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.