Comfort dogs

NatsFan

Norita - my little rescue min pin is the same way - he came out of a home where the owner suffered from mental illness and he's very very needy.  He was apparently left to his own devices for so many years, and being a very non-dominant dog, it's obvious he couldn't handle being left in charge.  Unfortunately, his owner's incapacitation forced him into that role.  After a lot of trial and error, we found that what seems to make him happy is to not just tell him No when he's doing something we don't want him to do.  We found it was better to tell him exactly what to do in any given situation.  For instance, instead of saying, "No, get down" leaving him to figure out what his next move is, we give him an affirmative command - Sit, or Stay, or Lie Down. Then he gets a "Good Boy" and a treat. I've gotten him to the point when he's all over me, I can put him next to me, and like Spookie says, put in him a Down-Stay, and he'll curl up next to my leg.  Then I can pet him, giving him the attention he needs, but not having him all up on my chest wrapping his neck around me.  It's taken a lot of patience and effort, but he's so much better than he used to be. 

If your Reo is like my Mikey, he's terribly insecure. With Mikey, having someone tell him what to do was a tremendous relief to him - he's slowly learning he doesn't have to be in charge any more, and that's helped lower his stress levels a lot. Fortunately, he's very food-driven, so treats work wonders in training.  

The other thing is, when the time comes Reo may instinctively know that he needs to stay calm around you and not jump all over you.  During my post-DIEP recovery, my little chihuahua, Molly, instinctively curled up next to me or at my feet when I was in the recliner - in contrast to her normal place on my lap.  Somehow she just knew. 

norita19

Good idea, Spookiesmom! I haven't incorporated treats into this training, I will try that this evening. I'd rather have him down stay next to me so I'll work on that with treats. I feel so bad because I'd love to have Riley cuddle with me, he's such a gentle soul but from past experience, that would cause an absolute freak-out by Reo!

norita19

Thank you Natsfan, I think we were posting at the same time. I will work on that. I'm so glad I found "real dog people" on this forum! I belong to a few Havanese groups but sadly, I think Reo's original owner is a part of some or all of them so I don't feel comfortable posting my problems there. Reo was very hand shy when I got him . He was also afraid of doors and men. He loves DH now and is starting to trust my 24 year old son. So he's come a long way, but still a long way to go.

Spookiesmom

Or re-direct with a treat or toy.  I've never had them, but some dogs really go bonkers for bully sticks.  Get the kind that doesn't smell, I've heard the odor is awful.  

My Kris is a rescue.  He has fixated on daddy.  And that's ok.  But I can't stand the whining when he thinks daddy should be home.  So I tell him NO and ignore him.  

Spookiesmom

Ha! I could talk dog all day long! I have a shirt that says 

I love dogs. It's humans that annoy me  

M0mmyof3

I know I have become closer to my dog and cat since I was diagnosed with BC. They are my constant companions when hubby is at work. They became more affectionate last year especially when I was going through Chemo Hades (as I refer to that part of my treatment). When I wasn't feeling so hot, they were almost glued to my side and if I laid down to rest because I was feeling like crud, they laid down nearby and kept an eye on me. I don't know what I would have done without their unwaivering and uncompromising love. 

WinningSoFar

I'm new on this thread but kept wondering what it was all about.   I'm impressed.

I have a little black min schnauzer named Holly who is timid, but not aggressive.  She's a retired show dog so maybe that plays into it a little.  She loves me, couches, food and walks in that order.  She doesn't care too much for other dogs, strangers, brooms or the garden blower.  As of yesterday, she is now welcome in the oncologist's office, so she goes with me now to chemo, shots and port flushes, as well as MO appointments.

It doesn't get any better than this. 

Spookiesmom

Oh WOW how cool your fur baby can go to chemo with you! I would have loved that! Never thought to ask, never saw any other dogs there.

