Shelter Journal 5/30/13

It's becoming habit to post the day after, I get so busy in the afternoons and evenings after the shelter!

I heard wooo-wooo-raa-raaaaa-ing, the unmistakable sound of a husky. He has no name yet. I saw he'd already been out today but his card said he bites at the leash when it's tight. I wanted to see if he really did so got him out. Nope, no biting at all! He "talks" a lot and is very vocal when excited. He didn't have much interest in chasing toys. I did manage to brush him a lot and he fur is really dry and dull and he has a look like he's been fed corn kibble his entire life. Sweet boy though!

Photo from SDDAC

I didn't have him out long when a volunteer asked me to come see the dog she had out as he was very shy. He was a young rottweiler puppy, just come in the day before so no name. I had the volunteer take the husky back and I spent some time with the puppy. He's listed at being 4 months old, but I think he's closer to 5 months. Stray. He had perked up considerably and I think he seemed "shy" because of the stress and loud noises and chaos of the shelter. I taught him to sit, and also worked on down which he learned pretty quickly. Since he was doing fine I put him back; he didn't want to go through the big door so I gave him some time. Forcing puppies to do things is a great way to teach them to react aggressively, so I took my time and went at his pace. Once in his kennel I spent a moment there petting him before stepping out.

Next was Barney [Petfinder link] and his card said he was easily distracted by other dogs and pulled hard. Both those things were very true! In the interact yard I wasn't able to keep his attention very well so I took him for a walk to work on the pulling. He did pretty well for it being the first time in his life anyone has ever not allowed him to get what he wants by pulling! By the end of our walk he was checking in with me and would immediately turn back toward me if the leash went tight. He was a really sweet dog!

 

Photo from SDDAC

Next I got out Latifa [Petfinder link], who I believe is an American Bulldog but is listed as a pitbull. She pulled extremely hard on leash and lunged forward but was really sweet and liked chasing toys. She enjoyed putting her big drooly head in my lap after getting a drink!

Photo from SDDAC

I put Latifa back and got Sugar [Petfinder link]. Sugar was much better in the kennel but was still jumpy. Once out she walked fantastic on leash, as is usual for her now! I had her sit before I opened the gate, then I took her leash off and went and sat on the bench. While watching her sniff around I saw a scrap of toy I hadn't noticed before. I thought "What is that, like a giraffe pattern?" It was so puzzling to me that I hadn't seen it before. It was right next to the fence and almost perfectly alined with the shadow of a fence post. As I stood up I thought "Is that a snake ski- OH that is a SNAKE!" I immediately grabbed Sugar and said "Snake!" not that anybody heard me. I got her leash on. The volunteer I had switched dogs with earier was 2 yards down. "Hey Maggie, is that you down there?" I hollered. "Sure is!" she responded. "There is a snake in here!" I replied. "Is it a rattlesnake?!" so hollered back. "I'm trying to see.." since it was behind the kiddie pool I had a good barrier, and Sugar was on leash. I peered cautiously and sure enough it had that triangle head and a little rattle that was straight up and shaking. I couldn't hear the rattle. "YEAH IT IS!" and Maggie rushed to the office, encouraging me to leave the yard. I told her I didn't want to lose sight of it. I did move to the gate, and once I saw staff coming I stepped out. 4 people were coming, one with tongs and another with a bucket. I pointed out the snake, as it was little and blending in with the shadow. They saw it, the woman with the tongs gently picked it up and it didn't fight, and she placed it in the bucket. We all cheered and clapped, prompting her to take a couple bows. I was complimented profusely on my observation skills. I was glad I saw it before Sugar did and went nose-to-nose with it! I then spent a while playing with Sugar, who was into chasing toys today as equally as she wanted cuddles.

Sugar did so good at not getting bit by a rattlesnake!

I then got out Remy [Petfinder link], who hadn't been out in 2 weeks. She is listed as being on "observation" which can be for a number of reasons and not necessarily a bad thing but can be due to behavior concerns. I saw nothing inappropriate from her, in fact she was just a cuddlebug! All she wanted was belly rubs and affection. Her shelter photo does not do her justice, she has such a sweet face but I wasn't able to capture it because she was like this most of the time:

 

Photo from SDDAC

Last dog of the day was Britney [still no link] the screaming pitbull. She hadn't been out in about a week. Pulled hard and lunged forward on leash, and once in the yard exploded with energy. I gave her plenty of time to run circles and do her own thing. She was curious about a toy on the pool so I encouraged her in. Turns out she loves the water! She had a great time spinning and splashing and doing play bows and biting at the water.

