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Our First Ever Foster Dog - The Final Update


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I was more just thinking is there a way I can get her in there without freaking her out.

But guess what this amazing dog just did? Walked in and out of the crate by herself, not once but twice. She's crate training herself I think. I really have to stop over thinking it, she'll get it sorted in her own time. :)

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I was more just thinking is there a way I can get her in there without freaking her out.

But guess what this amazing dog just did? Walked in and out of the crate by herself, not once but twice. She's crate training herself I think. I really have to stop over thinking it, she'll get it sorted in her own time. :)

She'll be fine.

What you are doing is what EVERY first (second, third, fourth) time foster carer does :D :D . A new needy beautiful creature comes into our house and all we want is for them to be happy, unafraid, relaxed, comfortable, etc etc etc and we tend to analyse their every move and our own as well wondering/hoping that we are doing all the right things to achieve our wants for them.

Yes, you are overthinking it, but let me assure you, you are not alone :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

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But guess what this amazing dog just did? Walked in and out of the crate by herself, not once but twice. She's crate training herself I think. I really have to stop over thinking it, she'll get it sorted in her own time. :)

She is a clever little sheltie :thumbsup: . She's figured no bad things happen in the crate ... & she can come out each morning to a great new life she's clearly enjoying.

I like Persephone's idea of flicking some treats in there ... but not for Georgia's consumption. :)

As Bonne's bonded trustfully with you, I'd also put something in the crate that strongly has your scent on it. Old unwashed T shirt, old towel you've slept on, toys you've rubbed your hands on. That'd connect the two parts of her life... in the crate & out.

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But guess what this amazing dog just did? Walked in and out of the crate by herself, not once but twice. She's crate training herself I think. I really have to stop over thinking it, she'll get it sorted in her own time. :)

She is a clever little sheltie :thumbsup: . She's figured no bad things happen in the crate ... & she can come out each morning to a great new life she's clearly enjoying.

I like Persephone's idea of flicking some treats in there ... but not for Georgia's consumption. :)

As Bonne's bonded trustfully with you, I'd also put something in the crate that strongly has your scent on it. Old unwashed T shirt, old towel you've slept on, toys you've rubbed your hands on. That'd connect the two parts of her life... in the crate & out.

I will try both those ideas today Mita and Pers.. thanks!

Today is a wet, grey day and Princess Bonnie has decided, she doesn't like wet feet, just like Princess Georgia. Ha ha

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I was more just thinking is there a way I can get her in there without freaking her out.

But guess what this amazing dog just did? Walked in and out of the crate by herself, not once but twice. She's crate training herself I think. I really have to stop over thinking it, she'll get it sorted in her own time. :)

Throw in on of your real dirty Tshirts in there, she will then feel much calmer. All my dogs rescue all, love being crated. In fact Gidget my Tibbie would bark for me to close her crate door so she could chew her bone in peace.

Have you thought of using Dap, do not buy the expensive plug in just the refill as the mosquito plug ins are the same as the dap dispenser but only about 10% of the cost of the DAp. It was a marvel not only keeping the fosters quite but calming my dogs as well. I am sure it also worked on me. :laugh:

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:) just make sure that georgia's separated .. and flick smelly treats unobtrusively into the crate . Bonnie will find that wandering in there brings its own reward .......

Hey Pers, thanks so much for this advice, it worked a treat, parden the pun. I have managed to get her to walk into the crate all by herself twice today.. :thumbsup:

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I haven't done a great deal, I just took the advice I was given and let her settle at her own pace. I'm working towards getting her to walk on lead next. That currently freaks her out. But we'll get there. :)

Don't know if this will help. But Shelley the sheltie came from a breeder at 7 months of age. Homed as a pet because grown too tall for showing.

That breeder kept his dogs in kenneled accommodation with lots of green grass area for play & exercise. He told me she'd never been in a house, never been up stairs, never been out on a footpath. So I'd have to socialise her on those. Happy to do so.

I did the softly, softly, little bit at a time each day.... with liver treats as motivators. Just like you've done with Bonnie & the crate.

