reassurance for our approach to a new and nervous dog

[leon]

Jul 16, 2013 4:39:17 GMT -5 becgeo said:

Hi Leon,

That enclosed field looks amazing, how did you arrange that with Dog's Trust??

Bec x

Hi Bec - sorry for the LONG delay in replying. Been a bit busy lately. The local dogs trust (Canterbury) have it and just let us use it. I think their rationale is that no one else was likely to take Willow home (she used to just bark at anyone who looked at her in the kennel) so they're being really helpful and careful to ensure she doesn't end up back with them. I have to say I am REALLY impressed with the aftercare they have offered us with home visits from their behaviour person and so on. All our past lurchs and greys have come from the RSPCA and they have offered zero help with ongoing issues after we've taken the dogs home. So the DT are like a breath of fresh air in comparison.

[leon]

Another quick update.

Willow is doing fine. Walking up the woods each day and running at the Dogs Trust field once per week. We're still getting a bit of chewing of furniture, but no more than our other dogs have done in the past.

2 weeks ago, we took them both for a walk on the north kent coast near whitstable. the tide was out a long way and the beach there is thick with mud. Willow snatch the lead out of my Wife's hand and she was off. She ran and ran until a tiny speck on the horizon, but she came back. We were terrified that she was gone for good. She ran around lots for about 10 mins, then came back and flopped on the shingle by my wife. PHEW! So she must be attached to us. We're more careful with the lead now. I;ve never seen such a muddy dog - big clumps hanging off her shaggy coat.

She has really come out of her shell in the mornings - at about 5 oclock! she bounces around the hallway knocking everything flying for about 2 hours until we get up. I think she's starting to relive her puppyhood - probably didnt get a chance to when she was properly young.

thanks for all the interest from everyone in this thread. it's been really useful to take all your experience and tips on board, as well as look back and see how bad things were only a few weeks ago really.

[gazer]

So lovely to hear that Willow is starting to enjoy life now

[Letty's Mum]

Sounds like you're doing a fantastic job with Willow, I'm so pleased that she's slowly relaxing and starting to trust
Bet that was the longest 10 mins of your life wondering if she would come back!