This past week has just been awesome for Jack - he will still back off (we've had some door incidents with him trying to get out - which is fine because we don't let him by the door without a leash out - BUT, my pushy Berner girl, Pippin, tries to sneak out, too).
BUT he's spent more time than not when we're around in the living room - he seems to prefer it to be quiet and slightly darkened...he'll tolerate the TV. I had a guest over Thursday night and Jack laid right next to my friend's feet on the floor - he stayed there the whole night! (Jack, not my friend. ;). Not sure why - there was a perfectly good dog bed in my room but he chose the hardwood floors! He's been stretching out a little more, too, though while out here...another good sign for contentment.
Saturday we spent a lot of time outside cutting and stacking firewood. As it was nice and we were outside to keep an eye on him, we put Jack on the tie out so he could enjoy the beautiful day. And, he did. Until we went in for a while. Jack will enjoy being on a line, he may even explore a little, but once his people leave his sight for too long, he gets very anxious.
We observed him while outside simply laying down or sitting, his ears were VERY perked and he looked happy. When we went in to clean up and start dinner, I kept checking out the window to keep an eye. Once we had been in for several minutes (at least ten), Jack started pacing back and forth and looking towards the house...he wasn't seeing what was in the trees and brush north of him...he wondered where we went. As soon as we brought him in, he settled right down where he could see/hear us.
Jack will very definitely attach to someone - but I don't know if he will ever show the full affection of a dog who was raised and socialized well from a young age. He still has not wagged his tail - I know the up and down action works and it is a great indicator of his mood. As he has sat on my feet and near me (and I even got a Berner lean out of him...well, he's not a Bernese Mountain Dog, but they're notorious for knocking over their people by leaning on them), he does approach, and seems to even seek chin scratching. This tells me he has affection, he just in unsure of how to express it. I think observing my other dogs has been helping him, but I don't know if a mellow friend who is socialized would help or not. Definitely dedication, a lot of love and patience, and understanding that he may never express the "kind" of love most people think their dogs should show (wagging tails, licking faces, jumping on them in excitement, play bow, etc.)
Monday, September 27, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Happy update
Kind of fast for another update but I am just so excited I had to share.
Yesterday was a beautiful day here. Sunny, low 70s, a perfect early fall day. When I got home from work I put Jack on his leash and we went for a nice little walk. Then we sat out by the shade tree for a few. I wanted to see how he would do if I left him tied out for a little bit. I hooked him up, talked to him for a few then went in the house for a few minutes. I stood in the doorway to observe. He sat down calmly, facng the door I was at, ears brightly perked. Yeah. He was wondering where I was!!! I went out and he approached me. I sat again and he kind of looked around then sat again
I left him again (went out of sight) and when I returned he again came to me. I sat. He sat on my feet!!
He was nosing out of my room more as well. But my YAHOO-YIPPEE came tonight. Jack followed me off and on. Came to the kitchen gate when he heard dinner being prepared. Came when I called him (mostly) to eat his dinner. The best part? He stayed in the living room with us for at least three hours. TV on. Toddler running around. Me and Brandon up and down. He lay in front of the gate to the kitchen. He didn't move an itch when I went back and forth (which was temporarily pleasing)!!!!! :)
he still doesn't know how to wag his tail but I'm good with watching me, coming and hanging and the perky ears sometimes!!!! outdoors is definitely his favorite spot!!
Yesterday was a beautiful day here. Sunny, low 70s, a perfect early fall day. When I got home from work I put Jack on his leash and we went for a nice little walk. Then we sat out by the shade tree for a few. I wanted to see how he would do if I left him tied out for a little bit. I hooked him up, talked to him for a few then went in the house for a few minutes. I stood in the doorway to observe. He sat down calmly, facng the door I was at, ears brightly perked. Yeah. He was wondering where I was!!! I went out and he approached me. I sat again and he kind of looked around then sat again
I left him again (went out of sight) and when I returned he again came to me. I sat. He sat on my feet!!
He was nosing out of my room more as well. But my YAHOO-YIPPEE came tonight. Jack followed me off and on. Came to the kitchen gate when he heard dinner being prepared. Came when I called him (mostly) to eat his dinner. The best part? He stayed in the living room with us for at least three hours. TV on. Toddler running around. Me and Brandon up and down. He lay in front of the gate to the kitchen. He didn't move an itch when I went back and forth (which was temporarily pleasing)!!!!! :)
he still doesn't know how to wag his tail but I'm good with watching me, coming and hanging and the perky ears sometimes!!!! outdoors is definitely his favorite spot!!
Monday, September 20, 2010
Yeah, Jack!!!!!!
I am so excited!!!! I tried some high value food (cooked ham) to entice Jack to eat out of my hand. He did it like a gentleman. I even encourages him to lick my fingers - he kindnof put one in his mouth, but no teeth factor to worry about at all.
