Visit Our Dogs Online
November
Su M Tu W Th F Sa
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
Who's Online
0 registered (), 2 Guests and 3 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
jdc, selizabeth, beantown, Geoff, TonyP
1325 Registered Users
Forum Stats
1325 Members
20 Forums
16957 Topics
188815 Posts

Max Online: 210 @ 10/31/06 11:03 AM
Topic Options
#189381 - 07/28/08 11:03 PM very proud of my three (long)
Jen Offline
Permanent Resident

Registered: 08/06/05
Posts: 8894
Loc: San Luis Obispo, CA
Yes, Scout included. grin My friend and her 6-year-old son (E) and 4-year-old daughter (A) are here visiting. I wasn't sure what they'd think of the dogs because my friend isn't really a dog person. I figured Scout would disappear under the sofa and be found again when they all leave; since she doesn't go on walks, I can count on one hand the number of times she has even seen a kid, let alone interacted with one. tongue

Anyway, it turns out A is terrified of dogs because she was attacked by the neighbor's untrained backyard dog a little while ago. I offered to put our dogs in their crates or send them to daycare, but mom wanted to use this time for the kids to be around well-trained dogs.

Well, R&B were so awesome. They were very interested in the visitors but were called away and put into down stays so the kids could come in and get settled without too much trauma. There was a little bit of crying because she was near dogs, but mom told her these were good dogs and she needed to stop right now. (Mom's not one for coddling. cool)

We set up an ex-pen around the kids last night to give R&B time to settle down with new people in the house and to allow A to feel comfortable being in the same room. I gave the kids treats and had them put the dogs through their paces - sit, down, go to bed, touch (through the wire bars), wave, and "Bella flop." R&B were totally confused at first, but started to get the hang of it after a little bit. By then the E felt comfortable enough to come out of the pen for a minute or two at a time and get licked by Bella and scratch Roscoe's ears. grin A took a little longer but she eventually got comfortable enough to sit in a big chair out of reach of Bella's tongue but without the expen.

They got such a kick out of the dogs doing tricks for treats, that they probably fed them 1/2 cup of kibble each just doing tricks. By this afternoon, Bella was responding to their cues like she'd been trained by them. Roscoe still doesn't quite get it, but he has figured out that if you lie down and wag your tail upon being approached by a short human, you get treats. That works for him. laugh

They love to tell the dogs "go to bed" (run into crate), so whenever A feels anxious about the dogs coming at her, she says "Go to bed!" and they fly into their crates (where she tosses them a hot dog piece wink ).

I also told them to turn their backs on the dogs if they don't want to interact, and it's working like magic. R or B approaches a kid, kid turns around, R or B wanders off to do something else. A has even reached the point where she wants to interact with them, but only on her terms. She doesn't like them to come up to her, she wants to go up to them.

And Scout! She was very nervous at first and ran away from the kids if they even looked at her, but I had them toss her pieces of kibble and pretty soon she was rubbing on them and purring. They have been having a blast playing with her, making her chase a feather on a stick, and having her sit next to them. They love making her do her tricks, and she's pretty happy to have short, squeaky treat dispensers following her around.

I'm quite pleased with my three, needless to say (but I'll say it anyway). grin
_________________________

Top
#189396 - 07/29/08 12:43 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: Jen]
Mordanna Administrator Offline
One-Dog Girl
Built-in Forum Feature

Registered: 05/01/05
Posts: 11757
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
That is so very cool, and a great opportunity to learn for your three and the kids. smile

I'm glad things are going so well!
_________________________

Top
#189408 - 07/29/08 05:24 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: Mordanna]
SherriA Offline
No, I don't have a life!

Registered: 02/03/07
Posts: 4364
Loc: CT
Way to go R&B&S! What wonderful pet ambassadors they're being. Its bound to make an impression on the kids to have such positive interactions with your pack.
_________________________
Sherri & Jack & Oliver too!



Top
#189412 - 07/29/08 05:44 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: SherriA]
PofiMia Offline
Yes, I do have a life!

Registered: 10/01/06
Posts: 2864
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
Really fantastic - you have every right to be proud, proud, proud! And I'm envious. Mine have really just not had enough kid interaction and they are not even used to having other people in the house. I have to start working on that systematically!
_________________________
Lisa Marie, Pofi, Mia and the kitty boyz, Benito and Ernesto in our home, Iggy in our hearts


Top
#189416 - 07/29/08 06:06 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: PofiMia]
Kim_N_Chinook Offline
Quite involved

Registered: 09/05/06
Posts: 966
Loc: Ottawa, Canada
Your three deserve tons of extra hugs and cuddles! Way to go. You have every right to be beaming with pride!!!!

