Cassie had her evaluation for doggy daycare today. It was at the same place we do our dog training classes. It was a long shot because, as an older rescue dog (as in past the puppy socialization stage) she has issues.
The evals run about an hour long.
Cassie only lasted 15 minutes. Poor baby.
She was great when I handed her over to the evaluator. She was fine, I am told, with the other strange person she met for the first time. People skills, 100% okay.
They brought out the first dog, the marshmallow dog. The dog they say if your dog has issues with it the problem is all with your dog. Cassie had no problems but she also wasn’t interested in having anything to do with her.
Then they brought out Blaire. Cassie knows Blaire from class. Cassie and Blaire were co-valedictorians in class. They love to play together so with Blaire, Cassie was fine. They ran and played just great.
Then the brought out the next dog who is a bit of an in-your-face-stand-still-let-me-smell-you kind of brat.
And she had a melt-down.
They tried a couple more dogs but it was way too much for her. There was no way she could handle being out with the pack all day long. The evaluator brought her back out to me so Cassie didn’t have any trauma associated with the visit.
I knew it was a long shot, her making it in so quickly. She just doesn’t have enough confidence yet. She is MUCH more confident than she was when we brought her home a few months ago. At first she couldn’t stand to have us leave the room, she had to follow us everywhere. She also had a "closed mouth" all the time. Now she is happy to watch us as we leave the room and most of the time has an open, happy mouth.
She is fine with other dogs one on one but the group thing, still too much. We’re supposed to organize more play dates with multiple dogs but there is no place around here to meet with other dogs. Our yard can’t handle it and the dog park is too much for her too.
We’re not giving up. Hopefully a few more months or so down the road we can try again.
So because I felt bad, I bought her a tunnel to work with. (and a hula hoop.)
She seems to like it just fine.
I’m sorry she didn’t make it yet. That tube is SO cute!
I was surprised she went straight through the tube the first time I asked. She pretty much tries everything I ask of her. (okay, except for the being quiet part.)
Aw, poor Cassie. I’m sure she’ll be just fine. Our dog, Ginger, is wildly intimidated by the dog park. We thought she’d really enjoy it because she is usually very social and wants to sniff every dog who walks by. But when she saw all those dogs en masse running around and swimming in the pond, she just sat at our feet and waited to be taken home. I said to my husband, “I think we’re going to have to face that our dog isn’t in the cool crowd!” Maybe Cassie is like that, just more of a people dog.
Oh I can’t even imagine Cassie at a dog park but then around here we have a lot of irresponsible owners that bring dogs that have no business at the park. So many fights and injuries.
The day care does puppy socials once a month and they are thinking of starting a big dog social once a month too. I would gladly pay for that, for the chance to take her someplace safer to build her confidence. But if she never makes it to day care it isn’t the end of the world. I had wanted it mostly for the boarding should we want to take a trip but we rarely both travel at the same time. I’ll just plan our next anniversary trip at a place that lets dogs go with you.
I’d rather her have the better people skills anyway since I want to get her certified as a therapy dog so I can take her to writing workshops with at-risk kids.
Aw, that’s a shame. 🙁 Maybe she’ll like the tunnel better anyway.
Lucy had her first day camp day yesterday (she was banned for a while because she tends to get too playful and provokes the other dogs. Kind of like the kid who quietly shoots rubber bands and things at the other kids and then lets them get mad at him/her). Haven’t gotten her report yet, but hopefully she played well with others.
LOL on being banned for being too playful. I hope she does better this time.
Not knowing Cassie’s early history it’s hard to know if she will ever change. If she doesn’t I’m okay with it. She seems otherwise fine with dogs one or two at a time and very happy.
Poor Cassie. I bet she feels like me at the mall at Christmastime. Just too much extraneous activity, and too many people.
You know, that’s it exactly. And both my husband and I are EXTREME introverts so we totally get it being too much for her.
Aw, Susan….this post just absolutely melts my heart. Cassie is the luckiest dog in the universe. I love that you are trying to help her socialize in the doggie world. So important. But even more important that she is loved and nurtured. There is a place in heaven for you.
Give Cassie a big old doggie hug.
Thanks, Barb. She has already, in such a short time, brought such joy into our lives. I love watching her get more and more confident. And it’s funny the things we celebrate…getting her to go to the bathroom on the leash – woohoo! Going for a ride in the car and not whining – yipee! (did both of those today for the first time.)
Poor girly.
My Bloglines has been broken…
so I’m catching up now. Poor Cassie. But good that you tried–maybe it will work in the future. Gorgeous yard stuff. Don’t know how you do it! And wow on all the story ideas. Wow. I’m overwhelmed. I have probably that many poetry projects floating around my mind…but that many NOVEL projects! Oh my. Can’t wait to hear which one you choose.