Gotcha Day: 05/09/2021

[JMFS]

Esther is home.  Esther May, to be exact, because dogs and children need two names.  One for normal conversation and one to let them know they Better listen.  My dad's wife suggested Jane, June, May, Lee, Lynn, and a few others.  I decided May fit because that's when she was adopted and somehow "Esther" worked best for us paired with only one syllable.  And I can make it real real Southern, lol.  She's around 23-weeks old and I'm fairly certain she'll be around 50 - 55 lbs once she stops growing.

We already had an incident and it's one I saw coming but was too slow to react. Abbi is not warm and fuzzy about any other dogs these days (not even Gertie) and she was in a vulnerable state (trying to potty with the husband assisting). Well, right before she squatted I handed him the flirt pole I was using with Esther and she was trying to get it from him. Abbi wasn't happy about Esther up in her beeswax and attacked. Well, Esther outweighs Abbi two-½-fold and doesn't have bite inhibition, yet.  Abbi ended up with a puncture wound and laceration around her neck.  I had to pull the puppy off of Abbi and felt safe doing so because she was lunging forward so I was able to grab the collar and scoop my arm under her belly while keeping hands and face out of bite range  Abbi had an appointment for today for blood work already so she got fixed up during that.  Abbi's area is now built like Fort Knox and we're doing our best to keep them separated outside. Scary, but Abbi will be okay.  I found a gate for inside and we'll adjust how we do potty time in the future.  Abbi's been lucky for quite some time in that Gertie has bite inhibition and just holds Abbi down instead of biting back.

Having said that, Gerts did snap at the puppy after putting up with her antics for quite some time.  Esther kept playing with her stuffed toy in Gertie's face and Gertie growled once to say, "knock it off," but Esther didn't catch on so the next time Gerts snapped.  Fortunately Gertie has Excellent bite inhibition And I have good voice control.  Gertie was wanting to sleep after all the playing she did at the boarder's and this young upstart was chasing the sheep Gertie was trying to count.

I spent my evening thinking of sleeping arrangements and office space.  I was about to buy 2 "Large" Furhaven beds when I realized I already Have 2 . . ..  They're U-shaped beds that I can put back-to-back so there's a bit of buffer and then I need only teach Esther where her boundaries are.  I found a replacement cover on Amazon so if Esther pees on one I have a back up.  She responds marvelously to "yiping," and I'm aggressively training the bite inhibition (Abbi just needed styptic powder but she has a gnarly bruise on her neck so this is of the utmost importance as her trachea could have been seriously damaged).  Today Esther and Gertie are playing together marvelously (Gertie has rested from some of that play at the boarder's).  Esther is responding excellently to "uh uh," so I have my leave it signal.

We've had a few "extinction bursts," and although this is tiring, it's fun to experience the things folks have been bringing to the forums as issues because in the back of my mind I'm thinking, "I've read about this, I've got this!".  I have a video I'll put on YouTube to demonstrate an extinction burst once I get some time.

Esther had to sleep in the crate upstairs last night because she would Not settle.  She went so far as to start eating the bed she was to sleep on and stepping all over poor Gerts, trying to figure out what she was supposed to do.  And I had to zip up my as-of-yet-not unpacked suitcase because she kept nabbing items (just like Gertie used to so I know there's light at the end of this tunnel!).  I stayed at the foot of the stairs for 5 minutes through "aroo's," yips, "ah-woo-woo-woo's," whining, and gate shaking.  Then it was quiet.  No messes this morning until she got excited to see me then there were 3 little piddles.  However!  We designed our "crates" for these issues (including a solid piece of vinyl and 1" caulking tape along the floor and up the wall for those Big messes).  A quick wipe up and spray down (with enzymatic cleaner) and all was well.

She's a little brat (aka wild and untrained) but at the same time loving and full of floppy willingness.  And she smiles!  Momo would approve and the shelter has one more space free.  DNA test is scheduled for the end of May.  I think we'll see Labrador and Am Staff.  She's going to be quite spectacular once she's trained.  💜💜💜

[Adrienne]

Oh, what a cutie! Congrats on your new addition! Esther is a cute name and it's great that it's no longer than two syllables so you can pronounce it quickly should you need to get your dog's immediate attention. 

I am glad to hear that Abbi wasn't hurt seriously, but that must have been scary! I am also happy to hear that her and Gertie are playing nicely. 

Keep us posted on her DNA tests. I can see some Amstaff in her, specifically in the picture where she has her ears not pulled back. Those ears look like rose ears and her head looks on the broad side.  And maybe she is also crossed with a frog, seeing how her legs are splooting when resting, LOL! Gotta love those canine sploots!

[JMFS]

Haha, I think she was made without joints with as flexible as she is! 

She and Gertie got into it last night.  Another reminder for me that she's not trained, yet.  I had them in their crates but the doors were not latched.  Little Missy finished before Gerts and decided to join Gertie in her crate.  Gertie did not welcome the visit.  I was downstairs getting water for them, heard a lot of noise and thought, "oh, s...!"  Ran upstairs and by the time my slow self got up there they were looking at me like, "what?"  Both girls checked out okay, whew!  This morning Esther's crate was latched tight during breakfast and that settled that.

Yard guys are here today so she's back in the crate with her Kong so I can get some work done. She met the pool guy and was timid initially but warmed up quickly.

She is So easy to redirect and her recall . . . wow!  I'm leery of this being that honeymoon phase thing going on, lol.

