Hi Friends

This was going to be a short Facebook post but you know how I get.

We have Wednesday-pup back with the family as of yesterday afternoon. She has been away at camp since Thanksgiving week when we had to go on our trip to Florida by way of Georgia. (Yes, I know I still owe you all a full blog post of that adventure. I wish I had more time…) She has learned so much in just two weeks! The trainer she stayed, and worked with told us she wasn’t sure how she would do based on their first meeting. As they got to know each other she found what we already knew, that Wednesday is part bully-part attention hound. She just has a lot of energy and wants to be told she is a ‘Good-Girl’. She will do just about anything for positive feedback and a cookie. (Who doesn’t like cookies?)

Wednesday learned a new command, called “out”. Out tells her that she needs to take a break from her play and that she may be over excited and rough. The trainer advised that she only play with male dogs, and dogs that are bigger than her. (Check, and Check) She has a tendency to be a miss bossy pants and smaller dogs wouldn’t be likely to understand her the way I do. Dad watched us play in the back yard and used the ‘out’ a couple times when I needed a break and she didn’t notice; it really helps us to play more evenly matched because I need more breaks and can only control so much.

The trainer also gave Mom & Dad more tips on helping to get her to be a happy member of the family when she is in-doors, since she always wants to play and the cats and I don’t. The new rule is NO PLAY IN THE HOUSE! This means that we will get daily supervised yard romps, but we all need to respect each other’s space inside. Mom said, “Great, how do we do that!” – It’s a new technique for us, the trainer calls ‘sit on the dog’. So I said “No problem, I can sit on her and she won’t move at all” – woof! Them Mom explained, that it was for them to do. They keep her on a lead and sit on the end of it. So…nobody sits on the dog?  That’s misleading! I can’t have ANY fun. Hmmpfh! Mom explained that it means Wednesday is always on a lead, Mom or Dad sits on the lead. (Then call it “sit on the lead” you guys!! – Geez) The dog on the lead then has to stay with you until they learn the house rules, like no play inside, no chasing the cats (formerly the basement monsters), etcetera. I’m going to ask if we can add another rule: No EATING your brother’s TOYS!!! This should also help with her anxiety. I thought it was funny until Dad said I had to do it too! We’re going to work outside on my anxiety over other dogs.

Mom & Dad also think that she may have some sight issues that also play into that anxiety. When she is in the yard she barks at things like falling leaves. Yesterday, dad was telling me how when she drove up with Mom, dad was outside replacing a bulb in the porch fixture. When she saw him she barked until she was just a few feet away and realized who it was, then he got waggles and kisses. Mom says she has to go see the v.e.t. and have her eyes checked. While they are there Mom is going to ask if doggy Prozac might help her while working to get over the anxiety. Most likely this will be short term usage and many dogs can come off medication once they are worked with and assured that the world is not that scary of a place. In fact, most dogs just need socialization and assurance from their handler to “get over it”; but like we said, there may be sight issues as well.

We’re just happy to have her back with the pack.