Just wanted to give everyone a quick update on how Otis is doing.......I just really can't say enough good things about how it's all worked out!
This past week has been a flurry of new people and situations. Although we go for car rides almost everyday and walks every other day or so, I hadn't taken Otis anywhere but work and home. I wanted him to get comfortable and know that this his his forever home before taking him into other houses or stores. Well, we went to my Dad's house for a visit and Otis got to meet his dog Toby (who's a Sheltie). I've got to be honest, I was a little worried about how it might go because Toby's a bit.....let's say energetic
Otis did FABULOUS!! He was on leash the whole time we were there, but within an hour of arriving, he was sitting next to me and calm enough for me to let go of the leash and trust he wouldn't bolt after Toby or get into something he shouldn't. During dinner, he layed right next to my chair and didn't even look ay anyone eating at the table. I was very proud of him!! We also got a flight kennel from dear 'ole Dad/Grandad. I decided that if all the experts around here think it's a good idea to have one, I should probably be prepared and take it if it was being offered to me. Otis isn't so fond of it, but he does relax after a very short time and tolerate being in it until I return.
While we were visiting, I noticed a wonderful part of Otis' personality.......whenever he hears music being played live he lays down to listen! He's exposed to music being played a lot, but that was the first he heard music coming directly from an intrument. He enjoyed the guitar and dropped the ball he was playing with when he heard the dulcimer, but the fiddle really puzzled him. He layed in front of my step mother, giving her that precious Dobie inquizitive look, and tilted his head as she changed notes for the song she was playing. He didn't once bark and when the songs were over he would jump up wagging his whole backside before again sitting down to listen when the next song started up. It was amazing to watch!! Looks like he's just as much a music lover as I am. All I could think was, he IS singing his Happy Song!!
He also got to take an overnight trip with me to a friend's house. He met about 20 new people that day.....and 3 cats. Again, he was on leash (and I held onto it the whole time) while we were there, but he did absolutely amazing!! My friend kept prompting me to let the leash go and let him explore, but I didn't want to give him the opportunity to get into trouble and then have to correct the behavior. Better to set the example of how he should act and then back off with the restrictions as he proves he can handle it. I'm still not convinced that I'd be able to break his thoughts/actions in a reactive situation (cat running by, food within his reach, etc) without having to physically grab him, so until I feel we're to that level then he'll stay on the leash when we're somewhere new.
Another first this week was when Otis bolted out of my yard and ran a few houses down to meet the St. Bernard neighbor he hears bark all of the time. (I now think that may have been how he ended up at the pound in the first place.) Otis was already in the car ready for us to go for a ride and I had forgotten to open my gate. Now usually once Otis is in the truck there is nothing short of picking him up and taking him out yourself that will get him out of the truck until he's been on the ride and we've come back, so when I went to open the gate I didn't think anything of leaving my door open. As soon as the gate was open enough for that dog to get though he was out of the truck and through the gate before I could even bat an eye. Panic immediately set in as I went running after him. All of my calls were on deaf ears because he had it set in his mind exactly where he was going!! He didn't run, sniff, run some more.....he bolted. Once he got to the house he was looking for he was at the gate barking....and wiggling....at the St. Bernard. He seemed unphased by this new dog on the outside of his fence. His owner didn't look so unbothered....lol. I must have been quite a sight running up all out of breath. Thankfully, she had seen us walking the past couple of weeks and knew this wasn't a strage dog in the neighborhood. I learned a very valuable lesson that day and haven't let my guard down since (hense, why he WASN'T allowed to roam at my friend's house).
I've been reading through many of the other posts on the board and feel grateful that there's so many of you out there willing to give advice, encouragement and support to all of these dogs and their new homes. I appreciate all of the tips, stories and kind words.....and I'm looking forword to getting to meet a lot of you at future events!!
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