Where problem dogs are no problem

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Chance

Every waking moment with Chance is a training moment.  I think I've gotten him trained to something, change the location and he knows nothing again.  I can see where he is fearful of unfamiliar things.  I threw Cheerios on the garage floor and had to coax him to pick them up and eat them--I was really trying to get him to sit.  Today we worked on "the big yard really isn't scary so could you  please go out there and stop peeing right outside the door".  We also started working on a recall.  I have never worked with a dog like this before.  He is teaching me how to be a really good trainer and how to read and understand dogs.  He hasn't peed in the house in 2 days so maybe we are making progress there.  He likes to be outside more than inside but I think that's because it's what he is used to.  We will grow together and find him the right people when the time comes.

What I do

The other day I went to the vet and the asst asked me if I ever get tired of what I do.  I have to admit that I do get tired of it, for a few minutes at a time.  When Chance is dancing around waiting to eat and all my dogs are begging too, when Chance pees on the floor, when one of the kennel dogs is destroying their kennel.  But these are momentary frustrations.  The big picture is so rewarding.  In 2 week, Chance has learned his name and can now sit on command.  Bella and Sadie are getting over their dog aggression.  I see so many posts on facebook about dogs that need second chances and I want to help them all but my husband saves me from being a hoarder.  Helping dogs like Chance go from a stray to becoming an adoptable dog is probably the most rewarding thing I can do.  Helping rescue dogs overcome their issues so they can be rehomed is an amazing thing to do.  Not that this is all my doing, I have been given a gift and am very surprised that I can do this work.  I think this is a very special calling and am glad I was called.  I want to thank all the fosters who help dogs become what they can be.  This work is not for everybody but those of us who do it know how important it is--at least to one dog.  So I will continue to help one dog at a time--or sometimes 3 at a time--so that they can find that very special home where they will have all the love they have been waiting for.  And thanks to all who join me in this work.

Bonnie