Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Sadie goes for a walk
This morning before work Sadie and my other two dogs and I went for a walk around the block. This sounds like no big deal, right? For her, it's another victory. She used to buck and panic if you put a leash on her. She used to freeze and panic if anything happened, like a car going by, a sprinkler turning on, a tree rustling in the breeze. Life outside the crate used to be scary to her. Now, she's clearly having fun and she did beautifully on her walk. Afterward, all three of them had a chase-me romp on the front lawn. She's so adorable and sweet. It's a joy to see her cheerful, enthusiastic side blossoming so much. She is relaxing and takes comfort in understanding the routine of the household. We're really in love with this little girl and if we were interested in having 3 permanent dogs, we'd keep her in a heartbeat. As it is, we're really enjoying being her foster home.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Sadie's story
Sadie
Purbred Shetland Sheepdog, blue merle coloring
Just over a year old
2 beautiful blue eyes
Soon to be spayed
Weighs about 18-20 lbs
Great with other dogs
Good with children over 10 who approach slowly and calmly
SEE VIDEOS BELOW
Sadie was one of a number of dogs rescued from abhorrent conditions at a puppy mill in Missouri that was shut down by the government. Through a rescue network she found her way to Southland Sheltie rescue where she was placed into foster care.
She was in total shock. She had spent her whole life in a cage, and had never walked on grass, never gone on a walk, never had a collar or leash on her. Everything was totally terrifying to her.
Fast forward 3 months. Under the care of two different foster homes, both of whom are experienced trainers, Sadie has made a dramatic transformation. Both Melissa, her first foster mom, and Diane, her second, agree that she has shown incredible courage and willingness to push past her own fear and constantly step out of her comfort zone. We can tell it's not easy for her, and the secret seems to be to go slowly.
She has proven her ability to learn to trust people and bond to both people and dogs. She loves other dogs, and her ideal home would have at least one other dog. Today, she seeks out touch and affection and play from us and you can see her conquering the fear and urge to run to her crate to hide whenever something new happens. I would expect that with continued patient work, in a year no one will be able to tell she was once a frightened, neglected dog.
Other characteristics of her ideal home:
- No children under 10 years old
- A household that is willing to continue her crate training and go slowly with her, giving her a few months to settle in.
- A home that is willing to supervise her so she can continue her housetraining. She goes in the right place outside when we take her out, but if we leave her unattended in the house she will still have accidents. Treat her like an unhousebroken dog for the first 3-4 months.
- She must sleep indoors, in your bedroom, in her crate. This is her routine, it makes her feel secure, and it needs to be continued.
- We would love to find someone who would be willing to learn how to train her using the positive reinforcement method called clicker training. She is responding to this beautifully, and we'd like her to be able to continue with this. It's easy, and her foster mom will offer to coach her new family as much as needed.
Today she is a bright, cautious, playful young dog who longs to relax and belong to a family. She has bonded to us, and has learned many things that we take for granted-- how to be touched without running in fear, how to hang out in the kitchen while we cook while she's tethered on a thin leash to a doorknob, how to respond to a clicker and start to understand clicker training sessions.... She even runs around the block with us while I ride my bike using a K9 Cruiser attachment. This is huge, the progress she's made deserves a gold medal. She has tremendous potential and is ready for her forever home.
Sadie is being fostered in Palos Verdes. Applications for her can be submitted to Southland Sheltie Rescue. Click here for their website.
Purbred Shetland Sheepdog, blue merle coloring
Just over a year old
2 beautiful blue eyes
Soon to be spayed
Weighs about 18-20 lbs
Great with other dogs
Good with children over 10 who approach slowly and calmly
SEE VIDEOS BELOW
Sadie was one of a number of dogs rescued from abhorrent conditions at a puppy mill in Missouri that was shut down by the government. Through a rescue network she found her way to Southland Sheltie rescue where she was placed into foster care.
She was in total shock. She had spent her whole life in a cage, and had never walked on grass, never gone on a walk, never had a collar or leash on her. Everything was totally terrifying to her.
Fast forward 3 months. Under the care of two different foster homes, both of whom are experienced trainers, Sadie has made a dramatic transformation. Both Melissa, her first foster mom, and Diane, her second, agree that she has shown incredible courage and willingness to push past her own fear and constantly step out of her comfort zone. We can tell it's not easy for her, and the secret seems to be to go slowly.
She has proven her ability to learn to trust people and bond to both people and dogs. She loves other dogs, and her ideal home would have at least one other dog. Today, she seeks out touch and affection and play from us and you can see her conquering the fear and urge to run to her crate to hide whenever something new happens. I would expect that with continued patient work, in a year no one will be able to tell she was once a frightened, neglected dog.
Other characteristics of her ideal home:
- No children under 10 years old
- A household that is willing to continue her crate training and go slowly with her, giving her a few months to settle in.
- A home that is willing to supervise her so she can continue her housetraining. She goes in the right place outside when we take her out, but if we leave her unattended in the house she will still have accidents. Treat her like an unhousebroken dog for the first 3-4 months.
- She must sleep indoors, in your bedroom, in her crate. This is her routine, it makes her feel secure, and it needs to be continued.
- We would love to find someone who would be willing to learn how to train her using the positive reinforcement method called clicker training. She is responding to this beautifully, and we'd like her to be able to continue with this. It's easy, and her foster mom will offer to coach her new family as much as needed.
Today she is a bright, cautious, playful young dog who longs to relax and belong to a family. She has bonded to us, and has learned many things that we take for granted-- how to be touched without running in fear, how to hang out in the kitchen while we cook while she's tethered on a thin leash to a doorknob, how to respond to a clicker and start to understand clicker training sessions.... She even runs around the block with us while I ride my bike using a K9 Cruiser attachment. This is huge, the progress she's made deserves a gold medal. She has tremendous potential and is ready for her forever home.Sadie is being fostered in Palos Verdes. Applications for her can be submitted to Southland Sheltie Rescue. Click here for their website.
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