Guest stacy6344 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 It's been a bit since I've posted on here. Been trying to just get Tripp acclimated and settled. We've been doing pretty good! Just finished our fifth week of obedience training last night! He's been doing much better at daycare. He hasn't tore up a blanket in over a week now. And he's much calmer. So that's good. Last Friday I set up my Skype so I could watch him from my iPhone while I was gone for a bit. I put him in his crate and away I went. Well what I watched broke my heart. I could see his fear just increase. First whining, then panting, then howling, barking, pacing, digging, digging, digging...I was going for an interview and I was SO tempted to turn back, but I knew I couldn't. By the time I got to the interview he had started biting at the bars. Not bad, but bad enough. I was gone a total of about three hours. And I felt SO bad. I won't crate him again. So last weekend we started working on being left alone in the kitchen (where my IG is crated). We did a bunch of little tests. I went next door to my dad's for about two hours on Sunday night and he just kind of paced for a minute...whined a little bit...looked out the window...then LAID DOWN!! We continued doing that all weekend. I drove around the block a few times. He did the same most every time I've left him. Even though my IG barks. So I'm hoping that I have found the key. Tomorrow will be the real test...we are going to be gone about four hours. So everyone cross their fingers and paws that he does good!!! If this weekend goes good I'm going to try and cut his daycare back to three days a week and leave him home on Thursdays and Fridays when my dad is around to let him out. Tripp has even started going into the kitchen and laying on that bed when we are watching TV so I think that's a good sign. Other than that he is such a perfect boy. He's doing so good in obedience training!! We are in class with two Labs and the teacher said last night that she has rarely had a Greyhound that does better than a Lab, but Tripp has done much better! Made me very proud!! We will start intermediate classes next and then he will take his CGC test and hopefully after that training to be a Therapet! He's been to a M&G and did wonderful!! He's such a sweet boy. We have 1 acre that my dad and husband fenced in for us and him and my IG play to good out there. He loves to run, but I think he comes by his name naturally!! He's SO clumsy!!! So funny to watch him try and get those legs under him to run...he's graceful once he gets going, but whew! those first few steps are hilarious! I think I know why he didn't make it to the track. So that's kind of where we are. I'm praying that tomorrow goes well and I have faith that it will. I think he likes that he can see my IG and just not be in the crate. I feel awful that I even put him through that. So keep us in your thoughts this weekend for a successful stay by hisownself (remembering Piper )! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFullHouse Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Sounds like things are definitely headed in the right direction! You're putting in a lot of hard work with him, he's a lucky boy to have you! Fingers crossed that tomorrow goes well! Quote Judy, mom to Darth Vader, Bandita, And Angel Forever in our hearts, DeeYoGee, Dani, Emmy, Andy, Heart, Saint, Valentino, Arrow, Gee, Bebe, Jilly Bean, Bullitt, Pistol, Junior, Sammie, Joey, Gizmo, Do Bee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remolacha Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 He's made a lot of progress Some dogs love their crates, some jut don't do well in one. Sounds like he is one of those. that confining him to he kitchen with your IG works! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Batmom Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Fingers crossed! Don't freak if everything doesn't go absolutely 100% perfect -- baby steps, right? And it sounds like you are definitely headed in the right direction with him -- a little freedom to pace if he absolutely must fidget, your IG right there, a nice spot to lie down and have a naaaaaaaap zzzzzzzzzzz ........ Quote Star aka Starz Ovation (Ronco x Oneco Maggie*, litter #48538), Coco aka Low Key (Kiowa Mon Manny x Party Hardy, litter # 59881), and mom in IllinoisWe miss Reko Batman (Trouper Zeke x Marque Louisiana), 11/15/95-6/29/06, Rocco the thistledown whippet, 04/29/93-10/14/08, Reko Zema (Mo Kick x Reko Princess), 8/16/98-4/18/10, the most beautiful girl in the whole USA, my good egg Joseph aka Won by a Nose (Oneco Cufflink x Buy Back), 09/22/2003-03/01/2013, and our gentle sweet Gidget (Digitizer, Dodgem by Design x Sobe Mulberry), 1/29/2006-11/22/2014, gone much too soon. Never forgetting CJC's Buckshot, 1/2/07-10/25/10. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