The fence post shadow behind her back legs is where the snake was earlier.

 

 

 

Photo from SDDAC

Oh, and I got Davy out today too! [Petfinder link] I think after Sugar and before Britney? I normal make note but I didn't by his name. He was great! Playful, sweet, fun as always!

Shelter Journal 5/28/13

I waited until this morning to post as I was awaiting some pictures and videos from the adoption event this last weekend. Sugar was a star! Here is what the wonderful volunteer who handled Sugar had to say.

"As the old saying goes "you cannot judge a book by its cover" so applies to this precious girl Sugar. What a joy it was to handle her on Saturday.

Our day started great as she was another “road trip candidate” riding in the car – so well behaved. I knew the minute we arrived at the event it was going to be a good day as she was so good with all the dogs especially that smaller group. No reaction to their usual barking at her, actually greeting them very nicely as she did all the dogs she met. She formed a very special bond with the dog Kitty from Central. You would think they had been kenneled together. Kitty being a bit more dominant in some ways, but that was perfectly ok with Sugar. Sugar knows sit very [well], responds to the command OFF which was great as she enjoys people so much tends to want to jump as many dogs will do.

Once settled in she thoroughly enjoyed her treats taking them ever so gently. Sugar exhibited absolutely zero food aggression when her and Kitty were given treats simultaneously side by side. Their behavior together was remarkable given they are both females , both in the age range of 17-18 months old. Sugar would do best in a home with another canine , with children probably over 8 as she is still very puppy . One last note, Sugar took a bit of time warming up to me but as the day progressed it was evident that she would be a very loving dog in no time at all was given that forever home. Sugar is already another favorite with me!"

Sugar and Kitty

There were several short videos taken of them playing. Sugar was quite stiff. Her head held high, her tail high and stiff, and she unwilling to be pinned down. She has not had interaction and play with another dog in at least 3 months and I know I'd be really socially awkward if I didn't interact with a person for 3 months! Overall there was nothing inappropriate, but they weren't well-matched play buddies due to Sugar trying to [re-]learn how to play and Kitty's exuberance. Kitty was very floppy and loose, giving lots of indications that she had peaceful intentions but you can see she is uncomfortable with Sugar's tension as she shows a lot of "whale eye" where the whites of her eyes show. Sugar could use more play dates! The volunteers handling Sugar and Kitty did a wonderful job keeping them from getting too immersed in their play. For dogs, it can be irritating when they are constantly prevented from playing but given this situation it was appropriate and advisable to prevent intense play.


At the shelter yesterday, I started with No Name Damon, a terrier mix. My volunteer mentor had sent me this image in the morning before I left and asked me to check him out.

Photo from SDDAC

He didn't look as rough as he does in that picture, but the poor guy has definitely suffered neglect, if not abuse. When I went into his kennel he was at the back of it, far away from me. Head low but eyes looking up toward me, tail low. I got the leash on and he walked fine on leash, not confident but not easily startled or skittish. When I went to pet his neck before taking the leash off he *very* slightly curled his lip so I just left the leash on and had him drag it. He explored the interaction yard area. Tail was low and not wagging, head kept pretty low. I spoke softly and calmly to him and I sat on the ground. Eventually he came up to me. I didn't reach toward him, just let him sniff me. He chose to stay by me so I began gently petting his back and shoulders, and as he got more comfortable with me he wanted his head and chin petted too. He did not lip curl at me again after that first one. His eyes are really milky/cloudy and there is yellowish crusty gunk around the edges so I don't think he can see well. I made a note on his card to let him approach and sniff before petting him. He has a big irritated red spot on the top of one hip about 2" diameter. His ears are really nasty too. He had no interest in toys, nor would he take treats but they may have been due to stress. Once I started petting him, he stayed right next to me.

Next to the unnamed terrier mix was Zoey [Petfinder link]. She had not been out in 10 days!! I had her walk nicely to the interaction yard, where she then ran around and played. She had too much energy to even stop to pick up toys that I tossed. Though she would chase, she'd then turn around and keep running. I kept walking around, tossing toys for her for and then took her on a walk. She did pretty well, especially considering she hadn't been out in so long. At the turn around point is a big tree and she flopped and laid down in the shade for a while before we turned around.

