Okay, here I am at the foster home and I’m throwing my “fits” regularly. I wouldn’t blame my foster mom and dad if they booted me out, but they did something else instead.
Foster Mom: I really liked this little guy. He was ridiculously cute, and I thought he had potential. I wouldn’t give up on him, even though he displayed his fits on a regular basis. He’d growl, bite, snap at his tail and run around and around in circles for a full minute, sometimes two or three. My husband learned the hard way that if you put your hand anywhere near him when this was going on, Charlie would bite and snap at that too.
I don’t think my foster mom understood what my “spin cycles” were all about. It was that horrible pooh stuck to the back end of me that started it all. It became such a habit that I was unable to break it. I tried and tried, but whenever I got stressed the least little bit, I spun around and snapped at myself.
Foster Mom: These incidents were so intense that I often thought perhaps he was so damaged he’d never have a normal dog life. So I called in an expert. His name was Paul Owens and he’d worked with dogs with behavioral issues.
Can you believe it? She called in a dog trainer! For me, little ‘ole me. I thought I’d be such a pig-headed monster that she’d just kick me back out on the streets, but instead, she wanted to rehabilitate me. I was shocked.
Foster Mom: Every dog deserves a chance.
I’ll be the first to admit I’m a brat and quite stubborn, but one thing I am is smart. This guy came in, held a juicy morsel of food in front of me and showed me what to do. Was he kidding? I’d do anything for food. He taught me sit and down and stay and a game called “find it” where he’d throw these yummy treats around the room and I could go after them and gobble them up. Heck, I even did the rollover thing he wanted. Let me explain it this way. In your world it’s: show me the money. In a dog’s world it’s: show me the treats. Of course, you can probably figure out what happened next, right?
* * * * * *
Want more to chew on? Click on the Category to the right called Charlie Chat. All my posts will be there starting back from #1. And they’ll be there forever, just like I hope to be in this new home forever.
And P.S. Don’t tell my female peep, but if you want a secret sneak peek at what I’ll be chewing on, check out the Charlie Here box above.
We are in the process of training our newest addition, Buddy. I use the treat method as well with great results. Of course Buddy is so smart that he learns from his ‘brother,’ Nick. We celebrated last night when he went to the door and asked to go out!
Meredith, thanks for the comments. We’re working on it with treats and he’s responding well!
Somebody loves you, Charlie Bear. She’s getting help for you!! Can’t wait to hear how it all goes….
Thanks, Julie. It’s working out pretty good!
Poor Charlie Bear! He reminds me of Taz and newspapers. To this day I have to slowly turn the pages of a book or newspaper. Taz still hasn’t adjusted to the noise paper makes.
Toni, wow…paper makes noise? Just kidding. Of course it does, and lots of noise in Taz’s eyes, poor little guy. But you are sweet to work him through it.
Hi Charlie,
The Lovely Lucy here.
Sorry you are having a “Ruff” time with chasing your tail and the reason why. I admit, it’s not easy having fur and trying to stay clean just from our daily duties, if you get my drift. But I think you are on the right track with the trainer. I still have to work on not jumping on people when they walk through the door. It’s scary for them, because not all of them know me. Keep trying and you will succeed!
Blessings,
Lucy
Lovely Lucy….thanks for the “ruff” comment! lol And also for the faith in me! Love that positive attitude!
Love, and Woof,
Charlie Bear
This is great, BJ, you’re getting some fine practical tips in here. I like your putting “Foster Mom” in front of her comments. Thinking of you in Wisconsin…love to you.
Thanks, Jean. That means a lot to Charlie Bear and to me! Hugs!