Quote: connie sutherland

I appreciate your response more than I can say .... as in "maybe all these people have something worth listening to."

No sarcasm here, no irony, no nothing: Just: I appreciate your setting aside of any knee-jerk defensiveness, and your mature and thoughtful deliberation.

It is beyond refreshing.

I completely and totally agree Connie! Very nice to see this.

If I knew it all I wouldn't be seeking guidance. I'll check in after I have had some time to put these suggestions to use.

Thank you.

I am not an expert, I am on my own steep learning curve with my beloved adoptees.

I wanted to add that you adopted an adolescent dog who has an unknown history of abandonment (do you know how many homes?) Adolescent dogs have their own particular characteristics that they will grow out of, as they mature. I hope you can remember the developmental challenges your dog is facing and set her up for success rather than try to force her to accept conditions or situations that exceed her ability to cope.

Also, you have had the dog for 9 months, a growing dog, a dog who is experiencing many things for the first time, including what it means to live in your home. Not only is she learning to live in your home, she has not spent one full year in your home (ie. a full cycle of seasons and seasonal changes). Not only that, but it sounds a little chaotic, with people and dogs coming and going. How are you helping her make sense of all these changes? It sounds like your strategy of isolating her is very stressful for her.

How long is she spending in the wire crate? On a daily, weekly, and monthly basis? If she is spinning and barking when you are putting her in, what are you doing to help her not engage in those behaviours? I mean, how are you helping her learn new behaviours that do not exacerbate or habituate her coping behaviour?

This sounds like a very freaked out dog to me. I know you have been working hard to try to solve the problems, but it sounds like you have been imposing solutions on your dog, rather than working with your pup to figure out what can work for the both of you.

I'm sorry for all concerned, that it has come down to a poop covered pup. I do hope you can stop seeing the dog as the problem and realize you have all the power to change this situation for the better.

When do Mals mature? I know we have a couple more years for Jethro *barking at something in the background* (just passed his first birthday).