Update on my rescue pup, Tiki-Bird
We've had him almost 4 months now and I can't even begin to tell you the difference. I started using Blackwing Farms Shelter Blend, similar to Rescue Remedy developed for use with animals rescued after Hurricane Katrina. I also bought him a Thundershirt, which we've used off and on for the past week.
Today, we had a visit from a Medicare official. Tiki barked a little at first, then grumbled. Then he went into his crate and lay down. Eventually, he came out of his hut, walked around and sniffed her a bit. For the rest of the visit, Tiki totally behaved himself, never once did he threaten this strange woman in my house.
Wow! What a difference. We're still taking him to doggy daycare and that is going very well. No aggression AT ALL. Of course, I don't think he's very high on the totem pole there. My next project is to take him (muzzled) to the local park WITH the trainer, so we can see how he does in an open air environment with people present and work on whatever issues remain.
Tiki has turned into such a sweet little doggy. He still has some residual issues of course--just today I accidently hit him with my foot and you would have thought I had given him a beat down. He just cowered and shook. I felt terrible about it, but he forgave me quickly. He still doesn't want to be petted from above, nor will he eat if anyone is watching. We have to leave the kitchen, then he will scoot in there and wolf his food down real quick. But when we go to bed I just say "go to bed, Tiki" and he trots right into his crate with his stuffed Lamb-Chop toy. I still hear him growling and whimpering in his sleep sometimes, so I know his ordeal is not over yet.
Today, we had a visit from a Medicare official. Tiki barked a little at first, then grumbled. Then he went into his crate and lay down. Eventually, he came out of his hut, walked around and sniffed her a bit. For the rest of the visit, Tiki totally behaved himself, never once did he threaten this strange woman in my house.
Wow! What a difference. We're still taking him to doggy daycare and that is going very well. No aggression AT ALL. Of course, I don't think he's very high on the totem pole there. My next project is to take him (muzzled) to the local park WITH the trainer, so we can see how he does in an open air environment with people present and work on whatever issues remain.
Tiki has turned into such a sweet little doggy. He still has some residual issues of course--just today I accidently hit him with my foot and you would have thought I had given him a beat down. He just cowered and shook. I felt terrible about it, but he forgave me quickly. He still doesn't want to be petted from above, nor will he eat if anyone is watching. We have to leave the kitchen, then he will scoot in there and wolf his food down real quick. But when we go to bed I just say "go to bed, Tiki" and he trots right into his crate with his stuffed Lamb-Chop toy. I still hear him growling and whimpering in his sleep sometimes, so I know his ordeal is not over yet.
