It's been a few days since I felt like writing about Stella. Days have begun to take on a pattern: Richard walks Stella before he leaves for work, working on her Heel commands. I then take her for ball play before I leave for work and after my workout. She either stays in the yard or goes to doggy daycare. If she is in the yard, I skip lunch and come home a litle early to take her for a long walk and more ball play.She greets me like weeks have gone by, not hours, and with a gusto only a 10-month-old puppy is capable of. If she is in day care, I run over after work, pick her up and happily, she doe snot need anymore play!
We still struggle with Stella and the cat. She is still on the leash in the house, but fixates on the cat and tries to chase him. I read today that we need to try and divert her attention away from him more and when it works praise the crap out of her! It can take months!! Willy will not swat at her, which I think is ultimately what it will take for respect and understanding he is part of the family pack!
Thursday Stella got her makeover. Physical that is. She got her haircut, nails trimmed and a bath. I have to be honest, I barely recognized her when I picked her up. I think she looks a bit funny, but I would never tell her that. I don't want my girl to have self esteem issues while she looks at magazines filled with purebred models!! I told her how pretty she looked, how much fur she lost and yes the mats were gone between your toes so you can run faster! (she obviously had never been groomed, so the mats made her limp) We headed for home, with me knowing her curls will grow in again.
The other part of the makeover is behavior. I have to keep reminding myself, everyday offers a new experience and adventure for Stella. Today held many new "experiences." It started with my migraine and her being a pain in the ass.I say that with love. After a couple migraine pills, I decided my best remedy was fresh air. We'll go for a lonnnng walk, jog. We drove to my favorite country road run area. Long story short, forget the leash training, Horses are new, dirt roads are new, mud puddles are new and a cyclist is new. She carried a treasure - a big piece of wood - for half a mile. Stella is a worker. Note to self - get her a backpack. My left arm is officially longer than the right. But a very bad habit or symptom is surfacing.
Stella gets so excited at times, she charges me, barks, runs around you in circles and pulls at your clothes to rough house. It's actually a bit scary. I cannot control her when she gets in this state. She is crazed. We have to figure out this mad behavior. Perhaps a spray bottle will break her focus on this obsessed play. Or I'll have to write Caesar Milan and offer to sleep with him in trade for training!!!
The biggest makeover is not really a makeover at all. Stella is so smart. She learns quick and understands how to be stubborn. As she lays here on the floor fast asleep and looking like ..... a happy dog, we recap. She learned in 2 tries to use her new doggie door. She now knows that when we are in the garage and I press the button to open the door, she has to sit. She even knows what the button means! She comes when called and gathers her stuffed animals at night to sleep with her in her bed she loves.(except the one she disemboweled today). I guess a makeover is a work in progress if not just physical. Does anyone have Caesar's email? ;+).
You don't need no stinkin Ceasar! You and Richard are soing just fine! And Stella already adores you!
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