I brought satin balls (a homemade high protein yummy dog treat) outside on our walk. He contined to take from me perfectly as we worked on come. Training will still be challenging as he will need high level food rewards, but balance with hai regular diet so as not to over feed him.
And, the excitement doesn't end there!!! I brought him in the kitchen with me and he explores a little before heading back to his safe zone. BUT he kept making little sneak peeks into and around the living room and toward the kitchen. He is coming out when he hears the commotion of me coming home from work. As soon as he sees it's me, he goes back.
Outside he still reacts very strongly to loud noises, including shouts and attention noises. He is still pulling a lot. There are some tricks for that so I will see if I can't make some progress on it this week.
Smile for Jack. He done good!!!
I brought satin balls (a homemade high protein yummy dog treat) outside on our walk. He contined to take from me perfectly as we worked on come. Training will still be challenging as he will need high level food rewards, but balance with hai regular diet so as not to over feed him.
And, the excitement doesn't end there!!! I brought him in the kitchen with me and he explores a little before heading back to his safe zone. BUT he kept making little sneak peeks into and around the living room and toward the kitchen. He is coming out when he hears the commotion of me coming home from work. As soon as he sees it's me, he goes back.
Outside he still reacts very strongly to loud noises, including shouts and attention noises. He is still pulling a lot. There are some tricks for that so I will see if I can't make some progress on it this week.
Smile for Jack. He done good!!!
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday, September 19
Well, Jack continues to be himself. He has done a couple of hot laps around the living room, and even explored back towards the bathroom just because.
I have taken down the x-pen today - when I placed food right in front of him, he went right to work eating. Will just have to keep the notorious food stealer (Pippin) away from him when he's eating.
I had him come out to the kitchen today - my son's coach was here, so wanted to see how Jack would react to a man. A expected, Jack was shaking, but he dealt with it pretty well and let Joe pet him and shortly started shaking. Once Jack knew he could leave, however, it was right back to my room.
Jack really prefers the outside. I will not try to leave him outside here - worried he'd dig out of the fenced yard, and the days are too unpredictable to try him on a tie out.
He will come towards me (sometimes) when he is on the long line...he is starting to recognize "Come, Jack." But, again, very hard to work with this guy with training as he still won't take food out of our hands (though he did smell my hand this morning). Will continue to work on that this week.
I have taken down the x-pen today - when I placed food right in front of him, he went right to work eating. Will just have to keep the notorious food stealer (Pippin) away from him when he's eating.
I had him come out to the kitchen today - my son's coach was here, so wanted to see how Jack would react to a man. A expected, Jack was shaking, but he dealt with it pretty well and let Joe pet him and shortly started shaking. Once Jack knew he could leave, however, it was right back to my room.
Jack really prefers the outside. I will not try to leave him outside here - worried he'd dig out of the fenced yard, and the days are too unpredictable to try him on a tie out.
He will come towards me (sometimes) when he is on the long line...he is starting to recognize "Come, Jack." But, again, very hard to work with this guy with training as he still won't take food out of our hands (though he did smell my hand this morning). Will continue to work on that this week.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
He's making me laugh-but I'm easily amused
Madison gave Jack a ball we bought for him. Now, he has absolutely no idea what toys are - to him, its just a thing and he leaves it right where it is. He was curled up in his spot, the ball right on the edge of his bed (did I mention I found a doggie bed more his size that fits in his chosen place of rest?). Didn't move the ball or disturb it in anyway. Like, "okay, whatever."
He's also making it VERY clear that he does NOT prefer to be in the x-pen (and I'm sure that would apply to a crate as well). I feed him in there - especially if I'm not staying in the room to watch him eat. I don't want any of the other dogs to get his food - I believe Jack would just let them (and they don't need it! :). I hear this jingle, scratch, scratch, jingle. I'm thinking Pippen is pushing from the outside to try to snag some loose bits of food. So, I call for her, but she's right next to me!
It's Jack. He's done with the food. Done with his water and he wants back out. He leaves, goes to his bed and lays back down. :D Brandon was watching him tear up the cardboard we have as a base layer "just in case" - evidently Jack has little patience when he wants out! (In thinking, and I am my grandmother's granddaughter with what I call genetic worry-wort-syndrome, I'm worried he'd be a digger - not holes in the ground. In other words, if I let him into the dog yard, I'm thinking he would dig to get out; or if he were in an outdoor fenced kennel, etc.)
