Hi, Janice here, Blair's partner.

Amelie seems to be settling in very well although she does cry a bit at night, which does make us feel awful, but it's still very early days for her in a new house with new "parents".

My parents had the job of taking her out today, in the pouring rain, whilst we're at work, and she was an angel for them!

She's meeting lots of new friends in the park and she doesn't seem to be fazed by anything at the moment ...  but again it's still early days.

Indiana wrote:

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So how did it go? Is your house still in one piece?!

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Erm...



Not exactly

Janice bought her a kong toy today, we are going to try that... We left her with the radio playing today, the damage was caused in the afternoon. Perhaps it's just Radio 1 she doesn't like. We can try smooth FM tomorrow?

Well done for sticking to the no sofa or beds rule. Someone wrote on here a suggestion of initially putting cardboard boxes on sofas to stop them going on!! until they get into a regular habit of using their own bed.

We have the no bed rule only at night time when we want to get into bed. I remember clearly our girl Penny when she first arrived, and hadn't lived in a house before but automatically took a liking to our bed. John had to physically remove her every night for a week accompanied with the 'off' command. It paid off, the command is obeyed every time now.

Max, our other dog, in his earlier days used to growl on some occasions when asked to get off our bed, but was given a stern 'no' and then commanded 'off'. Persistance paid and now he usually gets off without being told as he knows when its our bed time!!!

Time and patience pays off and it is so rewarding to see a dog settling into home life and a routine.

Whoops, just seen the photo of your door. One of our dogs chews items or bits of paper/cardboard sometimes but thankfully not the doors. I'm going to try one of those flavoured nylabones to see if that helps.

A chat with the GAL follow-up co-ordinator will be helpful for further advice.

-- Edited by greyluvver at 23:08, 2008-01-21

-- Edited by greyluvver at 23:17, 2008-01-21

maybe you should get her a friend......................sometimes 2 is better than 1 lol

I remember when we first got Jet, the first 2 weeks or so were the worst because he was a bit scared and confused, we wanted him to sit in certain places and adapt to a new routine etc - there was a bit of weeing and stuff but when you get over these first hurdles it's fine, it's just a kind of settling in period!

I also remember when craig and I left him on his own for the first time and he whined and barked his head off, we could hear him down at the bottom of our stair but we couldn't go back or he would have done it all the time! Now were lucky if he bothers to wake up and acknowledge that we're leaving the house!

So don't worry if it intially seems a bit tough because it's not always that way - it just takes time for everything to settle.

Michelle

Well answered Blair, and very tolerant I must say.
Ah well. Hope all is weel at yours, and that you know that all rescue dog owners go through EVERYTHING and more that you are going though right now, I can't even believe that Stumpy is the same wee dog I adopted, it's not that he has changed so much as we all know each other better. Once Amelie get's to know your rules as such and what time she is meant to do the loo, etc, then it will be okay. And once you get to know what her body languange means, just the basics I mean, then you will become pals... promise. I have done this 4 times now, not including the cat, and each time I always go through the (was this the right thing to do) and after a while, it always is. I don't mean to come over as a doggy expert, that's the point I am not, was winging it when I got Roofie and still am, but would'nt change a thing, even the naughty bits.

Hope you and Janice and Amelie get your groove on.

Jacks
xxx

Soooo anyway....how is Amelie today, was the kong a success?
Marie

tootsmazza wrote:

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Soooo anyway....how is Amelie today, was the kong a success?
Marie

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 The kong is now her very favourite toy!  Amelie had a very good day today, no damage and she seemed very relaxed and comfortable today.  She really has been a very good dog from the off, no mess in the house etc.  Whats a little paintwork between friends!

We took kong off of her when we got home, but she could spot it on the Kitchen worktop(you can guess the rest.:grin:).  She was eager to get it back.  Its in the freezer just now with another doggie ice cream firming up. 

Other than that Day 4 has been a continuation of the love affair.  She really is a smashing dog, the teething problems so far have been minor, she is very affectionate, friendly with other dogs, people, swans... squirrels.... so so.  She walks well on the lead, dresses herself to go out virtually and is just the prettiest dog in the world.

Thanks to everyone again for their support.

Blair and Janice

What a beauty she is! Good luck on the furniture - we caved v quickly but then I like the cuddles.

All the best

D

Doors, who needs them? I think they're overrated...

Glad to hear she's progressing every day