Just a little update on our new guy! My husband renamed him because he thought having a "Diablo" was just asking for bad Karma Husband picked him up yesterday and is holding down the fort until the girls and I are back from summer camp at the end of the week and I am going crazy not being there with my dogs. Esp. not being there to help Dieks settle into a routine, but I have to say DH is doing amazing! He is tethering after Owen is asleep, he has made the crate a happy, safe place and is managing to play "musical dogs" quite well for a first timer! Before this he fed them sometimes, but has really stepped it up for me this week,voluntarily!! Dieks has met our dogs only in passing through their crate while on the way out the door for a walk and wagged the tail, then followed right out the door. I like that reaction, but it will be some time before it goes any further than that. Owen has been present, but not interacting with a 6' high chainlink fence between the two and pup seems to want to be near, but no sign of jumping on the fence, fixation or annoyance, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this continues.
I just recieved a picture text of a happy dog sleeping next to husband's recliner on the tether. I guess he has been at his feet for 2 hours with no sign of wanting to move very far I'm happy for them, but I'm going to have some ground to make up when I get home. Dieks liked him the moment the met, pulling to sit by his feet instead of stayng by me like he had on our first visit. (We visited Sat. on the way to camp) I'm going to be slightly put off if he likes DH more than me

Sounds really great, Amy. I'm so glad this guy has fallen perfectly in place with you guys.:smile:

That's wonderful to hear Amy!!

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I just recieved a picture text of a happy dog sleeping next to husband's recliner on the tether. I guess he has been at his feet for 2 hours with no sign of wanting to move very far \:\) I'm happy for them, but I'm going to have some ground to make up when I get home. Dieks liked him the moment the met, pulling to sit by his feet instead of stayng by me like he had on our first visit. (We visited Sat. on the way to camp) I'm going to be slightly put off if he likes DH more than me

Oh well At least your DH is getting some love for being such a great sport/helper with the whole thing! It'll come in handy for future dog activities

That's wonderful!

Thanks guys! He's pretty special

NOT a good night for Dieks. He is spending the night in doggy jail after scaling a 6 foot privacy fence and bolting. Husband went inside for 3 minutes to soothe our son who had a nightmare and came back out to an empty yard. (Not good to leave him there alone, I know, but he really is trying to do all the right things) The story we have is that he ran down the road and hopped into the passenger side of a volunteer fireman's truck. He then took Dieks inside and introduced him to family and dogs (EEK!) with the intention of keeping him if he wasn't claimed. He then took him to AC and left him in a kennel. Husband can't get him until tomorrow morning, but Fireman called the ACO personally to let him know the owner had been located. Ugh. I am so worried about my boy and just want this week over so I can get home. Poor husband is miserable, lonley without Dieks and feels like a total ass. Chances are neither one of us will sleep until 7:01 am when he gets back into the pick-up. day 3 = big fail

Don't feel too bad, that type of thing can happen to anybody. Just be happy that he is somewhere safe right now, and you aren't worried sick and out looking for him all night.

He's a lucky boy to have found a great home, and you are lucky to have a great hubby. I agree with Mara's comment about having a good husband...it really does come in handy for dog training.

Thanks Tabatha. We have never "lost" a dog. Not even our terrible door dasher Bella (pretty sure she is not "all there", but still a great pet) It is just a terrible, feeling that we failed him so soon after finding a home. I'm certain I have lost Dieks in another way though. DH is referring to him as "my dog". With the other two it has always been "your dogs" He grew up with GSD's and he has fallen hard and fast for this guy. I am happy for him though. He deserves that sort of connection with a loving dog. Husband (Alan - I'm getting tired of reffering to him as DH) is even prowling the internet looking for heavy duty seat covers so Dieks can go to work with him in the beloved King Ranch If that isn't true love...

If he's willing to let him in the King Ranch you have definitely lost him lol. As for him getting out don't be so hard on yourselves it's a 6 foot privacy fence who would have thought he'd scale it in those few minutes. Now you know why he was probably in the shelter to begin with...his former people probably got tired of trying to contain him.

Just thought I'd update on Dieks and thank all of the forum members and Leerburg for this great info on here
Dieks has settled in nicely here. No more whining when tethered- It was a settling in issue and once he figured out the family dynamics he has been content hanging out in his crate or on-leash with me. (though he still likes Al better!)
He is slowly gaining weight from the 55 lbs he was when he arrived. Still too skinny, but raw seems to be doing him a lot of good. His coat has become softer and his ribs are not as sharp as they were 2 weeks ago, so I'd say that's progress!
Training is going GREAT!! He really picked up on markers fast and has a fabulous sit, down and watch. We have have even improved his sloppy "flop down" into a smooth, alert down. He's a smart boy, a little challenging to keep his attention, but doing great for a teenage boy with no training.
The introductions are still slow going, but no more leg grabbing of the other dogs or lunging, so I'm liking that. The kids have had pretty limited contact with him- which is fine with me. Just a couple "throw Dieks a snack or ball sessions on leash in the back yard. He seems to enjoy them but his is big, he still jumps up and is a little mouthy yet with me when excited. He also takes treats like a snapping turtle, so it may be a really long time before he lounges in the living room off lead.
I'm really enjoying him, so I thought I'd pass on the happiness Hope to take pictures once my camera is fixed after 3 year old used it as a football target and knocked it off the counter