Thinking outside the Box for Troy

I'm all of a tiz about Troy, happy for him and intent on babbling on excitedly about his many virtues. This wonderful white knight brings pleasure with every step forward he takes. And what huge steps they are, from un-noticed shelter dog to handsome hero who turns a few heads in the park!

Daisy, my other ASD foster dog, can't leave him alone. She flirts outrageously, thrusts her toys at him and wiggles her rump right under his nose when she wants him to notice her. Together they're making a love nest. i.e. they're digging a hole in my garden, with Daisy in charge of the shovelling.

There's so much progress to report, it's best done in businessy bullets. Here goes, hope I do him justice:

• He's slept 3 consecutive nights in his crate, 9-10 hr stretches but still has to be coaxed in.
• He jumps happily in the back of my car to drive to the park for walkies - I think he's losing his fear of cars so has stopped drooling, at least on these short trips.
• He's happy & confident on leash - anywhere. Pulls though and he's fairly strong.
• Can now climb steps which he couldn't when he first arrived. It's funny to watch him though!
• Not afraid of thunder or lightening as first thought.
• He barks as a warning. Now races to the garden gate with the rest of my pack to warn off the dustmen who everyday come to steal our things.
• Those entering the gate, he greets with a wag and obvious interest.
• Is beginning to jump up on people as a greeting, which has to be stopped. Think he's learning this from my own dogs. Oops.
• Barks furiously when he spots himself in the mirror. Obviously hates having such a handsome rival!
• Has come out of his shell to run around the garden in hot pursuit of the others
• Just beginning to have fun with a toy - runs after it, picks it up.
• Only one indoor pee accident - but I was right on the spot to yell NO and take him outside.
• Is kind of chilled most of the time, content to sit quietly at my feet, alone or with others.
• Fine with cats - took him right up to one of the unafraid strays in the park. He looked disinterestedly for a while then walked off.
• Interested to meet other dogs and good with the ones I've introduced him to so far. His hackles will rise initially but he doesn't want to initiate trouble. He's fine with other dogs but would benefit from more socialisation.
• Great with the children he's met so far.
• Is very gentle in taking treats, no grabbing
• Is far less wary of my head kisses now - I think he's beginning to enjoy them, mwah mwah.
• He's losing his 'surface sensitivity'. He wouldn't walk across anything in the house that wasn't a tiled floor, having to leap across mats or dog beds. He still refuses to walk on wet grass - but for 13 years my other doggy has refused likewise.
• A simple "psssst" redirects his attention from naughtiness, like chewing the telephone box on the wall.
• Very interested in food and treats which will serve him well when it's training time.
• Happily lets me take his food away, his toys, his treats.

He's having a love affair with his blue dog bed, sighing "phorrrrr" everytime he climbs in and snuggles down. It was by stuffing his giant dog bed into the crate that encouraged him in for the very first time. We mortals have to think outside the box - or crate in this case - when trying to encourage a dog to do what we want! If he gets the thumbs up for overseas travel and finds someone overseas who wants to love him forever, wonder if we can send him in the crate, stuffed into his blue dog bed? Any thoughts, anyone?
More about Troy's crate training >> here.

I know he's not afraid of thunder or lightning as he appears to be when living in the shelter. Last Sunday, Martin & I spent 45 minutes in a small park shelter, waiting for the thunder, lightning and torrential rain to stop. It was noisy under the tin roof and cold! Troy cleverly chose the dryest spot, underneath the bench and settled down unperturbedly for a snooze. Not sure, but suspect there was generally more noise and anxiety at the shelter during storms which transmitted to Troy. Anyway, we all stayed calm and unafraid, and Troy took our lead.