I love to hear stories such as yours with kids and animals. smile

Top
#189442 - 07/29/08 08:39 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: Kim_N_Chinook]
Calypso Moderator Offline
Dog Nerd
No, I don't have a life!

Registered: 05/02/05
Posts: 7875
Loc: Wisconsin
That is so awesome! Way to go dogs and cat, to understand what these kids need. Bella cracks me up - maybe she wants to be a therapy or classroom dog. smile

Top
#189448 - 07/29/08 09:02 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: SherriA]
ruffysdad Offline
Too much time on my hands

Registered: 01/05/07
Posts: 1433
Loc: Seattle, WA.
Originally Posted By: SherriA
Way to go R&B&S! What wonderful pet ambassadors they're being. Its bound to make an impression on the kids to have such positive interactions with your pack.


I totally second! What a great experience for the two legged kids thumbup!Ruffysdad

Top
#189467 - 07/29/08 10:17 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: ruffysdad]
EllaBella Offline
Yes, I do have a life!

Registered: 03/03/06
Posts: 2723
Loc: raleigh, NC
That is sooo awesome!

I love that Roscoe has totally figured out how to work the kids 'I'll just lie down and wag, and food will come my way! Easier than an apple tree!'
_________________________
Alissa, Ella, and now Fraggle too!
www.mycrazydogella.com
www.carychickens.com

Top
#189477 - 07/29/08 11:38 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: EllaBella]
Mordanna Administrator Offline
One-Dog Girl
Built-in Forum Feature

Registered: 05/01/05
Posts: 11757
Loc: Los Angeles, CA
Originally Posted By: EllaBella
Easier than an apple tree!


Ok, that just made me laugh. lol Roscoe and the apples. rofl
_________________________

Top
#189515 - 07/29/08 05:24 PM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: Mordanna]
amyzon Moderator Offline
No, I don't have a life!

Registered: 05/04/05
Posts: 5618
Loc: Northeast Tennessee
That is fantastic! You have every right to be proud; of them and of yourself for being so creative and helping a kid get over such a trauma. Major kudos to you and your awesome crew!

Top
#189712 - 07/30/08 06:58 PM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: Jen]
connie Offline
No, I don't have a life!

Registered: 02/06/06
Posts: 4930
Loc: Midwest USA
Wow, they are like model citizens! I would be very proud of all of them, too. grin love thumbup
_________________________
"Information doesn't kill you." -- Frank Zappa

Top
#189714 - 07/30/08 07:29 PM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: connie]
Aubergine Offline
Yes, I do have a life!

Registered: 12/01/06
Posts: 3048
Loc: Vancouver, BC
Wow - you should definitely be proud! What awesome critters you've got grin They're a real credit to you.
_________________________
Lizzie & Nutmeg... and Spratley too!


Top
#189717 - 07/30/08 08:19 PM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: Aubergine]
sammy Offline
No, I don't have a life!

Registered: 08/03/05
Posts: 5986
Loc: Western Canada
what a great idea to put the kids in an ex-pen!
_________________________


Top
#189744 - 07/31/08 05:46 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: sammy]
catherinec Offline
Yes, I do have a life!

Registered: 09/03/06
Posts: 2834
Loc: Washington
Way to go Jen (and B, R, and S)!

Top
#189748 - 07/31/08 06:11 AM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: catherinec]
Bari Offline
Cocker Mom
No, I don't have a life!

Registered: 04/21/06
Posts: 7281
Loc: LA
This is just a testament to what an awesome dog/cat mommy you are!
_________________________

Dogs laugh but they laugh with their tails
Max Eastman

Top
#189839 - 07/31/08 04:05 PM Re: very proud of my three (long) [Re: Bari]
Kimboki Offline
Quite involved

Registered: 09/07/06
Posts: 906
Loc: Sarasota, Florida
Wow, that's awesome! You should be very proud! smile

Top


Homeless Dogs in Los Angeles
Photo Contest Winner
Congrats to Chinook, winner of Photo Contest #18 "Play Bows"!

Chinook
(Click image to enlarge)


Placements:
1st: 27% of votes
Kim_N_Chinook
Chinook
2nd: 21% of votes
EllaBella
Ella
3rd: 18% of votes
Pchan
P-chan

Voting Results
All Contest Albums

2007 ODO Community Awards
ODO Mentor of the Year
Pchan

Best Contributor to Community Spirit
ThreeMuttlies

More details available here.