Well, I have survived. I had forgotten what it was like to have a new dog in the house (over 10 years now).

Miss Lucy is terrified of being in the crate in the dark. I did an experiment (at her expense I am afraid), and I am right. So, rather than overwhelm her at this moment, I have chosen to leave a light on. First, in the living room where her crate is, then I extinguished that one and used the stove light in the kitchen...one room away. Now, I may try to use the light in the master bathroom which is off the kitchen and see how she does, or I may buy a small night light. I see no problem with keeping a small light on for this little dog. Someday, I hope to see her comfortable in the crate in the darkness, but that isn't happening right now.

To intergrate Hambone and Lucy was a mental exercise at first. I played out many scenarios in my head before I decided to try.

First, of course, he had to ignore her in her crate and respect the distance from the crate. He picked that up quickly. I am fair with him and he trusts me to be fair.

At first, I put him the bedroom out of sight of Lucy when I took her out and let her pee all over the yard and get my scent and hers out there. Then, I put her in her crate, and Hambone and I would explore the yard. Several days of that and he quit bristling while outside.

Then, I put him in his crate, while Lucy walked beside me (and past his crate) to go out and pee and poop in a designated area. Several times of that to get him used to seeing us together. I also insisted she learn to respect his crate and keep a distance from it. I made sure Hambone and I did the fun alone things of walking back to woods and exploring, going to town, etc.

The introduction happened outside. She was tied out and he was on a long line. Walking close and far away with time to sniff. He would posture and I would correct with a no, and walk away.

After two days of several times a day, I let him out loose and then took Lucy out. Now, I do not advocate this for most people, but I have spent months working with Hambone to get him trust my judgement and obey my leadership, and months reading his body language and I was prepared. He moves away from his discomfort now instead of attacking.

So, with that said, I had only one time of not paying attention. He did put his front leg on top of Lucy's shoulders. Lucy let him know with a growl and snap (at the air) that THAT behavior was unacceptable. He responded back with his growl and I responded with my growl and they both shut up. After that, they do well together in that they do not engage in one upmanship, they do not snarl, and they do not crowd each other. Lucy is very much a calm submissive girl and that goes along way with Hambone being as accepting as he is right now.

Now, that does not mean I let down my guard and it does not mean Hambone will be alone with Lucy in the future in the house unsupervised. I know my dog and, as much as he accepts Lucy, he does it because I insist she is a member and insist on his co-operation and/or obedience. He has his moments of flirting with her and wanting to be with her, but I am not fooled. She will be crated and so will he, or he will be outside. It is safer and less stressful for all.

As for Lucy's health. Her bloodwork was done yesterday and I will know the results next week. She does have a luxating patella (?) and I have noticed when she runs, she will run two strides, hitch her left leg and carry for a stride, repeat. I do not allow her to run right now. The doc says its mild, so I will search this site for direction on how to manage that condition.

I hope her bloodwork does come up clean and she is healthy. She refuses raw meat but does love simmered carrots and saurkraut--not vinegared but real sauerkraut that is full of probiotic and enzyme action. (I give her not much but it seems to have helped her poop.)

That is our story as of now. Thanks for all the encouragement and help. We will continue to need support and this site as long as Hambone is living, but I see a good future for all of us!

Edited by Jo Harker (02/28/2009 09:38 AM)
Edit reason: attempt at clarification

Jo, I'm really glad to hear everything is going well with them - look at your sig pic! YAY!

Hope that her bloodwork comes back okay, and that you get some good advice on her patella.

Thanks Jennifer! That sig pic is due to you and all the others who posted past questions and answers, answers to my questions, the free information on this site and DVDs I have ordered.

I still have a lot of work ahead, but am feeling more confident each day. And, Hambone is "seemingly" more "pleased" with himself the more he controls himself and gets praise from me.

I am going to order the Basic Obedience DVD next paycheck and work with her and Hambone.

The sig pic is really due to all the great work you've done! But I think you know that It's so great to see. And that's great about Hambone - what a great thing for him to be able to really enjoy controlling himself!