msjpk Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 You are very dedicated to him and Kudos to you for that. Love to hear the updates of progress! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stacy6344 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I have to admit at first I was overwhelmed. I was scared that I couldn't do it. And I did have thoughts of taking him back. But when it all boiled down to it his good FAR outweighs his bad. And even the bad isn't AWFUL. We can get through it. I think it really bothered him when he was crated and my IG would bark (he's crated in a different room, can't fit them into the same room) and he couldn't see what was going on. And I think he just doesn't like to be confined. The kitchen is big enough so he can walk around a little, he has a window he can see out. And I think he likes being able to see my IG even though he is crated. I've never had a dog with SA and it was scary at first. But I think we'll make it! This site and my group have both been wonderful sources of information. My group has talked me in off the ledge when I got really overwhelmed with it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BatterseaBrindl Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 Oh Stacy...I am SO happy to read this positive report. I bet he just sails right through his weekend 'tests' and will be well on his way to being anxiety-free. Quote Nancy...Mom to Sid (Peteles Tiger), Kibo (112 Carlota Galgos) and Joshi. Missing Casey, Gomer, Mona, Penelope, BillieJean, Bandit, Nixon (Starz Sammie), Ruby (Watch Me Dash) Nigel (Nigel), and especially little Mario, waiting at the Bridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest verthib Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I have to admit at first I was overwhelmed. I was scared that I couldn't do it. And I did have thoughts of taking him back. But when it all boiled down to it his good FAR outweighs his bad. And even the bad isn't AWFUL. We can get through it. I think it really bothered him when he was crated and my IG would bark (he's crated in a different room, can't fit them into the same room) and he couldn't see what was going on. And I think he just doesn't like to be confined. The kitchen is big enough so he can walk around a little, he has a window he can see out. And I think he likes being able to see my IG even though he is crated. I've never had a dog with SA and it was scary at first. But I think we'll make it! This site and my group have both been wonderful sources of information. My group has talked me in off the ledge when I got really overwhelmed with it. So happy for you and Tripp. Can you try giving him a kong or treat ball in the kitchen? That way he maybe won't really notice you're leaving and will maybe skip the whine/pace part of it. Also my girl could not be crated. She acted just like Tripp, even notching her teeth from biting the bars. But when we got Angus and she could see him, her SA went away. Perhaps he just needed to feel he wasn't alone and could see a friend to keep him company. So happy you have been working with him. He's lucky to have you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stacy6344 Posted January 13, 2012 Share Posted January 13, 2012 I have to admit at first I was overwhelmed. I was scared that I couldn't do it. And I did have thoughts of taking him back. But when it all boiled down to it his good FAR outweighs his bad. And even the bad isn't AWFUL. We can get through it. I think it really bothered him when he was crated and my IG would bark (he's crated in a different room, can't fit them into the same room) and he couldn't see what was going on. And I think he just doesn't like to be confined. The kitchen is big enough so he can walk around a little, he has a window he can see out. And I think he likes being able to see my IG even though he is crated. I've never had a dog with SA and it was scary at first. But I think we'll make it! This site and my group have both been wonderful sources of information. My group has talked me in off the ledge when I got really overwhelmed with it. So happy for you and Tripp. Can you try giving him a kong or treat ball in the kitchen? That way he maybe won't really notice you're leaving and will maybe skip the whine/pace part of it. Also my girl could not be crated. She acted just like Tripp, even notching her teeth from biting the bars. But when we got Angus and she could see him, her SA went away. Perhaps he just needed to feel he wasn't alone and could see a friend to keep him company. So happy you have been working with him. He's lucky to have you! I've tried the Kong stuffed with everything I can think of...he doesn't show any interest. I'm going to make some up again tonight...peanut butter, banana, and kibble and freeze them. Maybe he will like it in the kitchen where he wouldn't touch it in the crate. It really broke my heart seeing him in so much stress like that when I left him in his crate. I'm hoping that him being able to see my IG