Bad Mom

I have to admit: I am exhausted. Stella is a work in progress and exhausting. This is the reason for my lack of post yesterday. I had to get away and absorb myself in my kitty Willie who:

• Loves to walk on a leash.
• Does not require ball throwing, bones to chew on.
• Does not bark at the guy installing the permanent gate in your yard.
• Rides in the car quietly without dripping on the upholstey

But then there's Stella. She was a bad girl today.The lack of doggie day care exercise today is evident. Yesterday was awesome with her playing, romping and jumping with her buddies. Then home to a relaxed evening with Willie walking around her with no response.

Tonight a different story. She barked at Willie, fought to get to him to play (she was on a leash) and was horribly distracted. This was even after a 2.5 mile run this morning, a loooong walk, ball play this afternoon and hanging out in the backyard tonight. The neighbors then took their dog out for a run and Stella went crazy from the backyard. HELP!!!!!!!! Training better help because I am at my wits end.

Yesterday I was a bad Mom. Stella did not eat breakfast, so off the day care we went. It was crazy with all the puppy parents dropping off dogs, so I forgot to tell them about the lack of food and slight limp she had developed (most likely from all the romping!!) I called and the response I got was, " So did you bring her lunch?" OMG!! Lunch! No, can you just give her a few treats? I forgot. Yes was the answer. Thank goodness I am not dealing with a child. I would be reported.

So Stella is down for the night in her bed in the garage (until she and Willie are socialized) and I cannot wait for training. The weekend will bring lots of stimulus and hopefully calm.

Day Care Anxiety!

Our day started out with the new "normal" (OMG!!) . Richard got up a little earlier - in our house that mean 4:20 am so I can workout and he can commute - so he could take Stella out for a little trot before leaving.  All went well. I then got up and took her out for a 2 mile run/pull. We are still learning not to pull on the leash, but she did stellar on our little run. The last part I decideded to reward her for her groovy behavior by letting her off leashing to explore at a safe distance.

Still dark I saw something black cross our path not 25 feet away. "A cat" I said to myself: keep her close. No it turned: a SKUNK!! Stella I bellowed. She came, leash back on we turn to take the long route around. Crisis averted along with the tomato juice bath for us both!

Off to daycare with me (mom) running around like crazy trying to get ready at least 15 minutes earlier for work. Cat was walked (yes I walk my cat too) lunch made and off we go. I am dropping our new "baby" off for Daycare for the first time. So, this is how new Mom's feel; elation at free time and anxiety for separation! Stella was completely out of control at arrival at daycare. She was over stimulated and too excited. It's Ok they said, it's normal. How is she with other dogs? I have no idea of course, I am the NEW Mom. LOSER!

So, she was to be integrated into the group, one dog at a time. I left, but passed by at lunch to go to PetsMart to get her $12 name tag! Should I stop, check in? No, keep driving.

Five pm and I shoot out the door to get Stella. I arrive and look out the clinic window to be greeted by a vision of Stella playing like there is no tomorrow. She had never been around other dogs (save a 3 lb Chihuahua)  and she was in her glory. Running, jumping, playing and being a dog. Totally in tune with the other puppies and ready for more. The vet tech said she had an awesome day, fit in perfectly and was a model student! That's my girl. Her "Report Card" said she did great.

Our tired by happy girl is a just bit overweight said the vet and she is normal in every physical way. She will grow into her weight - Oh No! Already 51 lbs. Training starts next week!

The First Days

I knew nothing about Bella except a cryptic ad on Craig's List about a 9-month-old, female Golden Doodle up for adoption. I emailed, got the call with photos to be sent and after 4 days of waiting, we went to meet Bella. We were greeted with a hefty bark (red flag number 1). She did not listen well (at all) but we were assured we just needed to become the Alpha. The owners - I say owners because they were not parents - said they no longer had time for her. She was to be a hunting dog but that did not work out, She was crate trained, to the point of spending up to 12 hours a day in the thing, as work was a priority. (red flag number 2) Did she swim? No afraid of water because the grandson sprayed her with the hose and splashed her form the kiddie pool. (red flag number 3) Was she trained? She can sit, stay, lie down, but she needs work. (red flag number 4). How much? They came down almost half. (RED FLAG NUMBER 5) She came home with us.

The evening was hell, she whined outside, she was not leashed trained, she hates cats and she is fat. She is going to be a challenge. I like that. But... Day 2 I changed my mind. I cried as she jumped on me, trying to bite my arm in a playful, but unacceptable manner. She went after the cat. She did not listen. she barked. I called my husband; I am calling her previous owner and getting rid of her. They said OK bring her back. I felt guilt, I called my husband, tell me what to do. No, you figure it out. I felt more guilt, I could not send her back to a crate. She stays. And my husband renamed her Stella: Perfect!

Calls to Doggie Day Care, trainers and fellow pet parents. Appointments are made. She is adapting a bit, but has severe separation anxiety. I would too if I had been left 12 hours a day and never been socialized. We have now walked (a lot) been working on the bad jumping habit and more. Stella's Story will be a long journey to a great dog. She has amazing tenderness in her and follows me everywhere.

Today we went to Carter Lake just to see if her natural instinct for water would kick in. After all, she is going to be a Triathlon Dog - swimming, running and playing. It took a total of 3 minutes and countless rocks thrown into the water, but she loves to swim! She is not afraid of water, she's afraid of being mistreated. It was fun to watch a dog's first good experience with water. She tried to step over it at first, not sure of the texture. But once in, that was it!

Tomorrow: Doggie Day Care.