Hello friends,
One week in. Progress
It’s nice having a dog to welcome you home. There’s nothing quite like seeing a big ole wiggle butt heading your way.
However, Mr. Bruno has started to get possessive of me, so we are nipping that in the butt right away. “Tough love” they call it. I need to become higher up on the chain of command, and show that I do not need protection (#independentwoman). No couch snuggles, no praise unless in training mode and he makes a good choice, no furniture, he has to work for his food (sit/stay). I tell people about this, and I get he look that means “You’re doing that to a dog you just rescued?”
Sounds mean – but it WORKS!
In two days, I’ve noticed a marked difference in our walks and his behavior in the house. He looks at me, he listens when I get him to sit/stay. He follows me with his eyes, but no longer needs to be in every single room with me wherever I go.
Progress is a wonderfully powerful motivator.
As for the cats… we’ve made many strides in the week he’s been at our house. Bruno has not yet accepted that the cats are higher up on the totem pole then he is… but he will. We’ve made strides thanks to my Mr. He did what I couldn’t – he started the integration. During the periods that we’re home, Bruno wears a leash so that if we need to grab for a correction, we can.
I feel terrible for quarantining my little furballs to cat prison the basement when we’re not home. I keep telling myself, it’s for their own safety. I know it is. In all actuality It’s a mostly finished basement, with their food, litterbox, two bedrooms and lots of cat toys to play with. So I know they most likely are not looking like this.
We need to teach him to ignore them. This will work.
I don’t need them to be best buds, I just need to him to learn that cats are not for eating or chasing. Bruno is still stressing out when they are near, and will always get up to look for them when they leave the room. He doesn’t trust them. They can be jerks, but I can’t wait for the moment when I can relax with all of my animals present. It may be a year… maybe 2, but I’m determined that it will happen.
BFW rescue has been fantastic, answered all of my questions tirelessly (and there have been many). What a bunch of gems.
Stay tuned for more on Bruno’s progress. Slow and steady…
Dailyspro
dailyspro 
Sounds like Bruno is doing brilliantly. Don’t pay any attention to those who give you funny looks about the training. You can see for yourself what works!
xxxxx
Slow and steady. I can’t wait to show this scardy-dog that the world isn’t all that terrifying 🙂
Just remember, slow and steady wins the race!
Slow and steady does win the race 😉
Yay you! Jake guarded me from the very first moment he came into our house. Once he was broken of it, life got much better for everyone and all the relationships. You’re going to do great!