Shelley had a far more flighty (!), temperament than your sensible Bonnie. She was hugely reluctant at first.... dug her heels in & went immobile. But a treat got her to make one move.

I persisted, tiny steps at her pace... & big appetite for the treats. :) She gradually got brave at walking up stairs & walking on a lead.... out on the footpath, too. Turned into a real adventure junkie... flew up stairs like a rocket & loved going out socialising on a lead.

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Bonnie does have the taste for liver treats, thats what getting her into the crate etc. They smell pretty strong too. So I will keep them handy when I slowly get her used to the lead.

Can I tell you a secret Mita :whisper:... I can see Georgia changing. Today is only day 6 with Bonnie and Georgia is the calmest she's been in her life. Prior to Bonnie's arrival, if we went out for an hour or so she would be crated. When we return and she'd hear the key in the door, she would bark and bark and bark, I think out of pure excitement. Surely she didn't believe the house was being broken into. The last two days when I've had to go out and the two are crated together, Georgia has been quiet as a mouse when we get back. :winner:

If Bonnie has the ability to make Georgia a calmer and easier dog to live with, I can't possibly see us rehoming her. Georgia used to spend a good part of the day inside even in good weather, because she would just go feral at the slightest sound. Even the neighbour turning on the tap was enough to send her into overdrive, we're being abducted by aliens, freak out.. But today she's out there with Bonnie and I've only heard the odd yap, but it stops in 10 seconds.

To be honest it excites me to see Georgia's behaviour improving so much, I didn't think it was possible.

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Can I tell you a secret Mita :whisper:... I can see Georgia changing. Today is only day 6 with Bonnie and Georgia is the calmest she's been in her life. Prior to Bonnie's arrival, if we went out for an hour or so she would be crated. When we return and she'd hear the key in the door, she would bark and bark and bark, I think out of pure excitement. Surely she didn't believe the house was being broken into. The last two days when I've had to go out and the two are crated together, Georgia has been quiet as a mouse when we get back. :winner:

If Bonnie has the ability to make Georgia a calmer and easier dog to live with, I can't possibly see us rehoming her. Georgia used to spend a good part of the day inside even in good weather, because she would just go feral at the slightest sound. Even the neighbour turning on the tap was enough to send her into overdrive, we're being abducted by aliens, freak out.. But today she's out there with Bonnie and I've only heard the odd yap, but it stops in 10 seconds.

To be honest it excites me to see Georgia's behaviour improving so much, I didn't think it was possible.

I'll tell you a secret back. When Shelley was the only lunatic.... er, dog.... she had to be hauled out to the UQ behaviorist vet to be treated for ripping cushions when we were out & general carrying on. Soooo like Georgia. The funny thing was, the behaviourist started off by saying... 'Shelley is a sheltie, she's a very intelligent dog.' Our over- the- top, Drama Queen dog intelligent??? ('We're all going to die, if i don't bark'!). I honestly didn't believe her. I thought Shelley was born to be a lunatic.

I reckon heaven sent us calm, sensible Danny to bring some sanity into Shelley's routine (& ours). She really thrived having a little brother, like him. Looks like heaven felt sorry for you, too.... & in comes Bonnie. Change is definitely possible. :thumbsup:

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Change definitely is possible Mita.. and even Princess Bonnie is changing by the hour. Today she rolled on her back so I could rub her belly, if thats not the ultimate in animal/human trust I don't know what is. :thumbsup: Oh and to balance it out and prove she's every bit the sheltie, she raided the kitty litter box, not once but twice.. oh dear! :eek:

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If Bonnie has the ability to make Georgia a calmer and easier dog to live with, I can't possibly see us rehoming her.

thumbsup1.gif We told you....we can spot a foster failure in the making! It happens whenever a dog comes along that is just a perfect fit in that home - sound familiar? laugh.gif

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In fact, let's just bite the bullet and have this thread transferred to General Discussions :laugh: :laugh:

Now, now, don't go getting ahead of yourself. :eek:

I'm just back from shopping and bought both puppers a little present.. ha ha. I'll post a pic later. :D

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