He is really liking being on the long line. I think maybe it gives him a feeling of a little more freedom. He does just great when I guide him back closer. He also is coming to me fairly well when I let him have the full line, then call him. However, no matter where he's at, I wouldn't try this without him on a line. Period. Not even in an enclosed dog park. While he does come in that situation, every time he is walked, he heads towards the woods. Trees, brush, etc., are his comfort zone. Its what he's know. It will take a long time, a lot of patience and love, before his comfort zone is similar to what we feel (a house).
He is also starting to take a few steps out of the bedroom. At this point, I believe it is his telling me he has to make a pit stop - which is good. It means he recognizes it, so can tell his forever mom and dad when he needs to be outside. He is paying more attention - ears alert, head tilted, as I talk to him.
I brought him out of the room and further through the house to the kitchen today. I had a female guest over. He didn't even seem phased by her, but he was shaking just from not being in his space. Just time and patience. My Galadriel was similar, but different, and it took well over a year before she would approach a stranger. She is still super jumpy at sudden noises and movements, but now loves to go for car rides and play.
Jack is currently crashed in his spot (go figure). I'll be up early to take him for a walk and maybe spend some time out in the open before my granddaughter wakes up. I wish he was food motivated - she LOVES to feed the dogs (her dinner)!
He's also making it VERY clear that he does NOT prefer to be in the x-pen (and I'm sure that would apply to a crate as well). I feed him in there - especially if I'm not staying in the room to watch him eat. I don't want any of the other dogs to get his food - I believe Jack would just let them (and they don't need it! :). I hear this jingle, scratch, scratch, jingle. I'm thinking Pippen is pushing from the outside to try to snag some loose bits of food. So, I call for her, but she's right next to me!
It's Jack. He's done with the food. Done with his water and he wants back out. He leaves, goes to his bed and lays back down. :D Brandon was watching him tear up the cardboard we have as a base layer "just in case" - evidently Jack has little patience when he wants out! (In thinking, and I am my grandmother's granddaughter with what I call genetic worry-wort-syndrome, I'm worried he'd be a digger - not holes in the ground. In other words, if I let him into the dog yard, I'm thinking he would dig to get out; or if he were in an outdoor fenced kennel, etc.)
He is really liking being on the long line. I think maybe it gives him a feeling of a little more freedom. He does just great when I guide him back closer. He also is coming to me fairly well when I let him have the full line, then call him. However, no matter where he's at, I wouldn't try this without him on a line. Period. Not even in an enclosed dog park. While he does come in that situation, every time he is walked, he heads towards the woods. Trees, brush, etc., are his comfort zone. Its what he's know. It will take a long time, a lot of patience and love, before his comfort zone is similar to what we feel (a house).
He is also starting to take a few steps out of the bedroom. At this point, I believe it is his telling me he has to make a pit stop - which is good. It means he recognizes it, so can tell his forever mom and dad when he needs to be outside. He is paying more attention - ears alert, head tilted, as I talk to him.
I brought him out of the room and further through the house to the kitchen today. I had a female guest over. He didn't even seem phased by her, but he was shaking just from not being in his space. Just time and patience. My Galadriel was similar, but different, and it took well over a year before she would approach a stranger. She is still super jumpy at sudden noises and movements, but now loves to go for car rides and play.
Jack is currently crashed in his spot (go figure). I'll be up early to take him for a walk and maybe spend some time out in the open before my granddaughter wakes up. I wish he was food motivated - she LOVES to feed the dogs (her dinner)!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
End of Week 3 for Jack
Jack's doing well. We tried some "out in the living room" interaction. We kept all electronics off to minimize the stressors for him. He explored briefly and sat by my side, but only for a few minutes. As soon as he knew he was free to roam, he went right back to his spot in my room. I'll keep at it a little every day.
For people interested in Jack, he will need a lot of patience and time. While it may not seem noticeable to some, he has made more progress this week. He has left my room a few steps voluntarily; he looks up when I enter the room and approach him (he doesn't step away as much).
He still needs to be led to the x-pen so he can eat his meals, but he will go in and out for water access. We have yet to discover what he really likes for rewards to work on "real" training. It may be as simple as praise!
One thing I have determined is that he can be like a cat - he really likes to be rubbed/petted under his chin! :)
For people interested in Jack, he will need a lot of patience and time. While it may not seem noticeable to some, he has made more progress this week. He has left my room a few steps voluntarily; he looks up when I enter the room and approach him (he doesn't step away as much).
He still needs to be led to the x-pen so he can eat his meals, but he will go in and out for water access. We have yet to discover what he really likes for rewards to work on "real" training. It may be as simple as praise!
One thing I have determined is that he can be like a cat - he really likes to be rubbed/petted under his chin! :)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Weeks 2 & 3
Well, I started back to school this week. I am a teacher. So, I slacked off on Jack's week 2 blog, so will do that one late and combine with week 3 early!
