Little Dog in a Big World

Archive for the ‘Changing Attitude’ Category

As time goes on, I’m much more happy about how Misha is maturing.  Yesterday, we had a big family get together for Easter.  Four of the people Misha does not know very well.  They bring their dogs and one of them has gotten in a tussle with Misha in the passed.

At first I had her on leash.  Then when things settled down a bit I let her loose.

She was reluctant around the people she wasn’t familiar with, but she wasn’t barking or growling.  She went up suspiciously sniffing shoes.  Eventually she relaxed.

I was a little more worried about the situation with the dogs.  I didn’t need to.  The one dog has a habit of getting right up in other dog’s faces.  She Misha cornered under a chair when she did them.  And, Misha let her know with her fiercest growl and snarl that she did not like it.  From that point on the other dog backed off.

She’s still not great with other dogs.  She doesn’t get down and play like she should.  She is intimidated.  But, at least, she didn’t get in a fight with anyone.  She wasn’t avoiding them though.  Maybe soon she’ll be more participatory.

Another day and another move towards adulthood for my little dog.

Misha is a funny dog.  I read somewhere that Jack Russell’s hate to be held.  They aren’t lap dogs and don’t want to be treated as such.

Well, Misha must be the fluke because she loves being held.  In fact, when she is wild, holding her is her “settle”.  She instantly settles down once she is in your arms.  She’ll even fall asleep if you wait long enough.

The problem is getting her there!  When she went through her trauma last Summer, picking her up became dangerous.  She would attack anyone who approached her.

I’ve been working with her…alot.  She’s gotten better.  She will tolerate being picked up most of the time.  Sometimes there is this look of panic in her eyes though and then she overreacts.  Or, sometimes she plays the clown and no matter how you try to lift her up, she rolls over on her back to make it more difficult.

She is now to the point where others can hold her.   She loves when people hold her.   She has even relented to being held upside down like a baby a few times recently.

There’s definitely more work to be done.  I’ll keep at it.  Eventually, I would like her to be a willing participant rather than a reluctant one.

Today “we” jumped a minor hurdle.  I put the harnesses on Sierra.  As I wheeled her chair over, she sat up–without a treat!  I had to hurry up and hook the front then lift her back end before she layed down again.  I’m often amazed at how she figures out new routines and adapts to them.

We went out the front door today, just so I could get a little practice.  Once again, things were easier.  She is adjusting to the size of her new butt.  I’m figuring out when I need to assist her.

Here is Sierra just getting out the front door and checking out the scene:

While we were out this morning, the neighbor’s daughter and son-in-law pulled up.  They waved and then had to come over to see the Three Legged Wonder Dog on Wheels.

Sierra was over by the gate.  When she saw she had company, she wheeled herself over.  She enjoyed being able to stand up and get attention since so much of her days have been spent laying down.  She ate up the attention.  New people to give her a head scratch.

It was great to see her interracting.  Her back leg was tired from standing in place, but I think it did her good to be social.  She loves people and loves the attention they give her.

Sierra is adjusting to her chair very well.  Today she started to exhibit a little more confidence and some dog like behavior.

She sniffed the grass in the front of the house picking up the scent of the puppy who was on the lawn the night before.  She spotted a cat across the street and refused to leave until she got a really good view of it.

She is doing 10-15 minutes and seems to be enjoying the experience.

So that’s what’s been happening since I’ve been laid up.  Cats have been taking over my front yard.  Oh, they think they are so smart.  Well, they’ve got another thing coming.

Here I have spotted the yellow cat in the neighbor’s drive way:

Aha!  I’m running after you sucker…

Ha! Ha!  You ran across the street…Phooey on you!

My “owner” got me all hooked up.  But, did she ask me if I wanted any water first?  No!!!!  So when she left the room, I had to roll all the way over to my water bowl.  Like I know what I am doing!

But I showed her!