Photo from SDDAC

Close to Zoey is Dobie [Petfinder link], who I had out last time. He sits very nicely in the kennel while you put the leash on, but once out he pulls and pulls. I had him run around in the yard for a bit but a staff member needed one of the yards for potential adopters to meet dogs so I gave it up and took him on a walk.

Sugar [Petfinder link] is in the same kennel row and I'd been working my way down toward her anyway. She still jumps quite a bit in the kennel but I waited her out until she sat before I put the leash on. She got right up but I had her sit again before opening the kennel door. Once out she walked very well on leash. She sat before I opened the gate to the yard, and sat again while I got the leash off. She was not interested in toys at all. After sniffing around she cuddled right up to me and rubbed against my legs. I spent a good 10 minutes petting and massaging her while I sat on the ground. Before I took her on a walk. She walked almost perfectly, just pulling slightly in the beginning.

Sitting on the ground!

When I am on the bench she does this

Frog legs!

Final dog today was Lana [Petfinder link]. Last Thursday my volunteer mentor had Lana out and looked exasperated. "Oh, that's the dog I had out on Tuesday I was telling you about, that she was walking perfect on leash!" She looked skeptical, and said Lana was difficult to connect with. Today after getting her to the yard and giving her time to chase toys (I picked up all the balls and used my red Kong ball, she's a chewer!) I invited her to me. Sideways body, patting my leg, happy voice. She came over and loved being petted for a moment. She was then distracted and excited when a dog came into the next yard, so I took her on a walk. Slow going at first, as was getting her to the yard in the first place, lots of stop and go. Once in the parking lot she was better, and a few minutes later she was doing very well. I sent this photo to my volunteer mentor. I don't feel like she was difficult to connect with. She is easily distracted, but she has so much energy!

Final note, Hondo got adopted!! I'm happy for him, he's a really fun dog.

Shelter Journal 5/23/13

Today I sought my volunteer mentor first. I knew that dog-dog tests were being done today so wanted to see what was going on. I found her mentoring a new volunteer. She said she wanted to try Flip [Petfinder link] and King [Petfinder link] together as play buddies, and King was already out so I went to get Flip. We introduced them and they were fine so we put them in the yard and took leashes off. They were playing great so Nancy stepped out. Then they were tugging on a toy. I instantly realized it was dumb to have not picked up all the toys first. King dropped it. Flip started 'oofing when King approached, I tried to distract them from each other, and Flip ended up snapping at King. It was all noise, no damage done, and very brief. They were not biting, it was mostly just Flip being loud. I was closer to King so grabbed him around the thighs and pulled him back (ideally I would have been able to grab Flip as he was the instigator) and then as I was grabbing for the hose (a spray of water is a great break-up tool during a scuffle) they stopped. Nancy had come in as soon as she heard the noise and she lead King out. The dogs were fine immediately after their tiff. The staff was then starting dog-dog interactions and wanted King anyway because he's such a goofy friendly dog. Flip is very dog-friendly too, it was just the toy that got him worked up. Flip is a volunteer favorite! King was adopted later today.

I kept playing with Flip, and the second dog the staff brought out was Sugar. I left Flip to watch. All the time, energy, training, and heart I've given her will be for nothing if she is not good with other dogs, and therefore not safe to adopt out. I tried to not be too nervous and give off bad vibes, and I ended up all smiles. She greeted King. Her body was still, but soft. She seemed a bit puzzled by his overly floppy play style, always throwing himself on his back, but they got along well and she never got worked up. They ended up playing some. She did great, especially considering she hasn't interacted with another dog in at least 2 months. Not only that, but the staff was so impressed by her behavior that they ok'd her to go to an adoption event this weekend. Woohoo!! This is awesome news for Sugar. If she doesn't get adopted this weekend I'm hoping to have a video made for her.

Another potential dog to go to the event was Ace [Petfinder link], a pittie I don't think I've had out before. I immediately knew he wouldn't be able to go because he pulls so hard on leash. Other than the pulling he was a fantastic dog though. Liked to play and chase toys, and also liked to be petted.

Photo from SDDAC

Next I got another one I haven't interacted with before, Dobie [Petfinder link]. He had tons of energy, having not been out since May 15th. He was moving constantly so I alternated between getting his attention to chase toys and just letting him sniff and bounce around. After getting some energy out, he was really sweet!!

