FOCUS - Ryder
The day of which we received the large donation of wood shavings, I was blessed to receive assistance from Rowan Family. That was the first time since Ryder came into my custody I truly saw him come to life as he did that day. Something about that family brought his inner spark back into focus? He definitely began to bond with Scott & absolutely loved his daughter, instantly saw her as a packmate. He honestly, wanted to leave with them. I would not have believed it if someone had told me about it.
Buddy Simmons came to pup-sit Segen, thank God! So, he was outside with Segen and I when the Rowan Family arrived. They were able to meet Segen… which was a good thing. :) He liked them, which is a HUGE deal to me. He does NOT like everyone. I trust my Furkid. So, once he met everyone and gave them the Okay, I had he and Buddy head inside so I could let the boys out… and we could begin unloading the truck.
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Why the pup-sitter? My boy is a jealous lil jerk when it comes to “outside time” with mom. He has and will continue to lock me outside via the deadbolt, if I don't take him outside with me. Yes, he is spoiled. Yes, I recognize this is terrible. Yes, I recognize I need to work on this. HOWEVER, I currently have TWO special cases in my house that TRULY need my attention. So, until I have volunteers to assist… I simply don't have the time to deal with his hissy fits. So, Volunteers would be spectacular!!
Benefits: You get to learn behaviorism, troubleshooting bad behaviors, strange & unique training tips, spend time w/ doggos, earn time w a non-profit, education that is unique to German Shepherds, education that is unique to abused/neglected dogs/GSDs, etc.
I am certain there is many more… but I'm going on w my update. _________________
There was an all around posturing that happened when the family arrived that was begun by Geist. At that point in time, Ryder had never argued back so hard… he argued HARD that day- went on a LOT longer, I think he wanted to impress the family, their daughter was a bit spooked. The family handled it well, once I explained exactly what had happened & why.
I put the boys into the kennel… that was when my friend, Jeff Palmer showed up to assist us in our efforts. While we unloaded the wood shavings around the pool area as heavy as possible, I got to speak to Michelle a bit, I like her. One of the boy's favorite games is to run around that area as fast as possible chasing each other… so it became a circle of MUD. Once that job was completed, I asked if it was alright that I let them back out so we could do the kennel, thankfully everyone was ready to give them a second chance to not create chaos. Thankfully, the boys were well-behaved, other than becoming an obstacle. *laughing*
We worked diligently, talked, laughed, and got to know one another. It was good to be amongst former military & family. I felt comfortable, aside from being scattered, and I do apologize to the Rowan Family for that. I had a VERY long day that began at 6AM & then it went on until well past 10PM. I have to STOP scheduling myself like that! I have no one to blame buy myself! I'm an overachiever who is chronically ill… there is NOTHING worse! The boys played, followed us all at one point or another, got us ALL wet, thanks to me baling out the baby pool and nailing both of them at one point! (Go me!) We got the kennel done in record time, given it was our very first time! *laughing*
Once, we got it all finished, Scott had to ask me for a drink… I'm a bit slow at times. I had purchased Raspberry tea for that occasion, just a bit of a blonde when I am hot & tired! *blush* I grabbed our drinks and we all sat down to talk. I learned about them & they learned about K-9s to Furkids, Ltd, the pups... especially Ryder, and a bit about me. We watched Ryder & Jenna play with water around Matt's truck which was truly enjoyable. He CHANGED so much that day!! During that time, he came out of his protective shell and was a total kid.
See our video here.
They got to play with the boys once we all cooled down... I recognized immediately that Scott knows more about dogs than he let on. That is definitely a positive. He read Ryder's body language and knew how to be non-threatening during play. He was very proactive with his daughter and Ryder's interactions. I was impressed by that and it made me feel much more comfortable with them being here and helping with Ryder’s rehab. I always feel as if I have to hover over any volunteers assisting during a rehab. I feel much more secure with Scott having seen how he handled himself & any situations that arose.
Note: Ryder misbehaves around Geist; bearing of teeth, growling, grumbling, guarding of & and all toys. All around undesired behavior of which I have been working so hard to eliminate. From now on, I will not be having Geist out when the Rowan Family comes to visit Ryder… I feel this will help to eliminate negative behavior.
He is truly becoming a Furkid… one day at a time. His evolution has been such a joy to take an active role. I cannot even begin to express. He came to me so scared, I couldn't even touch his head without him acting like I was going to rip his ears off. He displayed aggression all based from fear. Fear I'd take what I had given him. Fear I would strike him… strike him with my hand, a broom, a cup, anything. Now, I can hug him, he hugs me back with everything he has. He brings me his toys, he leans into me with everything he is and leans in harder when I call him a “Good Boy.”
Now, the HARDEST thing I am dealing with... I have to hear him howl when I put him to bed at night, because he doesn't want to be without me. I cannot wait to see how hard he bonds with his new parents... he is turning out to be one heck of a Furkid!! <3
Since that day, Geist became more dominant over Ryder, downright troublesome. I have had to become more dominant over Geist because of this. Not that Ryder doesn’t do the same behaviors... but it became rather one-sided to the point, I had to become downright Momma-bear for Ryder. That isn’t my style of behaviorism, so it felt strange & uncomfortable for me; I won’t choose sides. I have kept the two separated instead, I must rehab both dogs. So playing mommy to one simply will NOT do.
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Saturday we had a jailbreak. Thankfully, my neighbor Teresa Bellotte’s best friend was at her house and was able to help me dog-wrangle. Thank you, Teeke! (no idea how to spell your name) You are a WONDERFUL woman, I love you & Ryder thanks you! Even if he was TERRIFIED of you at that moment! I am sorry for the freak out we caused you all, as you can read, we have a LOT to work on... but we are getting there, as you see! <3 I was in my footed Eeyore pajamas running through mine & my neighbors yard yelling for Geist & Ryder. *facepalm* Yep, of course everyone and their neighbor was out! It was on a Saturday morning!! Why wouldn’t they be!? And everyone laughed and waved after I got them back in... and came back to thank everyone. *sigh*
Yes, I am embarrassed. However, I am more THANKFUL that I have AMAZING neighbors & the best parents in the ENTIRE UNIVERSE!! Allow me to explain;
I called my folks to tell them about the escapees, they immediately came over then we fashioned a plan. Pop & I then spent over four hours in the rain bringing that plan into fruition, from what we had amongst the two of us to ensure that K9s to Furkids didn’t have to spend money that we didn’t have. As you all see, I am truly and completely blessed with the BEST folks in the ENTIRE Universe, Carl & Sissy Floyd! <3 Thank you, both for being AMAZING!! <3
There is your update!! :)