Tuesday, September 13, 2011

It is the Small Things


It really is the small stuff with Katy. Like children, it is wrong to compare dogs, but sometimes you cannot help yourself. Things came easier to Bailey. It may have been that he came to us as a puppy from rescue and he had less baggage. He might have a more outgoing personality. I do not know. I do know that Katy has fought hard to believe and each victory is amazing.

People can debate the issues with dogs on furniture, but we have always enjoyed cuddling with the dogs on our beds and couches. That is why the couches all have fleece blankets on them. They wash when company comes and it reduces the hair to clothing ratio for our guests. When Katy came to us, she had challenges with stairs and jumping was not something she would do. We were not sure if it was training or fear.

The stairs were necessary. In order to reach the backyard she had to be able to negotiate the back stairs. My husband carried her down the first few times, but that was not a long-term option. With cookies and Bailey's help, we coached her on walking the stairs. Today, the problem is still getting her to walk the stairs. Now, she flies over them. Getting her to touch the stairs is a thing of the past. She flies up and down every set of stairs indoors and out. It is wonderful to see her fearless, but we do have to work on keeping her from breaking her neck with her races with Bailey around the house.

I started a tradition of picking her up and scratching and petting her on the couches for short periods of time to help her understand she was allowed on the furniture if she wanted to be there. She was not interested for a very long time. Last night I walked into the room my husband and his friend were watching the game and I saw Katy jump up on the couch and curl up with my husband. I struggled not to say anything. For some reason when you notice what she has done, even in a positive way, Katy leaves. My husband told me later that she has started to come out at night and watch sports with him on the couch. It does not sound like a big issue. However, if you understood how far she has come not just jumping up on her own, but to initiate contact it is huge.

Katy may always be shy. Several people have remarked that may be her personality. I am fine with that. My hope has always been that she would choose to do things based on personality, not on fear or bad past experiences. She may never be comfortable with strangers. However, she has won so many of the battles with challenges since she arrived with that I leave it to her to decide.

15 comments:

  1. Woof! Woof! As I got older ... into a senior dog I enjoy being on the couch. My mom just cover it and makes sure I get brushed so not much fur ... on the furniture. Enjoy your Tuesday. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  2. I enjoyed reading about Katy's victories! We let Finn on the couch as well - heck, if it's more comfortable and she wants to be there, why not?

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  3. I'm always fascinated by how dogs can have such different personalities, even litter mates. Katy is probably a sports fan and will enjoy the companionship.

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  4. Awww, hugs to all of you! I think that Katy will come around in her own time -- she's done wonderful so far! :)

    Mommy and daddy are going to get a new sofa and love seat (Nala's and my couch!) soon, and mommy wants to have us NOT go on them. Daddy's gonna make a window seat for us out of the old love seat... but I'm gonna miss sleeping on the sofa! We'll see how long THAT lasts! Teehee!

    Woofs & hugs, <3

    ~Bailey (Yep, I'm a girl!)

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  5. Yay, Katy! She's an awesome girl - she just prefers to share herself with the most-important few :)

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  6. Yay Katy! I'm glad she is starting to feel more relaxed and enjoy some Monday night football on the couch with dad. I think it's nice to share your thoughts on the little things in life. I never really thought about the little things I take for granted. I've always had dogs that like to sit on the sofa, etc, so it is interesting hearing about things from someone else's perspective. Congratulations Katy on your accomplishment!

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  7. We learned a great deal when we got Bailey, but since Katy has come home we learned we took a great deal for granted during his time alone. She has taught us so much about appreciating the little stuff.

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  8. How wonderful that Katy is initiating things. That is a sure sign of her building confidence and comfort level. I don't think that is a little thing at all.

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  9. Our Dog Dad can relate. It seems that Essex, Sherman and our Angel Dog Deacon were all different.

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  10. I think its terrific that you are so committed to your shy dog and aware of their differences. I see it with my dogs all the time.

    I also agree dogs belong on the furniture, IMO

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  11. I think a lot of it is just her personality. She sounds incredibly similar to Dakota.

    When we first got him he was 8 mos old. He was TERRIFIED of the steps inside our hallway at the condo. (there are at least 12 steps and you HAVE to go up and down them to get out). My husband carried him when we first got him and I put a stop to that relatively quickly.

    Dakota also is hesitant about climbing up on the couch and we are also the kind that allow our pets on the furniture. Occasionally he will come up but when you act happy about it he leaves.

    I know quite a few Shelties are shy by nature so that could be what part of the issues are with Katy. It might just be a "Sheltie" thing!

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  12. I'm so happy that Katy is starting to come around. I hope that she gets to know how great it is to get snuggles from people.

    Nubbin wiggles,
    Oskar

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  13. The boys live in our house, and are free to sit on the sofas and sleep on the bed. Visitors can either get over the dog hair, not come over the threshold. :)

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  14. Yay Katy!!! We have had a few fosters that no matter what we did, they never felt comfy getting on the furniture. Glad she is making progress :)

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  15. I am 7. It took me 6.5 years to understand mom didnt mind me being on the furniture. ~Cain

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