Canesisters 2023 journal - turning my Disasters into Delights

[farmerjan]

Kennel at pound.... concrete floors, heavier type wire with little/no give to it... and OTHER DOGS for company and noise in there. It might be she is not doing well with the "aloneness".... both human and other dog/companion.

 

[Mini Horses]

get her a friend?! May help! Can you borrow one to see?

It's a valid thought!! But not what you wanted to consider given her "activity"....most likely.

 

[canesisters]

Kennel at pound.... concrete floors, heavier type wire with little/no give to it... and OTHER DOGS for company and noise in there. It might be she is not doing well with the "aloneness".... both human and other dog/companion.

Oh no you don't! I did that once... got my dog a dog... got my dog's dog a friend.... I do NOT need to find myself with 4 dog's again

 

[SageHill]

Test #1 of Fort K-9nox

I spent a couple of hours working on the front panel/gate. When I was satisfied that I couldn't do anymore, I put her in & went inside to clean up.
Test #1 ‐ if she was still in once I was in non-sweat soaked clothes, I could run up to Dollar General & get a few necessities.
View attachment 100261
Gotta admit... I was surprised at the passion she put into her escape attempts!!!! Mostly because she is such a relaxed, laid-back un-boxer-like couch potato. But WOW!!! She latched on to the front panel, sat back & YANKED!!! The whole front flexed.... but didn't give. I see now how she made quick work of that crate. Her head fits through the holes in the cattle panel (so collar OFF!) & she repeatedly tried vigorously to force her shoulders through!
I waited until she stopped for a breather & a drink before I went back out. I praised her - because at that moment she was being good. Then I went & got a t-post & drove it in to support the middle of that front panel. Then I left.
Went to the store, grabbed laundry soap, dog & cat food, tuna for a couple days lunches.... and ice cream
I got home 22mins later - and she was still in the pen! HOT.... Stressed.... but safe.
I let her out, I made her go back in (bit of a battle), went in with her. Told her how brave she was. Then out to be in the yard for a short bit while I locked up the chickens & in the house to cool off & have dinner.
Test #1 = success

I believe that as a "training" tool, she might learn more from going in the pen while I make short trips - 20, 30min to 1hr - than she would from going in the pen for an entire day while I'm at work.
Am I right in this??? She'll more likely make that connection that I AM coming back. Then we can work on longer periods alone.

YES! Well done and well played.
I would think that many short trips will help her understand that you will come back. And when you get back no big “Hi I’m home” party. A calm and no big deal attitude will help to - no matter how much you want to do the celebration dance

 

[farmerjan]

I honestly was not suggesting you get another dog.... just observing that the change from the pound/rescue with lots of other animals might be part of her problem.... I also do NOT want a bunch of dogs, but been thinking about another one. Been maybe 15 years since I lost my shepherd.

 

[Baymule]

That is a secure pen, congratulations! Our dogs that we love so much sure can drive us crazy. You have to have a secure and safe place for her while you are away. Maybe she will learn not to go bonkers when you leave. She can’t get out, fighting it is useless, so maybe she will calm down.

 

[canesisters]

I would agree with this thinking....

She SURE has a problem with confinement! Not sure if it's THE being confined or not having access to people does she wander when outside with you? Or stay with/near? This is a tough one!

The day she got out of the house, was she then in a fenced yard?? Or out into open space? Will she walk around the fenced area and stay put or jump out?

At any rate, she may be unhappy in there but, safe. I'd put the cam out there so you can see if she settles down while you're gone, or what. Geesh, she was in a kennel at the pound, right??

When we're out in the yard she will keep an eye on me, but not necessarily stay by my side. Once she gets hot, she leaves me and watches from the shade of the porch. If I go outside of the fence though, she will follow along the fence line keeping a close eye.
The day she got out, she was in the fenced yard. BUT, I had not latched the gate (to the empty dog-less yard) when I left... so she apparently just nosed it open and walked out. She did though, go directly back to the gate and wait to be let in once Dad was on her trail. I have one of those latches that auto-catch somewhere in the barn. That's going to have to go back on. I can't trust my miniscule memory & latching the gate isn't a habit yet.
I had meant to put the game camera out there for her first test... but one of the things I needed from the store was batteries. She burned through them with the hours and hours of activations videoing her in the bedroom last week.

 

[Ridgetop]

At least the kennel will give you a safe place to confine her while training her and going to work. She is an older dog at 9 years and while old dogs can learn new tricks, they take longer to change their habits. It has only been a couple weeks.

 

[canesisters]

Time to 'crash course' Birdie in the outside pen. I've got the weekend to 'Do something about that dog. It can't come every day.' (boss)
I don't know if 'somebody' complained or if he's just being a jerk. So the adventure continues.. Out in the pen several times this weekend - short stays, long stays.... Mon - Wed it's supposed to be in the 80's here - so I'll try all day stays.

Transisitioning to the house? What do yall think? First few tries - game camera watching the sliding glass door and leave her in while I'm in the yard? Maybe keep her out for a while until she goes to the porch - THEN put her in and leave her a while longer?

This is all so foreign to me. Every dog I've had before has either been fine lose in the house once they've met the cats or has been ok in the crate.

 

[Mini Horses]

Wow. She seems to be fine inside, so long as you're there -- is that right? You aren't sure about her leaving the yard? You there or not....right? We know she's ultra determined at "break outs". IF ONLY she could talk!!!

Can you clone yourself? Maybe a video of you talking to her to play on the TV? A nanny cam, so you can verbally correct? pen her longer while your home this weekend.

This adoption is becoming an expensive, troublesome thing. Hey -- cattle are staying in the fence! This dog isn't. It's as bad as my goats!!! I was out running hot wire at dark last night!