M0mmyof3

I always said there was a connection between us and animals that transcends the normal things. Back in 2008 i was taking Psych classes for my Associates Degree I had to do a paper for the class and I chose to research about the bonds between humans and animals and the effect it has on each other. Needless to say when I got the paper back from my professor, she gave me high marks and said that from what I had presented in the paper, that I made my case that humans and animals share a very tight bond.

Spookiesmom

there has been a recent study on dogs about how they react to pleasant touch, from us.  Really fascinating they react like we do, BP drops, etc.

farmerlucy

We're visiting DS and DDIL in Den right now. We have a pet cam (geeyacam) ($50 from amazon) so we can check in on things at home. Olivia is parked on the trunk in the living room looking out the window. She'll stay there until we get home tomorrow. Talk about loyalty.

sciencegal

Oh poor Olivia! I am pupsitting for my friend right now and her dogs are definitely parked by the front door waiting. I hope the pups really dont have much of a concept of time? 

Hi to all of our new friends on this thread. I LOVE the new picures and stories, have been keeping up but too busy to post recently. Winding down now on work deadlines in preparation for my reconstruction surgery on friday. I know my three pups will be right by my side!

Hugs to all and to your furry friends

M0mmyof3

Last night in my house was a hoot when I went to bed, the dog was laying on my side of the bed and when I went to climb in he moved long enough to let me get comfy and then I felt a plop on my feet. I lifted my head from my pillow to see he had laid his head on my feet! He has been doing this ever since last year. I think he's just saying: "Mom, its okay. I'm here, sleep well."  As if this was hilarious enough, sometime later on I heard my cat come in and jump into the hubby's laundry basket! My boys keep me so entertained when I can't sleep.

bobogirl

Oh, mommy of 2, that is just the best!  I love your boys.  I know bobo comes to the bed (while I am doing work there, for example) and brings his toys, and wags his tail, and kind of throws them, and I play hide-and-seek with him.  He paws the pillows and covers because that always makes me laugh.  He is a lot more gentle with the toys since this started.  He's trying to cheer me up!  Any idiot nonbeliever can see that.

Sciencegal, it is so sad to see dogs waiting and looking out the window.  I feel guilty when I leave bobo for the day.  Today is a short day.  But I have a new job and he'll be alone for eight hours coming up!  He doesn't have a problem with the bathroom at all -- we walk him before we leave -- but he's never been left alone that long (I worked from home for years).  Does everyone leave their dogs at home while they work a full day?  Can you make me not feel so guilty?  There is no good doggie daycare here, and anyway, bobo does not like dogs. XXX

M0mmyof3

My cat is just as crazy at times because when I am folding laundry occasionally the little booger burrows into the laundry as I am trying to fold it and plays attack cat. He even likes to jump in the empty laundry basket and have me carry him around for short distances while he lays down in it! 

Warrior_Woman

Has everyone seen this?  Heh heh heh.

31 Dog Reactions For Everyday Situations

bobogirl

WW, I am peeing myself laughing and disturbing the household.

farmerlucy

I'm at the airport post margarita and lol ing   my Clairabelle off.

farmerlucy

Seriously Sciencegal. Sorry about your recon. Did something happen? 

norita19

I've found something that seems to be working with the no- lap rule. As soon as Reo puts a paw on my lap, I stand up. Then I have him do a down, then I sit down again. He's already realized as soon as I stand up, he automatically does a down. So, progress. He still has to get asclosetomeaspossible. I think I actually saw something like that on "It's Me or the Dog" show with Victoria Stillwell. Love her, I wish she would do a show again.

I've given them bully sticks, Riley loves them, Reo not so much, but he wants whatever Riley has.

glennie19

hahahahahaha, Awesome those were.

sciencegal

Hi Farmerlucy- no, all is well, thank gosh- this is just the (hopefully) final in the planned reconstructions. Finishing off the mastectomy side and a lift on the other. Almost there!

