Woof Friday and Daisy

Daisy

A Spring Flower for Christmas
Guest Post by Sharon Azar

My holiday week between Christmas and New Year’s was supposed to be relaxing—a few family visits, some quiet time with Norman and dogs PoohBear and Chili along with our semi feral feline, Samurai, one of the kittens from my recent cat family rescue.

We didn’t figure on a hundred mile an hour whirlwind named Daisy!

Cute beyond words, the little 18 months young King Charles Spaniel puppy entered our lives as a holiday guest and wound up being my exercise trainer!

To give my elderly dogs and husband a rest, Daisy and I went for 4 hour walks (we sometimes ran) every day. Well, with my bad knees I thought this would be the end of my love of walking. But the opposite happened! The longer we walked the better I felt. Not to mention that Daisy loved exploring and meeting so many dog and human friends! When we returned home little Daisy slept like an angel and I felt great. Now, I’m taking longer walks with my dogs, even on the brutally cold days. Bless little Daisy’s big, energetic heart.

Moral of the story: Sometimes we get stuck in our routines and we need a little whirlwind to shake things up. I even think my guys miss her.

(Don’t get any ideas about adopting Daisy. She was not one of my rescues. She belongs to a wonderful Brooklyn family)

UPDATE!

Sharon's 5 tips for dogsitting:

    1. Be certain to arrange a visit prior to the time you’ll be caring for the guest dog so that you can see the dynamics of your resident dog(s) and the guest dog. This visit should be at least one hour or more. Initial meeting should occur outside on neutral territory so guest dog doesn’t seem like an intruder. Then bring guest dog and his or her family into your home and see what happens. Keep all dogs on leash until you’re certain everyone is comfortable.

    2. You’ll need a detailed written list and explanation of the dog’s schedule of walking, eating and hygiene needs (teeth brushing, ear washing after eating; paw cleaning after walks, etc.), food allergies and behavioral quirks, if any. Discuss the dog's diet.

   3.  Name, address and all contact info for the dog’s veterinarian as well as owner’s contact info and trip itinerary.

    4. Owners like to stay connected so I send frequent ‘reports’ as well as photos via cell phone.

  5.  Last but not least, give the guest dog lots of love and attention, but be sure to include the resident dogs so they don’t feel jealous!

If you have any questions or concerns, you can e-mail me at: woofwoof.sharon@gmail.com

Missy, an adoptable dog from Sharon Azar's, WOOF!

 WOOF! (Wagging On and On Forever!)-- advice, information, resources and true stories about our animal friends. By Sharon Azar

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Friday Woof!--Training My Fearful Dog

Friday WOOF! (Wagging On and On Forever!)-- advice, information, resources and true stories about our animal friends.

Guest post by Sharon Azar 



Love Saves the Day

Dean and his girlfriend, Alice were moving to a small room in a dog-unfriendly house, so they contacted me to help them re-home JayJay, their Alaskan Malamute/Chow mix they lived with for 6 years since his puppyhood.

Dean described JayJay as aloof at first, but in time would bond with whoever became his caregiver. When I went to meet him, he came out of their apartment cowering with his tail between his legs. I thought, “What could make a dog react with such fear? What was he afraid of?” The couple seemed nice enough, not the abusive type. Maybe I was missing something. In rescue, sometimes, you can work with a person or family and help them find ways to keep rather than surrender their pet. After spending some time with the three of them, though, I had the feeling I should take JayJay and not spend too much time trying to help them re-think their decision.

Dean bragged that JayJay had the “privilege of a backyard.” I later found out that JayJay was never socialized with other dogs and never taken on walks. I don’t know why people think having a backyard is such a good thing. I’ve seen so many dogs relegated to a backyard all alone and becoming depressed. Dogs are social creatures, meant to play with other dogs and people and interact with their families. When left alone, most dogs' personalities deteriorate. Backyards are only good if the whole family joins the dog.

After I had JayJay vet checked and neutered (Dean didn’t believe in neutering), he recovered quite nicely and joined my household of two small dogs, two cats and a downstairs roommate with two elderly dogs. In living with JayJay, I realized that his name should be PoohBear. He looked so much like a bear!
In our first week together, I was able to walk him outside, but he was in a constant state of tension and fear. After a week, he refused to go out on walks. I’d take him out and he’d pull with all his might to return home. I had dealt with aggressive dogs in my rescue career, but never with a fearful dog. I needed help. Reaching out to the rescue community, I met A.J., a trainer who agreed to do e-mail consultation about PoohBear’s problem. I’m no stranger to different training methods but the one that most suited me was to just give lots of love and patience. A.J.’s method was to make me into the ‘alpha-dog’. With aggressive dogs, this approach is necessary, but PoohBear is not aggressive. A.J. assured me he would become more self-assured in time as soon as he understood that I am dominant. The program consisted of not allowing him on the bed, never responding to his overtures to play, always going out ahead of him, not telling him what a good boy he is, etc. This was so much enervating work. I felt drained after working a full day and then coming home to another job with PoohBear-a household under tension.

“This just doesn’t seem right,” I kept thinking. After much soul searching and discussion with friends, I thought, “How could a training method meant for aggressive dogs help a fearful dog?” Even though A.J. gave me excellent examples of work she did with her dogs, I just kept feeling something was off. Then, one night, worn out after playing this very unnatural role of ‘lead dog’, I laid in bed tense and exhausted, praying for another way. After a few hours of feeling lost, a voice within whispered, “just give him love and patience like you’ve always done with your dogs and he will come around.” It was as if a light went on.

That night I had my first good night’s sleep since PoohBear came to live with us. I never liked thinking of myself as ‘leader’ or ‘boss’ the way many trainers like to characterize the dog-human dynamic, but rather ‘she who provides all good things.’ I think my dogs love the new me!

In the morning Chili, Schnappsy and PoohBear were eyeing me with their big, trusting, loving eyes and ‘marvelous understanding’. PoohBear and I still have work to do, but now I could do it my way--cuddle, sleep, laugh, play and share love with my dogs. It’ll be a while before PoohBear will want to go out walking in the neighborhood and park, but I’m certain with love and patience it will happen.


Please check out Sharon's WOOF! Petfinder listing for pets up for adoption in NYC area.
woofwoof (dot) sharon (at) gmail (dot) com

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