|
Sweet! Looking forward to the Akita post. After much discussion and many visits, etc, I'll be fostering (my first foster!) an Akita from the Mid-Atlantic Akita rescue group. It's going to be a big challenge as Kodi was severely neglected and undernourished when he was brought to the shelter (where he further deteriorated), so he is extremely anxious around strange humans. But according to the adoption coordinator (who is currently fostering him), he is fine with cats and other dogs. Looking forward to 80 lbs of furry shedding assholeness :3 Picture from the website until I can take some of my own when he gets here this weekend. 
|
#
¿
Sep 2, 2010 21:32
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 6, 2024 05:31 |
|
|
So Kodi arrived today! Anxiety level was pretty high, but at least not spiking -- just general alertness and stress (which was to be expected). What I wasn't expecting was how easily he seems to be transitioning into the new place. Of course, fingers crossed - the real trouble is going to start when he thinks he owns the place. But for now, I'm content to have a little shedding furball follow me around while I do chores  Have a picture 
|
|
#
¿
Sep 4, 2010 19:57
|
|
|
What a great shar-pei post! So informative. I hope I get to meet one someday. Hm.. so I have got a couple questions about Kodi. Like Sophie, he doesn't really play. I took Kodi to meet my dad when he was out on the east coast for an alumni thing at his graduate school. Surprisingly, Kodi LOVES my dad. He's really iffy about strangers, but walked right up to my dad and sat down for pets. We suspect that in addition to being a good guy, my dad's scent is all over my apartment from when he and my mom helped me move in. But still, I was pleasant surprised. Anyhow, my mom sent with my dad a whole mess of rawhide bones and some toys, none of which hold his attention for more than a couple minutes. He'd much rather play with things that are alive. (He dashes after all of the neighborhood cats if he's within distance and I don't notice them before he does. Also, he caught a possum when he was unleashed in the courtyard of my building and I wasn't looking. I swear he was going to take it home to be his pet if I hadn't made him drop it.) Unlike Sophie, he doesn't pick up around the house -- just sorts of lies around like a cat. It's kind of adorable, but I'm concerned that he doesn't have enough enrichment. Ideas? I need to make some doggie buddies for him. Anybody in the DC area? He's also very wary of new things/environments. Not fearful, just very alert and sticks close to me in these situations, which is why walking him when he first arrived was very easy. Now that he's familiar with the neighborhood, he's much more outgoing, doing his sniffy thing, etc, but I realize I need to train him to heel. Thought I'd get him a head collar. Any suggestions on whether I should get a halti or a gentle leader (or other) brand? Oh, and here are some pics.  This was taken by a house guest staying the night for the Jon Stewart rally. Kodi was not pleased by the flash but did pretty well with strangers in the house.  This is from the trip to visit my dad. We got lunch with outdoor seating and Kodi hunkered down under the table to hide from the foot traffic.
|
|
#
¿
Nov 21, 2010 07:39
|
|
|
a life less posted:Try either Canny Collar or Sporn Collar. They're both head halters that attach to the leash behind the dog's head. I think they're preferable to the collars (like Halti and Gentle Leader) that attach under a dog's chin since there's less risk of injury if sudden pressure is accidentally applied to the leash. Oooo thanks for the information. This makes a lot more sense, given his bolting tendencies. paisleyfox, to answer your good questions: 1) Kodi's my foster, and he's been with me since the beginning of September, so only 2 months. It is looking more and more like he's not going to be my foster but my actual dog. Heeee. 2) Yeah, I had figured that he hasn't really settled in yet. I'm just worried that he's bored. I'll look into your suggestions, though - thanks for the advice. I think he is starting to loosen up and *gasp* maybe even play, eventually. The other day he chased his tail around for 2 spins and then put himself it what looked like a play bow, though it looked awfully like the froggy sleeping position of one of the other dogs in this thread. 3) Based on the limited introductions I've made to other walking dogs in the neighborhood, he's wild about meeting new dogs though I've usually managed to introduce him fairly calmly, so I think he'd do really well with a dog buddy if I can find one in my neighborhood to arrange regular playdates. Dogs in yards are another matter. 4) I'll try and snap some pics. For 
|
|
#
¿
Nov 21, 2010 20:06
|
|
|
I bring pictures of brindle bear, as requested.  
|
|
#
¿
Nov 24, 2010 10:05
|
|
|
|
| # ¿ May 6, 2024 05:31 |
|
|
I have no idea why it took me this long to do this.
|
|
#
¿
Dec 6, 2010 07:54
|
|