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Hi from IL…Need some advice

Behavioral Issues
  • T

    Hi, I am looking for some advice on situation below. I am unsure and worried about any negative impact this may have on my beloved Chet and Bebe: I have a boy (chet) who just turned 16 on Christmas eve and a girl (bebe) who turned 15 last Halloween. I moved from CA to IL one year ago and have been home with the pups for that entire year. Prior to my move, my ex wife and I shared custody of the pups for 4 years once we were divorced (my ex and I get along great so there was never any stress at home, even after we separated…our shared custody was trading off each week and we lived pretty close to each other this was all in the SF bay area). Prior to our separation, my wife worked from home, so the pups are used to having someone around most of the time. Over the last few years, we both worked regular jobs, so have had a full time dog sitter stay with the pups during the day. For the most part, they have not been left alone in the house for more than two hour at the most. My ex said good bye to them almost exactly a year ago and still lives in CA. Since I have been in IL, I have been in care-giver mode and worked from the house 95% of the last year. When I have left for work travel, my folks or a good dog sitter stayed with them, again, never leaving them alone for more than a hour or so at any given time. Just a little more info...both pups are in great health for their age. Chet has definitely slowed down but Bebe acts like she is still around 8 years old. Fast, bolts up the stairs and still has some puppy in her. Just in the last few weeks have I noticed a little slowing down and coordination issues. But nothing significant. All that being said, here is my question that I would really appreciate any support. I need to go on a two week trip and was thinking of having my ex come to my house and watch them while I am gone. Since they have not seen her in over a year and might not see her again after she leaves, I am wondering if this would cause a great deal of stress or confusion if she re-enters their lives for two weeks. She would stay at my house so the surroundings would be consistent and I think they would love to see her, but not sure how much it would impact them once she leaves again. Also, since they are at an advanced age (we are so blessed that they have been with us so long as it is), my guess is that it would be the last time they would see their mom. I am going to continue to work from home and be with them full time until the inevitable arrives. My biggest concern is that I have no idea whether seeing their mom for two weeks is a good or bad idea. I am really torn over this and would love any advice, input or experience that anyone may have had in a similar situation. I truly appreciate any comments!!! TT

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    I did all the right things with Apache when I got him too…took him to outside malls, parks, the beach..had people of all shapes and sizes meet him and was going to handling class after handling class. Everything was going fine. The fourth show we were ever in we got excused from the ring because he became a bucking bronco on the table every time the judge came toward us. The judge tried 3 different times. I was so frazzled by his actions and couldn't get him under control, so we got excused. Later that day he stood fine on the table for some of the breeders. I have no idea what set him off, if it was the judge or the fact that I had had him to the vets the week before the show and they took a skin scrape while he was on the table. To be on the safe side, I never put him on the table at the vet's again...they had to examine him on the floor. Luckily they were more then willing to do that. I wasn't going to take any chances putting him back in the ring anytime soon, especially since I was so nervous. At handling classes and at home we did what you're doing. He would go up on the table and be fed treats. I would put him on the table at home and just treat him for being up there. We gradually had people in class and at home start going over him all the while treating him. On top of all that, I also had/have a problem with noise sensitivity. Some boys threw a huge firecracker right next to the dogs at handling class one day and since then Apache startles at sudden noises. Almost three months passed before I entered him in another show. This one was inside too, something we had never done. I held him out the first day because the noise really had him jumpy, so we just sat there all day getting him used to it. The second day I decided we were going in. I was the only class dog entered, so there would be no points..but that was fine...I needed to see if he would stand still for the judge. I was more nervous then I'd ever been and it will be a show I always remember for the simple fact that he was REALLY good on the table. Every once in a while he would still get a little fussy, either getting up onto or while on the table.....but would settle down quickly and let the judges go over him. Anyways, it took a while, but I finished him.:D So, hang in there!
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    Etzbseder-you could also condition him to stay on the floor without petting him or any of your attention. You could start with 5 min petting & then set him on the floor with a YUMMY filled kong or compressed raw hide bone. Give him great treats on the floor NOT on your lap or while petting. He's got to understand that he doesn't need your attention all the time & he also gets good things when he's on his own. If you ARE home & you can't watch him can you put him in an expen near wherever you are so he doesn't feel so confined but still not getting into trouble. I do think you're crating him for the right reasons but he may not be understanding that. He's probably interpreting it as punishment…not staying safe. Hope this works for you. Good luck :)