 Photo Comments | Home:Fairbanks/Salcha, AK | [I have a diary!] |
Age: 10 Years Sex: Female Weight: 51-100 lbs
 Photo Comments
 Photo Comments
 Photo Comments
 Photo Comments
 Photo Comments
|
 |
|
|
Leave a bone for Ms. Grey
Quick Bio:
| -mutt | -part feral | -dog rescue | |
Likes:
Lying under the cabin and peeking out from beneath the stairs.
Pet-Peeves:
agressive dogs, being bullied
Favorite Food:
I'm not a picky eater at all, and will gladly devour anything laid before me!
Arrival Story:
I adopted Ms. Grey from animal control about a year and a half ago. She was so scared of people that it took most of the summer before she'd let me touch her, once I turned her loose in the yard.
She's extremely cautious and seems to be a very smart dog. She's very sweet and good natured, and loves the company of other friendly dogs. She has very deep, soul-searching eyes.
Bio:
We had a very scary incident this last fall that caused me to consider placing ms. Grey up for adoption to a different home.
I had just put up a 'field of chains' for winter dog security, after last year's trap incident. I wanted to make sure that didn't repeat itself, and needed more options for separating and securing dogs. The chain tie-outs were located inside the 4 acre fenced area, and 7 dogs were tied out there for a few weeks, getting accustomed to this new living arrangement. The rest of the dogs were loose in the yard that surrounds the cabin and a little more than half an acre. One weekend, I decided to let the dogs run around again, since I was planning to be home and could supervise them.
I let the chained dogs loose, and gave them a few minutes to run around their yard, before opening the gate to let the other dogs from the small yard out.
Since the two yards were connected, I figured the dogs from the small yard would run out into the big yard. What I didn't figure on was the dogs from the big yard trying to run into the small yard.
Of course, since they were all trying to go different directions through the same gate at the same time, it didn't quite work.
I believe Rahya started it when she went nuts and attacked ms. Grey. All the other dogs joined in and I had a serious fight! They were literally trying to take her apart!
I tried hitting the other dogs with my hands, to distract them, but that had no effect. There was no time to go into the house and get the vinegar spray to break up the fight, so I laid down on top of ms. Grey, and continued trying to fight off the other dogs, who had worked themselves into a total frenzy. (This is how I found out that wool guards very well against dog bites! Seriously! I was shoving my arm into open dog mouths.)
I managed to grab an aluminum pooper scooper, and started smacking dogs with the handle. This broke everything up in a hurry!
Ms. Grey was seriously traumatized for a while, and afraid to be around any of the other dogs. This was when I made the decision to find her a new home. It wasn't fair for her to live in an environment where she had to fear the animals she lived with.
It was a very tough decision, because Ms. Grey bonded very closely with me after this incident. I just wanted what was best for her, because she is a very special dog.
I thought I'd try socializing her again, not too long ago. I brought her and Rahya into the house and made them tolerate eachother's presence. I made them lay together, walk together, sit together, and get petted and get treats together. If Rahya growled or tried to stare down Ms. Grey, she'd get a mouthful of vinegar.
Eventually, she stopped showing any agression or trying to bully Ms. Grey.
So, I let them outside together. Everything went Ok, and Ms. Grey seemed to be less fearful of Rahya.
I let a small group of them out together, and saw that the other females were being friendly and playful with Ms. Grey again. Ms. Grey also seemed to be comfortable around them again.
So, it looks like Ms. Grey is going to stay. We'll continue working on behavior training with all the girls, socializing them heavily with one another, and separating them when unattended!
I have also changed my procedure for letting all the dogs loose!! I now let the ones around the cabin INTO the cabin, then release the dogs from the chains and let them into the yard around the cabin. I then let these dogs into the cabin as well, where I can see how everyone will react to one another. I let them out in small groups. Some dogs come back in, and a few others go out. This summer I'll be putting up some more kennel runs so I can separate and safely mix and mingle dogs! I don't want to make any more mistakes or judgement errors that result in any serious fights!
For the most part, the dogs are all pretty good, and get along well. There's an occasional growl or little scuffle, which is usually shut down before it escalates into anything serious. I don't permit any dog to get away with agressive behavior. I also keep a spray bottle with vinegar handy, whenever I have a big group of dogs together, just in case! I don't have to use it often, but better safe than sorry!
The Groups I'm In:
paws of alaska
I've Been On Dogster Since:
| January 17th 2005 |
 |
More than 7 years! |
Rosette, Star and Special Gift History
Dogster Id:
108271
See all my Pup Pals
See all my Pup Pals
|
|
|
February 27th 2005 9:51 am
[ Leave A Comment ]
I watch all my buddies getting excited about pulling a sled, and I really wanted to go with them and see what it's all about. I always got left behind, though. One day I was permitted to go. I was really nervous. Everything was fine, until I was tied to a rope in front of the sled with all the other excited dogs. I couldn't help it, I just freaked out. I was so terrified! I threw myself on the ground and tried to scrape off the restraints! I think I was screaming my head off, too! THis must have irritated the rest of the team, because MIsha and some of her buddies tried biting me! That made it even scarier! (after I calmed down, I think I probably really irritated them, since they were so excited to go, and I sort of brought the whole show to a stop!)
It's so scary, though!
Well, last weekend mom tried again. I was harnessed (which was OK) and hooked to a line next to Fabio. I was pretty scared. I tried to climb up mom's pants leg, and then tried to turn around and climb over the sled when she turned around. Somehow, she managed to get us going, though, since there weren't any dogs other than Fabio that I could get tangled up with! Once we got moving, things went really well. I was so relieved. Now I think I see what the other dogs like about doing this! It is fun to run and follow a trail! There's so many smells, and it's nice seeing new scenery! It's great to work off some energy, too! Mom seems to think I'd be a phenomenal sled dog, if only I wouldn't be so scared, and let every other dog on the planet intimidate me! (This, of course, makes them all want to try, which really scares me and just makes things worse! I do OK in the yard, now, when I'm loose with them. Even Rahya, the bossy malamute is OK with me. ... I think mom had something to do with that. I just get so scared being tied next to them, though!) I think I'll be going out again a few times with just Fabio. When I get more comfortable, and used to the whole sled pulling idea, maybe mom will gradually add dogs until I'm comfortable running with a whole team.
I really would like to be a part of all this, it's just so scary, though!
|
|
See all diary entries for Ms. Grey
|
The Dog Show: Who's Your Mama?
8
