Jake comes from Southern California. We drove down there in early January and picked him up from a shelter near Palm Springs. Since he was picked up as a stray dog we don't know anything about his past, but he started off afraid of pretty much everyone, especially men.
We've worked on his fear of people over the last ten months (Wow, it's been ten months already??!!). He LOVES women! And he's getting used to men. I pretty much supplied everyone with treats to give him, and I bring him everywhere I possibly can. There are surprisingly few places to bring dogs. Obviously you can't leave them in the car during the summer, so it would be nice if more places would allow well-behaved dogs in their establishments. Maybe I'll start keeping a list of local dog friendly places. Anywho... We are still helping him realize that men are cool people, are capable of a good ear scratching, and frequently have treats (even if I'm the one that supplies them).
Jake has learned to walk on a leash. When we first got him he was like a crazy 20-pound fish on a line. I often walk him on a long retractable leash and he would go to the furthest extent in one direction, and run as fast as he could in the other direction for a running start to see if he could rip the handle out of my hand. He never succeeded in escaping, but he almost succeeded in pulling me over, and a couple times I was afraid he'd do damage to my shoulder (but he didn't). Today's walk was a little over a mile and a half. He no longer tries to attack all the horses, birds, squirrels, cats, dogs, butterflies, bugs, or the variety of poop along the way. He actually heals fairly well (don't worry, he hasn't been injured, I'm referring to walking on a leash), and is learning not to pull when he's not on the heal. It will be quite some time before he's allowed off-leash on our property. He's still a flight risk. I'm looking forward to when we can take a leisurely stroll around the property without him running off. And we don't ever allow dogs off-leash when we're off the property. There are way too many fascinating things that could get them in trouble.
I'm meeting with a trainer on Monday to make sure I'm dealing with his separation anxiety properly. He doesn't mind if I'm completely off the property, but goes crazy when I'm still on the property but not with him. Kong's stuffed with treats help, but ultimately won't help his weight. He needs to stay fit to keep up with all the doggy guests in the kennels. :)
We've worked on his fear of people over the last ten months (Wow, it's been ten months already??!!). He LOVES women! And he's getting used to men. I pretty much supplied everyone with treats to give him, and I bring him everywhere I possibly can. There are surprisingly few places to bring dogs. Obviously you can't leave them in the car during the summer, so it would be nice if more places would allow well-behaved dogs in their establishments. Maybe I'll start keeping a list of local dog friendly places. Anywho... We are still helping him realize that men are cool people, are capable of a good ear scratching, and frequently have treats (even if I'm the one that supplies them).
Jake has learned to walk on a leash. When we first got him he was like a crazy 20-pound fish on a line. I often walk him on a long retractable leash and he would go to the furthest extent in one direction, and run as fast as he could in the other direction for a running start to see if he could rip the handle out of my hand. He never succeeded in escaping, but he almost succeeded in pulling me over, and a couple times I was afraid he'd do damage to my shoulder (but he didn't). Today's walk was a little over a mile and a half. He no longer tries to attack all the horses, birds, squirrels, cats, dogs, butterflies, bugs, or the variety of poop along the way. He actually heals fairly well (don't worry, he hasn't been injured, I'm referring to walking on a leash), and is learning not to pull when he's not on the heal. It will be quite some time before he's allowed off-leash on our property. He's still a flight risk. I'm looking forward to when we can take a leisurely stroll around the property without him running off. And we don't ever allow dogs off-leash when we're off the property. There are way too many fascinating things that could get them in trouble.
I'm meeting with a trainer on Monday to make sure I'm dealing with his separation anxiety properly. He doesn't mind if I'm completely off the property, but goes crazy when I'm still on the property but not with him. Kong's stuffed with treats help, but ultimately won't help his weight. He needs to stay fit to keep up with all the doggy guests in the kennels. :)
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