 

Photo from SDDAC

Keeping with the theme I got another dog I haven't had out before, Indy [Petfinder link]. He hadn't been out since the 14th so he too was exploding with energy, and as with Dobie once he calmed down he was extremely sweet.

Photo from SDDAC

 As I had been getting Indy out I saw a scared little dog, so got him next. He doesn't have a name yet, and is listed as a shepherd mix but is so small there is no way he has any shepherd in him. Leave it to the shelter: anything black and tan is a shepherd mix! To me he looks an awful lot like a Manchester Terrier or similar. I went into his kennel and kept my back turned. He approached and sniffed my pants. I knelt sideways, hand down but not stretched out to him (don't extend your hand to a dog, they are dogs not people). He sniffed me more and was ok with me moving and petting him. I got the leash on and off we went. Once out of the row of kennels he perked up. He's only been at the shelter a few days, so I suspect being in the kennel surrounded by barking, screaming dogs and loud banging doors is terrifying. He pulled really hard on leash and kept choking himself and I did my best to prevent that. He ran all around, and really liked to be petted. He never held still!

 

Photo from SDDAC

Last, I just had to get Sugar! [Petfinder link]. She was very affectionate today, and though she did chase toys a bit she mostly just wanted to be petted. Hopefully she will find a family this weekend!

Shelter Journal 5/21/13

Today I saw Cricket's name was not on the list. I was hopeful that she had been adopted but had a twinge of doubt. Sometimes shy dogs are unfairly pushed into defending thsemselves and if she had bitten someone that could have been the end for her. I had never seen the slightest hint that she would do such a thing. So I asked the staff, "Was Cricket adopted??" and their faces lit up. "Yes! She's in surgery right now," being spayed. Awesome!!!!!!! So long Cricket, I hope you have an amazing life!

Cricket the first day I worked with her.
Cowering, avoiding me, tail tucked, ears back -> relaxed, happy, and comfortable.

The first dog of the day was Slim [Petfinder link]. After tossing toys a few times I decided to brush her. Fur coming off in handfuls! It's been getting hotter and my dogs are starting to blow their coats. Seasonal shedding season has begun! Slim still has a semi-bald patch on her rump and loves rolling in the grass to itch it.

Next, just a kennels down from Slim, is Corinna [Petfinder link]. She had so much energy today! I've never seen her run so much, and she actually had butt-scootin' zoomies too. After getting that out she calmed down and wanted her usual belly rubs.

I went to the next row and got Davy [Petfinder link] next, after having such a fun time with Corinna. While playing a family came up, inquiring about him, how to interact with a small dog they wanted to see, and the young daughter was interested in volunteering. When they had gone I threw his favorite toy a few more times for him.

Then was Sugar [Petfinder link]. She walked with a loose leash down the row of kennels and then sat for me before being allowed into the yard. She chased a few toys and then I decided to sit down on the ground she was doing so well. She did great and didn't jump on me while I was sitting! I decided to take her for a walk. It struck me hard that I've been the only one getting her out since her arrival at the end of March and I have never taken her for a walk. She hasn't gone for a walk in 2 months! She was perfect on leash. She tried pulling a few times but when I stop she has learned to slacken the leash to go again. She had a lot of fun exploring!

Because Sugar did so well walking, I wanted to try a dog known for hard, crazy pulling. Lana! [Petfinder link]. From the moment I put the leash on, I didn't let her pull. We got to the yard so I could let her play and get some energy out first. Then we started on our walk. It was amazing how quickly she caught on! I ended up writing a note on her kennel card to not let her pull and stop immediately if she starts. Once home I made up flyers I hope to put up explaining how to stop a dog from pulling.

Loose leash!

Perfect!

 

I got another dog out that had "strong puller" on his card. His name is Angus [Petfinder link].
 After getting him out in the light I was shocked. He had scars all the way around his neck. Perfect size and placement for being the result of the inhumane, barbaric tool called a prong collar. I got him to the yard and boy, did he love to play! After letting him run and play for about 10 minutes we started our walk. It took about another 10 minutes for him to catch on to the game and start realizing that pulling does not work. After that he walked really well!

Prong collar scars

"What?! I can walk without pulling?!"

Photo from SDDAC
Here you can see how red his throat is from the prong collar damage.