Bobogirl many people leave their dogs all day, they get into a pattern and mostly sleep while we are away. With random short forays onto furniture where they should not go, etc. Pupcams beamed to our cellphones document this. 

They wait by the door when things are unusual, like their people arent coming home at night. But even then they can get into a pattern if they know what to expect. I pupsit for my friend whenever she travels and now her two poms know that, when I come play with them and give them dinner and a walk, that means their mommy wont be home that night and they might as well give up the vigil on the floor to sleep on the soft bed! The pupcam documents this.

No guilt! Bobo will be okay, will adjust.

Hugs to all

M0mmyof3

Warrior,

that link made me laugh so hard I almost dropped my coffee cup! 

Lilith08

Seems like a good place to ask...
What do I need to think about for my cats when I'm home from surgery? I won't be directly home for the better part of a week and will have someone taking care of them during that time. But when I'm back home, what next? Do I need to keep them away from me (I can already hear my mother warning me about germs...)? I know I'll have to keep one of them from sitting on my chest.
And how long before I'll be strong enough to scoop out litter boxes? Or maybe that's also a germy thing to stay away from....

farmerlucy

I was pretty bandaged up, and I changed my dressings in the bathrrom where I had a station of sorts set up. Honestly I didn't think about the dogs and the cat  re: germs.  I had a bmx with tissue expander placement and the main constraints were due to the recon. I couldn't lift anything over ten pounds and I had to keep my arms to my side for four weeks. No recon would be much different. I was able to do my normal activity within the rules pretty much immediately. I could feed the dogs but had to go to my knees to scoop food and such. I tied the leash to my waist and was able to walk the calmer ones around the block on day two. I'd probably err on the side fo caution with the litter box. 

M0mmyof3

Here is something from my own experience :I am usually the one who takes the dog off the bed in the morning to take him out to do his business, last year when I had my bmx, hubby had to step in and take over the lifting duties for me. He would put Jackson on the floor and I would take it from there. I could feed Charcoal (my black cat) and Jackson (our Sheltie), but again when it came to the litter box, that was hubby's job.

 Just be very cautious with the cats. I would suggest that if you can, delegate the chore of cleaning the litter box to someone else.

Had another interesting night with Jackson's antics. Tried to turn over onto my back and couldn't because he decided that he was going to use mommy for a pillow. A couple of years ago I made him his own pillow for the bed and he usually uses it, but who knows what he was thinking. He must have been having a good dream last night because it felt as if he was doing Morse Code on my legs at one point with his paws!

Lilith08

Thanks for the responses. I was figuring I'd leave the litter box to someone else. I am incredibly fortunate to have a gem of a neighbor who has offered to pop over to help with the cats. I will probably take her up on that offer!

glennie19

Lilith: that sounds like a good idea. If your neighbor is willing, I think you should take her up on it. Stay away from the bacteria and the bending over for a couple of weeks. 

M0mmyof3

yw Lilith

Warrior_Woman

Help!  I need advice from anyone who knows cat behavior.  I adopted 2 cats last week to live under my deck with my other cat who has been very lonely since her partner died.  The two new cats are living in an enclosed habitat until they adjust so I can increase the likelihood they won't run away.  My dogs are finally getting accustomed to the new cats but the problem I am worried about is that I just witnessed my old cat jump onto the habitat in attack mode.  I have never seen this in her before.  I assume she is jealous of them and the attention they've received but I don't know.  I can handle this stuff with dogs but I don't know what to do with cats.  I've been trying to give my old cat extra attention as you would a child with a new baby sibling.  I do not want my old cat to chase away my new cats when they're released from the habitat.  I plan to wait until the new cats are responsive to me, eating, cleaning themselves and showing signs of adjustment before I let them out.  Does part of this process involve waiting to see my old cat adjust to the new cats too?  How will I be able to tell?  What can I do to increase my odds of success?  If the cats run away they won't survive and that will be my fault.  Any advice from cat people is very much welcomed.  Thanks in advance.