He continues to hang out in his safe spot - a little corner between the head of my bed and the night stand I shoved against the closet door so he couldn't hide in a littler corner! He is doing really well at eating and drinking with me in the room. Not every time, and as long as I don't watch him he's okay. I continue to feed him in the protection of the x-pen and he will eat even if another dog is on the outside of the pen.
He's still pulling when walking, but I honestly think the initial is just because he wants to hurry up and empty his bladder. We've been trying a longer lead to let him have some space between us and him. It is helping, so we will continue with that, but as we walk bring him closer and let him find his own space. He doesn't always want to walk at the end of it; sometimes he is content to walk fairly close to me.
As we are home a lot this weekend, I will have Jack walk through the house with me, or sit in the living room. Since he hasn't tried any exploration on his own, we will have to push him a little.
He is doing pretty well with me - I think he even perked an ear when I was petting him earlier, instead of laying them back. He looked happy to see me when I came in the other afternoon when I got home from work. ;) My 11-year-old son helps with the walking and the distant interaction. Jack is mostly okay with him, though he'd rather have me on the leash.
He has talked to me a little bit now - I've been trying to add to his behavioral assessment. He continues to be ambivalent to the dogs and cats. BUT, he is absolutely terrified of my toddler granddaughter. She is VERY good with the animals and just wants to pet Jack. It scares him so much he'd climb through the wall if he could, so we just keep Madi away from him when she is here. My gut feeling on Jack's history is one of two things: a family with at least two very young children got the cute puppy and the parents weren't responsible enough to teach their children the appropriate way to interact with him (in other words, they let the kids pull ears, hair, tails, chase, lay on the dog, maybe even meaner) OR a young couple got him, had a child who wasn't taught to interact well and Jack was just ignored or tossed out because he was afraid of the child.
I have not had him in contact with any adult male yet to see his reaction there. The other day we were in the yard and some guys were delivering a load of wood. Jack was definitely startled by the sounds of the logs being thrown and landing. But we slowly moved closer and he simply stopped, sat and watched. The noise stopped bothering him and he didn't seem to have any reaction to the two men. I will test that when I get the opportunity.
At this point, Jack is probably not really ready for his forever home yet. I am hoping within the next few weeks I can say differently. The one thing I can say is that I do not believe a home with young children (younger than 8 or 9) is a good fit for him. He would enjoy a quiet home, that is for sure, and could get along well with either another male or female dog, or cats.
He continues to hang out in his safe spot - a little corner between the head of my bed and the night stand I shoved against the closet door so he couldn't hide in a littler corner! He is doing really well at eating and drinking with me in the room. Not every time, and as long as I don't watch him he's okay. I continue to feed him in the protection of the x-pen and he will eat even if another dog is on the outside of the pen.
He's still pulling when walking, but I honestly think the initial is just because he wants to hurry up and empty his bladder. We've been trying a longer lead to let him have some space between us and him. It is helping, so we will continue with that, but as we walk bring him closer and let him find his own space. He doesn't always want to walk at the end of it; sometimes he is content to walk fairly close to me.
As we are home a lot this weekend, I will have Jack walk through the house with me, or sit in the living room. Since he hasn't tried any exploration on his own, we will have to push him a little.
He is doing pretty well with me - I think he even perked an ear when I was petting him earlier, instead of laying them back. He looked happy to see me when I came in the other afternoon when I got home from work. ;) My 11-year-old son helps with the walking and the distant interaction. Jack is mostly okay with him, though he'd rather have me on the leash.
He has talked to me a little bit now - I've been trying to add to his behavioral assessment. He continues to be ambivalent to the dogs and cats. BUT, he is absolutely terrified of my toddler granddaughter. She is VERY good with the animals and just wants to pet Jack. It scares him so much he'd climb through the wall if he could, so we just keep Madi away from him when she is here. My gut feeling on Jack's history is one of two things: a family with at least two very young children got the cute puppy and the parents weren't responsible enough to teach their children the appropriate way to interact with him (in other words, they let the kids pull ears, hair, tails, chase, lay on the dog, maybe even meaner) OR a young couple got him, had a child who wasn't taught to interact well and Jack was just ignored or tossed out because he was afraid of the child.
I have not had him in contact with any adult male yet to see his reaction there. The other day we were in the yard and some guys were delivering a load of wood. Jack was definitely startled by the sounds of the logs being thrown and landing. But we slowly moved closer and he simply stopped, sat and watched. The noise stopped bothering him and he didn't seem to have any reaction to the two men. I will test that when I get the opportunity.
At this point, Jack is probably not really ready for his forever home yet. I am hoping within the next few weeks I can say differently. The one thing I can say is that I do not believe a home with young children (younger than 8 or 9) is a good fit for him. He would enjoy a quiet home, that is for sure, and could get along well with either another male or female dog, or cats.
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