She's super smart, I think, and has already learned how to sit pretty for treats.  😆 

I taught her how to lie down on the tile to cool off after playing and you could see the epiphany settle upon her like, "ahhhh!"

She and Gertie are playing even better together now that Gertie has rested from being boarded.

She was able to sleep with us in the room last night. She seems to like corners and hidey holes so I put her bed between the nightstand, two walls, and Gertie's bed so she could snuggle in and have protection on all 4 sides, but still an escape route.  Only the 1 accident yesterday from excitement.

Still working on how to get her to leave Abbi alone.  We can't leave her on the couch with Abbi or she makes a bee line so one of us always has to be there. I have to say, the husband is a push over in this regard so I'm trying to come up with barrier ideas that don't involve him.  He's not quite understanding that I need his participation and I don't have a magic wand.

Aside from the biting, which for many may have seen her returned but after Mo I'm up for the challenge, she's really fitting in.  The husband understands the Abbi thing was due to Abbi's instigation and he continues to adore Esther despite the faux pas, which is another positive.  I know many relationships have been damaged from pet arguments so I'm thankful he saw that for what it is.  He trusts my training.  💜

I would be surprised if she doesn't have Am Staff - those ears are telling!  If she does hit on Lab indicators, too, perhaps her flexibility will be a good thing to combat the hip dysplasia common to the breed.

[Adrienne]

Gertie must have been like "what are you doing here youngster? This is my place!" No puppy license for you!".... Glad to hear it was just noise. From the look on their faces it seems like at the end they were more concerned about your reaction than their disagreement. "Mom, why are you rushing up here so fast? Did you just see some evil monster somewhere? Where is it? We'll send it away!"

Have you introduced them on neutral ground prior to the pup's arrival? Just asking because it can come as a shock having a new pup invading the home and just taking over the space. I think some boundaries can help a whole lot as they get used to each others, but it sounds like you're working on that. 

It can be honeymoon, or that you have just dishabituated over time on how much easier it is how to work with pups rather than older dogs with established ingrained habits. I am sure she'll come a long way with your help. Take lots of pictures, they grow so fast!

Happy training!

[JMFS]

They did meet at the Humane Society in their meet and greet area.  Abbi did as well, but it was only sniffing.  Gertie and Esther tore up the place chasing each other and body bumping after about 5 minutes of sniffing around and ignoring one another. 

Gertie is a strange mix between hyper and liquid Valium or low energy and turbo charged.  She's got a beautiful easy demeanor and takes things as they come, but when it comes to play time or prey she's all in.  Even with the cat she lies there while he licks her and head butts her and she completely ignores it opting to instead scan the yard for squirrels or invaders.  Where Momo would trip over himself to get out of my way she kind of ambles right into it, bumps into me, bounces off and kind of goes, "okay, I'll go this way instead."  She really is the best. <3

I do have boundary areas set up.  They tend to end up together despite that.  We'll see how it goes towards the end of the week, though.  Miss Esther pulled that "keep away" game with me tonight in the yard and kept inching towards Abbi on the couch, so she's testing those boundaries.  Abbi sits on a chaise lounge with the husband between her and the bigger dogs, but Esther tries to wiggle behind him to get to Abbi.  Still working on logistics for couch time because Abbi isn't tolerating anything these days and Especially not the pup who bit her.  That means most things can set her off and that doesn't end well.  I can't blame her one bit.  When my arthritis kicks up I get downright grumpy myself because it really really hurts and I just want to be left alone to work through the pain so I understand where Abbi's coming from.  Abbi and I are those dogs who will try to bite their rescuers, Gertie is the type who would seek help for her friend.  For the most part Esther stays next to my chaise on the other side of the couch (there's a love seat between the lounges - lots of room), but she's a puppy and gets antsy.  I have hopes it will settle into a routine sooner than later.

[JMFS]

I set up the Furbo to do the "disembodied voice" training when she's in the part of the room I can't see.  I don't use the microphone because she can hear me fine (my desk has a hutch I can't see around, but that means she can't see me, either, so it's like I'm all-seeing).

[Adrienne]

Lovely that you have a Furbo camera, I wished I had this technology back in the days my dogs were pups! Would have saved me from hiding behind windows and walls! I am going to get one some day along with a Pet Tutor!

[JMFS]

Keep your eye open around that sale day after Thanksgiving.  We picked up the Furbo for about half price and the pet model Roomba.  Both are So nice to have with dogs in the house.  The Roomba is set to run every Mon / Wed / Fri.  Can't wait to have a single story so it can hit all the rooms.  The low tech Swiffer sweeper does the job upstairs most days, but once per month the Roomba takes a spin.  Amazing how much I miss with sweeping!

[Adrienne]

Good to know, thanks!

[JMFS]

Furbo is down to $118 for Prime day if anyone is interested.  30% savings so still not As good as the Black Friday sale, but $51 less is nothing to sniff at.  :)

https://smile.amazon.com/Furbo-Dog-Camera-Designed-Compatible/dp/B01FXC7JWQ/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=furbo&qid=1624311552&smid=A3PVV9FMRGXZ4T&sr=8-3

Be sure to choose a charity and use the Smile link.  ;)  Our Humane Society got $772 much-needed dollars this quarter and I'm sure it will go towards the cost of the 6-week old puppy they found who needs $3700 worth of surgery.  Bittersweet news, but it highlights how important those charity dollars are!