is the key. Just went next door to my dad's for an hour and he was fine the whole time. Although my IG barked for a bit! Tripp just laid down and slept. I'm going to let him out in the morning and have a good play session before we leave in the morning. I really hope that we have turned a corner though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest verthib Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 <br /><br /><br />I have to admit at first I was overwhelmed. I was scared that I couldn't do it. And I did have thoughts of taking him back. But when it all boiled down to it his good FAR outweighs his bad. And even the bad isn't AWFUL. We can get through it. I think it really bothered him when he was crated and my IG would bark (he's crated in a different room, can't fit them into the same room) and he couldn't see what was going on. And I think he just doesn't like to be confined. The kitchen is big enough so he can walk around a little, he has a window he can see out. And I think he likes being able to see my IG even though he is crated. I've never had a dog with SA and it was scary at first. But I think we'll make it! <br /><br />This site and my group have both been wonderful sources of information. My group has talked me in off the ledge when I got really overwhelmed with it. <img src='http://forum.greytalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/blush.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> <img src='http://forum.greytalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/blush.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /><br /><br /><br />So happy for you and Tripp. Can you try giving him a kong or treat ball in the kitchen? That way he maybe won't really notice you're leaving and will maybe skip the whine/pace part of it. Also my girl could not be crated. She acted just like Tripp, even notching her teeth from biting the bars. But when we got Angus and she could see him, her SA went away. Perhaps he just needed to feel he wasn't alone and could see a friend to keep him company. So happy you have been working with him. He's lucky to have you!<br /><br />I've tried the Kong stuffed with everything I can think of...he doesn't show any interest. I'm going to make some up again tonight...peanut butter, banana, and kibble and freeze them. Maybe he will like it in the kitchen where he wouldn't touch it in the crate. <br /><br />It really broke my heart seeing him in so much stress like that when I left him in his crate. I'm hoping that him being able to see my IG is the key. <br /><br />Just went next door to my dad's for an hour and he was fine the whole time. Although my IG barked for a bit! Tripp just laid down and slept. <img src='http://forum.greytalk.com/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' /> I'm going to let him out in the morning and have a good play session before we leave in the morning. I really hope that we have turned a corner though.<br /><br /><br /><br /> I'm so happy for you and Tripp. Just an FYI - mine don't like cold kongs at all. My boy doesn't tolerate peanut butter much so I just put cookies and kibble in it and he has to turn it all around to get it out so it's still fun for him. I also have a treat ball that has "slots" alll around it and I squeeze some kibble and treats in there so he has to work at it. He actually prefers that over a kong. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mychip1 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Sounds like things are moving in a good direction. He sounds like a wonderful boy...and you like a wonderful Mama..... A room with baby gates still provides the safety of confinement without the feeling of it..... Quote Robin, EZ (Tribal Track), JJ (What a Story), Dustin (E's Full House) and our beautiful Jack (Mana Black Jack) and Lily (Chip's Little Miss Lily) both at the BridgeThe WFUBCC honors our beautiful friends at the bridge. Godspeed sweet angels. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philospher77 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 My first greyhound hated to be crated. She would happily lay on her bed for hours. Put an x-pen around the bed, and she was on her feet pacing and panting. Since she was a well-behaved dog, I just let her have her bed. Heck, the vets would let her stay out on her bed in the hospital when she was in for x-rays, because she was so good at just staying on it. So it may be that Tripp just doesn't like the crate. Sounds like things are heading in the right direction, and I hope that you continue to see progress. As I learned with Katie, who was a very shy dog, there may be some backsliding, but it's not the end of the world as long as the general direction is positive. Quote My blog about helping Katie learn to be a more normal dog: http://katies-journey-philospher77.blogspot.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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