Shamrocks, you also deserve a gold star and a huge thank you from me. You have also been able to read the thread and see what I'm here for and what I'm trying to do. I agree that when honesty is displayed, many people can't grasp the content for what it is and how to move forward without clutching the past.
Ellie, the reason the thread has had moments of a train wreck is when people attempt to derail it. You have given some good advise, but you also placed a bar across the tracks too. It is because you put helpful information in your posts that I haven't added you to the ignore list as well. However, you also seem to be so sure of your FEELINGS instead of seeing the TRUTH in me. I don't wish to argue here, but if you read through the thread, it goes fine and the dialogue flows fine when people are working proactively. It's when people call me names or insinuates that I am some horrible person that I find myself compelled to defend where the wrong impressions have been made. I am guilty of responding to the chastising, but I AM receptive of the criticism when offered. I learn the most when somebody tells me I'm wrong in my actions or thinking when they follow it up with an alternative. I also find it a bit sad that you don't think that the information your fellow YT have to share is going to be helpful. That isn't a punch in the gut or anything, so please don't take it as so. Everything that was said and posted as an encouragement of training, processes or bonding ideas are all applicable ideas and sound suggestions. I would venture to say that most of the yorkie owners on this board did not need to go to classes or have professional trainers in their check book in order to develop routines and good behavior by their littlest family members.
To address taking a class - it's a great idea and all, but I don't have a set schedule on a daily routine. My duties at school have me busy, but it's a busy that I can't count on to have specific times off. 3 out of 4 of my classes require group projects and lab sessions. This means I have to meet with those 3 or 4 other students in each class to finish our assignments, labs and reports. Added to which, I'm a teaching assistant to the senior design class and I'm helping them with their projects around my schedule. I'm also employed on campus in the shop where I assist 2 other teachers by making testing apparatuses for their lab sessions and so forth. It is not uncommon for me to leave the apartment at 7am and not get home until midnight or later. Some days I don't have anything really going on besides personal homework so I am able to go home and study...but as I said, I can't watch the dog with one eye and do homework and complex problems in engineering with the other.
I've changed the idea of leaving her crated while I'm home and she's on a leash near me or tied up on the fiance's chair with a fluffy pillow to lay on. She's able to be out, see me and I talk to her while I'm working - even if it's to ask her about some algebra or other "thinking out loud" moments.
I can say this until I'm blue in the face - but I'll say it again. Rehoming - not going to happen. Do I want the dog rehomed - I hadn't even considered it, nor will I. Is it my dog - nope, but I have adopted it as I would a child or anything else my fiance had before I came to be in her life. No, we aren't married yet, but we are most certainly living and making decisions like we are. I bought a car before I proposed to her, but I included her in the purchase as a couple. Had she not said it was ok, I would not have gotten the car and I would have kept looking. We plan on our future together as if we already had made our vows before God and though we don't have the ceremony done, we are a family - and Bdog is OUR responsibility, and she will not be leaving OUR home.
I am getting ready to go back to school and see my girls. I have to finish up some laundry, lock up my shop, put my car away because I had a blow out last night and nobody has any tires in the size I need to fix the car. I'll have to drive my Jeep instead and come back when my tires are in from the special order.
I can't wait to see how the weekend went with my fiance and how much progress Bdog has made. I don't have a lot of confidence much ground was made by the response to my questions, but I'm keeping faith that she is learning and will get it down. |