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Originally Posted by MaggieMaysMommy  I honestly cant thank all of you enough - your suggestions are PERFECT and I really dont know why I had not thought of them...I am so appreciative of each of you taking the time to write your thoughtful responses. I am going to try a ramp instead of our stairs, I think that does make more sense over steps. And will be better for her joints over time. Putting a high reward treat at intervals? DUH why didnt I think of that?!  Same with the walks, and putting that on her daily schedule.
As for her crate situation, I can see your concern and questions - I didnt intend to keep her away from me during the night. The day I brought her home we set up her little crate in our family room so she could see us walking about and be with us in the room where we spend the most time. We left the door open, and she ran in and out on her own. It was loaded with soft blankets. We only shut the door at night, because we were also working on house training. Now that she is potty trained (she picked up on that pretty quick actually) I am happy to have her up in bed with us, or in a dog bed next to us. Whatever she prefers. I know she spent her former years in a crate, but I almost feel like her spurts of time in there helped her transition to house freedom. She *chooses* to go in the crate far less now then when she first came home Progress! |
Patience is definitely the key. I brought home a 7 yr old yorkie who was also used for breeding. It took awhile but she finally blossomed into a full blown diva. Boy did she become demanding. She went from being very timid to a confident bossy diva. It was so wonderful to see the transition. Even the most smallest of things is considered progress and milestones. I remember the first time she played with a toy or showed signs of playfulness or confidence, I was so happy because I knew that I was on the right track and to stick with it. I didn't give up even when it took a whole year to get her fully potty trained.
Hang in there, it definitely gets better.