it's been an educations and a half, and I've been using up a lot of energy. It's gotten me up and out of the house

Comments

[lantairvlea]

Five months isn't too terribly old for retraining. My in-laws have a little Shi-tzu that they rescued at around five years old I think. She is still quite timid, bit a far cry from the nervous, barking, defensive dog that was never fully potty trained three or so years ago when they got her.

Good for you guys taking on the challenge and giving her what sounds to be a happy, productive, and purposeful life. I think too many pets (and equids too) are espected to just sit around and be loved on when they're designed to be out DOing. Few people realize, for example, that Dachshunds were bred for hunting, not as a companion animal. If every dog had a "job," you'd see less issues, same goes for horses in fact.

I hope Rynn is a good, positive, motivating little being in your life. I know at the begining of the year your thoughts were towards a larger, hooved companion, but there is certainly still time for that possibility as well. Good luck!

[bighooves]

Thanks! At this time, I'm trying to figure out how to keep her exercised and entertained. Kyr is here during the day, but it'll be more difficult for him when I go to work on Monday because his ADHD means he has a hard time breaking away from his work to check on her. So far I've been giving her toys, chewies, taking her out for two decently long walks each day (I am probably going to take her for one more tonight before I turn in).

I am also going to try to get up early tomorrow before work, and take her out.

[lantairvlea]

Have you looked into crate training her so she has that "safe" place to be when you guys can't keep an eye on her? I hear it works great, though you don't necessarily want her hanging out in the crate all the time, it can be a good security blanket of sorts and also helps with the potty training process as well.

Again good luck!

[bighooves]

I'm honestly trying to get to a point where I feel comfortable with her potty abilities. Right now we've been having random "accidents" here and there, and she sometimes will just squat wherever she happens to be. She also has some chewing issues that focus on computer cables. Kyr was NOT PLEASED with that.