Cody & Duchess

It always amazes me how patience, routine, dog speak and love can turn the most damaged dog around. Thank you for all your time and effort....as the starfish saying goes, you cannot save them all but you can certainly make a difference for this dog.

I am so sorry, this stress you do not need now....with a baby on the way. Do you think Charlie would have stayed calm if he had been on a very short leash? I know you have a plan of action when you can step aside.....but I wonder if you went to a really short leash with a mantra of Easy if he would have been okay. Another option, step on the leash with him right next to you keeping from the harness or collar clip, under your foot to the leash in your hand taut. This limits his movement and you can achieve this restriction quickly ( great to practice). Also, it would not help in this instant....but a service vest that says in training, no touch, no talk may give you extra space.

I know your pain. I try to figure out where they consider their safe space....for one dog it is the tub, another the closet. For those scary planned fireworks times, I set them up in their spot with toys, put classical music on, pile stuff like pillows around them. A random backfire on a walk, I try to be upbeat and encourage courage. Patience is your best tool. Good luck.

No advise, just wanted to tell you I am so so sorry.

You have gotten really good advice. Sometimes the improvement are baby steps. I took in an eight year old border collie mix in January that needed a home, one month after losing my heart dog (BC) to cancer. I repeatly remind myself they are two different dogs and to not put my expectations on this dog by comparing him to a dog I had for seven years ( who spent 24/7 with me) and lived to please me. My new dog has so many traits that I am really grateful for...but the leave it command when he is hunting chipmunks, and rabbits totally non existent. If a rabbit goes running by and I am not being vigilant he will try to chase at full speed. I feel pretty confident with my dog training skills, but I look like an idiot when I have to go lift him away from a hole he has his nose buried in sniffing for the chipmunks. I try to remember we are only together eight months and prior to me he got very few walks in his life. So few, that originally he would only venture a very short distance from the house and insist on returning home. Now, his walks are the favorite part of his day. He will go all day exploring. Just wanted you to know to give yourself a break....it takes time. I understand the safety and snow issues. Maybe you can identify areas of danger ( snowy stairs) and start training that as soon as your dog makes it to the bottom of the stairs he sits and waits for a treat. One rescue of mine that had awful recall got all his treats on a mat inside the front door. That dog could not wait to get into the house for his treat. Good luck.

So, so sorry. I had a pit attack my BC/Pyrenees while I was kneeling next to her. I thankfully avoided getting bit, and had help right away....but I shook for a good five minutes afterward and suffered a hip injury for about a month. Now there are very few dogs she is friendly with. I wish I had good advice, I don't...so, so sorry this happened.

Had our 11 yr old teeth cleaning done with no anesthesia, they evaluated her first to make sure her teeth were not to bad and her temperament good. The work is done by a team that travels around to different vet offices. She is really not a easy dog, but the team raved about her and her teeth now look great.

I have had fearful dogs, adopting them because I feel I can make a difference for them. My heart breaks for you, you did everything possible to speak on your dog's behalf...everything in the best interest of Star. They failed you and some how did not understand what you communicated. I have no medical expertise so I cannot help there...but I just wanted you to know it was not your fault. Sometimes inside games help to entertain. One I use is hide go seek in the house, I hide they find. My pups think it is great. Frozen peanut butter in kong. Another, I hide a treat under one of three cups...they put their paw on the cup with treat. Hope Star is getting back to her old self. Good luck.

Thanks for the update, shows there is goodness in this world.

Cute,cute,cute....love the pics.

Sending good thoughts, prayers, toes and paws crossed for good luck. Hate, hate, hate cancer......wishing you both good luck.

Hope she continues to do better, you are both in our thoughts and prayers.

Good thoughts, prayers and mojo coming your way. I am glad you spotted the mass....hopefully the news will be okay

They never stay long enough with us, although she seemed to have great last days. I especially enjoyed reading of your partnership together....you understanding her quirks and she giving you her all. It is amazing when they do something for us, against their better judgement, just because they want to please. She was lucky to have found you, as you were lucky to have found her. So sorry for your loss.

Sending good mojo, thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery. Keeping fingers, toes and paws crossed for good news.