In which the new dog's name is silly, and she is doing very well
Newdog has a name!
She chose the name herself, in an hours-long search for the perfect handle that involved Jim and Lisa and me on three different computers, fielding suggestions from all over the world. The names ranged from the lovely ("Lila") to the less-lovely ("Goblin"). She ignored them all...until Patty (my friend/riding partner/small animal vet) suggested via Facebook that we call her Pickles.
"Pickles," I said, and she stood up at attention. "Pickles?" I asked, and she came to me.
Sigh.
Newdog's name is Pickles.
My mom insisted that she at least have a pretty feminine little middle-name, and so she has one of those.
Everyone, please say hello and welcome to Pickles Marie.
Pickles is hard at work, learning the expectations of a Haiku Farm Dog.
There's plenty of stuff to be sniffed to on the farm, and also a bunch of squirrels to be reprimanded, and shadows to chase.
She doesn't have a lot of strength yet. She gets frequent short walks, and I'm teaching her some basic obedience stuff (come, sit, down, stay, heel, out of the kitchen, wait, and jump...so far). Some of this she clearly knows already, but she's also a quick learner, which is gratifying.
She will go with me everywhere for the next few weeks, so she'll have lots of practice in what we call Puppy Boot Camp.
Puppy Boot Camp gets dogs out walking in all kinds of crazy situations, on-leash and off-leash, on city sidewalks and forest trails, through fountains, creeks and puddles, meeting all kinds of people, dogs, horses, and everything else I can find. So far she's been to the mountains for Willy's Parent Night, to the lesson barn where we take riding lessons, and to Canada for a Standardbred Play Day (more about that soon, I promise).
Now she'll spend this week with me at work, hanging out in the truck when it isn't too hot.
My co-workers adore her.
This picture (below) was taken on the way home from the shelter on Friday evening. Contrast with the first two pictures at the top of this post, taken this morning. See some differences?
Secret ingredients: a good flea bath and flea treatment, a course of antibiotics, good-quality food served in small frequent meals, lots of walks and LOTS of encouragement and love.
She's doing fine. Life is good.
I have a question - how do you keep Puppy Boot camp from creating a dog with separation anxiety? I'd like to take Max with me more places, but whenever I do so with any frequency, when I leave him at home (we kennel train - he's quite comfortable in his kennel provided we're home) he screams out his loneliness in back-to-back howls that don't stop until someone comes home and saves him from the "wolves" or whatever else worries him. If I am not as nice about taking him with me places (or rather, if I ignore him and am a lazier dog owner) he seems to accept being left behind.
ReplyDeleteWV: Bacekle
The sound Twelve makes when intimidating Pickles.
Pickles and I have the same middle name! xD
ReplyDeleteShe's a lucky gal. I only wish I could be adopted by the Haiku Farm family!
It was a pleasure to meet Pickles when she came to visit us in Canada! She is such a sweet dog and very lucky to have you!
ReplyDeleteThis warms my heart - sounds like Pickles Marie couldn't have landed in a better home!
ReplyDeleteWelcome home, Pickles Marie - you are one very lucky girl!
BECKY: one of the secrets of successful Puppy Boot Camp is to make sure the puppy (dog) is TIRED OUT. Lots of walking/running/swimming, playing fetch, teaching new tricks. Frequent play sessions, with lots of action. When I finally leave the dog alone in the crate, s/he is happy to have a few minutes to rest...and then, fall soundly asleep.
ReplyDeleteBarring that, Benedryl helps. >g<
Becky, I know nothing of dog training but my sister is a disciple of Caesar Milano or whatever his name is and she has a Jack Russell Terrier who restrains himself at the sight of a squirrel as result of whatever Caesar says to do.
ReplyDeleteCaesar is good, but anyone who can train a JRT is a deity.
ReplyDelete@Aarene, well she has 4 children (including twins), two Ph.Ds, works full time and hubby is in the military and gone alot, so a JRT is light duty for her :).
ReplyDeletei loved the book as a child, but it was about a cat named pickles (the fire cat).
ReplyDeletedo a google search for dog named pickles and that's a good tale too!
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ReplyDeleteMy hat's off to anyone who can train a JRT. My two are mixes. One is fine. The other is incorrigible.
ReplyDeletePickles is a perfectly fine name.
I got a big kick out of Pickles Marie. Welcome to the family, little one :)
ReplyDeleteShe looks like she's settling in just fine! Can't wait to see what she looks like in six-months!
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