Snerkology

We’ve had Bailey for eleven days. In that time she:

- Learned how to sit EVERY time.

- Learned how to lay down 75% of the time.

- Learned how to stay 75% of the time.

- Learned how to heel on a leash with only occasional reminders that only require a gentle tug.

- Learned how to sit every time I stop walking, without having to tell her, while we’re on our walks through the neighborhood.

- Learned how to sit every time I put the leash on or take the leash off, without prompting.

- Is learning how to sit politely at the door, but not rush through, in our comings and goings in and out of the backyard, and out to and back from our walks.

- Immediately, and I mean IMMEDIATELY stops whatever behavior has prompted us to tell her “no”. Even in full cat chase mode.

- Plays “fetch” in that she chases the ball every time but only brings it back about 25% of the time.

- Gets along great with Gadget.

- Is gentle but curious about the cats, who have thoroughly explained her place in the pecking order around here.

- Learned that her kennel is a comfy place to sleep at night and isn’t scary at all.

- Progressively improved with her separation anxiety, so that by this past weekend she could stay in the back yard for several hours at a time without chewing on or otherwise damaging something. She’s dug a channel under the gate two times – the first time Bill had to repair the wires to the sprinkler system that are run under that spot. He then filled the hole with concrete which she somehow DUG THROUGH in her second attempt. She can’t get out this way, it’s important to note. She has also gnawed on the nozzle of the hose, picked at the edges of the rubber walk-off mat, and dragged their outdoor bed around the whole yard (but not damaged it).

- Can also be in a room that I’m NOT in without constantly hovering by the door waiting for me to come out.

- Lost most of her fear of Bill. She greets him almost as enthusiastically as she greets me at the end of the day.

- Has had an epic ton of “cookies”. She takes treats so gently and politely! She also finally figured out how the Kong works.

- Learned how to ride in the “way back” of the Jeep. I taught her to sit until I invited her to jump in, and also sit and stay until I told her to jump out. She doesn’t climb over the seats or whine or fuss or drool or barf or ANYTHING.

- Had her first checkup at the vet’s. She did just fine until it was time to get a blood sample, then she got scared. She needs boosters in a few weeks so we’ll try again then. In the meantime I’m working on hugging her (she has a fear of being restrained, but it’s getting better), messing with her paws and legs, and getting her used to being handled.

- Was the subject of a Beyond Megapixels article.

I suppose you can’t tell at all that I’m so freaking PROUD of this dog, right??? She’s going with us on our next Jeep adventure!

More pupster pics over here.