I recently adopted a new dog. I rescued Gidget from the Humane Society. She is a three-year-old, 12 lb., “super mutt” and I have been working on developing a bond with her as well as helping her to bond with Bailey, my six-year-old Russell Terrier.
Now Russell Terrier’s love to play. Gidget, on the other hand, has obviously never learned to play. I spend some time each day in the floor trying to play with them. I use a ball or a pull toy, hide a treat and make a big show of praise when one of them, usually Bailey, finds it. Gidget does not know how to play with me or Bailey and mostly just watches. She does seem to enjoy me being in the floor. This has been a terribly slow process. I remind myself and Bailey to be patient with Gidget.
I have tried to make feeding time a fun time and have been hand feeding both the dogs. I started by asking them to sit and stay before I put their bowls down. Then I moved the bowls closer to each other. I now ask them to sit and stay in front of me and hand feed them small bites, alternating between dogs while training Gidget to give me eye contact.
Their favorite thing is their early morning “sniff “walk. I use six-foot leashes and let them stop and sniff to their heart’s content. They walk close to one another and will stick their noses into the same spot and sniff away. They especially love it if I let them torment squirrels with a good chase. I try to help Gidget spot them by getting down and pointing them out. I whisper to let her know I have seen one. However, usually Bailey chases the squirrels and Gidget chases Bailey.
Training sessions with lots of praise and treats are good. Bailey is happy to help with these and with her example Gidget is picking commands up quickly. I am trying to train Gidget to walk with me, except on our sniff walks. I am using a four-foot leash for these training walks, a treat lure, and praising along the way. Gidget says she wants all walks to be sniff walks and cares more about sniffing than treats. I need lots of patience for this. I have learned to leave Bailey home; she has little patience.
Gidget and I go on small adventures, training classes, Lowes, Home Depot, Feeders Supply, etc... to get her used to the world around her and help her to trust me to protect her from it. I do not include Bailey in these outings as I am using them to build a bond with Gidget.
I give both dogs lots of cuddles. They need to know I love them both. I watched Gidget’s body language at first to make sure she was enjoying this. Gidget loved all of it! If I pick Bailey up for some special attention, Gidget is sure to come to get her turn, she leans in for pets and wraps her paws around my arm to return the hug. Her only problem is, she never wants her turn to end. I am careful to watch Bailey to make sure she knows she is still special to me should she show any signs she is not sure about all this. So far, she only gets upset if I take Gidget and leave her, but Gidget gets just as upset when it is her turn to get left. My next purchase will be a large recliner that the three of us fit in comfortably while I watch TV, read, or just take a nap.
They both sleep with me at night, and I have learned to ignore their jockeying for position.
I am learning, slowly, that bonding with a new family member does not happen overnight and takes patience. I am sharing my journey should any of you consider adding to your families. Twice the love you know, and in these times we all need love.
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